Anime is more popular than ever, but it's not a phenomenon that's exclusive to Japan. Chinese anime, as the name suggests, refers to animations that have been created in China or are Chinese adaptations of Manhua (Chinese manga), and are often called Donghua. With multiple manhuas making strides, both domestically and internationally, Chinese anime is also witnessing a massive spike in viewership as well as a drastic increase in the quality of animation.

Donghuas have managed to integrate several elements from Japanese anime, but have also created a unique identity for themselves by adding rich cultural folklores and meanings, creating something exceptional. With intricate artwork, exhilarating fight scenes, and well-woven storylines, Donghuas are no longer just a niche and are slowly making their way into mainstream media.

Updated by Timothy Blake Donohoo on March 5, 2024: Donghuas are increasingly popular, with their international success matching that of their Japanese counterparts. These Chinese anime have their own fanbase, not to mention their own collection of tropes and trends. Still, some of them are a cut above the rest, with the best Chinese anime deserving to be watched as much as any shonen or shojo work.

10 Ling Qi (Spiritpact) Highlights a Humorous Yet Heartwarming Connection

Spiritpact Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

7.2/10

3.673/5

7.5/10

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Based on a web manhua of the same name, and animated by Haoliners Animation League, Spiritpact follows the adventures of You Keika (who's a failed exorcist) and Ki Tanmoku (the head of a powerful family of exorcists) as they face various challenges in the spiritual world, all the while figuring out the true meaning of the bond they share.

The pair of You Keika and Ki Tanmoku manages to grab the spotlight with their humorous, yet mildly heartwarming relationship. With sweet humor, action, and art, all balanced in an amazing proportion, the "boys love" Chinese anime Spiritpact manages to keep the viewers engaged from the very first episode and is a donghua that'll keep you hooked until the very end.

The cast of Spiritpact posing on the official poster.
Spiritpact
TV-14
Comedy
Drama

You Keika is heir of Exorcists, stricken with poverty and computer tech, until one night he gets hit by car and become a ghost. Tanmoku Ki appears and asks him to make a pact to fight Evil Spirits. Here starts the friendship of our heroes.

Release Date
June 21, 2016
Main Genre
Action
Seasons
2 Seasons
Characters By
Shunsuke Takeuchi, Yûichi Iguchi, Lanling Li
Creator
Zi Ping
Production Company
Emon Animation Company, Garden Culture, Haoliners Animation, Tencent Animation & Comics
Number of Episodes
22 Episodes

9 Zhen Hun Jie (Rakshasa Street) Feels Like Demon Slayer

Rakshasa Street Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

7.5/10

3.918/5

7.6/10

Rakshasa Street (also known as Zhen Hun Jie) follows the story of Xia Ling, an ordinary university intern, as she is inadvertently plunged into a world filled with evil spirits, as danger lurks at each and every corner. The donghua is based on a manhua bearing the same name and is produced by Lu HengYu and Li ZhuJie Studio.

The story starts slowly, but gradually picks up pace, resulting in a plot that demands a bit of patience from its viewers but rewards them equally with unseen twists and cliffhangers. Featuring numerous Chinese supernatural and mythological figures, it's analogous in many ways to Japanese anime such as the popular Demon Slayer.

8 Wo De Tian Jie Nuyou (My Cultivator Girlfriend) is Short But Sweet.

Li Muzi and Ma Yingxiong posing from My Cultivator Girlfriend

My Cultivator Girlfriend Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

6.4/10

3.37/5

7.7/10

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My Cultivator Girlfriend is set in a modern world, with not so modern rules and traditions. The strong trample over the weak and the weak have no choice but to obey. The story follows the adventures of Ma Yingxiong, a security guard, as he steps into the world of cultivation after saving Lu Zi, a female cultivator.

There are 15 episodes, with each episode having a duration of 13 minutes, making this a very short watch. The characters are well-defined with intriguing backstories and qualities, and the overall hilarious outlay of the donghua makes this a very enjoyable experience. The Chinese anime is also a great example of the cultivator genre, which has many similarities to popular isekai anime and manga.

7 Xiyouji Zhi Dasheng Guilai (Monkey King: Hero Is Back) is an Engaging Film

The protagonist from Monkey King: Hero Is Back crouching on a rock.

Monkey King: Hero Is Back Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

6.6/10

3.59/5

6.7/10

This movie revolves around the legend of The Monkey King, an all-powerful being who, upon breaking several divine laws, is imprisoned in an ice pillar. A small boy who was lost happens to come across the prison of the Monkey King, who, upon touching the prison, breaks the curse and frees the almighty being.

The Chinese anime movie is endowed with a well-paced story that manages to keep the viewer engaged throughout the runtime. Directed by Tian Xiao Peng, Xiyouji Zhi Dasheng Guilai is a diamond in the rough that is just waiting to be discovered. Western fans will enjoy the Chinese anime for its use of the Monkey King folklore, which inspired various anime, including the original Dragon Ball.

6 Yaoshenji (Tales Of Demons And Gods) Features a Rich Storyline

Nie Li from Yaoshenji holding a crystal through his powers.

Tales of Demons and Gods Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

7.3/10

3.891/5

8.4/10

Related
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Based on the wildly popular manhua called Tales of Demons and Gods, Yaoshenji follows the adventures of Nie Li, who was once the strongest demon spiritualist. Upon losing his life in a battle against the Sage Emperor and his minions, Nie Li is brought back in time to when he was just 13 years old.

The donghua is done with 3D computer animation, giving it a different style than most of the genre and therefore might not suit the tastes of all fans. However, enriched with a well-developed storyline and complex characters, Yaoshenji manages to hook viewers who give it a chance from the very first episode. The unique animation in particular makes it one of the best Chinese anime.

