Chinese animation or Chinese Donghua has evolved from nostalgic ink-painted shorts to breathtaking 3D epics, merging ancient philosophies with digital artistry. As a big fan of donghua, I have come across a few donghua that are worth your time. Chinese are proud proud people, and their ancient culture is purhaps the oldest in all of Asia. Surprisingly, they have been fighting for the last fifty centuries, and they have been developing martial arts. Although, some mysterious old arts have vanished, but their impact can be seen in donghua. I am not saying cultivation was real, it is of course a fabrication of authors’ imagination. But you can experiece some of their past culture in these donghuas.

This golden age of donghua (中国动画) offers everything from cosmic cultivation battles to supernatural romances – all rooted in 5,000 years of cultural heritage. I have prepared the folowing list of chinese donghua after a deep research, public opinion, and popularity. Naturally, my personal input also had a say while ranking them from best to leat best.

💫 Why This Donghua Tier List Matters

How I ranked 100 series donghua? I balanced animation innovation (anime 3d film techniques), cultural impact, and binge-worthiness.

❓ “What is Donghua?” – Busting Myths

Let me first Debunk few misconceptions (no, donghua hentai isn’t a genre; yes, it’s distinct from anime). Core traits: adaptation depth, 3D animation prowess, and Chinese mythology roots.

Here is Polygon (YouTube Channel) short explaining what is donghua.

Here is another awesome article about top 100 Manhua tier list.

🔥 Cultivation & Immortal Odyssey

Where mortals defy heaven through spiritual ascension

• Renegade Immortal: Wang Lin’s ruthless climb from insignificance to godhood, defying celestial laws through sacrifice and strategy.

• Soul Land: Tang San masters spirit-beast powers in a world where martial souls define destiny, blending emotional depth with tactical combat.

• Swallowed Star: Luo Feng evolves from Earthly warrior to cosmic defender against alien threats in a sci-fi cultivation fusion.

• A Record of Mortal’s Journey: Han Li’s patient, resourceful ascent to immortality – a masterclass in strategic growth.

• Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan’s fiery quest to reclaim his genius status, featuring revolutionary 3D fight choreography.

• Martial Master: Bullied youth Chu Xia awakens a legendary bloodline to shatter fate’s constraints.

• A Will Eternal: Bai Xiaochun’s hilarious yet profound obsession with eternal life drives unconventional cultivation chaos.

• Stellar Transformation: Luo Li bridges cosmic science and spiritual cultivation after a supernatural body transformation.

• Against the Sky Supreme: Fallen hero Yun Che uses ancient aliases to dismantle clan-dominated power structures.

• Apotheosis: Slave-turned-deity Fang Han reshapes destiny through divine artifacts and sheer resilience.

• Tales of Demons and Gods: Reborn master Nie Li corrects past mistakes while protecting loved ones from apocalyptic threats.

• Fairy Legends: A sect leader revives forgotten cosmic cultivation to shield his disciples from heavenly conspiracies.

• Immortality: A low-born cultivator’s relentless pursuit of eternal life challenges celestial authority.

• Perfect World: Shi Hao’s odyssey through godly realms to reclaim his stolen legacy.

• Legend of Immortals: An orphan’s rare cultivation method draws him into divine warfare.

• I’m Standing on a Million Lives: Students survive lethal game-like quests in a fantasy realm testing their morals.

• Ten Thousand Worlds: A dimension-hopping warrior battles deities and primordial beasts.

• Purple River: A prodigy transforms betrayal into fuel for martial dominance.

• My Senior Brother Has a Pit in His Brain: Absurdist comedy about two cultivators navigating chaotic supernatural events.

• Supreme God Emperor: Betrayed deity reincarnates for vengeance-driven ascension.

• Legend of Xianwu: A fallen genius reclaims power through ancient martial inheritance.

• The God of War Dominates: Reborn war god conquers mortal and celestial realms anew.

• My Wife is the Emperor: Political comedy about a man married to a hidden empress.

• Everlasting God of Sword: A swordsman’s will shatters heavenly restrictions to achieve blade mastery.

• Against the Gods: Weakling Yun Che awakens forbidden power to annihilate oppressors.

• Spare Me, Great Lord!: A sarcastic orphan trolls his way through cultivation society with hidden abilities.

