秦时明月
Qin's Moon
A wuxia epic through China's wars of unification
Synopsis
Qin's Moon follows Tianming, a young orphan whose father was executed on Emperor Qin Shi Huang's orders, as China tips into the era of imperial unification. Taken in by the legendary swordsman Gai Nie, he trains in martial arts and gets caught up in the intrigues of the era's great martial schools.
Airing since 2007, the series is one of the oldest CG donghua still in production, spanning eras of Chinese history (the Qin and later Han dynasties) across many seasons.
Its longevity and the quality of its 3D production have made it a reference point for animated wuxia, often cited as an entry point into historical Chinese animation.
Where to watch Qin's Moon 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 plot unfolds in China at the end of the Warring States period, as Emperor Qin Shi Huang imposes unification by force. Great martial schools, the imperial court and local resistances clash in a dense historical setting blended with wuxia elements.
Power system
Characters rely on stylized martial arts, swordsmanship and stratagems inherited from the great combat schools rather than supernatural magic — an approach closer to historical wuxia than to pure fantasy.
Reception & popularity
Spanning five seasons and 174 episodes aired since 2007, Qin's Moon is one of the very first hits of CG donghua and is still cited as a historical reference for the genre, despite a broadcast largely confined to the Chinese market.
My take
Qin's Moon is a veteran, and its original 3D obviously shows its age. But it is one of the few series to root wuxia in a real historical period, the end of the Warring States, with an almost documentary ambition.
The pace is slow and the seasons span more than fifteen years, which takes patience. In return, you discover a slice of Chinese history rarely put on screen, backed by carefully choreographed sword fights.
Who is it for?Watch it if Chinese history interests you as much as martial arts.
Main characters
More character profiles are coming.
Adaptations
This franchise also exists in other formats — each with its own pacing and audience.
Trivia
- Launched in 2007, the series is among the oldest 3D donghua productions still active.
- Produced by Sparkly Key (玄机科技), a Hangzhou studio and pioneer of Chinese CG animation.
- The series has spanned several historical arcs, from the late Qin era to the Han dynasty.
If you liked…
More donghua to discover after Qin's Moon: same author or same genres.
