In 2025, Lord of the Mysteries became one of the few Chinese donghua series to achieve immediate global success. Adapted from the bestselling web novel by Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, the anime premiered on Crunchyroll in more than 190 countries, attracting both longtime anime fans and viewers new to Chinese web fiction.
Leading the ambitious production are Ke Xiong, director and executive producer at BCMAY Pictures, and Liu Xing, the studio’s president and head writer. Both recently discussed the creative pressure, the scale of the adaptation, and the long-term roadmap for a franchise already planning multiple seasons and specials.
From Web Novel to Global Donghua Phenomenon
The story follows Zhou Mingrui, a young man from modern China who awakens in the body of Klein Moretti in a Victorian-inspired world filled with secret organizations, occult rituals, and a complex supernatural power system. The adaptation has been widely praised for its detailed steampunk worldbuilding, Lovecraftian horror elements, and faithfulness to the emotional core of the original novel.
In a year when titles like Ne Zha 2, Nobody, and To Be Hero X pushed Chinese animation further into the global spotlight, Lord of the Mysteries distinguished itself through narrative ambition and technical polish.
The Biggest Challenge: Staying True Without Copying Word for Word
According to Liu Xing, the adaptation challenges began long before marketing campaigns and release schedules.
“There are two main priorities when adapting this book: the story must preserve its originality, and the characters’ emotions must be expressed with complete accuracy.”
The original novel spans multiple eras, gods, rituals, and secret societies. Bringing that entire universe to animation was impossible, so the team made careful decisions:
- Prioritize the most impactful story arcs.
- Tell the narrative primarily through Klein’s perspective.
- Simplify complex systems without breaking internal logic.
“The way a world is portrayed in animation is very different from literature,” Liu explained. Rather than showing everything, the focus shifted toward emotional clarity and visual coherence.
A Cultural Fusion Between East and West
Visually, the series embraces a gothic Victorian aesthetic—gas lamps, long coats, stained-glass churches, and a fog-filled atmosphere. Yet at its emotional core, it retains a distinctly Chinese sensibility.
Instead of explicitly labeling cultural elements, the creative team expressed them through Klein’s actions:
- The way he thinks and analyzes situations.
- How he pays respect at a grave.
- His everyday reactions to supernatural events.
“We saw him as an ordinary person facing extraordinary events,” Liu summarized.
Demanding Production and High Standards
Director Ke Xiong emphasized that the high frame count per episode significantly increased production complexity and workload.
“We’ve worked together for over ten years. We share the same standards. If something didn’t feel right, we redid it until we reached complete agreement.”
The result is an emotionally immersive and visually refined adaptation that prioritizes atmosphere and storytelling depth, even under tight production schedules.
The Original Author’s Creative Influence
Cuttlefish That Loves Diving participated in the early development stages. Rather than demanding a literal adaptation, the author encouraged creative reinterpretation.
“If you adapt the novel word for word, there will be nothing new. We want a new form of expression and a new perspective.”
This flexibility allowed the anime to build its own identity while remaining faithful to the spirit of the source material.
The Future of Lord of the Mysteries
By mid-2025, the series had become part of the broader global expansion of Chinese animation, supported by rising technical standards and growing international demand.
BCMAY Pictures confirmed an ambitious roadmap that includes:
- Multiple additional seasons
- Three special episodes
- A feature-length film
When asked what would be essential for future seasons, both creators gave the same answer: time.
“To complete a project of this scale, substantial time and investment are required,” Ke Xiong stated.
“As writers, we always feel that with 15 more minutes, we could tell the story even better,” Liu Xing added.
Where to Watch Lord of the Mysteries
The anime is currently available for streaming on
Crunchyroll
Watch the official trailer below: