Donghua Fan

Blades of the Guardians

Manhua

Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren

At a glance13 volumes · ongoing

Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren

Blades of the Guardians is adapted from Biao Ren (镖人), Xu Xianzhe's (许先哲) manhua published since 1 July 2015. On the eve of the revolts that bring down the Sui dynasty, a mysterious escort, Dao Ma, travels the troubled lands of the West with a young boy, Xiao Qi. Each mission draws them further into the intrigues of a world on the brink of collapse.

Origins and publication

The word "biao" refers both to the fighter hired to escort someone and to the target with a bounty on their head. Xu Xianzhe plays on this double meaning in a historical wuxia story set at the end of the Sui, at the very start of the 7th century. His highly detailed black-and-white art has almost cinematic precision in the fights, and his cast of characters is large and often ambiguous.

The manhua was serialized in Xin Manhua (新漫画) magazine and online, and its collected volumes have been published since April 2018 by Beijing United Publishing and then Jiangsu Phoenix. The series had 13 volumes by January 2026 and is still ongoing.

Volume covers

The first 12 volumes of the print edition, out of 13 released.

  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 1Vol. 1
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 2Vol. 2
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 3Vol. 3
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 4Vol. 4
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 5Vol. 5
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 6Vol. 6
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 7Vol. 7
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 8Vol. 8
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 9Vol. 9
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 10Vol. 10
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 11Vol. 11
  • Blades of the Guardians — Xu Xianzhe's manhua Biao Ren — cover of volume 12Vol. 12

How it differs from the donghua

Colored Pencil Animation's donghua, launched in June 2023 on Tencent Video, adapts the early arcs in a dark, realistic 3D style that seeks to match the precision of Xu Xianzhe's linework. It stays faithful to the plot but simplifies some side characters and tightens the political intrigue. The black-and-white manhua keeps a hardness and violence the animation sometimes softens.

Reception and success

Biao Ren is considered one of the best wuxia manhua of its generation, with a 7.7 rating on Bangumi. It has been noticed abroad for the quality of its art, and it served as the basis for both the donghua and the 2026 live-action film, Biao Ren: Feng Qi Da Mo.

Trivia

  • The word "biao" (镖) means both the hired escort and the bounty target, a double meaning at the heart of the story.
  • The story takes place at the end of the Sui dynasty, just before the revolts that lead to the founding of the Tang.
  • The manhua is drawn in black and white, a rare choice among recent Chinese manhua, which are usually in colour.
  • Each volume cover features a different character from the series against a red background.

My take

Biao Ren is one of the most beautiful Chinese manhua I have read. The art is incredibly precise, the fights are clear and brutal, and the end-of-dynasty atmosphere is gripping. You have to hang on to follow the many characters and plots. But for fans of adult wuxia, it is essential reading.

Who is it for?Fans of realistic wuxia and historical stories, and readers of manga such as Vagabond or Blade of the Immortal.

— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan

Xu XianzheThe authorXu Xianzhe 许先哲The self-taught master of drawn wuxia
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