Chinese anime, as the name implies, refers to animations created in China or Chinese adaptations of Manhua (ๆผซ็ป), Chinese manga, and is also known as Donghua (ๅจ็ป). With multiple manhuas making waves both domestically and internationally, Chinese anime is also seeing a massive increase in viewership as well as a drastic increase in animation quality.
This list ranks the best Chinese anime, including older titles and new Chinese anime that you may not be aware of.
1. Soul Land ๆ็ฝๅคง้
Year: 2018
Episodes: 140+
Update: Every Saturday
“Soul Land” is a novel by author Tang Jiasan Shao (ๅๅฎถไธๅฐ), first published on Qidian Chinese website (่ตท็นไธญๆ็ฝ). In May 2018, Tang Jiasan Shao was inducted into the Internet Literature Hall of Fame as the first winner of Cheng Gua award (ๆฉ็็ฝๆไน็) with works such as “Douluo Dalu” and “Douluo Dalu” scored 7.6 points in Cheng Gua (ๆฉ็).
The story is about Tang San (ๅไธ), a disciple of Tangmen’s (ๅ้จ) outer sect, who Tangmen did not tolerate for stealing the secret skills of learning from the inner sect. He found that he was not dead when he jumped off a cliff. Instead, he came to another world with another identity, a world belonging to the martial spirits called Douluo Continent (ๆ็ฝๅคง้). There is no magic or martial arts, but there are magical spirits. Watch how Tang San recreates the splendid story of Tangmen in this new world of magical spirits (ๆญฆ้ญ).
2. Perfect World ๅฎ็พไธ็
Year: 2021
Episodes: 70+
Update: Every Friday
“Perfect World” is a Chinese online animation produced by Penguin Films (ไผ้น ๅฝฑ่ง), Foch Films (่ง็ฆ็ ฆๅฝฑ), and Suzhou Ian Animation (่ๅทไผๆฉๅจๆผซ) and directed by Wang Gongfa (ๆฑชๆๆ) and Zhang Shuai (ๅผ ๅธ ). The first season will be broadcast exclusively on Tencent Video from April 23, 2021.
The animation is adapted from Chen Dong’s (่พฐไธ) original fantasy novel of the same name, which tells the story of Shi Hao’s incredibly glorious path of cultivation, and finally created an endless legend.
Shi Hao (็ณๆ) was born to cultivate the Dao (้). To meet the calamity, he incarnated into a genius blessed by the heavens. His journey will bring him through unknown lands until he can become a person that can truly shake the world.
3. Battle Through The Heavens ๆ็ ด่็ฉน
Year: 2017
Episodes: 5 Seasons (50+)
Update: Every Sunday
“Battle Through The Heavens” is an ancient fantasy novel serialized on Qidian Chinese website (่ตท็นไธญๆ็ฝ). The author is Qidian platinum writer Tian Can Tudou (Li Hu ๆ่).
This story talks about the world of Dou Qi (ๆๆฐ); the story of a boy named Xiao Yan (่ง็). When Xiao Yan was young, his martial art had no progress until he was fifteen due to his mother’s ring absorbing all of his progress. After making contact with the ring, Xiao Yan runs into the old man Yao Lao (่ฏ่). One day, Xiao Yan makes excellent strides in martial arts with Yao Lao’s assistance, discovering the main cause of his mother’s death. Xiao Yan enrolls in the Jianan Academy (่ฟฆๅๅญฆ้ข) and meets new people there. Xiao Yan chose a single person to challenge the forces of evil to exact revenge for his mother’s murder, but also for justice.
4. Tales Of Demons And Gods ๅฆ็ฅ่ฎฐ
Year: 2017
Episodes: 5 Seasons (180+)
Update: Every Saturday
“Tales Of Demons And Gods” is a fantasy novel written by the Internet writer Furious Snail (ๅ้ฃ็่็). It was first published on the Qidian Chinese website (่ตท็นไธญๆ็ฝ). It tells the legendary story of the protagonist Nie Li (่็ฆป), who works hard to become the strongest Demon Spiritist. But unfortunately, he was killed in the battle with the Sage Emperor. But when he is given a second chance at life, Nie Li, whose soul is returned to when he was only 13 years old, uses the memories of years of training to rise in the martial arts world. He swears to protect his city from the demon beasts that pose an existential threat to his homeland. Furthermore, he is determined to destroy the Sacred family, who have abandoned all responsibilities for personal gain.
5. Divine Throne ็ฅๅฐ็ๅบง
Year: 2022
Episodes: 20+
Update: Every Thursday
“Divine Throne” is a novel about another continent written by the Internet writer Tang Jiasan Shao (ๅๅฎถไธๅฐ). It is the twelfth novel by San Shao.
The novel tells the story of a young man who is determined to join the Temple of Human Knights to fight against demons. Miracles continue to be staged around him, and with his efforts, he ascends to the throne of the gods, which symbolizes the highest Glory of knights.
6. Martial Universe ๆญฆๅจไนพๅค
Year: 2019
Episodes: 3 Seasons (36+)
Update: TBC
“Martial Universe” is a fantasy novel that was signed and authorized to be serialized on the Qidian Chinese website (่ตท็นไธญๆ็ฝ). The author is Tiancan Tudou (ๅคฉ่ๅ่ฑ). The anime tells the story of Qingyang Town, Yancheng, Tiandu County, Dayan Dynasty. Lin Dong (ๆๅจ), a descendant of the Lin family, accidentally picked up a mysterious stone talisman in a cave and embarked on an adventure. Lin Dong eventually became one of the most powerful and respected martial artists through sheer grit and determination.ย
7. The King’s Avatar ๅ จ่้ซๆ
Year: 2017
Episodes: 2 Seasons (24+)
Update: TBC
“The King’s Avatar,” an online game novel serialized by Butterfly Blue (่ด่ถ่) on Qidian Chinese website (่ตท็นไธญๆ็ฝ). It tells the story of Ye Xiu (ๅถไฟฎ), a top player in the online game Glory (่ฃ่). He was expelled from the club for various reasons. After leaving the professional circle, he stayed in an Internet cafe and became a small network administrator. With experience, he re-entered the game in Glory’s newly opened tenth area (็ฌฌๅๅบ). With memories of the past and an unfinished self-made weapon, the Thousand Manifestations Umbrella (ๅๆบไผ) began to reach the Glory’s summit.
8. Full-Time Magister ๅ จ่ๆณๅธ
Year: 2016
Episodes: 5 Seasons (60+)
Update: TBC
“Full-Time Magister” is a fantasy novel created by an online writer under the pseudonym “Ran,” (ไนฑ) and serialized on Qidian Chinese website (่ตท็นไธญๆ็ฝ). The male protagonist is Mo Fan (่ซๅก), and the female protagonists are Mu Ningxue (็ฉๅฎ้ช) and Ye Xinxia (ๅถๅฟๅค).
Mo Fan, an aloof high schooler, has discovered himself in a universe similar to but distinct from his mundane one; it is where magic has replaced the essence of science. The most capable students are taught to master the wonders of spells, working to defend the city from destructive beasts lurking in the surrounding forests.
Like in his previous life, Mo Fan is the son of a poor laborer and the older step-brother of a disabled sister. Yet, despite these disadvantages, he aspires to attend a magic school and become a magicianโa highly respected and lucrative tradeโto repay his father for his efforts.