5 Lan Mo De Hua (Lan Mo's Flower) is a Binge-worthy Romance

Lan Mo and Liu Yifeng from the Chinese anime Lan Mo De Hua

Lan Mo's Flower Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

6.4/10

3.402/5

N/A

With general themes of romance and magic, Lan Mo De Hua is a light watch that'll leave viewers' hearts fluttering. The donghua follows the stories of Lan Mo, who finds a magical hairpin that helps her change her appearance.

She is then on a mission to make her childhood friend, Lui Yi Feng, fall in love with her. With 9 episodes, each having a duration of 13 minutes, Lan Mo De Hua is an easy series to binge but without feeling rushed. This Chinese anime is one that'll leave viewers feeling all warm and fuzzy.

4 Mo Dao Zu Shi (Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation) is an Action-Packed BL Story

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

8.4/10

4.423/5

8.5/10

Related
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Based on a Chinese web novel having the same title and written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation has a general theme of reincarnation revolving around the entire plot. The story is set in a world where cultivators have the ability to even attain immortality. It's once again another Chinese anime with BL elements, and one of the most popular donghua.

Wei Wuxian is a cultivator who cultivates the demonic path. Upon being killed by his closest ally, he is reincarnated 13 years later, and with the help of a former classmate, begins a journey to uncover the secrets of the spiritual world. The action-packed donghua certainly manages to keep the reader at the edge of their seats and is definitely a remarkable watch.

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation Season 3 Promo
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
Supernatural
Fantasy
Romance

In Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, or Mo Dao Zu Shi, Lan Wangji must work with Wei Wuxian to investigate the spiritual world, falling in love along the way.

Release Date
July 9, 2018
Studio
B.CMAY PICTURES
Creator
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

3 Douluo Dalu (Soul Land) Has Vivid Animation

The cast surrounding the protagonist using his powers in the donghua Douluo Dalu.

Soul Land Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

7.9/10

4.25/5

8.6/10

Douluo Dalu follows the story of Tang San, a former disciple of the Tang Sect Martial Clan, who upon breaking certain forbidden rules, commits suicide. Tang San is then reincarnated in a strange world, where people cultivate their innate spirits to become spirit masters. Blessed with the weakest innate spirit, but strong spiritual power, Tang San is on a mission to reach the apex of the cultivation world.

Often considered as one of the best Chinese anime ever to be released, Douluo Dalu has constantly ranked in large amounts of viewership. The exquisite story, along with vivid animation stands as a testament to its popularity. The donghua is easily one of the top 10 Chinese anime, namely with how it takes cultivation genre tropes and does something somewhat fresh.

2 Quanzhi Fashi (Full-Time Magister) Had Four Full Seasons

Mo Fan from Quanzhi Fashi with his eyes lighting up.

Full-Time Magister Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

7.2/10

3.825/5

7.4/10

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Based on the popular manhua, Quanzhi Fashi follows the adventures of Mo Fan, a carefree high school student who wakes up in a strange new world where magic is the true essence of life. Mo Fan, despite being poor and new to this world, enters the renowned magic school, all to become a magician to support his father and crippled sister. Endowed with the elements of fire and lightning, Mo Fan begins his journey to become a fully-fledged magician, strong enough to protect his dear family.

Quanzhi Fashi is a funny and fast-paced Chinese anime that has been received well by viewers, as is evident by the release of its subsequent 4 seasons - with more on the way. Once again, anime fans will find that the Chinese anime plays with familiar concepts, but in a manner that keeps them fresh. The protagonists are also easy to relate to, making their struggles feel all the more real.

The cast of Full Time Magister posing on the official poster.
Full-Time Magister
TV-14
Action
Adventure

A family with a struggling father and disabled sister. However, when everyone can only have one major element, Mo Fan can do much more.

Release Date
September 2, 2016
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
6 Seasons
Characters By
Gui Niang, Su Wan, Beichen Liu
Creator
LuaN
Production Company
China Literature, Foch Films, Tencent Penguin Pictures, Tencent Pictures
Number of Episodes
72 Episodes

1 Quan Zhi Gao Shou (The King's Avatar) Has Gorgeous Artwork

Ye Xiu posing in The King's Avatar

The King's Avatar Scores

MAL

Anime-Planet

IMDB

7.9/10

4.13/5

8.1/10

Quan Zhi Gao Shou revolves around "Glory," an MMORPG with tens of thousands of players all vying to reach the top and to cement their position in the rich history of this game. Ye Xiu, a former pro, often considered to be the best ever, is forced to retire due to age and a string of poor performances. He then creates a new character, keeping his identity a secret, all just to enjoy the game that he had dedicated his life to.

The Chinese anime features artwork that'll leave the viewers mesmerized, namely in terms of the character designs. Likewise, the series complicated political strategies will leave viewers scratching their heads, making Quan Zhi Gao Shou one donghua that is definitely worth spending time on.

Ye Xiu in The King's Avatar (2017) anime poster
The King's Avatar
TV-13
Action
Adventure

Original title: Quan Zhi Gao Shou.
Ye Xiu, a top-tier pro-player in the MMORPG Glory is forced to retire. When Glory's 10th server launches, Ye Xiu reenters the game under a new character with 10 years of experience and self-made weapons, and his return aims for the summit.

Release Date
April 7, 2017
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
2
Creator
Hudie Lan
Production Company
B.Cmay Pictures, Chong Qing CMAY Animation Production, Colored-Pencil Animation Design
Number of Episodes
26
Main Cast
Ketsu, Sanmu Liu, Jiang Bian, Aojie Ji, Xinzhu Tong