Donghua, Chinese animation, has rocketed in popularity in part thanks to the BL series Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation in English). Another series based on novels by author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Heaven Official's Blessing, is also gaining popularity, being the donghua streamed by Funimation. These popular series have opened the world to danmei (Chinese BL) and have become phenomenons on Tumblr and Twitter. Their global popularity seems to have put danmei on the radar -- giving Chinese comics and animation a wider platform, similar to the popularity Korean comics (manhwa) have received over the years as well.
Danmei, similar to Japan's yaoi genre, is somewhat controversial. Male characters are often put in heteronormative "masculine" and "feminine" roles, perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Danmei is usually made by heterosexual women for the straight female gaze, rather than by LGBTQ creators. However, the genre is also considered a positive step in representation as it pushes LGBTQ romance into the Chinese mainstream.
Though homosexuality is legal in China, media with LGBTQ elements tends to be censored because of the conservative government. Danmei series, which contain subtle elements of boys' love, are small but significant breakthroughs -- especially as the live-action danmei The Untamed became one of China's biggest dramas. As danmei becomes increasingly popular, to the point of a global sensation, it may both increase LGBTQ acceptance and lessen China's censorship laws.
Mo Dao Zu Shi and Heaven Official's Blessing are also both part of the Xianxia genre, a genre influenced by traditional Chinese mythology. The protagonists are often "cultivators," people trained in martial and mystical arts, that seek immortality (the closest translation for the concept of "Xian") and supernatural powers. Mo Dao Zu Shi's protagonist, Wei Wuxian, attains Xian only to be killed -- but is then summoned into the world once again, taking over host Mo Xuanyu's body and eventually being involved in a complex conspiracy. Meanwhile, in Heaven Official's Blessing, the character Xie Lian is shunned by the Heavens twice and attempts to ascend a third time.
Though Xie Lian seems to bring misfortune around him, the demon king Hua Cheng is smitten with him. Similarly, in Mo Dao Zu Shi, Wei Wuxian attracts the attention of Lan Wangji, a cultivator he had a past with. However, though Mo Dao Zu Shi and Heaven Official's Blessing are both BL, their romances are subtle in nature and can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their interest in love stories.
With unique settings, compelling plots and great art (not to mention the attractive young men), it's no surprise that danmei series are gaining traction in the West. Mo Dao Zu Shi has even surpassed Demon Slayer in the top Anime and Manga of 2020 on Tumblr, according to the blog Fandometrics. Its live-action The Untamed is globally one of the most popular Chinese dramas right now, especially as it's streaming on Netflix. Funimation is partnering with Bilibili to release Heaven Official's Blessing simultaneously with China, letting fans around the world enjoy the hype together.
Similar to how Korean webtoons have exploded in popularity recently (including in the BL genre), we'll definitely be seeing more donghua and manhua exported internationally thanks to the global interest in Mo Dao Zu Shi and Heaven Official's Blessing. The danmei genre might very well be China's big breakthrough in the global animation market.
