The last quarter of 2020 is almost here and it is about time to check what the Chinese animation industry had in store for donghua fans for the fall seasonal lineup. As of writing this post, there are only few donghua titles with a specific release date listed for next season, however, we can speculate that majority of the titles that revealed in the 2020 Tencent Video Animation Annual Conference Event will be released before the year ends or by the first quarter of 2021. We had started our list of Chinese anime of 2021 already although we only had few confirmed titles yet.
Nevertheless, let’s take a look at some of the confirmed and speculated Chinese anime coming over in fall 2020 as shown in the table below:
| DONGHUA / CHINESE ANIME FALL 2020 LINEUP | |||
| English Title | Original Title | Release Date | Studio |
| Legend of Deification | Jiang Ziya (姜子牙) | Oct. 1, 2020 | One & All Animation Studio Beijing Enlight Pictures |
| Over the Moon | (飞奔去月球) | N/A | Oriental DreamWorks |
| Lonely Hero | Gu Xiong (孤雄) | N/A | SC Animation Studio |
| Kung Fu Mulan | Mu lan: Heng Kong Chu Shi (木兰：横空出世) | Oct 1, 2020 | N/A |
| Xin Jue | Xin Jue (芯觉) | Oct. 30, 2020 | CG Year |
| Silent Reading | Mo Du Zhe (默读者) | N/A | L² Studio |
| Scumbag System | Chuan Shu Zijiu Zhinan (穿书自救指南) | Sep. 10, 2020 | Djinn Power |
| The Demonic King Who Chases His Wife 2 | Xie Wang Zhui Qi 2 (邪王追妻 第二季) | Dec. 11, 2020 | Big Firebird Cultural Media |
| Music Up 2 | Wo Wei Ge Kuang: Xuanlu Chongqi (我为歌狂2) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | Shanghai Animation Film Studio |
| Hero Return | Ying Xiong Zai Lin (英雄再临) | Oct. 18, 2020 | Big Firebird Cultural Media |
| The Ravages of Time | Huo Feng Liao Yuan (火凤燎原) | N/A | |
| Heaven Official’s Blessing | Tian Guan Ci Fu (天官赐福) | Oct. 31, 2020 | Haoliners Animation League |
| No Doubt In Us | Liang Bu Yi (两不疑) | N/A | Paper Plane Animation Studio |
| School Shock: Son Of Eden | 雏蜂·SOE | N/A | Thundray |
| Juvenile Song 2 | Shaonian Ge Xing: Feng Hua Xue Yue Pian (少年歌行 风花雪月篇) | N/A | CG Year |
| The Defective | Can Ci Pin (残次品) | N/A | Coastline Animation Studio |
| Agents in Otherworld | An Jie Shen Shi (暗界神使) | N/A | Coastline Animation Studio |
The table we had listed above is not complete yet as we will regularly update it once new information is announced. Meanwhile, I will discuss some of the most hyped and highly anticipated donghua of fall 2020 and some of these titles are making me excited more than ever.
Scumbag System
Chuan Shu Zijiu Zhinan | Release Date: September 10, 2020
One of the biggest and definitely hyped Chinese anime of 2020 is the Scumbag System or also known as Scum Villain Self-Saving System which is adapted from a popular boys-love novel of the same title by author Moxiang Tongxia, who also written Mo Dao Zu Shi, and Heaven Official’s Blessing (another donghua in this list). The story is similar to any isekai anime out there and the closest I could compare to it is My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom because our main character was transmigrated inside a game and as the main antagonist of the story. He needs to find a way to avoid his demise, therefore will try his best to get on the good side of the main hero from the game.
The King’s Avatar Season 2
Quanzhi Gaoshou 2 | Release Date: September 25, 2020
Ye Xiu is coming back for the 2nd season of The King’s Avatar anime adaptation. This time, he will silently pave his way back to the professional circle with the help of Chen Guo and his newly established team Happy. The journey won’t be easily but he’ll definitely make his path towards the top of Glory.
Heaven Official’s Blessing
Tian Guan Ci Fu | Release Date: October 31, 2020
While we still have no specific release date yet, fans are speculating for Heaven Official’s Blessing donghua release to be this October. It is another donghua adapted from a Moxiang Tongxiu’s boys-love novel. The hype for this Chinese anime is just as strong as the Scumbag System or even the already popular Mo Dao Zu Shi. It’s one of bilibili’s biggest donghua lineup of 2020 and is animated by Haoliners Animation League.
