A Must-Watch List: Top Chinese BL Donghua
If you're looking for some captivating, heart-warming, and sometimes heart-wrenching stories, Chinese BL donghua is a fantastic place to start. This genre offers a wide array of diverse and engaging narratives, captivating animation, and unique characters. Here's a list of some of the best, with a little description of each to help you decide which one to watch first:
Must-Watch Classics:
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Heaven Official's Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu): This adaptation of the popular novel is a masterpiece. It tells the story of Xie Lian, a fallen god who is reincarnated as a mortal and eventually becomes a powerful celestial being again. His journey is interwoven with Hua Cheng, a powerful demon with a deep connection to him. This donghua is a must-watch for its stunning animation, emotionally resonant story, and complex characters.
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Mo Dao Zu Shi (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation): One of the most popular Chinese BL donghua, this story follows Wei Wuxian, a cultivator with a unique cultivation style. He's reborn into a different era and teams up with his former nemesis Lan Wangji. The donghua is a fast-paced adventure with a gripping plot and well-developed characters.
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The Untamed (Chen Qing Ling): A live-action adaptation of Mo Dao Zu Shi, "The Untamed" is a fantastic option for those who prefer live-action adaptations. It offers a visually stunning and emotionally captivating interpretation of the original story.
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Scum Villain's Self-Saving System (Scum Villain's Self-Saving System): This hilarious and heartwarming donghua features Shen Qingqiu, a transmigrated cultivator who finds himself in the body of a villain in a cultivation novel. His journey to survive and change his fate is filled with comedic mishaps and a dash of romance.
Romantic and Heart-Warming Stories:
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Word of Honor (Shan He Ling): A captivating tale of two sworn brothers who become entangled in a complex plot involving martial arts, hidden secrets, and a budding romance. "Word of Honor" boasts a well-written script, intricate character development, and visually striking fight scenes.
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19 Days (Shi Jiu Tian): This slice-of-life BL donghua focuses on the daily lives of three high school students, Jian Yi, He Tian, and Zhang Zhengxi. It's a heartwarming and relatable story about friendship, love, and the everyday experiences of growing up.
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The King's Avatar (Quan Zhi Gao Shou): While not strictly a BL donghua, this series features a captivating romantic subplot between two of the main characters, Ye Xiu and Su Mucheng. The donghua follows Ye Xiu, a professional gamer, who returns to the virtual world and teams up with new players to reclaim his glory.
Dark and Intriguing Stories:
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Under One Person (Hitori no Shita): This donghua combines action, mystery, and supernatural elements to create a captivating story about Zhang Chulan, a young man who discovers he has hidden powers. While the romance isn't the main focus, it is a significant part of the plot.
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Guardian (Houshen): A unique and captivating story about a young man who becomes the Guardian of the underworld, tasked with protecting the world from demons. He forms a deep bond with a powerful demon who challenges his beliefs and forces him to confront his own darkness.
This is just a starting point for exploring the vast world of Chinese BL donghua. Many other incredible series are out there, waiting to be discovered. Don't hesitate to dive in and enjoy the unique stories, characters, and animation that this genre has to offer.