Donghua Fan

The Great Ruler

Manhua

The Great Ruler — the manhua

At a glanceover 23 volumes

The Great Ruler — the manhua

The Great Ruler was adapted into a manhua as early as 2014, under the title Doupo Cangqiong zhi Da Zhuzai (斗破苍穹之大主宰). Created by Zhou Hongbin, Ren Xiang and JOE, the same team behind the Battle Through the Heavens manhua, it has passed 23 collected volumes and continues online.

Origins and publication

The manhua began on 28 April 2014 in Yue Manhua (悦漫画) magazine, then had an eventful journey: Yi Zhou Manhua, Manhua Zhoukan, Manhuadao, Shen Man, iQiyi Bada, Bilibili Comics and finally, since August 2023, the Fanqie platform. Collected volumes came out from June 2014 from Hunan People's Publishing and Baihuazhou Literature and Art. A title tied to Battle Through the Heavens was an obvious selling point.

Volume covers

The first 12 volumes of the print edition, out of 23 released.

  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 1Vol. 1
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 2Vol. 2
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 3Vol. 3
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 4Vol. 4
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 5Vol. 5
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 6Vol. 6
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 7Vol. 7
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 8Vol. 8
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 9Vol. 9
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 10Vol. 10
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 11Vol. 11
  • The Great Ruler — the manhua — cover of volume 12Vol. 12

How it differs from the donghua

The manhua predates the donghua by almost ten years. Its very colourful, energetic style recalls the Battle Through the Heavens manhua, with which it shares its creators. It follows the novel closely and has adapted it much further than the donghua. The 3D donghua, on the other hand, offers more spectacular fights and creatures.

Reception and success

The manhua used the fame of the Battle Through the Heavens team and the "Doupo Cangqiong" title to establish itself quickly. Its many platform changes made life harder for readers, though. It remains one of the most complete adaptations of the novel.

Trivia

  • The manhua has run in at least eight successive venues, from print magazines to online platforms.
  • It is by the same team as the Battle Through the Heavens manhua: Zhou Hongbin, Ren Xiang and JOE.
  • Colouring is by Suoluomen and Huayu.
  • An artbook, the "first illustration collection" of Doupo Cangqiong zhi Da Zhuzai, was released in 2017.

My take

A solid, generous manhua that will please anyone who liked the Battle Through the Heavens one. The flamboyant colours and creatures work well, and the story goes much further than the donghua. The chaotic publication history makes reading a bit complicated, but the whole holds up.

Who is it for?Readers of the Battle Through the Heavens manhua and Mu Chen fans who want the rest of the story in pictures.

— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan

Tian Can Tu DouThe authorTian Can Tu Dou 天蚕土豆The prodigy of Battle Through the Heavens
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