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Douluo Continent: Spoiler-Free Mini Review

  • Jul 16
  • 3 min read

Title:

Duoluo Continent (2021) 斗罗大陆

Platform:

WeTV, Viki, Prime Video, Youtube (free)

MDL Rating:

8.3

Genre:

Wuxia/ Fantasy/ Comedy/ Romance

Episode Count:

40

Parental Guidance Rating:

PG-13: Some very fake looking violence and blood. I'd say this leans more PG.

Staring:

Xiao Zhang (Legend of Zang Hai)

Wu Xuan Yi (Perfect Match)

GaoTai Yu (Sword Snow Stride)

Liu Mei Tong (Blossom)



RBTS Rating:

3.6/5 Stars

Synopsis:

Having lost his mother at a very young age, Tang San grew up relying on his father just as much as his father relied upon him. Meticulous and mature for his age, with extraordinary talent and wit, he was sent to Nuoding Academy at the age of sixteen to begin pursuing his dream of becoming a great soul master. There, under the tutelage of Yu Xiao Gang, he befriends an orphan by the name of Xiao Wu, and together they begin the long and difficult journey of cultivation. As time passes, the two friends draw ever closer, eventually swearing to look out for each other as siblings for life. As their power and connection grow, Yu Xiao Gang realizes they need more guidance than he can provide.


Sending the pair to the Shrek Academy, Tang San and Xiao Wu join five other prodigies from various academies in their journey of cultivation. Strong in their power, the seven students become known throughout the land as the “Shrek Seven Devils”. With their fame ever-growing, the talents of the Seven are eventually noticed by a few very prominent nobles who invite them to continue their cultivation at the esteemed Tian Dou Royal Academy. Not long after accepting the invitation, the Seven Devils find themselves caught up in an imperial struggle for power between the first and fourth princes. At the same time, Tang San uncovers a long-hidden secret about his mother’s death. Suddenly facing battles on many fronts, Tang San finds himself forced to fight, not only to protect those he loves but to bring honor to his sect, save his country, and complete his quest to become the greatest soul master of all time. @Viki



Stay Tuned: Full Review Still to Come!


Spoiler-Free Mini Review:

Douluo Continent is the live action adaptation of the popular fantasy web novel and anime: Tang Jia San Shao (Soul Land). The story takes place in a fictional setting, inspired by ancient China, but has a more unique and otherworldly system of magic and world building. It is not the traditional Wuxia in the slightest. The overall narrative felt like a Manga come to life and if you are able to buy into that, the drama can be really fun. Tang San (ML) and Xiao Wu (FL) were likeable characters and the actors did an excellent job in their portrayal. Wu (FL) did veer into the "toddler female lead" territory, but Wu Xuan Yi (FL Actress) managed to reel her back in when necessary and give her serious moments gravity. She got slack for her take on this role, but I think the writing was the main issue.



The drama had some significant cons: I don't know what was worse… the dubbing or the wigs. The music score was also diabolical. Someone commented on Viki: "The background music is not suitable", and I haven't stopped laughing. The props and sets weren't high quality and the CGI was haunting. Those are some real deterrents from enjoying the drama, but it was saved by the camaraderie between students and the bond between Wu and San.


This pig/dog haunts me in my sleep.


Douluo Continent is what I feel like a live action Naruto must be like. Again, if that's not your vibe, this is probably not for you. The whole thing was cheddar cheese, but call me a mouse, because it was kind of fun.



A sequel season, The Land of Warriors, was released in 2024. It stars Zhou Yi Ran (Twelve Letters ML) and Zhang Yu Xi (Love and Redemption 2FL), along with a whole new cast playing the characters of DC. This iteration relies less on practical effects and costumes, and is allegedy more faithful to the source material. Both seasons can be watched as a standalone.


The Land of Warriors. These guys give me the vibes of Power Rangers.
The Land of Warriors. These guys give me the vibes of Power Rangers.

Story=4, Acting=2.5, Production Quality=3, Rewatch Value=3.5, Ending=5, Enjoyability= 4


Trailer:





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