Anime has been one of the best entertainment sources. Chinese anime shows have grown steadily in popularity in recent years because of their unique yet different art style, plots, animation quality, and cultural influences. This article has a Chinese anime list that you should definitely add to your watchlist.
China has a long history of animation production and has created some of the world's most popular and loved shows. Here are some of the best famous Chinese anime that new and old anime fans can quickly get into and appreciate animation from other parts of the world.
Popular Chinese Anime Shows
What is Chinese anime called? Chinese anime is referred to as donghua. This term encompasses animations that have been created in China or are Chinese adaptations of manhua (Chinese manga). Here are some of the best Chinese anime series of all time that you should check out if you want to start watching Chinese animated series.
Soul Land (Douluo Dalu)
Soul Land is an action, adventure, and fantasy anime series. It revolves around Tang San, one of the martial art clan's most prestigious disciples, who uses hidden weapons. He decides to forsake this life at the cost of obtaining the sect's forbidden lore—an action punishable by death. However, his death marks the beginning of a new existence in another universe while he retains all of his memories.
Battle Through The Heavens (Doupo Cangqiong)
Battle Through The Heavens is one of the greatest anime series. The show follows the story of the protagonist, Xiao Yan, who embarks on a mission of vengeance after a series of misfortunes leave him anxious and sad. He becomes a powerful fighter and alchemist. The story contains action, comedy, and romance elements, making it popular with a diverse audience.
Heaven Official's Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu)
Heaven Official's Blessing is a highly acclaimed Chinese anime series based on a popular web novel. The story revolves around the protagonist Crown Prince Xie Lian, who ascended to the Heavens at a young age but was quickly banished back to the mortal realm due to unfortunate circumstances. He goes on an adventure to discover dark secrets behind the heavenly gods.
Blades of the Guardians (Biao Ren)
Blades of the Guardians is a new historical action anime series adapted from a comic. The series is set during the transition between the Sui Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty. It depicts the story of Dāomǎ, a skilled mercenary with a strong sense of honour who travels across Ancient China. He accepts a paid escort mission to the capital city, Chang'an.
Rakshasa Street (Zhen Hun Jie)
Based on the Chinese manhua, Rakshasa Street is set in a modern world where spirits and humans coexist. However, not all humans can enter Requiem Street—only those rare-soul users with guardian spirits can gain access. The series follows Xia Ling, a young man who can see and interact with spirits and is determined to protect the living from evil spirits after a tragic accident claims his parents' lives.
Tales Of Demons And Gods (Yaoshenji)
Tales of Demons and Gods revolves around Nie Li, a young man with a powerful demon spiritist who died and miraculously reincarnated into his 13-year-old self. He is determined to change his fate and prevent the eventual destruction of his city using the knowledge from his past life.
Link Click
Link Click tells the story of Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, who use superpowers to enter their clientele's photos at a small photography studio in a modern metropolis. The series combines elements of mystery and drama, making it a captivating watch.
Throne of Seal (Shen Yin Wang Zuo)
Throne of Seal is an adaptation of a 2011 web novel. The plot focuses on Long Haochen, a nine-year-old boy who joins a temple to protect humanity from demons and beasts, aspiring to become the strongest knight and inherit the throne.
Thousand Autumns (Shan He Jian Xin)
Thousand Autumns is an animated adaptation of a Chinese BL web novel. The story takes place during the North and South dynasties and follows martial artist Shen Qiao, who, after a fight, is left injured and blind. He begins a journey of healing and self-reflection while resisting the powerful leader of a demonic sect.
A Will Eternal (Yi Nian Yong Heng)
A Will Eternal is a Chinese cultivation anime based on the eponymous novel. The series combines humour, action, and fantasy, often featuring quirky characters and comedic situations. It tells the story of Bai Xiaochun, a young man motivated by his fear of death and desire to live forever, while cherishing his friendships and family.
Scissor Seven (Cike Wu Liuqi)
Scissor Seven is a drama, fantasy, and comedy series, and it is the first Chinese animated series to debut as a Netflix Original. The story revolves around Wu Liuqi, a scissor-wielding hairdresser and quasi-assassin who tries to recover his lost memories after a major injury, using love to resolve hatred and prejudice.
The Founder of Diabolism (Mo Dao Zu Shi)
The Founder of Diabolism follows Wei Wu Xian and Lan Wang Ji, who meet during magical training. Together, they work to unravel the mysteries of the spiritual world while fighting demons and forming an unexpected bond.
A Record of Mortal's Journey to Immortality (Fanren Xiu Xian Chuan)
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality was adapted from a popular Chinese web novel. The story centers on Han Li, a poor boy from a village who joins a minor sect in Jiang Hu to improve his family's life.