Wuxia is a Chinese novel set in Jiang Hu that translates to “Martial Heroes.” Lakes and rivers are referred to as Jiang Hu. Superman and Batman are regarded as martial heroes in the west, whereas wuxia plays are set in ancient China in Chinese drama land.
Wuxia plays feature Jiang hu contests, martial arts, and swordsmanship, and the protagonists must be skilled in at least one martial art. Take a look at the 10 most popular martial arts wuxia cdrama for newcomers.
1. Nirvana In Fire
Nirvana In Fire is a 54-episode drama starring Hu Ge, Tamia Liu, and Wang Kai about a cunning strategist who aids an exposed prince in his quest for the throne.
The screenplay is well-written and the narrative is well-paced as schemes are revealed. Do you notice how most shows start out boring and then get interesting around episode 15 or so? Nirvana In Fire is a fantastic series that will captivate you from the first episode.
The programmer also has a fantastic cast, but because it is both a political and a wuxia drama, it may not be for everyone.
2. Detective of the Ancients
Ancient Investigator, starring Tim Yu, Wang Yanyang, and Rachel Wang, is a 24-episode drama about an amnesiac detective named Jian Buzhi who sets out on a journey to discover the truth behind his father’s murder and identify his father’s killer. Along the way, he meets love and a wonderful friend in Jianghu, who helps him solve intriguing cases.
Ancient Detective is a wuxia mystery drama with a predictable narrative but well-executed execution. Every episode features its own set of twists and turns, as well as a predetermined number of cliffhangers. The acting of the second male lead, as well as the chemistry between the male and female leads, is exceptional. I’m looking forward to the second season since the second male lead is just amusing.
The fight sequences are wonderfully produced, and the photography has a Jianghu feel to it, despite the fact that Ancient Detective is a low-budget movie.
3. The Legend of The Condor Heroes
A young man named Yang Guo, his foster father, martial arts master and the old beggar are on a journey to find a legendary sword that was used to slay a powerful dragon. The sword is guarded by a vicious, two-headed eagle. The old beggar manages to distract the two-headed eagle while Yang Guo slays the dragon.
Yang Guo retrieves the sword and learns that it was used by the gods to create the world. When the old beggar tries to take the sword, he is attacked by the two-headed eagle and Yang Guo has to save him. They are then captured by the powerful Black Whirlwind. The old beggar is then revealed to be Yang Guo’s biological father, Yin Zhen Shun.
They manage to escape but are followed by the Black Whirlwind. The two of them are in the cave when the Black Whirlwind collapses the entrance to the cave. They make a run for it and they are saved by Guo Fu, Yin Zhen Shun’s wife. Guo Fu tells them that she has sent for help and they will be rescued soon.
4. Handsome Siblings
Handsome Siblings is a 44-episode Chinese drama series featuring Chen Zheyuan and Hu Yitian involving twin boys who were born separately but born and raised to be outstanding martial experts. They were taught to exact vengeance on each other, yet they’ve grown to be wonderful friends. They pledge to take over the martial arts world together while searching for their actual identities.
One of the drama’s selling aspects was the interaction between the two major characters, and we appreciated Chen Zheyuan’s portrayal of Xiaoyu’er. We don’t think they could have cast a better guy than Chen Zheyuan since he was adorable, witty, and natural.
If you’re looking for romance, you’re in for a letdown. Relationships aren’t a big part of the drama. Don’t worry if you despise love triangles as much as I do because they aren’t the focus of the drama. It generates just the perfect amount of tension to encourage progress. I like the battle sequences, and we really enjoyed how they were choreographed.
5. Legend Of Fei
Legend Of Fei is a 51-episode drama starring Zhao Liying and Wang Yibo that follows the narrative of Zhou Fei, a martial art natural from a prestigious family who runs away from home and travels throughout the country to hone her abilities while learning from various masters. She encounters Xie Yun, the son of the Southern Dynasty’s Crown Prince, who saves her from drowning, and the two combat evil powers in the pugilistic realm together.
