Summary
Donghua has come a long way. They were initially a niche genre that was popular only in one region of the world and were flying under the radar globally. But now, these Chinese animated series are finally getting the recognition they have long deserved. Their striking visuals and unique way of going about their premise make them a blend of fresh ideas and deep-rooted tradition.
2024 saw donghua stepping up its game with some impressive series. The genre was packed with big releases and long-awaited sequels that did more than just continue the legacy. Old shows likeLink Clink(sort of) andSwallowed Starmade comebacks, while newer ones likeHow Dare You!?andRenegade Immortalkept the signature ‘donghua’ touch while still being different and exciting. Safe to say, donghua isn’t just keeping up — it’s setting the bar higher.
8Swallowed Star Season 4
A Slow Starter That Quickly Grows
Swallowed Starisa sci-fi donghuabased on the popular Chinese web novel of the same name. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by terrifying monsters that have driven humans into their own self-made seclusion. The story follows Luo Feng, a young man determined to rise through the ranks of humanity’s strongest warriors. With advanced technology and the rise of powerful martial artists, human survival is no longer just about fighting monsters, it’s about unlocking the secrets of the universe itself. That’s what Luo Feng tries to do, despite his own problems.
2024 saw the release ofSwallowed Star’shighly anticipated fourth season. The story has now moved well into Part 2 of Season 3 and has dived deep into the lore of the web novel it’s based on. What started as a normal scaling/cultivating donghua has picked up pace beyond recognition, and has become one of the most famous donghua of not only 2024 but of all time.
7Heaven Official’s Blessing Season 2
Fantasy, Romance, Adventure, And 2D Graphics
Heaven Official’s Blessingis afantasy adventure donghua with a BL subplotset in a world of gods and celestial realms. The story follows a once-revered god who tries to find his way back into the good graces of the higher-ranking Gods after multiple disgraceful exiles. He’s joined by a strange yet oddly familiar man along the way — who always seems to show up at just the right time. It’s almost like the two have some kind of history that hasn’t fully come to light.
The special episode ofHeaven Official’s Blessingended on a massive cliffhanger, leaving fans desperate for answers. Season one had already teased glimpses of the main characters’ past encounters, but never gave the grand reveal, leaving everyone hanging onto their season 1 interactions. Season 2 wasted no time picking up where things left off, finally peeling back more layers of their shared past.
6How Dare You!?
Isekai Romance Set In The Inner Courts Of Ancient China
How Dare You!?is afreshly released isekai romancedonghua featuring a villainess trope. Although this particular donghua is a new one, it still managed to gain a solid fanbase and is already set for a new season in 2025.
The story follows a woman who finds herself trapped inside a novel filled with imperial palace drama and messy internal politics. It doesn’t take long for her to realize she’s not just any character — she’s the villainess. But she refuses to let herself be labeled as the antagonist. Instead, she teams up with another isekai-ed outsider to flip the script and change the course of history. The only problem is, the current female lead has no intention of letting that happen — and she’s far from the sweet protagonist everyone assumes her to be.
5Renegade Immortal
Fast-Paced Cultivation Donghua
For fans offast-paced progression and unique cultivation,Renegade Immortalis the donghua to watch. The story follows an ordinary young man with high expectations on his shoulders, whose life is turned upside down when he’s swept into the ruthless world of martial arts after a tragic event. While Wang Lin is a smart kid, he quickly figures out he’s not exactly cut out for a life of cultivation and immortality. However, his ‘tragic event’ leads him to change that perspective and actively start learning to become the strongest. Of course, that’s easier said than done.
As a fresh release,Renegade Immortalis already making waves. Some people might consider its progression a bit too fast-paced, but that shows how the show isn’t scared to jump into the good part. The donghua was first released in 2023, and was routinely released all through 2024.
4Sword Of Coming
An MC Who Has To Work For His Perks
Sword Of Comingis another fresh release that can be considered one of the better ones of 2024. It follows a young man named Chen Ping’an who’s forced into the world of immortality, cultivation, and god-like beings, despite only believing them to be myths. But now that he’s a part of it, he’s going to make sure to make the best of his situation.
Instead of being given extraordinary abilities, Chen Ping’an has to fight tooth and nail through intense training and countless challenges to prove himself worthy — and he does. Unlike many other MCs, he isn’t OP from the start, nor does he have any main character perks. He’s just a normal guy thrown into a not-so-normal world with overpowered characters and a lot of intense fighting sequences.
3Link Click: Bridon Arc
A Prequel Side Story That Dives Into More Details About The MCs
Link Clickis back, but not in the way fans might expect. The show revolves around two ‘photographers’ who can enter photos and experience the moments within. Their job is to tweak the past for their clients in order to absolve them of all their past regrets. It’s a unique mix of crime-solving, emotional depth, and intense twists. Although the show’smajor theme revolves around thriller and mystery, a lot of it also centers on its main characters and the emotional stakes tied to their decisions.
2024’s release wasn’t exactly a full-on season; it was more like a side story. It’s also not a standalone. It ties into season 2 and serves as a prequel set before season 1, so fans will need to see season 2 to understand what’s going on. This release dives deeper into the protagonists ofLink Click. It’s also got that same twisty charm and emotional depth, as well as more of those signature mind-bending plot twists.
2Soul Land 2
Sequel To The Popular Donghua Of The Same Name
Stepping into the world ofSoul Land 2is like getting reacquainted with an old friend. It’s different and changed, yet retains many of its traits from the first show.Soul Land 2, orSoul Land 2: The Peerless Tang Clan,takes place almost 10,000 years after the story of Tang San and his ascendance to Godhood. It follows a set of new characters with new goals in life, who go about their powers in completely different ways. Yet, it retains the signatureSoul Landvibes.
This sequel followsa kid, Han Yuhao, born into a not-so-lucky situation who ends up becoming so powerful that he rewrites the rules of the spirit world itself. Unlike Tang San, who had ancient knowledge on his side, Yuhao starts from the bottom with a seemingly useless spiri. He claws his way up through sheer hard work, brains, and, of course, a plethora of cool and equally strong side characters.
1Slay the Gods
Modern Setting With Divine Beings
Slay the Godsfollows a high school student, Li Qiye, on a mission to rid his world of divinity. Unlike most donghua, which stick to ancient fantastical settings, this one takes place in a modern world — though that doesn’t mean it lacks mythical beings. In this world, divine beings coexist with humans, though the latter are unaware of the fact. Supernatural forces lurk in plain sight, and with a protagonist determined to take them down, they don’t have very long.
This donghua was released in 2024 and quickly caught attention online. With its unique premise, fast-paced thriller vibes, and surprisingly well-timed humor, it’s one of the standout donghua of the year.
