Donghua or Chinese animation is increasingly stealing the attention of anime fans around the world. Not only is the quality of the animation increasing rapidly, but the storyline is also increasingly complex and full of meaning. In 2025, the donghua industry is showing extraordinary growth with the presence of various new series, continuations of popular series, and highly anticipated web novel adaptations. This article will discuss the latest news about donghua, from the latest releases, official announcements from the studio, to the current trends among fans.
Latest Donghua Releases in April 2025 That You Must Watch
April 2025 brings a breath of fresh air for donghua lovers. Some of the most anticipated releases have finally started airing, including:
- “Fog Hill of Five Elements Season 2” (Wu Shan Wu Xing 2)
After a long wait, the second season of Fog Hill of Five Elements was finally released in the first week of April. The stunning visuals and beautiful fight choreography make this donghua still one of the most anticipated. Many fans have said that season 2 has deeper character development than before.
- “The King’s Avatar Season 3”
Ye Xiu’s story continues with surprises that are no less exciting than the previous season. In season 3, the game strategy becomes more complex and the relationships between characters become more interesting. Studio G.CMay Animation has successfully maintained the quality and maintained the popularity of this donghua on streaming platforms such as Bilibili and Tencent Video.
Donghua Adaptations from Popular Web Novels in 2025
This year is also marked by many web novel adaptations to donghua format. This trend is getting stronger due to high demand from the digital novel reading community.
- “Spare Me, Great Lord! Season 2”
This adaptation of Hui Shuohua De Zhouzi’s web novel has confirmed its second season. With a combination of comedy, action, and modern fantasy, this donghua received a warm welcome in its first season and is now ready to return with more action and mystery.
- “Lord of the Mysteries”
One of the most talked about titles is Lord of the Mysteries. Its adaptation has been announced to be released in mid-2025. This web novel is known for its steampunk elements, cosmic horror, and unique power system that sets it apart from other donghua.
Donghua Animation Studios Are Getting More Competitive
Several major Chinese animation studios are competing to improve the quality of their productions. Here are some of the studios that dominated this year’s releases:
Colored-Pencil Animation Design Studio
Known for Fog Hill of Five Elements, this studio remains a benchmark in terms of visuals and artistry. They are reportedly working on a new donghua project that carries the theme of ancient Chinese mythology.
- Donghua Dubu Xiaoyao Review: The Cultivation Story of a Free Fighter
- Over Goddess Donghua Review: A Tale of Redemption and Power
- Lord of the Ancient God Grave: An Epic Donghua Full of Myths, Battles, and Eternal Mysteries
- Link Click: Mysterious Donghua That Makes Viewers Addicted to Time!
- Nirvana of Storm Rider Donghua Review: Epic Action & Rebirth
Haoliners Animation League
The studio that was once famous for To Be Hero and Link Click is now back to enliven the industry with several experimental projects. They are said to be exploring international collaborations to expand the global market.
B.CMAY Pictures
The studio behind The King’s Avatar and Full-Time Magister is expanding its creative team to work on isekai and mecha donghua two genres that are gaining traction in both China and international audiences.
Donghua Streaming Platforms Are Getting More Competitive: Tencent vs. Bilibili
As global demand for donghua increases, streaming platforms like Tencent Video and Bilibili are strengthening their positions in the global market.
- Tencent Video is expanding its international reach with multi-language subtitle support and distribution through global platforms like WeTV.
- Bilibili is also getting more aggressive by acquiring exclusive licenses for several major donghua and partnering with YouTube Creators for global promotion.
This makes it easier for viewers outside of China to enjoy donghua legally and in HD quality.
New Trends in the Donghua Fan Community
The donghua fan community is getting more creative and active. Here are some interesting trends that are developing:
Fanart and Fancomics are on the Rise
With easy access to social media and platforms like Pixiv and Weibo, fanart and fancomics of popular donghua are on the rise. This also helps organically promote donghua globally.
Indonesian-language Reaction and Review Videos
YouTube content discussing donghua in Indonesian has also grown significantly. Channels like “DonghuaVerse ID” and “Xianxia Story” are starting to become widely known and are becoming references for many local fans.
Discussion Forums and Discord Communities
More and more Indonesian donghua communities are active on Discord. There, fans discuss theories, novel spoilers, and viewing recommendations.
Donghua and Its Potential in the Global Industry
The role of donghua in the global entertainment industry cannot be underestimated. In fact, several Japanese and Korean studios are starting to look at production collaborations with Chinese studios.
International Partnerships
Japanese animation studios such as MAPPA and Wit Studio have reportedly begun forming production partnerships with Chinese studios to create cross-cultural projects.
International Fan Meetings and Exhibitions
Several donghua characters such as Lu Guang (Link Click) and Ye Xiu (The King’s Avatar) have begun appearing at international anime exhibitions such as Anime Expo in the United States and Comiket in Japan.
Most Anticipated Donghua Projects This Year
Here is a list of the most anticipated donghuas for fans in the second half of 2025:
- Heaven Official’s Blessing Season 2 (Tian Guan Ci Fu)
- Link Click Season 3 (Shiguang Dailiren 3)
- Scumbag System Season 2 (Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong)
- Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation Side Story (Mo Dao Zu Shi)
Each of these titles has garnered hundreds of thousands of wishlists on the Bilibili platform, indicating the immense hype from the community.
Conclusion: Donghua Is No Longer Just an Alternative to Anime
With increasingly high production quality, unique stories, and relatable characters, donghua has become a mainstay in the global animation world. 2025 is a very promising year for fans, both veterans and newcomers. From new releases to web novel adaptations, the world of donghua continues to expand and bring pleasant surprises.
So, if you haven’t watched donghua yet, now is the perfect time to start exploring the world of Chinese animation rich in culture, fantasy, and philosophy.