One of the most talked-about and highly-anticipated Chinese anime (donghua) releases of 2020 was Bai Yao Pu, also widely known as Hundred Demon Spectrum or Manual of Hundred Demons. Originally unveiled at the Bilibili Conference in November 2019, it was a flagship title in the company’s “Made by Bilibili” 2020 lineup.
The series immediately garnered attention from fans of deep, episodic supernatural stories. Personally, the premise of Hundred Demon Spectrum resonated deeply, as it skillfully merges the quiet, empathetic supernatural narrative of classics like Natsume’s Book of Friends with the traveling, episodic monster-of-the-week format seen in Mushishi. If you are a fan of thoughtful, supernatural Chinese animation, this is your cup of tea.
📜 Bai Yao Pu: Hundred Demon Spectrum Plot & Story
The story centers on the mysterious Tao Yan, a demon doctor, who travels the land accompanied by a young monk and a loyal demon. Their mission is not to hunt, but to cure the illnesses and solve the complicated human and spiritual problems caused by various demons, ghosts, and spirits.
Source Material: Bai Yao Pu: Hundred Demon Spectrum is based on the popular fantasy web novel by author Sha Luo Shuang Shu.
This format allows each episode to stand as a self-contained, often emotionally devastating, mini-story. While the episodic nature means that the overarching plot sometimes takes a backseat—a common critique—it allows the emotional beats of the individual demon narratives to hit with maximum impact.
🎬 Production Quality, Animation, and Voice Acting
The original Hundred Demon Spectrum was one of three spring 2020 projects from Haoliners Animation League, known for their high-quality production work.
Based on the initial trailers and the final released series, the visuals are consistently stunning. The animation is fluid and the character designs are solid, lending a distinctive, painterly feel to the world. The stunning visual presentation elevates the often intense drama, ensuring that even when the pacing slows down, the series remains visually compelling.
- Critique & Recommendation: While the pacing can occasionally be uneven across episodes, the emotional depth of the stories and the exceptional animation quality make this donghua a must-watch.
📺 Where to Watch Bai Yao Pu: Hundred Demon Spectrum (Seasons 1-5)
Bai Yao Pu originally launched on April 25, 2020, and has since continued with multiple successful seasons, cementing its place as a cornerstone of modern Chinese anime.
To legally stream the series, your primary destination is Bilibili, which often offers official English subtitles.
- Current Availability: Check platforms like Bilibili’s international app or other regional streaming services for the most reliable, subtitled versions. Due to its popularity, finding official and fan-subtitled versions has become much easier since its initial release. It is also available on Netflix and YouTube.
Last Updated on November 7, 2025 by Yu Alexius
[…] Book of Friends, and Mushishi (both sits as my 1st and 2nd favorite anime of all time). The Manual of Hundred Demons anime adaptation release date is scheduled on April 25, 2020 at bilibili and was animated by Haoliners Animation League. It will […]