The Outcast — the I Am Nobody drama
At a glance40 episodes
I Am Nobody (异人之下) is the live-action adaptation of The Outcast. Directed by Xu Hongyu (许宏宇), the 27-episode first season premiered on Youku on 4 August 2023 and then on Netflix internationally. Peng Yuchang plays Zhang Chulan, Wang Yinglu Feng Baobao and Hou Minghao Wang Ye.
Production and behind the scenes
The series is co-produced by Tencent Animation, which owns the manhua, and Youku. The script is by Jiang Feng. The choice was made to transpose the story into a very realistic urban setting and to rely on choreographed fights rather than CGI. The theme song is performed by, among others, Zhou Shen, one of China's most popular voices.
A second season, The Showdown Between Yin and Yang (异人之下之决战！碧游村), aired in January 2025 over 13 episodes and adapts the Biyou Village arc. Further seasons have been announced, including an arc about the Tang Sect.
How it differs from the donghua
The first season took many liberties: it reorganises arcs, changes some motivations and softens the manhua's absurd tone. Zhang Chulan is more serious and Feng Baobao less quirky. The more faithful second season was better received. The donghua remains by far the adaptation closest to the original.
Reception and success
The first season divided fans of the manhua, who criticised its script changes. The team reworked its approach for the second, considered more faithful and better built. The series nonetheless helped The Outcast reach a wider audience, especially through Netflix.
Trivia
- The drama's Chinese title, Yi Ren Zhi Xia (异人之下), plays on the manhua's by replacing 一 (one) with 异 (strange, as in yiren).
- Wang Xueqi, a veteran of Chinese cinema, is part of the cast.
- Each first-season episode runs about 43 minutes.
- The series was produced by Tencent Animation, publisher of the original manhua.
My take
I Am Nobody has style, good actors and well-choreographed fights. But the first season strays too far from the manhua's humour and spirit, and Feng Baobao loses some of her charm. The second season gets back on track. Worth watching if you already know the story and are curious, but start with the manhua or the donghua.
Who is it for?The Outcast fans curious about the live-action version, and fans of urban fantasy action series.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan