Crunchyroll’s New Chinese Anime Has the Makings of the Greatest Isekai of All Time

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If you’re searching for a fresh anime series to follow, I highly recommend giving Lord of Mysteries a try. Featuring an intriguing blend of supernatural steampunk and Victorian elements, this thrilling, suspenseful action-adventure dark mystery promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. With its exploration of mysticism, divine powers, secret societies, rival churches, Lovecraftian horror, and enigmatic mysteries, this series delivers an impressive array of steampunk elements, potentially making it one of the best isekai productions ever created.

Starting in 2018, the serialized web novel “Lord of Mysteries” by author Cuttlefish That Loves Diving (Yuan Ye) was launched on Qidian. After eight volumes, the final one concluded in April 2020. Thanks to CKTalon, it’s now available for English readers through Webnovel. Excitingly, a donghua adaptation from B.CMay PICTURES is underway! This intriguing blend of Victorian steampunk, Lovecraftian horror, and supernatural mysticism promises an engaging experience as the protagonist uncovers occult secrets in this dark, enchanting mystery. Although it doesn’t explicitly label itself as such, “Lord of Mysteries” offers fresh perspectives on the isekai genre, warranting the recognition and popularity it deserves.

A Rabbit Hole of Mysteries

30th June, Year 1349 in the Epoch Calendar. Tingen City, within the realm of Loen Kingdom. The clock is ticking as the impending Doomsday of Tingen City on September 9th approaches. It is during this time and at this location that Chinese youth Zhou Mingrui experiences a mishap with his “Luck Empowerment Rite,” resulting in him being transported into the body of Klein Moretti, a man who had recently taken his own life.

In a realm inhabited by individuals gifted with extraordinary abilities, known as Beyonders, who are on a quest to attain divine powers along the Path of the Divine, a freshly awakened character named Klein embarks on a journey to discover the enigma surrounding clandestine mystical groups and his own perplexing death-and-resurrection scenario. Employing his intelligence to stay alive and posing as a divine figure is merely the start; he then establishes an organization called the “Tarot Club” and boosts his powers in order to return to his original home.

Beautiful and Innovative, This Donghua Deserves Recognition as Perhaps the Best Isekai Yet

Initially, some viewers might be hesitant about the 3D graphics in “Lord of Mysteries” due to its potential obscurity. However, the narrative that spans across different dimensions makes up for it. The visuals are captivating as Studio B.C May Pictures skillfully combines 2D and 3D elements, resulting in a harmonious blend of styles within the animation. This creates an enchanting world filled with both gritty industrial ambiance and vibrant mysticism and intrigue. If you enjoy supernatural Victorian-era plots and aesthetics similar to “Black Butler,” don’t miss out on this animated series.

This story, known as “Lord of Mysteries,” delves deep into a maze of secrets, mysteries, hidden societies, and supernatural forces that border on the divine. Additionally, it incorporates elements from the Xuanhuan genre, which draws inspiration from Chinese culture, mythology, philosophies, and so forth. The magic system in this story is based on religious influences, making its application by the Beyonders more purposeful rather than arbitrary. In their quest for divinity, they employ potions and strive to reach godhood through 22 Pathways, modeled after the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and the 22 Major Arcana cards in the Tarot. These pathways have distinct levels, or sequences, with lower sequences indicating a closer proximity to divine powers.

Instead of numerous contemporary isekai series featuring cliche, dull, overpowered protagonists, monotonous tropes, and settings reminiscent of the same worn-out fantasy realms, Lord of Mysteries offers a distinctive perspective on the isekai genre. It stands out due to its stunning animation, intricate mysteries that mirror their occult roots, and an original setting that breaks away from the repetitive fantasy or gaming universes. This Chinese anime certainly possesses the potential to be the ultimate isekai masterpiece.

The enigmatic series titled “The Lord of Mysteries” consists of a complete 13-episode run during its debut season. Each thrilling installment will be available every Friday exclusively on Crunchyroll.

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2025-07-11 02:09