Beginner's guide
Where to start with donghua?
Hundreds of series, sagas of more than 200 episodes, titles that are not always translated: getting into donghua can feel daunting. This guide offers seven paths to match your tastes, with three titles each, from the most accessible to the most demanding. Start with the first one on the list that speaks to you.
Three tips before you start
1
Start short
A 12 to 24 episode series or a film will show you the style without committing you to a 200-episode saga. The big sagas can come later.
2
Choose by taste
Donghua is not just martial arts. There are thrillers, romance, comedy and science fiction: start from what you already enjoy in anime or at the cinema.
3
Watch official releases
Several titles are available in France on Crunchyroll, ADN or Netflix. The others are on the international Chinese platforms, often with English subtitles.
You come from Japanese anime
These short, very well-written 2D series are the closest to what you already know. They also show what donghua does differently.
时光代理人Link Click
2021
Step 1
A time-travel thriller, short, intense and with no cultivation at all. The best way in for an anime fan.
In France: Crunchyroll
刺客伍六七Scissor Seven
2018
Step 2
A clumsy assassin, absurd humour and superb fights, in short episodes.
In France: Netflix
凸变英雄XTo Be Hero X
2025
Step 3
A superhero series co-produced with Aniplex, whose style blends 2D and 3D.
In France: Crunchyroll
You want cultivation
Cultivation is the heart of donghua: heroes who train to climb power realms, all the way to immortality. Here are three 3D sagas, from the most measured to the most popular.
凡人修仙传A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality
2020
Step 1
An ordinary, cautious hero in a cultivation world: one of the best-loved sagas, without too many clichés.
仙逆Renegade Immortal
2023
Step 2
Darker and harsher, with some of the most beautiful 3D in the genre.
In France: Crunchyroll
斗罗大陆Soul Land
2018
Step 3
China's most popular saga, very long, ideal if you get hooked on the genre.
You love romance and drama
Star-crossed love, tragic destinies and beautiful art: these 2D series are all about emotion and characters.
魔道祖师Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
2018
Step 1
A tale of revenge and mystery in a cultivation world, carried by an unforgettable duo.
In France: Crunchyroll
天官赐福Heaven Official's Blessing
2020
Step 2
A fallen god and a mysterious ghost king: a tender romance with gorgeous art.
In France: Crunchyroll
百妖谱Fairies Album
2020
Step 3
Love stories between humans and creatures of Chinese folklore, in standalone episodes.
You would rather start with a film
A film is the easiest way in: a complete story in two hours. These three are among the finest Chinese animated films.
哪吒之魔童闹海Ne Zha 2
2025
Step 1
The highest-grossing animated film in history, spectacular and funny, based on Chinese mythology.
In France: Cinéma
罗小黑战记The Legend of Luo Xiaohei
2011
Step 2
A little cat spirit in the modern world: tender, funny and beautiful in 2D.
In France: ADN
大鱼海棠Big Fish & Begonia
2016
Step 3
A poetic tale of love and sacrifice, with a unique visual style.
In France: Netflix
You are looking for laughs
Donghua can also not take itself seriously. These series mix action and comedy in present-day China.
仙王的日常生活The Daily Life of the Immortal King
2020
Step 1
An overpowered high schooler who just wants a quiet life: a light, effective comedy.
In France: Crunchyroll, ADN
大王饶命Spare Me, Great Lord!
2021
Step 2
A hero who grows stronger by annoying people: cheeky and very funny.
一人之下The Outcast
2016
Step 3
Hidden practitioners in modern China, between humour, action and Taoist mythology.
In France: Crunchyroll
You like sci-fi and mystery
Steampunk, post-apocalypse, video games: these series leave the mountains and sects behind to explore other worlds.
诡秘之主Lord of Mysteries
2025
Step 1
A steampunk mystery with a Lovecraftian feel, adapted from one of China's most-read novels.
In France: Crunchyroll
灵笼Ling Cage
2019
Step 2
A flying fortress above a post-apocalyptic world: dark, adult and spectacular.
全职高手The King's Avatar
2017
Step 3
An esports champion starting again from scratch: ideal if you love video games.
In France: Crunchyroll
You want a feast for the eyes
To discover the visual richness of Chinese animation, from traditional ink to the most polished 3D.
雾山五行Fog Hill of Five Elements
2020
Step 1
Remarkably fluid 2D, in the spirit of Chinese painting.
中国奇谭Yao: Chinese Folktales
2023
Step 2
An anthology of Chinese tales, each in a different animation style.
白蛇：缘起White Snake
2019
Step 3
A great love story drawn from a Chinese legend, in sumptuous 3D.
In France: Prime Video
What next?
Still unsure? The quiz suggests three titles in five questions. To understand the genre better, read our comparison with Japanese anime and the donghua glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best donghua to start with?
Link Click is often recommended to beginners: it is short, very well written, available on Crunchyroll and needs no knowledge of cultivation. If you prefer a film, Ne Zha 2 or The Legend of Luo Xiaohei are excellent ways in.
Should I start with long sagas like Soul Land?
Not necessarily. The big cultivation sagas often run to more than 100 episodes. It is better to discover the style with a short series first, then dive into a saga if you like the genre.
Can I watch donghua in French?
Yes, around twenty titles in the catalogue have an official offer in France, mostly on Crunchyroll, ADN and Netflix, usually in the original version with subtitles. Our Where to watch page lists them all.
Do I need to read the novel before watching the donghua?
No. Donghua are made to be watched without knowing the original work. The novel or the manhua are mainly a way to find out what happens next when the series falls behind.