The most famous of the Eight Immortals, Lü Dongbin is shown here before any divinity: a mortal who, facing an imminent heavenly catastrophe, gathers a band of ordinary people around a crazy plan.
Personality
Clever, smooth-talking and ready for any audacity, Lü Dongbin is a charismatic leader. He also has a real sense of responsibility, which emerges when his plan spirals out of control.
Powers & abilities
At first he has no divine power. His talent lies in cunning, showmanship and his ability to convince others to follow him.
History
He is the one who dreams up the con: posing as immortals to get into Penglai's treasure pavilion, reserved for the gods. The plan goes awry when their deception attracts genuine devotion, and the band must take on a role they never planned.
Relationships
He recruits the other members of the band, including Zhongli Quan, and becomes their natural leader.
Key moments
- Recruiting the band of mortals.
- The fake immortals' con.
- The moment their deception becomes too believable.
In the adaptations
The film reinvents the legend of the Eight Immortals as a con comedy. It is part of the wave of Chinese animated films inspired by myths.
Did you know?
- In legend, Lü Dongbin is the immortal with the sword, often shown with a sword on his back.
- The Eight Immortals are among the most popular figures of Chinese Taoist mythology.
Our take
This endearing con-man Lü Dongbin is a refreshing reinvention of a classic figure. He gives the film its comic energy.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan