What Is Donghua and How Is It Different From Anime? Explained

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You might have come across the term ‘donghua’ before but may not be familiar with its meaning. Let me explain! In otaku circles, donghua is often appreciated, although it doesn’t have the same level of fame as anime. However, this doesn’t diminish its worth because it has its own special qualities that make it stand out. Whether you prefer anime or donghua, what sets them apart?

You may not be familiar with ‘donghua,’ but it’s popular in otaku circles. It might not have the same level of fame as anime, but it has its own unique qualities that make it special. What makes anime and donghua different from each other?

It’s true that we see a multitude of labels today, but one might question if they all essentially refer to the same thing. To put it simply, the terms “anime” and “donghua,” while both meaning animation in their respective languages, have specific cultural connotations. For instance, anime is traditionally associated with Japan, while donghua refers to Chinese animation. However, it’s not entirely accurate to label something like Shrek as anime or donghua because of its geographical origin, as it is created outside these regions. There must be more defining factors that set them apart, wouldn’t you agree?

What Defines a Donghua and What Makes it Different from Anime?

It’s generally considered appropriate to distinguish between different forms of animation by their origin, such as referring to Chinese animation as “donghua” and Japanese animation as “anime”. While the image you provided contrasts the styles of the Solo Leveling anime adaptation with its South Korean manhwa (comic) origins, it’s a common meme that humorously highlights stylistic differences based on the country of origin. To clarify for others, Chinese animation is often called “donghua” as it’s produced in China, and “anime” refers to Japanese animation or animation made in Japan.

As an observer, I’ve noticed some intriguing distinctions between anime and donghua, particularly when it comes to style and themes. While anime typically leans towards traditional 2D hand-drawn artistry, donghua can be more adventurous with its application of 3D/CGI animation. However, the prevalent use of CGI and 3D animation isn’t without its pitfalls; it can lead to some subpar productions. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean we should dismiss donghua outright. Shows like “Lord of Mysteries” and “To Be Hero X” are prime examples of how 3D elements can be skillfully integrated with 2D styles. In “Lord of Mysteries,” the use of 3D adds a sense of realism, while in “To Be Hero X,” the predominant 3D approach harmoniously contrasts with its 2D aspects, creating a beautiful and cohesive whole.

When it comes to their content, both donghua and anime can have unique elements due to their different origins. For example, anime might incorporate various Japanese themes like allusions to Shinto beliefs, depictions of samurai eras, or folklore characters such as mononoke or yokai.

Donghua, in contrast, often showcases distinctively Chinese cultural elements, encompassing traditional art forms such as shadow puppetry, retellings of classic stories like “Journey to the West,” or topics linked to Confucianism. Donghua also boasts unique genres like xianxia (a fantasy genre rooted in ancient Chinese culture) and wuxia (Chinese narratives focusing on martial arts).

View Some Examples of Some Delightful Donghua

Link Click

In disguise as a Time Photo Studio, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, under the supervision of their landlady and confidante Qiao Ling, engage in an unusual business. Instead of taking photos, they receive them from clients. This allows them to traverse through time.

In this scenario, Lu Guang has the unique talent of predicting 12 hours ahead in photos, whereas Cheng Xiaoshi has the extraordinary ability to travel back to the exact moment a photo was taken, adopting the persona and memories of the photographer at that time. Together, they collaborate to fulfill their clients’ wishes and alleviate their past sorrows. However, as Cheng Xiaoshi repeatedly experiences more and more heartbreaking events, it affects him deeply and eventually draws unwelcome notice.

Link Click can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

Lord of Mysteries

1349 Epoch Calendar on June 28th, Tingen City in the Loen Kingdom: As Doomsday for Tingen approaches on September 9th, it’s the moment when Chinese student Zhou Mingrui is jolted awake. His “Fortune-Boosting Ritual” had malfunctioned, causing him to be reborn into the body of Klein Moretti, a university graduate who had recently taken his own life.

In a realm inhabited by individuals endowed with extraordinary abilities, referred to as Beyonders, who seek divine power on the Path of the Divine, a fresh recruit named Klein embarks on a journey to reveal the enigmatic secrets hidden within clandestine mystical societies and his own peculiar case of suicide and reincarnation. Employing his intelligence to endure and posing as a deity-like figure is merely the start, as he establishes an alliance called the “Tarot Club” and amplifies his abilities in order to return to his origin.

In simple terms, the anime series titled “The Lord of Mysteries” will consist of a total of 13 episodes. Each of these episodes will be made available for viewing on Fridays, exclusively on the streaming platform Crunchyroll.

To Be Hero X

In a society where trust is measurable through data, these numerical representations can influence a hero’s standing – the greater the trust, the higher the rank, and the more power one can command. With sufficient trust, even an average individual could transform into a superhero.

Every other two years, a tournament is held to evaluate and adjust the trust rankings of heroes. The hero with the highest ranking is recognized as Hero X. One day, an ordinary citizen named Lin Ling finds himself thrust into the world of heroes, filling the spot left vacant by the late hero Nice. It isn’t long before he discovers that leading a hero’s life is tough, but also realizes that even an ordinary person can achieve the extraordinary.

To Be Hero X can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2025-07-11 20:13