Top 10 Underrated Donghua to watch in 2025

Everyone knows the big names — Record of Mortal’s Journey to Immortality, Renegade Immortal, and Battle Through the Heavens.
These shows have ruled the donghua scene for years with their massive fan bases and high-quality animation.

But beyond those mainstream hits, there are many hidden gems that don’t get enough attention.
In 2025, several underrated donghua are quietly delivering amazing stories, stunning visuals, and creative worlds that many fans are missing.

So, here’s a list of the Top 10 Underrated Donghua to Watch in 2025 — series that may not be trending everywhere but truly deserve a spot on your watchlist.

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🔸 Disclaimer

All the donghua listed here are not new releases, but they remain underrated and often overlooked by most viewers.
This list is based on my personal opinion and viewing experience, so the ranking reflects what I genuinely think deserves more recognition.

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1. Link Click (时光代理人)

Genre: Mystery, Drama, Time Travel
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

Synopsis:
Link Click tells the story of Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, two men who can enter photos and relive past moments. They use this ability to help clients fix regrets and uncover hidden truths — but every change in the past comes with painful consequences.
The mix of emotional drama and mystery keeps you hooked from start to end.

Why It’s Underrated:
It’s a masterpiece of storytelling and direction, often compared to Steins;Gate. Yet, many casual anime watchers still don’t know about it because it’s Chinese-made. This is easily one of the most powerful donghua of all time.

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🥈 2. Ling Cage: Incarnation (灵笼)

Genre: Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyptic, Psychological
Where to Watch: Youtube

Synopsis:
Set in a world where humanity hides underground after a global catastrophe, Ling Cage follows Mark, a rescuer who risks his life exploring the deadly surface. The story explores fear, hope, and human survival against impossible odds.
It’s a dark, emotional journey about what it means to stay human when the world ends.

Why It’s Underrated:
This is one of the most beautiful 3D-animated donghua ever created. The atmosphere, tension, and moral questions make it unforgettable, but its slow release schedule made many fans miss it.

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🥉 3. Blades of the Guardians (镖人 / Biao Ren)

Genre: Historical, Action, Drama
Where to Watch: Youtube

Synopsis:
In a time of chaos, a skilled mercenary named Dao Ma travels the land as a bodyguard-for-hire. His job brings him face-to-face with war, corruption, and supernatural threats lurking in the shadows.
The storytelling feels grounded and emotional, with intense sword fights and a realistic, gritty art style.

Why It’s Underrated:
It has movie-level direction, breathtaking animation, and one of the most mature tones in any donghua. Yet, it’s still hidden behind bigger names in the action genre.

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🕶 4. Eclipse of Illusion (幻镜诺德琳)

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Action, Supernatural
Where to Watch: Youtube

Synopsis:
In a world torn between divine powers and human science, chosen warriors are drawn into a secret war that questions faith and destiny. The story is full of symbolism and mystery, with a world that constantly blurs the line between dream and reality.

Why It’s Underrated:
It’s bold and visually stunning. The storytelling can be complex, but it’s rewarding once you dive into its lore. It’s one of those rare donghua that combines action with deep themes.

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⚡ 5. To Be Hero X (凸变英雄 X)

Genre: Action, Comedy, Superhero
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

Synopsis:
A mix of absurd humor, superhero chaos, and emotional storytelling, To Be Hero X continues the creative energy of the original To Be Hero series. It follows an unlikely hero caught between ordinary life and extraordinary duty. The show uses humor to hide deeper questions about identity and sacrifice.

Why It’s Underrated:
It’s unique, emotional, and stylish — something you won’t find anywhere else. It deserves way more attention, especially from fans who love creative animation and character-driven stories.

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🗡 6. Sword of Coming (剑来)

Genre: Wuxia, Fantasy, Cultivation
Where to Watch: Tencent Video, iQIYI (not confirmed)

Synopsis:
Chen Ping’an, a quiet wanderer, sets out on a journey of martial arts and philosophy. His adventure isn’t just about fighting — it’s about growing wiser, kinder, and stronger while discovering the balance between strength and compassion.

Why It’s Underrated:
It’s a slow-burn story with rich dialogue and strong character writing. Perfect for fans who love peaceful, introspective journeys.

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😂 7. A Will Eternal (一念永恒)

Genre: Comedy, Cultivation, Fantasy
Where to Watch: Youtube

Synopsis:
Bai Xiaochun, a cowardly cultivator, is determined to achieve immortality — mostly because he’s terrified of dying. His misadventures bring a perfect mix of comedy, chaos, and heartwarming lessons about courage and friendship.

Why It’s Underrated:
It’s fun, uplifting, and surprisingly emotional. Don’t let its humor fool you — the story grows into something much deeper than it first appears.

