Chinese anime, popularly known as “Donghua,” has begun to garner the attention of fans worldwide. Like its Japanese counterpart, anime, the medium has a pleasant array of stories that have captivated fans. Link Click and Soul Land are among the titles responsible for promoting Donghua globally. While some Donghua still carry some elements of Japanese anime, they pair them exceptionally well with their rich folklore and history to give each story its own unique identity. Most Donghua are adapted from or go on to make brilliant manhua (Chinese manga). Here are some of the best Donghua to watch:
Hitori no Shita
Hitori no Shita follows the story of Cho Soran, a regular high school student who returns home to pay his respects to his grandpa’s grave. He finds the grave desecrated and is attacked by a tomb raider who claims to be his grandfather’s granddaughter. However, the clash is interrupted by zombies, and the tomb raider leaves him to die. He manages to escape and returns to the city.
Meanwhile, in class, he meets the tomb raider, Fu Hōho, who introduces him to a new life. Soran must now adapt to this new world and fend off the groups who are after his grandfather’s legacy. Hitori no Shita is a fantastic anime with stellar visuals and impeccable fight scenes.
Douluo Dalu
Douluo Dalu, or Soul Land, is arguably one of the most popular Chinese anime series in the world today. The series has been praised for its fantastic story and the unique characters it has introduced. The story follows Tang San, a former disciple of the Tang Sect Martial Clan, who commits suicide after breaking the sect’s rules.
He then reincarnates into a world where people’s worth is determined by the innate spirits they are able to cultivate. However, Tang San has dual martial spirits and incredible soul power. Despite one of his spirits being regarded as useless, he will undertake the journey to reach his martial peak. Soul Land has created numerous manhuas within the same universe but on different timelines.
Link Click
Although Donghua’s doesn’t get much praise, Link Click has changed that perspective with its riveting story. It follows the lives of Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, who operate the Time Photo Studio business. They use the pictures from their clients to travel back to the time when the image was taken to seek out the information they requested. The anime perfectly explains the butterfly effect and how one change could cause a ripple effect. It is an exciting anime for fans of time-travel anime and those looking to start.
Lan Mo De Hua
The anime follows the life of Lan Mo, a known tomboy secretly in love with her childhood friend, Liu Yi Feng. She then finds a mysterious hair clip, which transforms her into a beautiful lady. Lan Mo plans to use her newfound powers to win the heart of Yi Feng, but this proves to be easier said than done. This Donghua is an exciting watch for romance enthusiasts and new Chinese anime watchers.
The King’s Avatar
The popular Donghua took the world by storm with its incredible artwork and visuals, which made it a success from the first episode. The story revolves around the famous MMORPG “Glory,” which has everyone scrambling to stand at the top. Ye Xiu, the game’s top player, is forcibly removed from his team and forced to retire due to old age. However, he creates a new character to keep his identity a secret and reconnect with the game he has always loved. Furthermore, this popular Chinese anime went on to inspire its live-action adaptation, which was well-received by fans.
