Four years ago, I wrote a list that became the heart of this blog. At the time, Danmei (Chinese BL) was just beginning to break into the global mainstream. Back then, I wrote with the excitement of a fan discovering a “blessing” in a landscape often marked by taboo.
Today, looking back at that 2021 post, I feel a sense of quiet pride—not just because the genre survived rampant censorship, but because it has matured. These stories aren’t just about “delicate relationships” anymore; they are epics of resilience, sacrifice, and the complexity of the human heart. If you’re returning to this list or finding it for the first time, welcome. Here is the 2026 perspective on the essential Boys-Love donghua.
The Big Three: The MXTX Legacy
No conversation about Danmei starts without Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (MXTX). These three remain the gold standard, though each has its own “flaws” we’ve come to accept over the years.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Mo Dao Zu Shi)
Now that the dust has settled on the final season, this stands as a masterpiece of storytelling. While the 2D animation is breathtaking, the pacing in the middle seasons can feel a bit rushed if you haven’t read the novel. Still, the bond between Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji is the blueprint for “soulmates.”
Heaven Official’s Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu)
The chemistry between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng remains “extraordinary beyond comprehension.” It’s slower than MDZS, focusing more on the pining and the mystery. It’s a gorgeous watch, even if the “demon-slaying” tropes feel a bit familiar.
The Scumbag System (Chuan Shu Zi Jiu Zhi Nan)
Let’s be honest: the 3D animation was a hurdle for many back in 2021. But with time, this series has aged into a cult classic. Its humor and self-awareness about isekai tropes make it uniquely charming. It’s less “epic” than its sisters, but perhaps the most fun.
The Successors: From “Upcoming” to Essentials
Four years ago, these were just titles on a “Plan to Watch” list. Now, they are the pillars of the genre.
Thousand Autumns (Shan He Jian Xin)
The dynamic between Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi is fascinating because it’s so toxic, yet intellectually stimulating. Yan Wushi is a “flawed” lead in every sense, and watching Shen Qiao maintain his kindness in the face of such cynicism is deeply moving. The previously announced Thousand Autumns Season 2 will finally expand on that “intimate and complicated” path we were all waiting for.
Legend of Exorcism (Tian Bao Fuyao Lu)
Visually, this is still one of the most stunning 3D works out there. While the political conspiracy can get dense, the found-family dynamic keeps it grounded. Plus, we get a lot of handsome guys on this danmei donghua.
Drowning Sorrows in Raging Fire (Lie Huo Jiao Chou)
This urban fantasy proved that Danmei doesn’t need a historical setting to be epic. The connection between Xuan Ji and Sheng Lingyuan is heavy with history and tragedy—it’s a “mature” watch that requires your full attention.
Reflection: What Happened to the “Upcoming” List?
It’s bittersweet to look back at what I called “upcoming” in 2021. The industry has faced challenges—censorship tightened, and some projects shifted into “Bromance” territory or faced delays.
Link Click (Shiguang Dailiren)
While strictly “bromance,” its emotional weight is unparalleled. Link Click had been the best donghua for me, and it continues to break hearts. It’s a testament to the fact that a “bond” doesn’t need a label to be the most important thing in a character’s life.
Silent Reading & Liu Yao
These Priest adaptations have had a rocky journey through production. They remind us that in the world of donghua, patience isn’t just a virtue; it’s a requirement. Both of these titles had made fans get anxious about whether the danmei donghua adaptations would ever see the daylight.
The Land of Miracles
This has become a staple for those who love high-stakes action with a core duo that lives and dies for one another. Now, can you imagine that the Soul Land and Throne of Seals’ author actually wrote a boys’ love story?
The Veterans: Those Who Paved the Way
As I reflect on the growth of the genre, I’d be remiss not to mention the “foundational” shows. These are the ones that, for many of us, bridged the gap between Japanese Yaoi and Chinese Danmei back when the industry was still finding its footing.
The Antidote (Jie Yao)
This is the “soul food” of the list. It’s not about high-stakes cultivation or saving the world; it’s a modern, urban story about two men from opposite worlds—a runaway rich kid and a rough-edged guy—finding a home in each other. It’s a bit “unpolished” compared to the high-budget 3D of today, but its emotional honesty about mental health and belonging is something I appreciate much more now than I did four years ago.
The Emperor’s Strategy (Di Wang Gong Lue)
This remains one of my personal favorites for its subtlety. It’s a “slow burn” in every sense of the word. The relationship between the Emperor and the King of Xi Nan is built on years of yearning and political sacrifice. If you find the action-heavy shows a bit too loud, the delicate, affectionate bond here is a breath of fresh air.
Epic of Divinity Light (Dinghai Fusheng Lu)
For those who loved Legend of Exorcism, this prequel is mandatory viewing. Set 500 years prior, it brings that same Sparkly Key high-quality 3D animation to a story about magic vanishing from the world. The dynamic between the “clumsy” exorcist Chen Xing and his “Protector” Xiang Shu is classic Danmei—lots of bickering, deep loyalty, and stunning visuals.
Spiritpact (Ling Qi)
We have to give respect to the pioneer. Spiritpact was one of the first to get a Japanese dub and gain international traction. While it leans heavily into “old school” comedy antics and supernatural tropes, the “pact” between the leads is deeply heartfelt. It can be chaotic and a bit heartbreaking, but it remains a staple for anyone wanting to see where the modern Danmei donghua boom really started.
The Hidden Gems and Genre-Benders
While the epic cultivation tales often get the spotlight, there is a whole world of shorter, experimental, and lighthearted donghua that I’ve grown to appreciate even more as I’ve looked for comfort watches over the last few years. The Defective (Can Ci Pin) is a standout for sci-fi lovers—it’s a Priest adaptation that trades swords for mechs and space stations, following the complex bond between a “defective” headmaster and a cold commander. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, All Saints Street and Hey, Your Cat Ears Are Showing! offer that bite-sized, “fluffy” relief. They are technically slice-of-life, but the chemistry between the roommates and leads is undeniably sweet.
Then you have shows like Beryl and Sapphire, which experiment with the “multiverse” concept, and Those Years I Opened a Zoo, a hilarious supernatural comedy that mixes management sim vibes with ancient entities living in the modern world. Even the more obscure titles like Star Fall, The Chronologist, and the artistic Beryl and Sapphire prove that the “BL” label in donghua is a broad umbrella. Some of these are shorter or have lower production budgets compared to the “Big Three,” but their core strength lies in their heart and their willingness to play with genres we don’t usually see in Danmei.
Why We Still Watch
In my earlier years, I focused on the “taboo” and the “blessing.” Now, with a bit more life experience, I see these shows as more than just “BL.” They are stories about identity. In a world that often wants to put us in boxes, watching Hua Cheng wait 800 years for his beloved, or Wei Wuxian choose his path despite what society says, feels like a radical act of hope.
These shows aren’t perfect—the 3D can be clunky, the censorship can be frustrating, and the cliffhangers are brutal. But they are worth watching because they dare to center love and loyalty in a world that often lacks both.
Last Updated on January 6, 2026 by Yu Alexius
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