Adaptation We die donghua is a genre that primarily focuses on stories that typically focus on martial arts, cultivating inner strength (qi), and mastering various forms of combat, all within a framework of loyalty, honor (or lack thereof), and struggles for power. In the Murim genre, martial artists, sects, clans, and schools compete for supremacy and mystical treasures to uphold justice or simply revenge. Characters often undergo significant personal growth, both in terms of their martial prowess and their moral or philosophical outlook on life.
10 Demonic Cultivation Grandmaster
Reincarnation and Revenge
- Studio: Tencent Penguin Pictures, BC May Pictures
- Directed by: Xiong Ke, Ma Chendi
- Season number: 3
- Release date: July 9, 2018
- Status: Completed
The story follows Wei Wuxian, a once revered cultivator who adopts a forbidden demonic path, leading to his downfall at the hands of powerful clans. After his death, Wei Wuxian is resurrected in the body of Mo Xuanyu, a disgraced cultivator. He must navigate his new life while fulfilling the conditions of his resurrection: seek revenge for Mo Xuanyu's wrongs or risk losing his soul. The story weaves together themes of identity, morality, and homosexual relationships, particularly between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, a disciplined and respected cultivator. Set in a richly developed world of cultivation, spirits and complex clan dynamics, the series explores the consequences of power and the search for redemption amid personal and societal conflicts.
9 The Great Lord
A will that will prevail.
- Studio: Foch Film, TrioPen Studio
- Director: Tian Yu
- Season number: 1
- Release date: August 7, 2019
- Status: Completed
The story follows Mu Chen, the young master of Mu Territory, who is involved in a rivalry with Liu Jingtian of Liu Territory. In the midst of their conflict, Mu Chen goes through personal challenges, including the promise of reuniting with his love, Luo Li, after being expelled from the Spiritual Path due to the Blood Calamity. As he strives to become a great ruler, the series explores the concepts of ambition, destiny and the intricacies of clan politics in a richly developed fantasy world. The 2019 anime series takes place in the Great Thousand World, a universe where various clans and lords coexist in multiple planes. An intense story of action, adventure, politics, love and god-like abilities.
8 The land of the soul
The goal is to become the strongest, together with friends.
- Studio: Sparkly Animation Studio, Tencent Penguin Pictures
- Director: Leping Shen
- Season number: 1
- Release date: January 20, 2018
- Status: Completed
This story follows Tang San, a talented young martial artist who reincarnates into a world where individuals cultivate their powers through spirit beasts. In this new life, he seeks to become a powerful Spirit Master as he uncovers the mysteries of his past and the secrets of his abilities. The series is filled with great 3D animations depicting the quest for power as Tang San forms a team known as the Shrek Seven Devils. Through action-packed battles, emotional relationships, and philosophical questions about power and responsibility, Soul Land creates an immersive world for readers and viewers alike.
7 Fight through the skies
From being weak to being absolutely strong
- Studio: Motion Magic
- Director: Zhenhua Gu
- Season number: 5
- Release date: July 17, 2017
- Status: in progress
The story takes place in a fictional world dominated by martial arts, where cultivators use Dou Qi to increase their strength. Xiao Yan, a once prodigious martial artist, suddenly loses all his abilities at the age of eleven. His engagement to a noble family is unexpectedly canceled as he is now weak, bringing shame to both his family and himself. The story begins with Xiao Yan discovering that his powerlessness is caused by an old spirit residing in his mother's ring that has been absorbing his Dou Qi for years. This spirit, Yao Chen, was once a formidable alchemist and farmer. Yao Chen pledges to help Xiao Yan restore his power and seek revenge.
6 Stories of demons and gods
Revenge is the greatest fuel we need.
- Studio: Ruo Hong Culture
- Director: Fabiao de Woniu
- Season number: 8
- Release date:
- Status: Completed
The story focuses on Nie Li, a powerful spiritualist who was killed by the six deities of a sage emperor. After his death, Nie Li is reborn as the 13-year-old version of himself, giving him another opportunity to alter the sequence of events that led to the devastation of his world and the deaths of his loved ones. Nie Li now knows everything from his past existence, including advanced cultivation methods, martial arts, and the mysteries of ancient alchemy. His goals are to restore his family's honor, defend Glory City against demonic creatures, and prevent evil powers from rising and endangering the entire continent.
5 The Legend and the Hero
Taikoubou must overthrow the tyrant King Zhou.
