Series Donghua: The Ultimate Guide to Chinese Animation
Introduction: What is Donghua?
The world of animation is vast and diverse, with Japanese anime and Western cartoons being widely recognized across the globe. However, a rapidly rising star in the global animation industry is Donghua, the Chinese term for animation. In simple words, donghua refers to animated works produced in China, often inspired by Chinese history, mythology, novels, and web manhua (Chinese comics).
When we talk about series donghua, we are specifically referring to Chinese animated television series or web series that are released in multiple episodes, much like Japanese anime or Western animated shows. Over the past decade, donghua series have gained immense popularity, not only in China but also among international viewers who enjoy fantasy, martial arts (wuxia), romance, historical epics, and futuristic science-fiction.
In this blog, we will explore the world of donghua series in detail—its history, genres, popular titles, platforms to watch, and why it is becoming a global phenomenon.
The History of Donghua Series
The roots of Chinese animation date back to the 1920s, with early pioneers like the Wan brothers, who are considered the fathers of Chinese animation. Their film Princess Iron Fan (1941) was one of the first full-length animated films in Asia. However, when it comes to donghua series, the modern boom began in the 2000s with the rise of online streaming platforms and digital production.
Unlike traditional anime production in Japan, which has decades of continuous industry growth, the donghua industry had a late start. But thanks to advanced technology, digital artistry, and a massive pool of source material from Chinese web novels and manhua, donghua series started gaining momentum after 2010.
Why Donghua Series Are Growing in Popularity
There are several reasons why series donghua has become increasingly popular among global audiences:
Rich Cultural Heritage – Donghua often draws from Chinese mythology, Taoism, Confucian values, and wuxia (martial heroes) traditions. This gives it a fresh flavor compared to Japanese anime or Western cartoons.
Unique Storytelling – Many donghua series are adaptations of Chinese light novels or web novels, offering epic storytelling with deep world-building.
Stunning Visuals – Modern donghua uses advanced CGI and traditional 2D animation, resulting in breathtaking battle scenes and beautiful landscapes.
International Accessibility – With platforms like Bilibili, Tencent Video, Youku, Netflix, and Crunchyroll, many donghua series now come with English subtitles or dubs.
Genres for Everyone – Whether you like action, fantasy, romance, sci-fi, or slice-of-life, there is a donghua series for you.
Popular Genres in Series Donghua
1. Xianxia (Immortal Heroes)
One of the most beloved genres in donghua series, Xianxia revolves around cultivation, spiritual energy, and the journey of mortals striving for immortality. Examples include Battle Through the Heavens and Stellar Transformation.
2. Wuxia (Martial Arts Chivalry)
A more grounded version of martial arts adventures, wuxia features swordsmen, martial heroes, and themes of honor, revenge, and destiny.
3. Historical and Mythological Donghua
Some donghua series adapt Chinese legends, dynastic histories, or folklore. They provide both entertainment and cultural insight.
4. Fantasy & Adventure
Epic fantasy worlds with demons, gods, and magical realms are common in donghua series. They appeal to international fans of anime, K-dramas, and Western fantasy.
5. Romance & BL (Boys’ Love)
Romantic donghua is also on the rise, with titles like Heaven Official’s Blessing and Mo Dao Zu Shi gaining huge fanbases worldwide.
6. Modern & Sci-Fi Donghua
Apart from ancient settings, donghua series also explore futuristic themes, cyberpunk settings, and space exploration.
Top Must-Watch Series Donghua
Here are some of the most popular and highly recommended donghua series you should check out:
The King’s Avatar (Quan Zhi Gao Shou) – A groundbreaking e-sports donghua series.
Mo Dao Zu Shi (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) – A cult-favorite BL fantasy series.
Heaven Official’s Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu) – A beautiful romance and fantasy donghua.
Battle Through the Heavens (Doupo Cangqiong) – A Xianxia series filled with cultivation battles.
Soul Land (Douluo Dalu) – One of the most-watched donghua series in China.
Fog Hill of Five Elements (Wu Shan Wu Xing) – Known for its stunning art and action.
Stellar Transformation (Xing Chen Bian) – Based on a famous Chinese web novel.
White Cat Legend – A mix of humor, mystery, and martial arts.
Scissor Seven – A quirky comedy-action series that reached global audiences via Netflix.
Link Click (Shi Guang Dai Li Ren) – A modern thriller donghua that gained international fame.
Where to Watch Donghua Series Online
If you’re interested in watching series donghua, here are some platforms:
Bilibili – One of the biggest platforms for donghua in China, with many official releases.
Tencent Video (WeTV) – Offers numerous donghua series with English subtitles.
Youku – Another official streaming site for donghua.
iQIYI – Provides a mix of live-action dramas and donghua.
Netflix & Crunchyroll – Some popular donghua series are licensed internationally.
Donghua-dedicated websites – Many fans rely on fan-subbed sites, but official platforms are recommended for better quality and support for creators.
Differences Between Anime and Donghua Series
While both anime (Japanese animation) and donghua series share similarities, there are some key differences:
Cultural Themes – Anime often draws from Japanese culture and Shinto beliefs, while donghua pulls from Chinese history, mythology, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Art Style – Donghua often has more CGI and digital artwork, while anime sticks more to traditional 2D.
Storytelling Pace – Many donghua series have fewer filler episodes compared to long-running anime.
Target Audience – While anime covers shonen, shojo, seinen, and more, donghua is heavily invested in fantasy, cultivation, and BL themes.
The Future of Series Donghua
The future of donghua series looks bright. With global streaming platforms investing in licensing, fan communities growing on social media, and improvements in animation technology, donghua is no longer confined to China.
Big production companies like Tencent, iQIYI, and Bilibili are pouring massive budgets into donghua projects, aiming to rival Japanese anime and Hollywood animation. International fans are eagerly awaiting new releases every season, and many donghua titles are now getting official English dubs.
