9+ Chinese Anime Recommendations for Beginners

Chinese animation or also known as donghua among local viewers, has been rising in popularity as well as quality in recent years and if we look back at it 5 years ago, we can definitely see how it improved and grew in many aspects. However, unlike its Japanese counterparts, Chinese anime still has that wall that it needs to break through to capture the hearts of many many fans from all over the world despite the growing numbers of its followers and viewers. This is because of cultural differences as well as the familiarity that non-Chinese fans are not accustomed to yet.

Nonetheless, several shows can alleviate these differences and somehow break through that barrier. These are selected donghua that can deliver stories that are unique to Chinese animation but do not overwhelm the viewers by their cultural influence, albeit, captive them to delve deeper into it. These donghua are what we call, a “gateway” series as it serves as an introduction to Chinese adaptations, thus, they are great shows for beginners to check.

There are plenty of Chinese anime that are good for beginners, and some of them even captured the hearts of many viewers from all over the world as they get released from various streaming platforms outside of China. Imagine having to watch Chinese anime on Netflix, Funimation, or Crunchyroll? The majority of donghua in these platforms are those that can transcend cultural barriers and often deliver well-written stories with absolutely stunning animation.

In line with this, we have prepared 10 outstanding Chinese anime for beginners that every new fan who is into donghua should have added to their watchlist as these are stories that offer a wide range of choices to delve into. Whether you have in-depth knowledge about Chinese culture and traditions, you just want to learn more about them, discover new and exciting stories, or simply crave well-animated non-Japanese works; this list is for you!

TOP 10 DONGHUA FOR BEGINNERS

10. The King’s Avatar

Quan Zhi Gao Shou | First on the list is the e-sports donghua that took the anime community by surprise in 2017. Who would ever expect that Chinese anime can be as addicting and exciting as this? By that time, it is the best donghua that the world has ever seen and still holds so much influence among donghua viewers until now. 

It follows the story of a professional esports player who was kicked out from his team by devious means and from scratch, he’ll create his own team and return to the professional scene with so much momentum and surprises. At some point, Ye Xiu might remind you of many betrayals as he’s an OP main character that many people often think to be lower in rank but hides some secrets inside.

9. Psychic Princess

Tong Ling Fei | This list will not be complete with a Chinese romance donghua in it and among the shows that people need to watch at the very least is definitely Psychic Princess. 

One of the better (if not the best) romance stories from any donghua with an interesting pair as main characters, this donghua has captured the hearts of many fans since it first premiered in 2018. It is kind of a bittersweet yet hilarious rom-com story set in Ancient China with supernatural elements and arranged marriage stuff that includes imperial politics and warfare.

8. Battle Through the Heavens

Doupo Cangqiong | One of the best Chinese action donghua in 3D animation is Battle Through the Heavens. Beyond its absolutely good animation quality and intense fight scenes, the plot twist in this donghua is simply satisfying no matter how generic it may look on the surface. The story itself is a worthwhile experience, a journey that brings the viewers to witness the character development of its main character and all the hurdles that he needs to face. Furthermore, Battle Through the Heavens thrives in having many interesting side characters who also have their own stories to tell.

Here’s a tip for new viewers who wish to watch Battle Through The Heavens, the first season was quite underwhelming but after that, starting with the 2nd season until its Season 4 special: Three-Year Agreement, it’s gonna be a continuously epic and progressively exciting adventure filled with actions and so much hype.

7. Fog Hill of Five Elements

Wu Shan Wu Xing | If I may say, Fog Hill of Five Elements is more than just an introductory title for new donghua viewers, but is a must-watch masterpiece that highlights the pinnacle of Chinese animation and a testimony of its potential to capture the hearts of die-hard anime fans. 

With some similar concepts and antics to the American cartoon, Avatar, Fog Hill of Five Elements follows the story of 5 envoys who can control the 5 Chinese elements. Together, they are assigned to stand in between demons and humanity, to maintain the balance between the two races. However, when the balance is destroyed, the real drama and action begin.

6. Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation

Mo Dao Zu Shi | One of the most recent donghua that offered true quality is the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation or The Founder of Diabolism. Aside from having well-animated fight scenes with pretty boys riding flying swords, fighting zombie-like creatures, and dealing with the conspiracy of the cultivation world, this series is also a boys-love (danmei) donghua. 

Chinese animation is known for having many quality BL stories despite so many restrictions and censorship, above them, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation is a top-tier series along with other shows like Heaven Official’s Blessing.

5. Spare Me, Great Lord

Da Wang Rao Ming | The first thing that comes into people’s minds whenever they hear about this donghua is the absolutely gorgeous animated opening theme which can compete even with the best of what Japanese animation could offer. Beyond that, this is a cultivation story set in the modern world with relatable settings and drama. 

After all, Spare Me, Great Lord! is a Chinese anime with an absolutely overwhelming main character named Lu Shu, and we all love him. Spare Me, Great Lord! is simply one of China’s best anime where the MC hides his real power and surprises everyone, quite similar to Battle Through The Heavens, and the Japanese hit, One-Punch Man.

4. Scissor Seven

Cike Wu Liuqi | One of the few donghua that ever gazed at the international scene through Netflix, Scissor Seven is a wonderful animation experience from a different perspective. 

It highlights the classic Chinese humor through satirical narratives yet with so much philosophical depth. The surreal comedy is just as good as any other comedy story we can get from China along with its satisfying fight scenes.

4. The Daily Life of the Immortal King

Xian Wang De Richang Shenghuo | Average as it may look, The Daily Life of the Immortal King is also the donghua that you can easily connect with as it features common tropes that we often found in many Japanese anime. From its superpower cliches, satire, and parodic style of storytelling, as well as the urban fantasy vibes that make it mysterious and interesting. 

After all, The Daily Life of the Immortal King is one of the best Chinese anime where the main character hides his true ability and this is the plot that many donghua viewers enjoyed the most. Wang Ling will also remind you that he’s just like any transfer student who is overbearingly powerful and OP, just like in many Japanese anime.

2. Link Click

Shiguang Daili Ren | Let’s go modern once again, Link Click is an exciting drama and thriller donghua with time-travel antics and powerful messages to tell in every episode. On top of that, it is a suspenseful ride that will bring the viewers to the edge of their sanity and have them question their moral standards as they reflect on the story. 

Link Click had been a huge and unexpected hit in 2021, a testimony that Chinese animation is not only about cultivation, martial arts, and immortal heroes.

1. Soul Land

Douluo Dalu | Last but definitely not the least in our top 10 recommended Chinese anime for beginners is Soul Land. It had been more like a ritual that new fans of donghua should have added Soul Land to their watchlist, after all, it was the most popular donghua in China with billions of playbacks every year since 2019.

It is a beautiful and interesting adventure with isekai or transmigration antics in a fusion of Eastern and Western fantasy in a subgenre known as Xuanhuan (Mysterious Fantasy). Quite similar to Xinxia (Immortal Heroes, also known as High Fantasy), it follows a journey towards achieving immortality and getting stronger through various means of cultivation but Soul Land combines many elements in its story that are outside of Chinese myths and literature. What’s even more amazing is that there are hundreds of episodes that new viewers can enjoy binge-watching.

Conclusion

There are a whole lot of must-watch donghua beyond our Top 10, and they are definitely nothing less than the titles that we had mentioned above. The top 10 that we had are frontrunners in their respective subgenres and community, but here are more donghua that any fan shouldn’t miss! Remember to always keep these ones on your radar.

• Stellar Transformations
• The Last Summoner
• Rakshasa Street
• Swallowed Star
• Heaven Official’s Blessing
• The Defective
• Fantasy x Hunter
• All Saints Street
• Cinderella Chef
• Soul Land
• Perfect World
• Throne of Seal
• Purple River
• The Legend and the Hero

Meanwhile, there are also several donghua movies that I think beginners in Chinese animation should take note of such as White Snake: The Origin, Nezha: The Devil’s Birth, The Legend of Hei, The Legend of Deification, Big Fish and Begonia, and New Gods: Nezha Reborn.