Tian Guan Cifu
Summary: The heavens shake, the thunder rumbles, and Xie Lian appears with an apologetic smile—again! Eight hundred years prior, he was a beloved martial god, known as the Crown Prince of Xianle. Now, he ascends to the heavenly realm for the third time, but simply as a pitiful scrap-collecting god with no followers behind him.
On his first mission, Xie Lian finds himself alone in the dark moonlit night. There, a gentle man dressed in red guides him through the forest. However, as abruptly as he appeared, the man suddenly dissipates into a swarm of silver butterflies.
Xie Lian later learns that this mysterious stranger was none other than Hua Cheng, the Crimson Rain Sought Flower, a Ghost King feared by both demons and gods alike. But before Xie Lian can figure out why Hua Cheng would help a Heavenly Official like himself, he meets San Lang. A young man possessing great knowledge on not only the Ghost King, but also the now forgotten Crown Prince, San Lang decides to accompany Xie Lian on his journey of unveiling the mysteries of the past.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
The heavens shake, the thunder rumbles, and Xie Lian appears with an apologetic smile—again! Eight hundred years prior, he was a beloved martial god, known as the Crown Prince of Xianle. Now, he ascends to the heavenly realm for the third time, but simply as a pitiful scrap-collecting god with no followers behind him.
On his first mission, Xie Lian finds himself alone in the dark moonlit night. There, a gentle man dressed in red guides him through the forest. However, as abruptly as he appeared, the man suddenly dissipates into a swarm of silver butterflies.
Xie Lian later learns that this mysterious stranger was none other than Hua Cheng, the Crimson Rain Sought Flower, a Ghost King feared by both demons and gods alike. But before Xie Lian can figure out why Hua Cheng would help a Heavenly Official like himself, he meets San Lang. A young man possessing great knowledge on not only the Ghost King, but also the now forgotten Crown Prince, San Lang decides to accompany Xie Lian on his journey of unveiling the mysteries of the past.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Available At
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Tian Guan Cifu Trailers
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Tian Guan Cifu Review
Tian Guan Cifu — The heavens shake, the thunder rumbles, and Xie Lian appears with an apologetic smile—again! This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy conventions as a ONA work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.42). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Tian Guan Cifu offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Hua, Cheng
Main
Ma, Zhengyang
Mandarin
Hua, Cheng
Main
Fukuyama, Jun
Japanese
Hua, Cheng
Main
Cheek, James
English
Xie, Lian
Main
Jiang, Guangtao
Mandarin
Xie, Lian
Main
Kamiya, Hiroshi
Japanese
Xie, Lian
Main
Wang, Howard
English
Bai Wuxiang
Supporting
Ban, Yue
Supporting
Tao, Dian
Mandarin
Ban, Yue
Supporting
Hanazawa, Kana
Japanese
Ban, Yue
Supporting
Lo, Emi
English
Feng, Xin
Supporting
Furukawa, Makoto
Japanese
Fu, Yao
Supporting
Hu, Liangwei
Mandarin
Fu, Yao
Supporting
Kobayashi, Chiaki
Japanese
Fu, Yao
Supporting
Dodge, Lucien
English
He, Xuan
Supporting
Jun, Wu
Supporting
Murdock, Reagan
English
Kemo
Supporting
Yamanoi, Jin
Japanese
Lang, Ying
Supporting
Yen, Caleb
English
Lang, Ying
Supporting
Kikunaga, Akari
Japanese
Ling, Wen
Supporting
Huang, Ying
Mandarin
Staff
Li, Haoling
Director
Bickham, Clint
Script
Amamiya, Sora
Theme Song Performance
Mao
Theme Song Lyrics
Mimegumi, Aki
Theme Song Composition
SID
Theme Song Performance
Jewell, Jerry
ADR Director
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
Original Creator