Overview of Romance Donghua
- Romance donghua revive the charm of web novels with authentic romantic connections and heartwarming moments.
- Several popular donghua emphasize romance, either as a subtle thread or the central theme.
- Traditional and historical romance donghua, often employing arranged marriage themes, contribute to rich and engaging narratives.
Romance donghua revitalizes web novels and manhua by translating tender moments into animated form. While they may not dominate the animation landscape, they are certainly filled with captivating stories. Noteworthy is that many international favorites within this genre significantly focus on romance—ranging from slow-burning subplots to being explicitly highlighted as central themes.
Classics like How to Steal 55 Kisses, I Am Joybo, and Fox Spirit Matchmaker are often suggested by fans, cherished for their heartwarming sequences. The protagonists often consist of adult characters, showcasing assertiveness among female leads on par with their male counterparts. The relationships in these narratives feel authentic, with couples presenting compelling reasons to fall in love. Moreover, many romance donghua are adaptations of popular manhua and web novels, with some even finding their way to live-action formats before being adapted into animated versions.
13. Memory Of Chang’an
Arranged Marriage Trope Set in Imperial China
- Secondary Genres: Historical, Political
- Release Date: Oct 28, 2020
- Other Names: Shi Yi Chang An: Mingyue Jishi You
A historical or traditional romance typically thrives on the arranged marriage trope, showcasing the delightful progression from duty to love—if executed properly. Memory of Chang’an stands out as a prominent example of this genre.
The narrative revolves around Princess Ming Yue, who intends to marry the ninth prince of the Tang dynasty to fulfill political obligations. A dedicated and diligent character, she is determined to make her relationship work with the aloof prince. However, her challenges multiply when she becomes embroiled in an assassination conspiracy, revealing unsettling political machinations.
12. The Demon King Who Lost His Job
Slow-Burn Romance Between a Demon and a Hero
- Secondary Genres: Action, Fantasy, Romance
- Release Date: August, 2019
- Other Names: The Laid Off Demon King, Shiye Mowang
In a world where a demon king and a destined hero find themselves dismissed due to bureaucratic complexities, The Demon King Who Lost His Job takes a whimsical turn. Following an unexpected kidnapping, Alice, the hero, reluctantly assists Merlin in lifting his birth curse while seeking her own status reinstatement.
This long-running web novel and manhua unfolds over more than 1,900 chapters of comedic slapstick and slow-burning romantic development, making the adaptation truly unique.
11. No Doubt In Us
A Feuding Married Couple’s Journey to Understanding
- Secondary Genres: Comedy, Historical
- Release Date: Apr 30, 2021
- Other Names: Liang Bu Yi
Breaking away from the conventional romance trajectory, No Doubt In Us offers a refreshing lens on a feuding married couple. Opting for body-swapping rather than typical reconciliation techniques, the emperor and empress, Li Jie and Eu-funh, must navigate each other’s lives, gaining empathy and understanding through this unusual challenge.
10. Cinderella Boss
A Unique Romance Between an Isekai Chef and a Spy-Turned-Bandit
- Secondary Genres: Meng Qi Shi Shen
- Release Date: Dec 29, 2018
- Other Names: Meng Qi Shi Shen
The fusion of isekai, slice-of-life, and romance creates captivating narratives, especially when combined with culinary themes. Cinderella Chef narrates the story of a talented celebrity chef whose time-traveling escapade forces her into the past, where she finds herself in the shoes of a magistrate’s daughter. Navigating her new life, she levels her culinary skills while fending off kidnappers with tenacity.
9. The Girl Downstairs
A Complex Love Polygon
- Secondary Genres: Drama
- Release Date: Apr 20, 2023
- Other Names: Aishang Ta de Liyou
Juntang Yuan’s quest for love leads him to Zhu Zhu, but when he saves ex-idol Li Shiya, complications arise. As romantic tension mounts with multiple interests, the narrative showcases emotional depth and maturity, diverging from typical tropes and ending with unexpected pairings.