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⚔️ 8. Slay the Gods (斩神之凡尘神域)

Genre: Fantasy, Action, Mythology
Where to Watch: Youtube

Synopsis:
When gods and mortals clash, entire worlds tremble. Slay the Gods follows a mortal hero who dares to challenge divine powers in a world where myths come alive. It’s packed with intense battles and stunning world design.

Why It’s Underrated:
A new and stylish entry into the fantasy genre that deserves more hype. It’s great for anyone who loves epic fights and high-stakes storytelling.

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🔥 9. Apotheosis (百炼成神)

Genre: Cultivation, Fantasy, Adventure
Where to Watch: Youtube

Synopsis:
Luo Zheng, once a noble, is reduced to slavery after his family’s fall. But through cultivation and willpower, he begins his path toward becoming a god. The story follows his growth from despair to greatness, mixing action with emotional strength.

Why It’s Underrated:
It’s consistent, inspiring, and deeply satisfying to watch. It’s the kind of cultivation donghua that gets better with every episode.

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🐉 10. Wu Geng Ji (武庚纪 / The Legend and the Hero)

Genre: Mythology, Action, Fantasy
Where to Watch: Youtube

Synopsis:
Based on Chinese mythology, it tells the story of Wu Geng — a prince whose life is destroyed by the gods. Reborn as a slave, he leads humanity in a desperate fight against divine tyranny. It’s full of epic battles, tragedy, and determination.

Why It’s Underrated:
Long-running and massive in scale, but often overshadowed by flashier titles. Later seasons are fantastic and full of heart.

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🎖 Honorable Mentions

Martial Universe (武动乾坤)

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Cultivation
Where to Watch: Youtube

Synopsis:
Lin Dong, a young martial artist, stumbles upon a mysterious stone talisman that changes his destiny. As he trains to become stronger, he faces ancient secrets, legendary enemies, and the endless climb toward greatness.

Why It’s Underrated:
It’s one of the classic cultivation stories that does everything right — strong protagonist, great worldbuilding, and emotional family themes. It’s just not as flashy as the newer ones, which is why many fans overlook it today.

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First Order (第一序列)

Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic
Where to Watch: Youtube

Synopsis:
Set in a crumbling future world, two survivors — Ren Xiaosu and his brother — navigate the ruins of civilization using wit, courage, and a bit of dark humor. The story mixes survival and mystery, showing how people stay human when everything else is gone.

Why It’s Underrated:
It’s clever, realistic, and quietly emotional. It doesn’t rely on over-the-top action but focuses on relationships and survival — which makes it different from most donghua.

“For more top-donghua picks, check out my Top 10 Best Donghua to Watch in 2025 list — it covers even more solid series worth your time.”

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📊 Let’s Summarize

Rank	Title	Genre	Type	Where to Watch	Why It’s Underrated
1	Link Click	Mystery, Drama	Time Travel	Bilibili, Crunchyroll	Brilliant writing, emotional storytelling
2	Ling Cage	Sci-Fi, Drama	Post-Apocalyptic	Bilibili, iQIYI	Beautiful 3D visuals, less promotion
3	Blades of the Guardians	Historical, Action	Martial Arts	Bilibili, Crunchyroll	Cinematic fights, mature tone
4	Eclipse of Illusion	Dark Fantasy	Supernatural	Bilibili	Deep and symbolic story
5	To Be Hero X	Action, Comedy	Superhero	Bilibili, Crunchyroll	Funny, emotional, experimental
6	Sword of Coming	Wuxia, Fantasy	Cultivation	Tencent, iQIYI	Calm and meaningful journey
7	A Will Eternal	Comedy, Fantasy	Cultivation	Bilibili, WeTV	Heartfelt and hilarious
8	Slay the Gods	Fantasy, Action	Mythology	Bilibili	New, stylish, and powerful
9	Apotheosis	Cultivation, Adventure	Fantasy	Tencent, WeTV	Strong pacing and character growth
10	Wu Geng Ji	Mythology, Action	Rebellion	Tencent, Bilibili	Grand world and lasting emotion

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🎬 What to Watch Based on Your Taste

👉 If you like Action and Battles:

• Blades of the Guardians
• To Be Hero X
• Wu Geng Ji

👉 If you like Cultivation and Growth Stories:

• Sword of Coming
• A Will Eternal
• Apotheosis

👉 If you like Sci-Fi and Deep Stories:

• Link Click
• Ling Cage
• Eclipse of Illusion

👉 If you like Mythology and Legends:

• Slay the Gods
• Wu Geng Ji

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💭 Final Thoughts

These underrated donghua prove that Chinese animation is filled with creativity, passion, and emotional depth. Each of these shows offers something unique — whether it’s a touching story, breathtaking animation, or fresh ideas that go beyond the usual tropes.

If you’ve only watched the big names, give these hidden gems a try. You might end up finding your next obsession.

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