Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor a first watch, start with Link Click if you want a gripping mystery, Ne Zha 2 for mythic feature-film spectacle, or Scissor Seven for comedy that grows into action. “Chinese anime” is a familiar English search term; donghua is the more precise word for animation produced in China. This is an editorial ranking, not a universal verdict on which works are objectively masterpieces.
How this ranking works
The order balances storytelling and direction, animation craft, originality and cultural texture, range of genres, and the practical question of finding a legal English-language version. The list includes both series and films, so it is not a direct, like-for-like contest. Viewers who prioritize visual technique, romance, comedy, or feature films may reasonably rank the titles differently.
![Shinkansen blast [Blu-ray] JAPANESE EDITION](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61cvCrON36L._SL160_.jpg)
![The Emoji Movie [Blu-ray + Digital HD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61TAx7xqO7L._SL160_.jpg)
Availability can change by territory, season, subtitle or dub, and licensing window. Check a legal local catalog before watching; a title’s presence or language options in one market do not establish worldwide access.
The nine picks, ranked
1. Link Click — Best first pick for mystery
This supernatural mystery is the clearest starting point for viewers who want a strong hook paired with emotional stakes. The official Japanese site identifies it as an original animation that began streaming on Bilibili in April 2021. Haolin is listed as chief director. The site also documents a Japanese broadcast for season two in 2024 and the Bridon Arc in 2026; those dates describe Japanese releases, not global availability. Official Japanese site.
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2. Ne Zha 2 — Best for mythic, large-scale spectacle
This feature is the pick for viewers drawn to mythic material and cinematic scale. Its commercial reach is notable, but box office is context rather than a measure of artistic quality: the China Film Administration reported that the film earned 15.949 billion yuan globally and drew 324 million domestic admissions in 2025. In 2026, the Hundred Flowers Awards named it Best Film, an award result that likewise adds context without settling its artistic rank. China Film Administration.
3. Heaven Official’s Blessing — Best for xianxia fantasy and romance
Choose this series if you want fantasy shaped by xianxia conventions and a romance-oriented story. The animated adaptation also has a natural companion in its source novels, but reading them is optional. The official title site lists English novel volumes 1–8 and Season 1 Blu-ray editions; the Blu-ray listing describes English-dub or Mandarin audio with English subtitles. Confirm the release region, player compatibility, and edition details before buying. Official title site. Penguin Random House identifies the novels as the source that inspired the animated series: Penguin Random House.
Rank #2
![Iron Man: Rise of the Technovore [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/619Vzvqi+eL._SL160_.jpg)
- Factory sealed DVD
4. Scissor Seven — Best comedy-action blend
Its loose comic style makes it an accessible choice for viewers who want humor alongside action. The appeal also lies in how the story can shift toward more serious action and character material, rather than staying at one comic pitch throughout. It is the most natural pick here for someone who wants to begin with comedy instead of epic fantasy or a film.
5. Fog Hill of Five Elements — Best for expressive action animation
Put this near the top if visual design and hand-drawn action matter more to you than a fully resolved long-form plot. Its expressive movement and striking action are the central recommendation; viewers who need an extensively developed story arc may prefer another entry on this list.
Rank #3
![The Legend of Hei (Standard Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SUfp4KIeL._SL160_.jpg)
- Mandarin and English with English subtitles
6. The Legend of Hei 2 — Best current feature pick
This is another feature option, with a dated award distinction: it won the animated-feature gold in the 2026 Golden Monkey Awards. That recognition is useful context, not a claim that the awards establish a definitive ranking of all Chinese animation. CCTV Arts / China Media Group.
7. Chinese Folktales 2 — Best anthology choice
Choose this series if you prefer an anthology format to following a single continuing narrative. It won the animated-series gold in the 2026 Golden Monkey Awards, a specific recognition rather than proof of universal consensus. CCTV Arts / China Media Group.
8. The King’s Avatar — Best for esports and team tactics
This is the genre-specific pick for viewers interested in esports, tactical play, rivalries, and team dynamics. It offers a different route into donghua from the mythic fantasy and supernatural mystery elsewhere on the list.
9. Big Fish & Begonia — Best if you want a standalone film
Choose this feature if you would rather watch a film than begin a continuing series. Its place here rounds out the list with another film option; the ranking is a recommendation, not a current award claim.
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Which one should you watch first?
- Mystery with emotional stakes: Link Click.
- Mythic spectacle in a feature: Ne Zha 2.
- Xianxia fantasy and romance: Heaven Official’s Blessing.
- Comedy that makes room for action: Scissor Seven.
- Action animation and visual design: Fog Hill of Five Elements.
- Esports, tactics, and rivalries: The King’s Avatar.
- A film rather than a series: The Legend of Hei 2, Ne Zha 2, or Big Fish & Begonia.
What the recent awards and box office do—and do not—tell you
China’s animation market had a substantial year in 2025: the China Film Administration reported that animation films accounted for nearly 50% of China’s box office. That figure describes the domestic market and that year, not the share of global box office or a measure of any individual title’s quality. The 2026 Golden Monkey Awards reported 36 award-winning works; more than 1,000 original works from 20 countries and regions entered, with 82 advancing to final judging. Those numbers establish the scale of that awards process, not a consensus ranking of the nine picks here. China Film Administration; CCTV Arts / China Media Group.
Quick Recap
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