- Studio: Sparkly Key Studio
- Director: Shen Leping
- Season number: 5
- Release date: June 24, 2016
- Status: Completed
The story takes place in ancient China during the Shang Dynasty, a time when humans and gods coexisted. It centers around the conflict between the last king of the Shang Dynasty, King Zhou, and the divine forces that seek to depose him due to his tyranny and corruption. The gods send heroes to restore balance and justice, with Taikoubou as the chosen protagonist to defeat the evil king and shut down the evil spirits or immortals that threaten humanity. Along his journey, Taikoubou gathers powerful allies to fight evil forces while uncovering secret plots among the gods themselves. This is a beautiful piece of historical fantasy, one with secrets and surprises around every corner.
4 The Daily Life of an Immortal King
The hero is quite reluctant to make any mistakes
- Studio: Haoliners Animation League, Pb Animation Co. Ltd, Liyu Culture
- Director: Li Haoling
- Season number: 4
- Release date: January 18, 2020
- Status: Completed
Wang Ling is a teenager who, unbeknownst to most of his classmates, is actually an immortal with god-like powers. He had unparalleled abilities from a young age, but his parents sealed them away to allow him to lead a more normal life. However, even with these seals, Wang Ling's power is overwhelming and he must constantly suppress it to avoid accidental destruction.
In the story, he enrolls in a high school where students train to fight demons, but he wants nothing more than to live a low-key life and avoid attracting attention. Despite his best efforts, strange happenings, supernatural conflicts and challenges pull him into the spotlight. Much of the humor comes from his nonchalant demeanor and how his god-like abilities often lead to ridiculous situations.
3 Spare me, Great Lord
His superpower is annoying
- Studio: Big Bird Culture
- Director: Xicun Liang
- Season number: 2
- Release date: December 3, 2021
- Status: Completed
The story follows Lu Shu, an orphan who discovers that he is a “metahuman” with the ability to absorb negative emotions from others, which allows him to become stronger through a system that grants him “suffering points”. These points can be exchanged for items, skills and upgrades that help him on his cultivation journey. Alongside him is his sister, Lu Xiaoyu, who is very protective of her brother and also plays a vital role in the story.
As Lu Shu navigates his new powers and an evolving world where others like him are emerging, he tries to keep a low profile while slowly gaining power. However, his ambitions and natural talent make it impossible for him to stay hidden for long. Along his journey, he faces powerful enemies, meets new allies, and uses his sometimes subtle tactics to rise through the ranks of cultivators.
2 outcast
A fun story with great animation
- Studio: Namu Animation
- Director: Wang Xin
- Season number: 3
- Release date: July 9, 2016
- Status: Completed
The story follows Zhang Chulan, an ordinary university student who suddenly finds himself involved in a supernatural world after a series of strange events. One day, Zhang visits his grandfather's grave only to be attacked by zombies. He is saved by a mysterious girl named Fuu Houhou, who uses a special martial art technique to defeat the undead. After this encounter, Zhang realizes that there are people with supernatural powers, known as “Outcasts”, who possess special abilities.
Zhang himself harbors a hidden power he inherited from his grandfather, which makes him the target of other outcasts who want to unlock his potential. Along with Fuu Houhou and others he meets, Zhang embarks on a journey to understand his power and survive in the midst of a battle between different factions of outcasts.
1 The Misty Hill of the Five Elements
Amazing animation and fight sequences.
- Studio: Samsars Animation Studio
- Director: Hun Lin
- Season number: 3
- Release date: July 6, 2020
- Status: Completed
The story is set in a mystical world where people can harness the power of the five elements (fire, water, metal, earth and wood). These elements are central to both the balance of the world and the conflict between the various factions. The plot revolves around the Guardians of Fog Hill, who are tasked with maintaining peace and balance by controlling the elements.
Long ago, in an ancient battle, humans and beasts fought for elemental power. To ensure humanity's survival, some individuals were granted the ability to control these elements, thus becoming the guardians of Fog Hill. As the beasts return, the Guardians must rise again to defend the human race and prevent chaos. This show boasts some of the best animation ever to hit the screen, and even now, it boasts such smooth and highly detailed animation that it's sure to keep you glued to the screen.
Related
10 Best Murim Manhwa, Ranked
Murim manhwa explores East Asian culture, especially in martial arts, and these are some of the best series of the genre.
