The Best Danmei Novel Can’t Ever Have an Anime (And the Reason Is Terrible)

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There’s an abundance of top-notch LGBTQA+ friendly danmei novels readily available for readers worldwide, ranging from timeless hits like “Mo Dao Zu Shi” to “Peerless.” The selection of adorable BL Chinese Light Novels is vast indeed. Yet, among these gems, one standout piece will never receive an adaptation beyond its written form, which is truly unfortunate.

I’ve recently joined the Chinese Light Novel club, and much like others before me, my entrance was sparked by watching the animated series for “Mo Dao Zu Shi”. Once I had devoured every possible way Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji could express their love, I sought out other captivating stories. Fortunately, my neighborhood bookstore was more than happy to fuel this newfound passion. That’s how I came across the novel “The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish”.

Intrigued yet skeptical, I initially hesitated at the title’s peculiarity and even stepped aside for a brief moment. Yet, the overwhelmingly positive online reviews piqued my curiosity. Boasting nearly a perfect score from thousands of readers, it was touted as one of the most heartwarming stories ever written. Frankly, the idea of a human falling in love with a fish left me somewhat skeptical. But as I delved into the narrative, I found myself captivated and moved beyond words.

So What’s Up With The Fish?

The Tyrant with Disabilities’ Cherished Aquatic Companion is a tale that falls under the “reincarnation” category. For anime enthusiasts who enjoy Isekai, this story shares the same genre. In this narrative, the protagonist hails from our current world and, upon reading an online novel, his spirit travels to the realm of the book, but as a fish.

This story also falls into the category of a “System” novel. In many Transmigration tales, characters who find themselves in a foreign world require some form of guidance or objectives to effectively explore their surroundings. A System serves as this structure, offering rules, targets, or missions exclusively to the main character through an interactive voice or interface. As they accomplish these tasks or missions, they acquire enhancements, powers, or skills. Essentially, it’s like playing a video game.

Pre-orders are now available for Volume 4 (Special Edition) of “Canji Baojun’s Beloved Pet Fish: The Tyrant’s Favorite (Novel)”, featuring an exclusive art board, a bookmark, postcards, and a sticker sheet from guest artists, in addition to the regular book! For more information, please visit our site.

— Danmei News (@Danmei_News3) March 15, 2025

My initial foray into transmigrational literature was through the captivating tale titled “The Cherished Fish of the Crippled Monarch“. Initially, I grappled with some of the terminology and ideas, but as I delved deeper past the first few chapters, the effort spent on deciphering unfamiliar words seemed inconsequential. I found myself so captivated that I swiftly placed orders for the concluding three books in the series.

I devoured the story, and around the middle of the second volume, I discovered something disheartening – after these books are read, there’d be no chance to relish the first-time experience. Unlike “Mo Dao Zu Shi”, “Pet Fish” can never be reimagined or brought to life in another format.

There Is Too Much Gay In This Danmei

I can’t hide my excitement when it comes to BL Danmei! While these stories are undeniably rich with romantic undertones that might make even the most stoic reader blush, what truly sets them apart is their intricate plotlines that stand independently from the romantic entanglements of the main characters. For instance, if you’ve watched the live-action and Donghua adaptations of Mo Dao Zu Shi, you’ll notice that the relationship between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji isn’t explicitly stated, even though it’s confirmed in the Light Novels. Instead, their bond is subtly hinted at through a myriad of interactions and clever symbolism. It’s like solving a captivating puzzle, uncovering the nuances and complexities of their relationship!

In contrast to the story of Mo Dao Zu Shi, which has a more independent narrative, Pet Fish’s tale is deeply intertwined with the main character’s journey of falling in love and marrying the Tyrant. His mission is to guide the Prince away from becoming a tyrant by instilling within him the capacity for love and empathy. They eventually have a family together, but due to Chinese censorship laws, the way their children are conceived cannot conform to traditional storytelling methods.

In China, the majority of Donghua (animated) adaptations of Chinese Light Novels are produced, and these productions must abide by local laws regarding content. Regrettably, representations of LGBTQA+ themes, particularly those involving two men, are currently not allowed in either animated or live-action adaptations under the existing legal framework.

Regardless of the widespread enthusiasm for “The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish” Light Novel and the eagerness of its fans, transforming this story into a Donghua would strip away the very elements that make it unique and compelling. The subtle nuances, deeply emotional love story between Prince Jing and Li Yu, and their profound bond are integral to the tale’s resonance. Altering or omitting this relationship would significantly diminish its impact.

Revisiting this tale as an animated Donghua production could potentially add a fresh layer of depth and pleasure to an already acclaimed narrative, given its fitting structure for such a format.

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2025-07-15 05:10