The 15 Greatest Chinese Anime, Ranked
Animation is an international medium, and each country has its own style, but Japan may be the most notable. Anime is getting more popular by the year, but China has gotten in on the hype, developing a distinct style for itself, donghua. New Chinese anime are even competing with some of the best in the medium, such as Solo Leveling and One Piece.
Donghua has rapidly broken into the spotlight, with multiple anime being considered the best of their respective year. That is why this list will rank the best Chinese anime based on writing, animation, originality, story, and overall quality. Donghua are still in their early stages, but at this rate, some of these shows will be the best of all time.
15
‘The King’s Avatar’ (2017–Present)
E-Sports is a growing form of entertainment, but so is anime and donghua, so why not mix the two together? The King’s Avatar follows Ye Xiu, a retired E-Sports pro who starts from scratch on a new server. He immediately catches the attention of new players, but without sponsors or a guild, his journey to the top spot will be challenging.
Boasting one of the more unique premises, this story isn’t one of gods, monsters, or immortals, but of a video game player in a digital world. Still, The King’s Avatar has all the makings of an epic action anime. It has excellent character development and a spectacular use of video game tactics and techniques.
14
‘Battle Through the Heavens’ (2017–Present)
Some anime get better with age, and that is exactly the case with Battle Through the Heavens, also known as Fights Break Sphere, which started with a horrendous first couple of seasons, but evolved into a modern anime masterpiece. After having power no one has seen before, the protagonist loses everyone, leading him on an adventure to learn why.
Battle Through the Heavens is a classic zero-to-hero story, and everyone loves an underdog story as it makes fans root for the protagonist and get easily invested. Its unique alchemy and fire-based power system adds a lot of rich action opportunities. Battle Through the Heavens is an incredible revenge story that is a fun and thrilling watch.
13
‘A Will Eternal’ (2020–Present)
Immortality can only be earned by those with courage and honorable goals, well, not always. A Will Eternal follows a young boy who has become pathologically afraid of death after his parents’ passing. Finally getting the chance to become immortal, he does whatever he can to stay alive.
Unlike most Chinese anime, A Will Eternal features a bright and goofy protagonist who is a coward. It is one of the funniest donghua, with its protagonist adding a lot to the humor. However, A Will Eternal develops its characters, turning the main character into a legend from his former cowardly self.
12
‘A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality’ (2020–Present)
A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality follows a poor boy from an ordinary village who inexplicably becomes an unofficial disciple. He has no particular strengths or status, but he faces demonic dangers and magical threats with his human strength as he embarks on the path to immortality.
Most donghua feature magical and mystical plots, but A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality is one of the most grounded and realistic cultivation stories. This series is a slow burn that rewards patience, unfolding over many seasons and developing the story with nuance and subtlety. The protagonist is also a breath of fresh air, making it a magnificent Chinese anime.
11
‘Renegade Immortal’ (2023–Present)
This list is home to the greatest dongua ever, and one of the most impressive is Renegade Immortal, a fan-favorite to those around the world. Wang Lin was always raised with the belief that he was special, but when he gets the chance to walk the path to immortality, he realizes he is ordinary, but that doesn’t stop him.
Renegade Immortal is one of the darker cultivation stories, following a protagonist who is a survivor, meaning he will do anything to see another day. This philosophical and gritty anime series explores themes such as loneliness, which adds nicely to its plot and character as he tries to reach the top. In the end, this is a must-watch anime for fans or newcomers to donghua.
10
‘The Daily Life of the Immortal King’ (2020–Present)
There are plenty of well-known Donghua, but one of the most beloved is The Daily Life of the Immortal King. Despite being carefree, Wang Ling is one of the strongest people in the world. Wielding an amulet to make sure his powers don’t go out of control, he needs to find a way to fix it before it breaks.
The Daily Life of the Immortal King is pure fanfare, delivering an escapist fantasy that isn’t renowned for its story. Still, this Donghua is incredibly entertaining, with plenty of comedy, action, charm, character dynamics, and a blend of genres. The Daily Life of the Immortal King is surprisingly self-aware and deals with its tropes in a fresh way, and has one of the strongest characters in anime.
9
‘Heaven Official’s Blessing’ (2020–Present)
Once a beloved and well-known martial god, Xie Lian ascends the heavens for a third time, but this time, he barely has a following, earning the status of a scrap god. From mysterious Ghost Kings to someone who knows all the secrets Xie Lian wants to know, this journey is full of mystery, drama, action, and intrigue.
Heaven Official’s Blessing is an epic adventure and one of the most fascinating, innovative stories in any Donghua. The unique and compelling protagonist is the show’s highlight, offering layered development that makes exploring this world and its mysteries even more intriguing. Heaven Official’s Blessing weaves past and present to build a complex plot, which makes it a must-watch Donghua.
8
‘Soul Land’ (2018–2023)
A lot of Chinese anime don’t get that many seasons, but Soul Land is one of the longest-running, with multiple seasons and a sequel that is still running. Tang is the strongest student at a martial arts school, but after learning a forbidden secret, he takes his own life and is reborn in a world where only the strong can survive.
Soul Land may not be the highest-rated or most critically acclaimed among this group, but it is one of the most popular among fans, for a good reason. It is a great entry point into the medium, with a well-paced plot, plenty of incredible fight scenes, and relatable themes. Soul Land is a classic power fantasy and an anime with plenty of action and a lot of episodes for fans to sink their teeth into.
7
‘Fog Hill of Five Elements’ (2018–2023)
Sometimes, fans just want a show with good action, and Fog Hill of Five Elements delivers on that. Certain elected officials have the potential to master the five elements, but their journey is difficult, and the dangers are constant. It may not be a long series, with only seven episodes, but each one packs an unforgettable punch.
Fans might best know Fog Hill of Five Elements for its viral fight scene, which took the anime fandom by storm, featuring fluid animation and unbelievable choreography that put other similar shows to shame. Its visual style is reminiscent of an ink painting, and its detailed animation is absolutely stunning, working together to create a striking masterpiece. However, the core of the story and its worldbuilding are also pluses.
6
‘Lord of Mysteries’ (2025–Present)
As mentioned, Donghua has become much more popular in recent years, and one of the most popular is arguably Lord of Mysteries, one of the greatest novels that finally received its highly anticipated anime adaptation. Reborn in a steampunk world, Klein must investigate the situation thrust upon him while learning how to use his powers and fight monsters.
Lord of Mysteries isn’t the worst anime of 2025, far from it, but fans have said it isn’t as good as the novel. Still, it features some of the best animation viewers will ever see, with gorgeous landscapes and stellar action sequences. The mystery and worldbuilding are spectacular, creating a fascinating story that fans can’t help but binge-watch. With years of promised content, fans of Lord of Mysteries will be eating well for a long time.
