Chinese animation, often referred to as donghua, has been steadily carving out its niche on the global stage, surprising viewers with increasingly sophisticated visuals and compelling narratives. Hot on the heels of other visually impressive releases, the summer season has heralded the arrival of “Lord of Mysteries,” a donghua that not only continues this trend but elevates it to an art form. This adaptation of Cuttlefish That Loves Diving`s sprawling web novel has quickly garnered attention, with early episodes earning a commendable 9 out of 10 rating on IMDb. But what exactly defines this new animated series, and why should it command your attention?
A Steampunk Splendor: Visuals That Defy Expectation
From the moment the opening credits roll, “Lord of Mysteries” assaults the senses with a visual feast. The series is meticulously crafted in a steampunk style, drawing profound inspiration from the technological advancements and aesthetic sensibilities of 19th-century Europe. Imagine a world where steam-powered machinery and intricate clockwork mechanisms are not just prevalent but define the very fabric of society. This distinctive visual direction sets it apart, reminiscent of acclaimed works like “Arcane” or the anime film “Steamboy.” The alternate world presented in “Lord of Mysteries” transports the viewer to a meticulously realized Victorian-era landscape, where every cog and every wisp of steam feels palpable.
Indeed, the sheer quality of the animation prompts an almost ironic query: “Is this truly hand-drawn, or has a benevolent AI lent a hand?” While information regarding the studio`s specific technical tools remains elusive, one can only hope this breathtaking beauty is the pure product of talented Chinese artists and animators. The detailed backgrounds, effective scene compositions, and dynamic animation suggest years of dedicated work—a hypothesis supported by the fact that the project, announced in 2021, has been in development for approximately four years for its initial thirteen-episode run. The visual fidelity is so high, it often feels less like an animated series and more like a high-end computer game—a fitting parallel, given that an RPG based on Cuttlefish That Loves Diving`s novel is also in development.
The Protagonist`s Predicament: Isekai Meets Detective Confusion
The narrative introduces us to a modern-day man who finds himself abruptly thrust into this alternative reality, awakening in the body of one Klein Moretti. This unfortunate predecessor had just shot himself in the head, yet our new protagonist finds the wound miraculously healed. The immediate questions are abundant: Who was Klein Moretti? Why did he take his own life? And perhaps most pressingly, what now?
Beyond the “fantasy,” “action,” “isekai,” and “thriller” tags, “Lord of Mysteries” proudly brandishes the “detective” genre. This implies our protagonist, and by extension, us, will need to unravel the myriad enigmas of this strange world. A chilling inscription in the original Klein`s diary — “Everyone will die, including me” — only deepens the mystery. We learn that Klein Moretti was involved in deciphering an ancient book belonging to the Antigonus family, a book now lost. Of those who knew of its contents, only Klein survived. Yet, the new Klein is utterly clueless about his predecessor`s fate. The questions pile up faster than answers can hope to emerge. Be forewarned: the initial episodes are a delightful exercise in narrative discombobulation.
Narrative Velocity: A Firehose of Information
For those unfamiliar with the source material, grasping the nuances of the first two episodes is a Herculean task. One might well utter, “Nothing makes sense, but it’s incredibly beautiful.” This isn`t merely about understanding the protagonist`s immediate goals, but the entire cosmology of this rich, bewildering world. The pacing is relentlessly fast, a chaotic whirlwind of events that transition from one to the next with alarming speed. This breakneck pace is perhaps an inevitable consequence, considering the original web novel spans some fifteen hundred chapters. Condensing such an epic into digestible animation is, by its very nature, a challenge.
The story feels compressed, almost rushed. No sooner has our protagonist awoken in this new body than he begins to navigate the world with an alarming familiarity, as if he`d been born there. Yet, like him, the audience is utterly ignorant of the city`s lore, its supernatural forces, or its `Beyonders.` One moment, Klein is purchasing bread; the next, he encounters a fortune-teller, draws `The Fool` card, returns home, and performs a mysterious talisman ritual. His attempt to return to his original world fails, but he inadvertently unlocks a `cheat code`—the `how` and `why` remain a tantalizing enigma even to him.
We are introduced to the concept of “Beyonders,” individuals imbued with supernatural powers gained through special potions. Klein learns of “twenty-two pathways,” “nine sequences,” and a cascade of “divine powers” — a veritable avalanche of arcane concepts that overwhelm the unsuspecting viewer. It truly feels as if one must dive headfirst into all fifteen hundred chapters of the novel just to gain a basic footing.
The Verdict: Visual Spectacle Over Narrative Clarity?
The initial episodes of “Lord of Mysteries” are packed with dynamic action sequences, intriguing mysteries, and thrilling plot twists. While these elements are undoubtedly designed to captivate, one fervently hopes that future episodes will temper the narrative pace, allowing for a more comprehensive exploration of this mysterious world`s intricacies and rules. For now, the events of the first few episodes blend into a glorious, yet bewildering, blur. What undeniably lingers, however, are the gorgeous, aesthetically pleasing shots of this alternate realm — so mesmerizing they could serve as desktop wallpapers.
The series is directed by Xiong Ke, known for his work on “The Untamed” (or “Mo Dao Zu Shi”) and “The King`s Avatar.” Viewers familiar with these productions will undoubtedly recognize a similar character design and drawing style in “Lord of Mysteries.” However, its atmosphere leans closer to the detective series “Link Click” (“Shiguang Dailiren”), where protagonists delve into past mysteries, face mortal danger, and wield magical abilities.
While the animation of “Lord of Mysteries” is undeniably promising, its narrative can be a source of genuine confusion. The compressed and disjointed storytelling makes it difficult to perceive the donghua as a standalone work. Instead, it feels more like a visual companion to the original novel, without which a full understanding of the unfolding events remains elusive.
So, is “Lord of Mysteries” worth watching? The answer is a resounding yes. Even if you haven`t delved into the original novel and struggle to grasp every plot subtlety, you will, at the very least, be treated to animation of exceptional quality and beauty. And do pay attention to the delightful soundtracks; the song following the credits of the second episode is a particular highlight. Prepare for a visual journey, and perhaps, a pleasant intellectual challenge.
