So far, with only three episodes under its belt,Lord of Mysteriesis shaping up to be the newSolo Levelingof Chinese animation, and given the correct steps that have been taken in measuring up its adaptation, it’s not hard to see why it’s built for nothing but success. The donghua is paving the way for its own genre.
There are many reasons whyLord of Mysteriesis being received as well as it is by audiences everywhere, from the story beats being captured from the original webnovel to its groundbreaking animation. But the most important aspect behind it all is partly because it’s following the same methodology thatSolo Levelinginitially paved.
What Made Solo Leveling a Massive Success For Anime and Manhwa Adaptations
Why Lord of Mysteries is Being Constantly Compared to Solo Leveling’s High Achievements
It can get tiring, hearing of howSolo Levelingshapes up to the next rising star in animation, but its success is justly heralded as a much-needed shift in the industry. Jinwoo and his rise to fame was never only about the power fantasy, the gorgeous battle sequences, or the animation that replicated the manhwa so well.
The best thing thatSolo Levelingdid right was bringing in a new wave of creativity while retaining all that with which it was built upon. As a Korean webnovel and manhwa, Chugong never allowed for his characters to be altered despite being adapted by a Japanese studio, allowing for new representation to break the mold on the anime landscape.
By upholding the Korean namesakes given to its cast and restraining any changes, such as moving locations to more Japan-centric or recognizable cities in Japan, means thatSolo Levelingis introducing variety to anime. Crunchyroll’s CEO stated that withSolo Leveling’ssuccess, the streaming service is more than willing to look into a more diverse inclusion of future anime projects.
It’s difficult not to compareSolo Leveling’sachievement to new and upcoming projects because it did what it set out to do so well. And we’re seeing the same happen withLord of Mysteries, as a donghua, it’s not conforming to changing its material or losing the identity of what makes it a popular work in Chinese literature.
Lord of Mysteries is Paving the Way for Future Projects Through its Success
Just Like Solo Leveling Garnered More Attention for Manhwa and Korean Webcomics
What makesLord of Mysteriesa highly anticipated workfor the summer is due to where it originated from. The webnovel was already an incredibly popular series that garnered a sizable fanbase that was more than eager to see it being adapted into animation. It was also being produced and released by a Chinese studio.
Anime is typically dominated by Japanese studios, even if it originated from other countries.Solo Levelingis classified as an anime despite being adapted from a Korean webcomic. And that’s why people are so quick to placeLord of Mysteriesas the newest series to be breaking the norm. It’s not being adapted by a studio in Japan.
By not only picking upLord of Mysteriesbut also opening the door for theAll-Devouring Whaleto receive a dubbed version for a wider audience, Crunchyroll has shown that it’s willing to adapt more inclusive storylines.
Lord of Mysteriescould go on to serve as a new flagship that beckons in other recognized works in China to be adapted into donghua, whether it comes from a novel or from a webcomic, like in the case ofThe All-Devouring Whale: Homecoming. Companies like Crunchyroll are beginning to realize there’s a demand for newer, bolder stories.
By not only picking upLord of Mysteriesbut also opening the door for theAll-Devouring Whaleto receive a dubbed versionfor a wider audience, Crunchyroll has shown that it’s willing to adapt more inclusive storylines. This could lead to a wider range of genres to be explored in the future once donghua firmly cements its place among the greater titles in anime.
Lord of Mysteries’ is China’s Next Biggest Achievement in Animation
B.C.May Pictures Outdid Themselves on Direction, Artwork, and Character Designs
On its own,Lord of Mysteriesis the perfect series to garner the right amount of attention to China’s latest developments in animation. While B.C.May Pictures has seen success inMaster of DiabolismandThe King’s Avatar, its latest adaptation is a new testament to just how far its creative skills have grown since those projects.
The amount of work that went intoeach frame forLord of Mysteriesis stunningand packed with detail that practically demands a rewatch to see if viewers can catch all the hidden inclusions. It’s fully merged 3D camera scoping to give panoramic shots of Tingen City in all of its glory, from the deep alleyways to the grand churches.
Beyond its animation is an amazing story that’s going to keep its audience on the edge of their seats throughout each scene. While the lore and power system surrounding the Beyonders is, without a doubt, an incredibly complex one, it’s fascinating to learn about and see how each branch evolves.
Klein Moretti is a revered character within the fanbase for being incredibly relatable, likable, and the one most connected with the audience as they both fumble throughout his journey together. His little inside insights and opinions about the world are mirrored to paint out the universe for the viewer as he learns and discovers more.
The narrative that builds upLord of Mysteries, both as a webnovel and a developing donghua, is bound to get massive recognition for its intricate storytelling and future conflicts. Coupled together with China’s most innovative animation seen this year, its success and popularity will surely grow with each new installment, setting out a new pathway for donghua.
