By John Moore Believe it or not, there are Chinese donghua that fans actually argue are better than One Piece and Naruto. Yep, we’re talking about series that match the emotional highs of Naruto‘s ninja way and rival the jaw-dropping adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates. The kicker? Many of these donghua are shorter, more focused, and sometimes even more beautifully animated.
Now, calling something ‘better’ than One Piece or Naruto is anime heresy, but hear us out. Donghua is bringing fresh genres, insane visuals, and stories rooted in Chinese culture that feel new and exciting compared to the long shonen grind. From heartbreaking time-travel to esports rivalries and hilarious assassins, these ten titles prove that donghua isn’t just catching up, it’s breaking new ground.
1. Link Click
Link Click is one of those shows that smacks you right in the feels. The story follows two friends with the ability to enter photos and relive moments from the past, taking on client requests that almost always spiral into life-changing dilemmas. It’s not just sci-fi, it’s about friendship, sacrifice, and the heavy weight of messing with time.
Think about the pain of Naruto‘s backstory or the gut-punch of Jiraiya’s death, that’s the emotional territory Link Click lives in, but on a weekly basis. Every episode is a blend of suspense and heartbreak that keeps you hooked. And unlike filler-heavy anime, it never wastes a second.
2. To Be Hero X
If One Piece is about chasing dreams and Naruto is about never giving up, To Be Hero X is about none of that. This donghua is wild, self-aware, and pokes fun at superhero tropes with a mix of parody, action, and surprisingly emotional twists. It doesn’t take itself too seriously until it suddenly does, and that’s what makes it so unpredictable.
The series follows quirky, flawed heroes who don’t fit the typical ‘save the world’ mold, but somehow end up being way more relatable than most shonen leads. Imagine if Deadpool crashed into the Naruto universe, roasted every jutsu, and then teamed up with Luffy for a drinking contest; that’s the kind of chaotic energy To Be Hero X brings.
3. The King’s Avatar
Forget pirates hunting treasure, this donghua is about gamers hunting glory. The King’s Avatar follows Ye Xiu, a top-tier esports player who gets forced into retirement, only to fight his way back in the competitive scene. It’s intense, strategic, and packed with moments that feel as epic as a Luffy vs. Kaido clash.
The beauty of The King’s Avatar is that it makes digital battles feel as exhilarating as shonen fights. Every mouse click and combo is animated like an ultimate jutsu. While One Piece is all about adventure across seas, this one proves esports can be just as thrilling as sailing the Grand Line.
4. Fog Hill of the Five Elements
If you’ve ever wished Naruto‘s filler fights looked half as good as the big ones, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is your dream come true. Every fight scene looks like a moving painting, blending traditional Chinese art styles with modern animation flair. It’s jaw-dropping, brutal, and honestly puts a lot of long-running anime to shame.
The series doesn’t drag things out with endless talking mid-fight; every blow feels impactful. While Naruto‘s Fourth Ninja War had great moments but inconsistent visuals, Fog Hill keeps its quality sky-high from start to finish. It’s short, sweet, and a masterpiece of visual storytelling.
5. Scissor Seven
Imagine if Naruto were a clumsy assassin who also cut hair on the side. That’s Scissor Seven in a nutshell, a hilarious, offbeat series that combines comedy with surprisingly heartfelt storytelling. Seven may not be the world’s best assassin, but his antics are endlessly entertaining.
What makes this donghua so addictive is its ability to switch between gut-busting humor and emotional drama without feeling forced. While One Piece balances comedy and action, Scissor Seven takes it to absurd levels, often breaking the fourth wall. It’s unpredictable, and that’s what makes it brilliant.
6. Heaven’s Official Blessing
Heaven’s Official Blessing is a fantasy-romance donghua that looks absolutely stunning. Based on a beloved novel, it follows Xie Lian, a fallen prince, and Hua Cheng, his mysterious companion. Their bond is equal parts tender and epic, creating a love story that’s become iconic in the donghua fandom.
For Naruto fans who lived through the endless Sasuke vs. Naruto saga, this donghua shows what emotional depth looks like when done right. It’s visually lush, narratively complex, and easily one of the most binge-worthy donghua for fans looking for something deeper than just battles.
7. Spare Me, Great Lord
Lu Shu is the kind of protagonist that shonen anime wish they could write. He’s insanely overpowered but doesn’t take anything seriously, constantly trolling everyone around him. Spare Me, Great Lord is as much a parody of cultivation tropes as it is a genuinely fun action series.
If Naruto had decided to prank Konoha instead of training all day, you’d get something like this. The humor is sharp, the battles are wild, and Lu Shu’s sarcastic energy makes him one of the most entertaining protagonists in modern donghua.
8. The Daily Life of the Immortal King
What happens when a godlike cultivator just wants to live a chill high school life? That’s the premise of The Daily Life of the Immortal King. Of course, blending in is impossible when you’re basically a walking nuclear bomb.
The donghua is funny, clever, and lighthearted, poking fun at the typical overpowered hero trope that shonen anime milk for hundreds of episodes. Think of it as a parody of Goku, Naruto, and Luffy all rolled into one, but with a Chinese twist.
9. Great Journey of Teenagers
Great Journey of Teenagers is like taking the scale of Naruto‘s Fourth Ninja War and blending it with the elegance of Chinese martial arts. It’s a sprawling historical fantasy with political intrigue, larger-than-life characters, and stunningly choreographed fights.
Instead of endless training arcs, you get layered storytelling filled with honor, betrayal, and destiny. If you’ve ever wanted a mix of shonen energy with historical weight, this is the donghua you should not skip.
10. The Legend of Hei
The Legend of Hei is a donghua film that manages to be both adorable and profound. At its core, it’s about a magical cat spirit trying to find belonging in a world where humans and spirits clash. Sounds simple, but it hits harder than you’d expect.
Remember the moment when Naruto finally found acceptance with Team 7? The Legend of Hei bottles that feeling and stretches it into a full movie. It’s heartwarming, gorgeous, and unforgettable. Here’s a quick view of the list of donghua we have discussed so far:
In the end, Japanese anime has ruled for decades with titans like One Piece and Naruto, but Chinese donghua is rising fast. From Link Click’s emotional depth to Fog Hill’s art and Scissor Seven’s comedy, donghua isn’t just ‘different’, it’s genuinely world-class.
So if you’re tired of waiting for the next episode of One Piece or still salty about Naruto‘s filler arcs, give these donghua a shot. Who knows, you might find your next obsession.
One Piece and Naruto are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
