元尊
Dragon Prince Yuan
A prince robbed of his dragon destiny sets out to take it back
Synopsis
Zhou Yuan is the crown prince of the Great Zhou dynasty. He was born with the destiny of the Holy Dragon, an exceptional fortune torn from him at birth by the rival kingdom of Wu. Ever since, poison has been eating away at him and his eight meridians have stayed sealed.
Unable to cultivate, he watches his country come under threat without being able to defend it. In his family's ancestral land he meets Yaoyao, a mysterious girl who helps him break his chains. Zhou Yuan reopens his meridians and starts to win back what was taken from him.
The series adapts the novel by Tian Can Tu Dou, the author of Battle Through the Heavens. Animated by Motion Magic for Tencent Video, its first 26-episode season came out in 2024, and a continuous yearly sequel has been announced.
Where to watch Dragon Prince Yuan in France
In France: legal options
No official release in France for now. To watch it legally, use the Chinese platforms that stream it internationally.
Official international platforms
Official streaming outside France, usually with English subtitles. French subtitles and access from France vary by title.
Checked on October 12, 2026 on JustWatch France. Catalogues change often. All platforms
World
The story takes place in the Heavenly Origin Realm, a world where origin energy can move mountains and overturn seas. Human dynasties clash there, and beyond the mortal kingdoms lie vaster domains ruled by powerful sects.
Power system
Practitioners absorb origin energy (源气) to break through power stages. Destinies, like Zhou Yuan's Holy Dragon, give a decisive edge. Zhou Yuan also masters origin runes, which he draws like a calligrapher.
Reception & popularity
Dragon Prince Yuan was eagerly awaited by fans of Tian Can Tu Dou, one of the genre's most popular authors. The first season was liked for the Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao duo and for its fights, although its pacing divided viewers.
My take
Dragon Prince Yuan follows Tian Can Tu Dou's recipe: a fallen hero, a clear goal and spectacular power progression. The crown-prince-at-war setting adds a welcome political edge.
The duo of Zhou Yuan and the playful Yaoyao carries the series. The story remains classic, and Battle Through the Heavens fans will recognise a lot, but the first season is effective.
Who is it for?Worth watching if you enjoyed Battle Through the Heavens or The Great Ruler and want a more royal revenge story.
Main characters
More character profiles are coming.
Adaptations
This franchise also exists in other formats — each with its own pacing and audience.
Trivia
- Tian Can Tu Dou took part in the donghua as content supervisor and co-producer.
- Before the animated series, Dragon Prince Yuan had already been adapted as a motion comic in 2020.
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