The Best Donghua of 2024 Goes To

I've been sleeping on donghua lately. Aside from Link Click, Throne of Seal Swallowed Star and Soul Land Season 2, I haven't checked out anything new.

Tiger Crane

If there's a donghua you should add onto your donghua watchlist, Tiger Crane is more than worthy. With its comedy, intriguing character dynamics, and action choreography - it'll make you fall in love with martial arts all over again.

Tiger Crane has a Chinese drama adaptation called Tiger and Crane, and there were fans who didn't like it since the actors looked nothing like the original characters, hopefully fans can appreciate this donghua for what it is, as it goes above and beyond expectations, I think.

Set in a world where humans and demons are always warring together, humans that are capable of fighting against these demons are called "exorcists."

The story starts with the eldest son of the esteemed Qi family, a family of exorcists. He is the elegant, and calm exorcist, Qi Xiaoxuan (Crane), he encounters an oddball that grew up in a demon infested valley, Hu Zi (Tiger). Qi Xiaoxuan wields a talking magic weapon paint brush often referred to by Hu Zi as "Old Broom" ( I've forgotten if he has an official name now haha, he's often referred to as Grand Master or Old Broom).

Hu Zi steals and accidentally swallows the treasured Red Pill Qi Xiaoxuan was transporting and nearly explodes, Qi Xiaoxuan saves him with a seal that can temporarily prevent him from exploding. Hu Zi is forced to tag along with Qi Xiaoxuan to headquarters so he can remove the pill, and also be tried for his crime of theft.

The story follows their journey, and the progress of Hu Zi's training, as it's discovered Hu Zi has great mental strength & the potential to become a promising exorcist. Old Broom trains (/messes with) him. No matter how much he's beaten or what situation he's thrown into by Old Broom- he tries to persevere. Although he is often the butt of every joke. He has a pure heart.

There's also a third addition to their party, Tong. Tong is from the Zhao family, a family of spear-wielding exorcists.

The show reminded me a little of Juedai Shuang Jiao (Legendary Twins), because of the character vibes and dynamics between the three reminds me of the main trio.

Legendary Twins is also a promising donghua with gorgeous art, and action, the main character also has a similar background start to Tale of The Herding God you should add those on to your watch-list if you're interested.

How Dare You!? ( Cheng He Titong)

Whether you like isekai, or transmigration novels and donghua- we've all had the same thought. What would happen if more than one person transmigrates into the same world? How Dare You!? Is a transmigration donghua with comedy, palace politics, mystery, and romance. The romance likes to hide and be subtle but it comes out to show its neck and legs by the end of the first season.

How Dare You!? is the heart-warming story of two individuals who transmigrate into the bodies of the Mad Tryannical Emperor (Xiahou Dan) and the Concubine Villainess (Yu Wanyin) of a novel. But there's a twist. The Mad Tyrannical Emperor doesn't know anything about the story, however he has lived in the world for a very long time. The Villainess concubine does know about the story, but she has less experience living in the world, she is lucky and runs into the Emperor shortly after her transmigration. She guides him by telling him information and the Emperor fills in the gap with his phenomenal acting skills (Seriously, Man deserves a grammy). The two are a power couple before they even become a couple.

How Dare You!? Is also a depressing tale that exposes transmigration for what it is: A horrifying experience. It burst the bubble in my head that transmigration could ever be a fun or relaxing escape.

The main downside of this donghua is its English Translation. At times you can understand it other times not, I'm used to reading rough translations but for others, new-comers who may not be as patient, it might be really annoying and a turn-off. And it's really a shame.

There are a lot of promising donghuas out there that don't do well in the West due to their translations.

There are also lots of donghua with good translations deserving of second and third seasons. I hope you all check them out! If you've seen any of the mentioned donghua before, please share your thoughts! Any favorite characters? I fell for Granny Yimei's voice acting hard. So unique and refreshing. Get it another season!