The donghua industry, aka Chinese animation, is increasingly growing and showing its fangs in the international world. One of the titles that stole the attention this year was 100,000 Years of Refining Qi. With a suspenseful storyline, high-quality animation, and strong characters, this donghua has successfully captured the hearts of fans of the cultivation genre. This article will review in depth all aspects of the donghua, starting from the synopsis, main characters, advantages and disadvantages, to the reasons why you must watch it.
Synopsis: Endless Qi Practice
100,000 Years of Refining Qi (original title: 炼气十万年) tells the story of a man named Xu Yang, who was unexpectedly trapped in the early stages of Refining Qi cultivation for more than 100,000 years.
In the world of cultivation, Refining Qi usually only takes a few months or years for ordinary practitioners. But Xu Yang was never able to advance to the next stage. He continuously absorbs spiritual energy from heaven and earth, but remains at the same level. At first it seemed like a curse, but who would have thought that this long training would make his body and soul overpowered?
When he finally broke through, Xu Yang’s strength far exceeded that of the highest cultivators in the world. The world that had changed drastically during his training was shocked by the emergence of an “immortal” being that they never expected to rise again.
Main Characters
- Xu Yang
As the central character, Xu Yang is not a typical protagonist. He is not arrogant even though he has extraordinary strength. In fact, he is very wise because thousands of years of life experience have matured his thinking. He often uses his mind before strength.
- Li Qingyue
The main female character who initially thought Xu Yang was just a lowly cultivator. However, over time, she began to realize that Xu Yang had great strength and secrets. She also became a loyal supporter of Xu Yang’s journey.
- Elder Mo
One of the main antagonists at the beginning of the story. Elder Mo did not believe in Xu Yang’s strength and kept trying to bring him down. But he actually became one of the first to experience “culture shock” when Xu Yang showed his strength.
Donghua’s Strengths
- Unusual Storyline
There are many stories about cultivation, but the concept of someone being in the Refining Qi stage for 100 thousand years is truly unique. This makes the audience curious, “What would happen if someone practiced for that long without stopping?”
- Overpowered But Still Relatable Character
Usually overpowered characters make the story boring. But Xu Yang has a strong background and personality, so the audience can still relate to his struggles and principles in life.
- High Quality Animation
The studio that worked on this donghua really went all out. The fighting moves look smooth, the spiritual effects are stunning, and the character designs are very detailed.
- Soundtrack and Music
The background music really supports the atmosphere. From epic fighting scenes to deeply touching moments, everything is accompanied by the right music.
Disadvantages of This Donghua
- Pacing is Sometimes Too Slow
Some episodes feel slow, especially when showing Xu Yang’s past. Although the goal is to deepen the character, it can make the audience bored if they are impatient.
- Less Challenging Antagonists
Because Xu Yang is already too strong, some enemies feel like mere complements. The main conflict would be more interesting if the enemies were made smarter or had unique strategies.
Reasons You Must Watch!
- Fresh Concept - It’s rare to find a donghua with a main character who is stuck for 100 thousand years at one level!
- Intelligent and Mature Character – Unlike other cultivation characters who are often emotional, Xu Yang is the perfect combination of strength and wisdom.
- Philosophy of Life – There are many life lessons and philosophies that can be taken from each character’s battle and decision.
- Suitable for Donghua and Anime Lovers – Whether you are a long-time donghua fan or just starting to get interested, this story can be an ideal entry point.
Will This Donghua Have a Season 2?
Seeing the positive response from the audience and the fairly high ratings on various donghua streaming platforms, it is likely that 100,000 Years of Refining Qi will get a second season. The ending of the first season also still leaves many mysteries and clues about stronger enemies outside the world that Xu Yang has known.
Conclusion
100,000 Years of Refining Qi is a donghua that deserves a place on the must-watch list for lovers of the cultivation, action, and fantasy genres. With a unique story, stunning animation, and complex characters, this donghua offers a satisfying viewing experience from start to finish. Although there are some shortcomings, the advantages are far more prominent and make this donghua worth waiting for the sequel.
If you are looking for a donghua that is not only full of action but also has a deep story and characters, then 100,000 Years of Refining Qi is the right choice. Don’t miss the epic story of Xu Yang who trained for 100,000 years just to shake up the cultivation world!