The CGI was mediocre, and it was restricted to a few moments, particularly those involving animals, but the audio was pleasant, and anyone particularly loved the opening OST. You’ll finish Legend of Fei after viewing all 51 episodes, and it’s a terrific drama to watch if you like Zhao Liying and Wang Yibo.
6. The Long Ballad
The Long Ballad, starring Dilireba, Leo Wu, and Zhao Lusi, is a 49-episode drama about Li Chang Ge, who pledges to avenge her parents after they are slain by Li Shi Min, Tang’s emperor, during the Xuanwu gate incident. She conceals herself as a man and travels to Shuo Province, where she encounters General Ashina Sun, who hires her as his personal military strategist in retribution for her family’s death.
The drama just started airing a few weeks ago, and it’s exciting and suspenseful. It’s fast-paced and ripping, and it’s set in many countries, such as Nirvana in Fire, where several kingdoms vie for supremacy, so it’s not for everyone.
Because the drama is a political thriller with plenty of action, I decided to include it on the list. If you’re going to see The Long Ballad, you should also see Princess Agents, starring Zhao Liying and Kenny Lin. Both dramas include a lot of action, yet they’re not called wuxia dramas.
7. Word Of Honor
Word Of Honor is a 36-episode drama starring Zhang Zhehan and Simon Gong that follows the narrative of Zhou Zishu, who quits his position as the chief of an organization tasked with defending royalty and becomes engaged in a martial arts conspiracy.
He encounters Wen Kexing, a strange martial artist who has left the ghost valley to revenge the loss of his parents, along the trip through Jianghu. They become fast friends and set out on a quest to discover a fabled treasure that grants its possessor complete control over Jiangsu.
Word Of Honor is a medieval, wuxia cdrama that surprised everyone when it launched in late February with little promotions and quickly rose to the top as one of the most popular and highly rated dramas on the air.
The chemistry between Zhang Zhehan and Simon Gong is excellent, and fans of the novel will be pleased with how true the film is to the book in terms of casting and screenplay. From the start, Word Of Honor will have you hooked.
8. Love In Between
Love In Between is a 43-episode Chinese drama starring Gala Zhang and Zhang Yaqin that depicts the narrative of Zuo Qing Ci, the son of a Marquis who hides his aristocratic ancestry to journey across Jianghu as a physician in pursuit of a missing scroll of the Imperial court’s mountain river painting. Along the journey, he encounters Fek Kou Er, a robber, and they fall in love.
The drama is well-written, and viewers will be engrossed from the first episode. The drama offers an incredible storyline with dark and exciting wuxia themes, a lot of close-up sequences, and a well-made combat scene.
The drama is unique among wuxia dramas, and the narrative is well-developed. There’s just the proper amount of melancholy and tenderness in this drama. The sights were excellent, and the martial arts were handled flawlessly.
9. Love A Lifetime
Love A Lifetime is a 45-episode Chinese drama starring Allen Ren and Zhang Huiwen about Nalan Yue, a person with two different personalities, who was in love with a young girl named Rong Hua who was a maid but with a beautiful personality. Both of their love stories were very complicated
The fight sequences are one of the drama’s highlights since they are exhilarating and well-executed. The pacing is exactly ideal for the important events to take place, neither too fast nor too slow. The drama has a cast of multi-dimensional individuals that keep you guessing about what they’ll do next.
10. Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre
Joseph Zeng, Yukee Chen, and Bambi Zhu feature in the 50-episode drama Heavenly Sword And Dragon Slaying Sabre. It narrates the story of Zhang Wuji, a little boy who became an orphan at an early age after his parents were interested in the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre, which is claimed to grant the ultimate ability to govern the world to whoever possesses it. Years later, Wuji finds himself in the middle of a power struggle, fighting for his life and the lives of his loved ones.
The Condor trilogy concludes with Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre. This is a puer wuxia drama with all of the traditional wuxia features. The combat sequences are well-done, but there are too many slow movements and CGI that are untrustworthy, but it’s still a worthwhile drama to see.