Fanren Xiu Xian Chuan: Xinghai Feichi

What an incredible donghua. I watched all three seasons in a week and I haven't been this immersed in a while.

It's a cultivation show following a lone cultivator as he basically just tries to stay alive. The goal of every cultivator is to become all-powerful and the main protagonist is no exception. What Han Li has over others though is his good and bad luck. He is extremely prone to making enemies of powerful people but that in it's way helps him become stronger through adversity. And there is a lot of adversity to be had.

The story moves through so many different plots, ... regions, factions and characters and all of it is presented expertly. The characters are very memorable and well written and portrayed. Maybe the first season is a bit iffy but it gets so much better. The largest issue to me is the women. There is quite a lot of them, and they all develop feelings for the main protagonist pretty much instantly. The problem though is that it never leads anywhere. It's beyond frustrating. Especially since all of them are gorgeous in and out.

The animation is great, though sometimes the motion cap gives off creepy uncanny valley vibes. The action and fight scenes are superb. Music exists. Voice acting is great.

It's definitely worth a watch. It's not finished though. I can't wait for more!

8/10 overall
9/10 this season

Brief Intro-
Not very well known apparently but exceedingly good. Just a cultivator's adventure in a world full of danger. His only goal is to become stronger and survive. If you watched the earlier seasons, you have a gist about how things will go but in case you have not, here is a brief background. MC is cautious and realistic. He is average or below average in of cultivation ability, as seen by his poor spirit root, but has this insane treasure that allows him to speed up plant growth which are used to make cultivation pills, medicine, etc.

Difference Compared to Other Seasons-
This season ... is a bit different from past ones because it opens up a whole new cultivation world. In past seasons, everything seemed a little less other worldly, more down to earth and everyone seemed more like mortals instead of cultivation gods. This season, there's a bit more fantasy with cultivation techniques or weapons that seem like magic. The MC is also in a place where he does not know many people unlike previous seasons where he was part of a sect. He's completely on his own trying to make it in the world like an independent small business owner in a different country.

Comparison with Other Shows and Characteristics of Show-
One thing I think this show does well and has done well in all seasons compared to other shows is portraying realistic danger. Most animated shows give too much plot armor to the MC. In this show, you can feel the danger the MC feels he is in, and the constant struggle he has to go through to stay alive, even during catastrophes when everyone is dying left and right. You feel like he made it out alive partly by luck and partly by the constant preparation and training he does. The show also does a great job portraying the difficult choices he has to make, giving up family, romantic relationships, how he lives his life, and how close he lets other people near him all because of the dangers of life and the incompatibility of it with his goals. A dangerous and lonely life led by a decent person pursuing strength. He knows he cannot coexist with mortals and personal connections with cultivators can be exceedingly dangerous.

Overall, this is a great cultivation animated show that is more realistic than the vast majority of work out there with decent action, good art and music, and a lot of enjoyment. It is not a comedy although there are moments of humor. It is suppose to be more realistic and insightful, as much as it can in a cultivation story. It was personally enjoyable and something different, little plot armor, no impractical ideals, realistic social relations, and an otherworldly adventure.

9/10