Legend of Deification
Jiang Ziya. An upcoming movie which is slated for release on October 1, 2020. We had listed the film as one of the biggest Chinese anime of 2020 as it was animated by the team behind the 2019 blockbuster hit NeZha: The Devil’s Rebirth which became China’s highest-grossing animated movie. Jiang Ziya was originally scheduled for release last January and February in Asia but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kung Fu Mulan / Mulan: Sudden Appearance
Mulan: Heng Kong Chu Shi. Disney’s live-action adaptation of Mulan is trending worldwide this month, however, the Chinese animation industry is also treating us to another adaptation of Mulan, and it is a donghua film slated for release on October 1, 2020.
Silent Reading
Mo Du Zhe. Here’s a mystery crime and drama donghua that I am badly looking forward to see as soon as possible. Are you willing to learn more about a criminal’s way of thinking just to solve mysteries and criminal cases? Silent Reading is a mind-boggling experience and this actually reminds me of Death Parade vibes, so I am seriously digging on this. [Update: Due to some issues in production, Mo DuZhe has been moved for release in 2021.]
No Doubt In Us
Liang Bu Yi. Alright, probably we have here one of the best shoujo donghua in the making. No Doubt In Us anime adaptation was previously announced to air this fall after it has been revealed as one of bilibili’s 2020 Chinese anime lineup. This gender-switched love story promises a fantastic and hilarious ride. Fans of Psychic Princess and the Demonic King Who Chases His Wife will surely enjoy this donghua.
The Demonic King Who Chases His Wife Season 2
Xie Wang Zhui Qi Season 2. Speaking of shoujo, The Demonic King Who Chases His Wife is returning for its 2nd season this fall from iQIYI. Upon checking its trailer, I think that The Demonic King Who Chases His Wife season 2 will be more dramatic compared to the light atmosphere of the first season. Nevertheless, the series will showcase our main heroine more than ever as she aims to save the life of our demonic king. [Update: According to the latest announcement, Xie Wang Zhui Qi 2 has been scheduled to premiere on Dec. 11, 2020.]
Hero Return
Release Date: October 18, 2020 | Studio: Big Firebird Culture Media
Ying Xiong Zai Lin. For heaven’s sake, we need a release date for Hero? I Quit a Long Time Ago anime adaptation. Hero Return is among the most anticipated Chinese anime of the year and fans are eagerly craving to see it. This donghua promises a lot of action and comedy, this actually reminds me of One Punch Man for no apparent reason.
Music Up 2
Wo Wei Ge Kuang: Xuanlu Chongqi | Release Date: October 2, 2020
After 19 years, the first-ever idol anime in China is coming back and it got fans hyped more than ever. The band is back and looking fresh. I am pretty sure it’ll thrive is nostalgia but hoping it will also appeal to new donghua audiences.
Qin’s Moon Season 6 / The Legend of Qin VI
Release Date: October 8, 2020
A huge news had been dropped today – September 24, 2020 as one of the most popular donghua in the 21st Century is returning for its 6th season. It’s the Legend of Qin or simply known as Qin’s Moon is back and the fans that are patiently waiting must be rejoicing now. This donghua’s supposed to return last year but fans didn’t hear new updates about it until the big news was unveiled today. As a series at the forefront of Chinese animation, this is a highly anticipated donghua of the year and I am one of those fans who are excited to see the gang back.
Qin Xia
Release Date: October 16, 2020 | Studio: Qiyuan Yinghua
A collaboration project of Tencent Animation and bilibili, QinXia based off of the manhua about a warrior from the Qin dynasty awakening as a terracotta warrior in modern times.
God Troubles Me 2
Release Date: October 25, 2020 | Studio: L²Studio
One of 2019’s funniest Chinese anime is coming back this year to continue its goal of bringing laughter to its viewers, that’s God Troubles Me Season 2 or also known as Han Hua Ri Ji Season 2.
Prince, Don’t Do This! (The Memory of Chang’an)
Release Date: October 28, 2020 | Studio: Lingsanwu Animation
Prince, Don’t Do This! or The Love By Hypnotic is an upcoming comedy romance donghua this fall 2020. If you like Psychic Princess, then this Chinese anime is definitely for you as both have similar plots. Just when I thought that No Doubt In Us could be the sole romance comedy this season, it seems like another donghua will take on taking that title.
The Legend of Mortal Cultivation Part 2
Release Date: October 11, 2020 | Studio: Original Force
The second part of A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality or also known as The Legend of Mortal Cultivation is coming on Oct 11, 2020. This is one of my personal favorites 3D Chinese anime from bilibili this 2020 and has been a fantastic ride for me last July.
All Saints Street Season 2
So far, there are the Chinese anime from the fall 2020 lineup that I am excited to watch. Some more titles will be added to this list as we are still waiting for confirmation of its release this season. Although, I am quite confident that All Saints Street Season 2 will be released before the year ends as well as those Chinese anime that were revealed in the Tencent 2020 Annual Animation Conference.
Last Updated on March 9, 2021 by Yu Alexius
