An action-packed adventure is waiting for Chinese anime fans in 2021 as one of Tencent’s project this year is Biao Ren or Blades of the Guardians. A nerve-wracking action donghua that brought the chaotic historical era of the Sui dynasty to our plate this year. It revolves around assassins, man-eating demons, and a whole conspiracy where people’s emotions go haywire and the turmoil of war is everywhere.
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Blades of the Guardians Overview
Blades of the Guardians is one of Tencent’s Chinese anime in 2021 and was based on a manga of the same title by author and artist Xu Xian Zhe. The manhua is also known by other titles such as Dart People, and Hyojin or Hyoujin. It was published by Tencent Comics and Kuaikan Manhua, while it has been scanned and translated for international readers by subbing groups White Cloud Pavilion, and whyfalalala.
If you wish to read the manhua, you may read it at Tencent Comics in the Chinese language: Biao Ren 镖人.
Synopsis
“Escorts” are warriors paid to take out the targets wanted by the government. Dao Ma is one traveling warrior trying to repay the debt he owes to a man named Mo, who took care of Dao Ma and his child, Xiao Qi. But on the way back to Mo’s town, they encounter a victim of the “rakshasa”—man-eating demons. Between the rise of rakshasa victims, bloodshed, slavery, and ruthless warriors, Dao Ma becomes caught up in the terror sweeping through the country during the last years of the Sui dynasty. (Source: My Anime List)
Donghua Adaptation
The announcement that Blades of the Guardians is coming as a donghua in 2021 was made during the Tencent Video Animation Event last August 8, 2020, where the giant media conglomerate had unveiled their Chinese anime lineup for next year.
Blades of the Guardians are among the upcoming donghua that caught my attention due to its spectacular trailer which left me wondering and craving for more as it has shown promising scenes with good fight scenes that any shounen fans will want to watch. The art and graphics are also beautiful and compliments the historical setting of the story well.
Story-wise, Blades of the Guardians have so much to offer. It has similar vibes to some of the most popular seinen anime such as Berserk, Vagabond, and my favorite from the 2019’s lineup – Vinland Saga. If there’s anything that donghua fans should watch out for from this show, it’s definitely the fight scenes because the manga had shown us plenty enough worth craving for.
Trailer and PVs
I have there the trailer for Blades of the Guardians, it’s flashy and convincing enough to make you ask for more and wanting to watch the donghua as soon as possible.
Animation Studio and Release Date
So, which Chinese anime studio is handling Blades of the Guardians? That might have been the question of some of us, especially if we will all concern with the quality of its animation and fight scenes. The donghua will be animated by Colored-Pencil Animation Design which is famous for animating The King’s Avatar Season 2. It also animated its 2018 OVA – All-Star Competition, and its prequel movie – The King’s Avatar: For the Glory.
While we have some flashy fights from the 2nd season of The King’s Avatar, I still believed that Colored-Pencil’s best work to date in animation quality is The King’s Avatar Movie: For the Glory. I sincerely admire the animation quality of its fight scenes and even the graphics that looks alive and vibrant as well as the character designs.
In regards to the release date, we don’t have any specific details about it from Tencent yet, but we are expecting it to be released by spring or summer this year.
Where to Watch Biao Ren / Blades of the Guardians?
The series is part of Tencent’s 2021 Chinese anime lineup and we can always check its official page on Tencent Video. It will also be available for audiences outside of China on Tencent’s international streaming app and outlet, WeTV.
Code name: Yu Alexius is an ambiguous entity who loves to talk about anime and Chinese animation in general. An insatiable soul from the Pearl of the Orient, a frustrated writer and a Houtarou Oreki wanna-be. He is a piece of a lunatic and everything crazy.