8. Spicy Girl
A Fiery B-List Actress Meets a Scheming A-List Actor
- Secondary Genres: Comedy
- Release Date: Apr 7, 2020
- Other Names: Ma La Nu Pei
Spicy Girl exemplifies classic enemies-to-lovers dynamics, positioning a misunderstood actress against a top-tier actor with an icy facade. Su Xiao’s struggle for recognition amidst her typecasting as villains is compounded by her confrontational interactions with the actor, making for an entertaining romantic comedy.
7. Oh! My Goddess!
A Supernatural Tale of Childhood Friends
- Secondary Genres: Supernatural
- Release Date: Apr 24, 2023
- Other Names: Nushen You Dian Ling
In a world where digital civilization collides with supernatural elements, the story of Oh! My Goddess! unfolds. Hu Xiaozhen discovers the ability to see the deceased after an asteroid-related catastrophe, intertwining the fates of his comatose childhood friend Yao Ling and a system administrator who proposes a deal. This romance explores themes of connection across life and death.
6. Don’t Give Up!
A Sci-Fi Comedy with a Quirky Romantic Dynamic
- Secondary Genres: Comedy, Sci-Fi
- Release Date: Jul 5, 2024
- Other Names: Wuliao Jiu Wanjie
Men Ke’s lack of excitement in life takes a turn when an alien entity inadvertently incorporates itself into her brain due to a superpowered brawl. As she navigates her existence under the care of a remorseful alien, the unfolding romantic tension adds a humorous twist to this unique sci-fi comedy, exploring her growth and development while maintaining a light-hearted tone.
5. Love Between Fairy And Devil
A Unique Romance Between a Fairy and a Demon
- Secondary Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural
- Release Date: Jul 15, 2022
- Other Names: Cang Lan Jue
In the realm of demon romance, Love Between Fairy And Devil carves its niche through an engaging tale where an immortal fairy inadvertently binds herself to an ancient demon unleashed from the shadows. Their unique backgrounds and sheer contrast create a captivating narrative filled with challenges to overcome and barriers to breach in pursuit of love.
4. I’m Ying Tai
A Supernatural Fantasy with Unexpected Twists
- Secondary Genres: Fantasy
- Other Names: Zai Xia Ying Tai
I’m Ying Tai adapts themes from the well-known Chinese legend “Butterfly Lovers.” This take infuses wuxia and Xianxia elements into the story, representing Zhu Ying Tai as a heroic cross-dresser navigating supernatural challenges while balancing her scholarly duties.
3. My Heroic Husband
An Isekai Journey of Redemption
- Secondary Genres: Action, Comedy
- Release Date: Apr 23, 2023
- Other Names: Zhuin Xu
My Heroic Husband explores the life of Ning Yi as he reincarnates from an underappreciated businessman into the role of an ever-questing son-in-law in an alternative historical setting. This revelation sets the groundwork for humorous mishaps intertwined with personal growth, particularly in his relationship with wife Su Tan’er, while navigating cultural expectations.
2. Agate
A Love Story Between a Demon Girl and a Ghost Prince
- Secondary Genres: Wu Nao Monu
- Release Date: Jul 4, 2023
- Other Names: Wu Nao Monu
Agate weaves a narrative about emotional depth as the protagonist, cursed with immortality, gives up part of herself to escape her grief. This act leads to an unexpected connection with Aloys, the ghost prince, as their relationship transforms from friendship to romance, symbolizing personal healing and growth.
1. Heaven’s Official Blessing
Mythical Romance Between a Ghost King and a Lowly God
- Secondary Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
- Release Date: Oct 31, 2020
- Other Names: Tian Guan Cifu
Heaven’s Official Blessing is widely celebrated as one of the premier romance donghua, featuring a captivating BL fantasy narrative enriched by stunning visuals and complex themes of loyalty and redemption. The story depicts Xie Lian’s trials and his unlikely bond with Hua Cheng, a formidable ghost king who supports him through perilous situations that ultimately deepen their connection.
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