With the continuous attention that donghua (Chinese animation) is attracting in mainstream media, the diversity of its themes and genres has become increasingly evident. Although it has not yet achieved the comprehensive variety found in anime, the donghua industry is making solid strides in incorporating a broader range of themes and storylines. One of the most prominent features in donghua is isekai, with some titles even handling it better than anime. With advanced animation techniques and complex world-building, donghua often breathes new life into the isekai formula.
Here are the best isekai donghua:
1. Full-Time Magister
Full-Time Magister is a 2016 isekai donghua revolving around a quiet high school student who is thrown into a world very similar to his previous one, except it is dominated by magic instead of science. The activities and social class of this world are entirely based on magic and one’s affinity for it. Moreover, this world is also invaded by mythical creatures that can only be repelled using powerful spells.
2. The Demonic King Who Chases His Wife
The story follows an assassin from the 21st century who is betrayed by a partner and another assassin during a dangerous mission and is killed. Her helplessness to overcome her lover’s betrayal transports her soul to a world overflowing with magic and cultivation.
Arriving in this new world, she becomes the weak, timid, and bullied fourth young lady of the Su family. However, the assassin’s new personality catches the eye of the powerful second prince of the kingdom.
3. Against The Sky Supreme
This series explores a vast multidimensional universe divided into inner and outer universes, connected through an ongoing war. Both sides suffer heavy losses as they fight for dominance.
The inner universe has three separate realms, one of which is a divine realm ruled by three gods. Among them is Hongmeng Zhi Zun, who is betrayed and killed in a brutal coup by two other gods. Reborn as a young noble from a minor noble family, he must navigate his new life while charting a fragile line between revenge and redemption.
4. Scumbag System
The story follows Shen Yuan, a fervent reader familiar with countless novels following the same predictable tropes.
After criticizing the arrogant Xianxia novel, he is unexpectedly activated by a mysterious system that transports him into the book’s world. He realizes he has not been reborn as the protagonist but has transformed into the antagonist Shen Qingqiu, who is destined to die regardless of his actions. He must find a way to save himself from this tragic fate.
5. Shrouding The Heavens
Shrouding the Heavens is a 2023 donghua that begins slowly, making the first half of season one somewhat difficult to watch. However, its complex world-building eventually starts to engage viewers once the introduction concludes.
The story revolves around a group of youths transported to a strange world. In this hostile and unfamiliar land, they must cooperate to face a variety of challenges and trials. As they struggle to survive in a place seemingly intent on destroying them, they discover what it takes to rise to the top and become the strongest.
6. Soul Land
The story narrates the journey of Tang San, who lives in Tang Sect. After spying on the secrets of creating deadly weapons, he is pursued by his entire family and ultimately commits suicide by jumping off a cliff to preserve his loyalty to Tang Sect.
Upon waking up, Tang San finds himself reborn in another world as the son of a blacksmith in the Holy Soul Town, while still retaining the memories from his past life.
