Best Chinese Donghua series for beginners

Key Takeaways

  • Donghua from China, like anime, offers a variety of storytelling and animation styles.
  • Link Click explores time manipulation in a unique way within the supernatural genre.
  • God Troubles Me is a relaxed donghua with a sitcom vibe, perfect for new fans.



Anime has been a huge part of the entertainment world for years. With every new series, there's always something new that takes the entire anime scene to the next level, raising what some might call 'standards'. If most people think of Japan when they hear 'anime', that's no longer the case, especially as some anime become more popular than Korean manhwa like Solo Leveling SY Nobility.

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18 Best Anime Like Solo Leveling

Fans of the popular Korean anime Solo Leveling should check out other action-packed shows that share similar themes and characters.

There's one type of anime that doesn't get as much love as anime, despite having some of the best stories and most amazing animation out there — donghua. Donghua is an anime from China and often features Chinese culture and traditions. Although they are similar to anime in many ways, donghua come in a variety of forms and themes, sometimes making them more diverse in terms of animation and storytelling.



A supernatural mystery with a very moving tone

the main characters of Link Click in black and white clothes taking pictures.

Another name

Shiguang Dailiren

published

2021

distribution

11

Click link is a supernatural mystery donghua 2021 that stands out for having one of the unique places on this list. What sets it apart, not only from other donghua but from most anime as well, is how it treats familiar supernatural tropes like time travel and parapsychology in new and unusual ways. The story follows two friends who run a shop called Time Photo Studio, who take photos from customers and enter them to complete a special job requested by the customer.


The main characters, Cheng Xiaoshi, and Lu Guang, have strange abilities linked to warping time and altering reality. Cheng Xiaoshi can go back by inserting a picture and have the corpse inside, while Lu Guang has the power to read the picture and predict the exact events that will happen inside. 12 hours after being picked up. They use these skills to help people resolve regrets and gain closure.

6 Spirit land

Donghua 3D With intense martial arts and Isekai theme

the main characters of Soul Land standing side by side.-1

Another name

Douluo Dalu

published

2018

distribution

26


Donghua can be classified as a series of Chinese cartoons, but they're not classified as anime either — especially since they're not always in 2D. In fact, some of the most popular donghua today are 2.5D or fully 3D animation, which destroys the look of 'normal' animation. Spirit land is donghua 2018 based on a web novel, which can be considered a unique example of such a series, considering the fact that it is completely made in 3D animation instead of the usual 2D.

Spirit land is an isekai story that revolves around traditional Chinese martial arts. It follows the journey of a man who loses his life after gaining forbidden knowledge, which inevitably leads to punishment and death. After doing what he wanted and doing what he couldn't understand, he took his own life, thinking he had lived enough. But instead of finding peace, he is reborn into a strange new world, inhabiting the body of a 6-year-old child with the power to control supernatural beings called spirits.


5 The Daily Life of the Immortal King

Comedy action with a defeated main character

main character and aspect of The Daily Life of the Immortal King goes to school.-1

Another name

Xian Wang de Richang Shenghuo

published

2020

distribution

15

The Daily Life of the Immortal King is a donghua 2020 that shifts its narrative from mere action to incorporating small elements of life and comedy. It follows the story of Wang Ling, a seemingly normal 16-year-old high school student who faces her biggest challenge yet — yes, high school. Although this is true, Wang Ling has a little secret that makes him different from the average student: he is almost invincible, he has a power that no one can fathom.


He was only six years old when he managed to defeat the demon king, and his power has only grown stronger since then. But, even with his invincible strength and being the reincarnation of the most powerful being in the universe, the biggest problem and the only thorn in his side is middle school – which seems to be more difficult than sangan all his previous work.

4 Spiritpact

Supernatural Action with BL Subplot

the main characters of Spiritpact standing in a sky-like background.-1

Another name

Ling Qi

published

2016

distribution

20


Spiritpact is a 2016 donghua based on the manhua of the same name that heavily incorporates the theme of spiritual abilities into its title — like many other great donghuas. It follows the story of two unlikely people who are brought together by unexpected circumstances where survival depends on each other.

You Keika are a seemingly ordinary man with a seemingly ordinary life. He is not financially stable and spends most of his time doing part-time jobs to earn as much money as he can. But then, as if things couldn't get worse, he dies in an accident and returns as a ghost. That's when he meets an exorcist who offers him a deal — he will protect you from humans, and in return you need to help him spiritually.

3 Avatar of the King

A real life story following the journey of the disgraced pro player

The main character Avatar of the King with his character in the game and his real identity.-1


Another name

Quanzhi Gaoshou

published

2017

distribution

12

Anime focused on video games tends to be the whole isekai theme, where the main character enters the world of the game — think Overlord, No Game No Lifeand Sword Art Online. This is the usual way. But less common are stories about the main character staying in the real world and going on an esports journey.

Avatar of the King unique in that way. It's a 2017 Donghua based on the web novel of the same name, and there's no twist in the game's world of fantasy. Instead, it's about an esports player's fall from grace and his tumultuous comeback, starting from scratch in the wildly popular online game Glory.


2 Swallowed star

Action, Sci-Fi, martial arts with solid graphics

The main characters swallowed Star in their mecha suits.

Another name

Tunshi Xingkong

published

2020

distribution

26

For those looking for a serious donghua with a heavy focus on action and sci-fi, Swallowed star can be a very tough choice. Donghua 2020 3D set in a very futuristic post-apocalyptic world with physically advanced humans and rampant monsters. But, like most Donghua, Swallowed star keeps martial arts at the center of its story despite the sci-fi world.


The show follows the story of Luo Feng, a recent high school graduate who aspires to become a warrior in a world plagued by disaster. Their world is infected by a virus known as the RR virus that kills people and turns other living things into violent mutants. These warriors were humanity's only defense against the changing creatures and Luo Feng was willing to give up his life to be one of them. What he doesn't realize is, he might be more important to a bigger plot than he realizes.

1 God is hurting me

Slice-of-Life Comedy With Sitcom Vibes

Moting from God It pains me to look at cats.

Another name

Hanhua Riji

published

2019

distribution

12


God is hurting me is a donghua 2019 that is perfect for new donghua fans, especially because it is convenient and fun. Although it leans heavily towards fantasy plots, nothing is too difficult to follow. Basically it's a quirky comedy featuring three completely unexpected people who find themselves in a strange situation – just like a sitcom.

The story centers on Su Moting, a monster, a half-god who only clings to the human nature of his parents. His superhuman people, wanting more independence, decided to banish him so he could learn self-reliance. This begins his journey as an independent person, which leads to his life with two unknown classmates: a mindless monster and a powerful god who lacks moral knowledge. social.

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