Danmei are the Chinese equivalent of the BL genre, featuring romantic relationships between the male characters. Danmei’s are often set in older periods, with more historical content as compared to Japanese BLs.
The term itself means “indulgence in beauty,” and most of the danmei works originate from web novels. However, the animation adaptation of these novels, called donghua, is a popular form of media to consume. Here is a list of the top ten danmei donghua that you should add to your watchlist immediately:
10Thousand Autumns
Martial artist Shen Qiao is saved by Yan Wushi after falling from a cliff. With his belief in the good of humanity, Shen Qiao continues his journey alongside Yan Wushi, who is interested to know how Shen Qiao will live after losing everything—a slow-burn romance with a well-paced development that tugs at your heartstrings.
9 Drowning Sorrows in Raging Fire
On Xuan Ji’s first day at work, someone uses blood sacrifice to awaken the demon who was sealed away thousands of years ago. However, there is no time as a giant conspiracy that can destroy the balance of the world is right on the cusp. A classic centuries-old demon meets a human, and trouble starts brewing a trope that never gets old.
8Dinghai Fusheng Records
Sixteen-year-old exorcist Chen Xing’s fate is connected to a rare lucky star. However, with the star’s demise in four years, Chen Xing will also die along with it. In order to save his life, he must work with his ‘protector ‘- if only he would cooperate. Watch the red string of fate unravel and decide Chen Xing’s fate.
7Can Ci Pin
Polar opposite Lu Bixing and Lin Jingheng are leading a group of ‘defectives’ who can’t be integrated into the futuristic mind-link society they live in. These two must work together to fight against this unjust world. With the opposite attract trope staring right at you with a mix of dystopian sci-fi, this is a must-watch.
6Legend of Exorcism
Half-yao Kong Hongjun is on a mission that gets put on hold due to the accidental involvement of Li Jinglong. Now, Hongjun must find a way to finish his mission without revealing his true identity to Jinglong, whom he is progressively getting closer to. Secrets and feelings never go well together, so watch how they unfold in Legend of Exorcism.
5Scumbag System
A dream, or nightmare, comes true; Shen Yuan wakes up as the antagonist of the novel he hates the most. Now, he must befriend the protagonist to survive, but little does he know that this will change his destiny forever. The premise of the plot already catches your interest, and the fresh dynamics between our leads keep you watching.
4Liu Yao
An eccentric Fu Yao sect master takes in five disciples who were all forced to grow up too soon. With their own dynamic personalities, strengths, and stories, the young disciples find themselves involved in conflicts dating all the way back to their predecessors. Found family and hinted sparks of romance make this a comfy, feel-good watch.
3The Emperor’s Strategy
Eighteen-year-old Chu Yuan is under great pressure to prove himself a good ruler and hopes to reign peacefully. However, civil strife erupts in Yun Nan in less than a year, and everyone is waiting with bated breath to see how Chu Yuan will handle this. No matter what happens, Chu Yuan has his best friend to rely on.
2Heaven Official’s Blessing
Despite ascending to heaven at an early age, Xe Lian has suffered multiple demotions and is once again returned to the mortal world. However, with no human to worship our deity, Xe Lian must exorcise ghosts if he wants to return. Heaven Official’s Blessing is a fun story that takes you on an adventure filled with thrilling action and romance.
1 Mo Dao Zu Shi
Wei Wuxian is a misunderstood reincarnated soul searching for the truth behind the cause of hundreds of deaths, including his own. On his mission to unravel the truth, he runs into a ghost of his past and, thus, begins a story filled with mystery and romance.
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