• The Great Ruler: Prodigy Mu Chen’s continent-spanning conquest to become the ultimate ruler.

• Reborn into a Sword Deity: Reincarnated swordsman redefines blade cultivation from scratch.

• Immortal Sword Master: Innovating sword techniques to overcome a broken cultivation path.

• The Peak of True Martial Arts: Mastering forbidden arts to rise from humiliation.

🌌 Supernatural & Mythic Realms

Where spirits, gods, and time travelers collide

• Mo Dao Zu Shi: Resurrected Wei Wuxian uncovers dark conspiracies amid spirit-filled political intrigue.

• Heaven Official’s Blessing: Fallen god Xie Lian finds redemption through ghostly trials and rekindled bonds.

• Link Click: Photographers alter tragic pasts by diving into memories, blurring time and ethics.

• Fog Hill of Five Elements: Warriors wield elemental magic against beasts from a primordial dimension.

• Spirit Sword Sovereign: Betrayed prince returns for vengeance through sword mastery.

• The Demonic King Who Chases His Wife: Assassin reincarnated into political marriage with a “trash” prince.

• Chinese Paladin: Sword and Fairy: Romantic tragedy set in mythic ancient China with legendary swordplay.

• Painting Rivers and Lakes: Visually rich wuxia conflicts across martial sects.

• The Chronicles of the Immortal God: Forgotten cultivator returns to reshape celestial hierarchies.

• No Doubt In Us: Emperor-empress body-swap comedy in a royal court.

• Chang’an Fantasy: Tang Dynasty spirits and monsters clash in historical fantasy.

• White Cat Legend: Sarcastic feline magistrate solves supernatural cases.

• Rakshasa Street: Exorcists battle grudgespirits in liminal urban realms.

• God of Deception: Rule-breaking trickster upends immortal society.

• Spirit Realm: Cultivator’s journey through demonic/godly realms via a mystic stone.

• The Emperor’s Strategy: Rebel prince navigates war and politics for peace.

• Carp Reborn: Modern soldier reincarnates with tactical skills into a cultivation world.

• Magic Chef of Ice and Fire: Culinary artist battles using dual elemental spirits.

• Flame of the West: Guardian battles demons and inner conflict in surreal western realms.

• Monster List: Exorcist falls for the monsters he’s sworn to eliminate.

🚀 Modern & Sci-Fi Adventures

Where magic meets technology

• The King’s Avatar: Esports legend rebuilds his career under a new identity.

• The Daily Life of the Immortal King: OP teen craves normalcy amid school-based supernatural chaos.

• Planting Manual: Cultivator survives spirit-herb farming dangers.

• Full-Time Magister: Dual-element mage thrives in a magic-dominated parallel world.

• Non-Human: Office comedy with supernatural coworkers.

• Hero Return: Retired superhero revives hope in a cynical world.

• Ace Censorate: Bureaucrat delivers poetic justice in fantasy imperial China.

• Cat’s Tea: Mystical teahouse run by feline philosophers.

• Memory Utopia: Youth navigates a world where memories are currency.

• God Troubles Me: Broke exorcist deals with chaotic godly visitors.

• The Island of Siliang: Descendants of gods unravel secrets to escape a cursed island.

• Incarnation: Dying soldier reborn via mind-altering mecha tech.

• Take My Brother Away: Sibling rivalry comedy with surreal twists.

• One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes: Absurd parody of Chinese legends.

• All Saints Street: Supernatural roommates in modern China.

• Drowning Sorrows in Raging Fire: Detectives with powers solve urban mysteries.

• Dragon Raja: Teen with dragon blood attends a secret monster-fighting school.

• God Eater: Enhanced humans battle chaos-born monsters in a ruined world.

💞 Romance & Lighthearted Escapes

Love, laughter, and slice-of-life charm

• Cupid’s Chocolates: Harem chaos via magical desserts.

• My Cultivator Girlfriend: Security guard romances a cultivation-world refugee.

• Psychic Princess: Noble hides psychic powers in a political marriage.

• Adorable Food Goddess: Culinary magic and romantic mishaps.

• My Journey in an Alternate World: Comedic isekai adventures.

• How to Steal 55 Kisses: High school romantic schemes.

• Please Take My Brother Away: Sibling comedy with supernatural flair.

• Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Supernatural matchmaking with lifetime bonds.

• Love Between Fairy and Devil: Fairy’s accidental resurrection of a demon lord ignites star-crossed passion.

• My Holy Weapon: Teen bonds with a powerful female spirit.

• Cinderella Chef: Historical romance with gourmet twists.

• Chivalrous Hero Shen Jianxin: Goofy hero’s misadventures in love and combat.

• To Be Hero: Dad-turned-superhero balances family and heroics.

• Lu’s Time: School-life romance with time-bending twists.

• Xia Lan: Emotional journey through art and relationships.

• Flavors of Youth: Anthology celebrating life’s bittersweet moments.

• White Snake: Romantic reimagining of a classic legend.

✨ Experimental Gems & Unique Visions

Boundary-pushing storytelling and art

• Big Fish & Begonia: Sea spirit’s sacrificial love in a Ghibli-esque tragedy.

• Scissor Seven: Assassin-turned-barber in a genre-blending comedy.

• Blades of the Guardians: Gritty historical action with masterful choreography.

• To Be Heroine: Surreal superhero gender-swap comedy.

• Qian Cong Shou: Abstract exploration of identity and reality.

• Great Journey of Teenagers: Coming-of-age in a supernatural high school.

• The Legend of Luo Xiaohei: Adorable cat spirit’s urban adventures.

• Legend of Exorcism: Ghost-hunting detectives in imperial China.

💎 Why Donghua Dominates Global Animation

• Cultural Depth: Weaves Taoist alchemy, Buddhist reincarnation, and imperial history into narratives.

• Technical Innovation: 3D animation rivals AAA games (e.g., Soul Land’s spirit-ring battles).

• Genre Fusion: Hybrids like sci-fi cultivation (Swallowed Star) or office supernatural (Non-Human).

Table: Donghua Evolution

Era	Style	Landmark Titles
1980s-90s	Hand-painted folklore	Journey to the West
2000s-10s	Early CG wuxia	Legend of Qin
2020s+	Hyper-real 3D epics	Battle Through the Heavens, Perfect World

My Thoughts on this Chinese Donghua Guide

As a long term fan of chinese donghua anime, I can easily rank dongua as the best form of the modern entertainment. If you have not watched one yet, you are missing out on a whole new world of animation, thriller, action, cultivation, and fun. Thoughts?

❓ FAQs About Chinese Donghua

1. Q: What defines donghua?
   A: Chinese animation adapting web novels/manhua, often with 3D or painterly 2D styles.

2. Q: Best donghua for beginners?
   A: Soul Land (epic cultivation) or Link Click (time-travel thriller).

3. Q: Why is cultivation central to donghua?
   A: It roots fantasy in real Taoist/Buddhist philosophies of transcendence.

4. Q: Where to watch legally?
   A: WeTV, Bilibili, YouTube, and Crunchyroll.

5. Q: Donghua vs. anime differences?
   A: Donghua prioritizes 3D, Chinese lore, and novel-length storytelling.

6. Q: Most groundbreaking romance?
   A: Heaven Official’s Blessing (queer celestial love) or Love Between Fairy and Devil.

7. Q: Longest-running series?
   A: Soul Land (260+ episodes), Battle Through the Heavens (200+).

8. Q: Underrated gem?
   A: Fog Hill of Five Elements – a visual masterpiece with elemental combat.

9. Q: Upcoming trends?
   A: Global myth fusions (Slay the Gods) and sci-fi cultivation hybrids.

10. Q: Film recommendations?
    A: Big Fish & Begonia (fantasy) and New Gods: Nezha Reborn (action).

11. Q: Why does Soul Land have multiple seasons?
    A: Its 264-episode run mirrors long-form anime, detailing generational sagas.

12. Q: Are there idol-themed donghua?
    A: Yes—series like The King’s Avatar and Idol Dreams explore performance arts.

13. Q: How long are typical donghua episodes?
    A: 15–25 minutes, allowing dense storytelling without filler.

14. Q: Will Link Click get more seasons?
    A: Season 3 is confirmed, continuing its time-travel mysteries.

15. Q: What’s the next big donghua trend?
    A: Sci-fi cultivation hybrids (e.g., Forty Millenniums of Cultivation) and global myth fusions.