Top 10 Donghua to Watch on Crunchyroll This September, Ranked

We’ve barely blinked, and it’s already September! Now, if you’re feeling burned out from anime, there couldn’t be a better time to dip your toes into the world of donghua. While the Chinese animation industry isn’t as popular as Japanese anime yet, some donghua series are potentially even better than your favorite anime. So, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss out on them, right? Worry not, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a list of the 10 best donghua to watch on Crunchyroll this September, ranked by their overall appeal and storylines. So, you don’t even have to worry about switching between platforms.

10 Cinderella Chef Is a Lighthearted Historical Cooking Drama

A well-executed cooking show can never go wrong. And if you also want a change of pace from all the power fantasy and action-heavy anime, then Cinderella Chef might become your next obsession. Set in Imperial China, it masterfully blends cooking, romance, and some palace politics. But worry not, the main focus remains on the cooking aspect, so the overall vibe stays relaxing. However, since the story is rather simple, we unfortunately had to rank Cinderella Chef at the bottom of the list.

9 Fairies Album Offers a Refreshing Take on Chinese Folklore

Instead of focusing on an epic adventure, Fairies Album is all about exploring the little Chinese folklore that you might find extremely fascinating. Although the donghua follows a main lead, the overall narrative focuses on smaller human stories involving mythical spirits, themes of regrets, and forgotten memories. The best thing about it is that many episodes actually feel life-changing, filled with valuable human lessons. So despite having low stakes, Fairies Album deserves the 9th spot on the list.

8 Psychic Princess Presents a Fun Yet Relatable Historical Romance

The Chinese palace drama never fails to amuse fans, and The Apothecary Diaries and The Inept Villainess anime might have helped solidify that idea. Now, if you’re a fan of those series, then Psychic Princess may equally entertain you. Its masterful blend of comedy and romance easily deserves at least the 8th spot on the list. Even the animation perfectly complements the overall aesthetic of the storyline. It may lack the complexity of some of the higher entries, but it would still be an enjoyable watch.

7 The Daily Life of the Immortal King Is a Hilarious Power Fantasy

Many self-proclaimed anime fans themselves may not know that The Daily Life of the Immortal King is actually a donghua. The series is already so popular among the community, and why wouldn’t it be? With its overpowered MC, high school setting, fantasy power system, well-timed comedy, and a likable cast of characters, it has everything needed to stand out in the modern anime sphere. But still, because it never really focuses on deeper themes, we had to rank this donghua only 7th on the list.

6 X&Y Is a Psychological Mystery That Pushes Creative Boundaries

Plenty of times, we have seen anime get a bit experimental with their storytelling approach, but X&Y (also known as Aiyou de Mishi or Aiyou’s Secret Room) is one of those rare donghuas that does it so well. The visual direction of the series is truly something else and forces you to think outside the box. At some story moments, you may find it fascinating how the donghua explores emotions and character mysteries through a more artistic approach. Thus, it deserves as high as the 6th spot on the list.

5 Heaven Official’s Blessing Offers a Rich Tale of Chinese Mythology

Quite undeniably, Heaven Official’s Blessing is one of the most prominent internationally successful donghuas. Almost anyone who got into the medium before the 2020s has likely watched this one. And there are more than enough reasons behind its success. The way it combines breathtaking Chinese animation with extremely rich mythology deserves all the praise. Even the characters are extremely well written, with fantastic worldbuilding that earns it a spot in the top 5 on the list.

4 The King’s Avatar Turns eSports Into an Intense Sports Drama

In our current timeline, when eSports is slowly becoming a globally accepted sporting event, you might wonder if there are any really good anime or series based on it. Well, it turns out The King’s Avatar is a must-watch for everyone who loves gaming, in general. Instead of focusing on supernatural powers or palace drama, it offers something extremely unique. The way the MC’s journey focuses on rebuilding his career after being forced out of the professional scene deserves the 4th place.

3 To Be Hero X Offers the Most Unique Superhero Storyline in Anime

If you’re sick of Western or even many Japanese superhero-themed storylines and wonder whether there’s anything new to explore in this genre, then take a seat and go through To Be Hero X. This donghua masterfully reinvents the superhero genre by introducing a world where anyone with enough popularity and fan/social media support can become a hero. But what exactly is the power ceiling of this system? The answer will blow your expectations. Therefore, To Be Hero X swiftly claims a spot in the top 3.

2 Lord of Mysteries Changes the Way We Perceive Isekai Anime

While technically Lord of Mysteries is an isekai, never make the mistake of lumping it alongside all the seasonal isekai trash anime. Adapted from the critically acclaimed Chinese novel Lord of the Mysteries, the donghua builds a massive world filled with deadly organisations, ancient civilisations, and a big-brain mystery thriller storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The dark and gloomy atmosphere of the series is especially phenomenal, which altogether earns it the 2nd spot on the list.

1 Link Click Delivers a Masterclass Time-Travel Mystery Thriller

Fans have long been fascinated by the concept of time-travelling. However, many series overcomplicate their plots in a flawed attempt to explain their principles. But Link Click takes a completely different approach. It uses the concept of travelling back in time to weave a masterclass murder mystery thriller that easily deserves the #1 spot. While the donghua may initially feel episodic, the storyline later connects all the loose ends and turns into one of the grittiest yet coolest animated stories of all time. There are hardly any Japanese anime that can match its brilliance in handling time travel.

Among all these donghua available to watch on Crunchyroll, which one would you pick first?