Jade Dynasty — Xiao Kuan's manhua
Zhu Xian was adapted into a manhua by artist Xiao Kuan (肖宽), first in Xing Man (星漫) magazine and then in Shen Man (神漫). Collected volumes came out from August 2015 from Hunan Juvenile and Children's Publishing.
Origins and publication
The manhua tells the start of the story: the massacre of Caomiao village, the arrival of Zhang Xiaofan and his friend Lin Jingyu at the Qingyun Sect, and the sorting of disciples among the peaks. Talented, calm Lin Jingyu is fought over by the masters, while Zhang Xiaofan, considered slow, reluctantly ends up with Tian Buyi. The manhua faithfully reproduces this contrast, which underpins the whole novel.
How it differs from the donghua
The manhua predates the donghua by seven years and offers a more colourful style, close to the action manhua of the time. It covers the novel's opening but did not get as far as the animated series. The 2022 donghua brought a more melancholy atmosphere and more polished backgrounds, closer to the novel's tone.
Reception and success
The manhua found its audience among Shen Man readers but remained less known than the drama and film. It is still interesting for seeing Zhu Xian's characters drawn before the live-action adaptations fixed their image.
Trivia
- The collected volumes were published by Hunan Juvenile and Children's Publishing.
- Lin Jingyu, Zhang Xiaofan's childhood friend, is sent to Longshou Peak, Qingyun's most prestigious.
- The manhua moved from Xing Man magazine to Shen Man along the way.
- The covers feature Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao, the novel's two heroines.
My take
A decent manhua that tells Zhang Xiaofan's beginnings well but lacks the melancholy that defines Zhu Xian. The art is lively but a bit generic. I mainly recommend it to collectors of the franchise.
Who is it for?Zhu Xian fans who want every version of the story, and readers of 2010s manhua.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan
The authorXiao Ding 萧鼎The pioneer of online xianxia