Eternal Brotherhood - Zichuan Ning and characters in the donghua version

[To view the list of my other drama companion pieces (with links to them), check : HERE.]

From https://min.news/en/comics/64f11a9cff89fb94950527edc725bd83.html   (edited translation) :

   May 2022

The animation of "Zichuan" has now been updated to the 24th episode. Basically, the animation is still very faithful to the original work, and  plot twists have made up for shortcomings of the original work. The script of this drama is quite strong. The big plot at the basis should not be changed, and the details are fine-tuned. If the level of the script is maintained, the overall should be more complete than the original.

 

Many viewers said that the 24 episodes are flowing. In fact, this episode is really a very meaningful one. There are many military strategies. Zichuan Xiu solved the logistical problem at the lowest cost, and kept the army and Orcs. The logistics channel has appeased the people in the Far East, and the political and economic features have been revealed in these episodes.

  The key to all these successes is A Xiu's  fame in the Far East (including the 300 officers who settled in the Central Army at the beginning). Without his standing guarantee, things couldn't be done. The second is his understanding of the Far East, otherwise he would not be able to quickly gather the refugees and sweep away the rebels. Good fighters have a reputation, good strategists make war disappear before it happens.

 

As for the Blue Moon Bay plan mentioned in this episode, it is actually a conspiracy of the politicians of the Zichuan family. In name, the plan is designed to cut off the enemy's retreat, but in fact, it is forcing the enemy to jump over the wall and destroy the Sterling army. A traitor was maneuvering to eliminate political enemy Sterling.

Let's talk about Zi Chuanning. Many viewers say that Zi Chuanning is a harmless little white rabbit. In fact, she is not as simple as she seems on the surface. She seemed very afraid of Di Lin when she was about to ascend the throne. The domineering and ruthless hero (combined with Chieftain Shenxing's long-standing doubts and Luo Minghai's hatred) eventually led to the murder attempt on Di Lin and his subsequent counterattack The entire Zichuan family was almost swept away, the events led to the death of Sterling and the chaos of the three heroes.

In terms of emotions, Zi Chuanning never confirmed her choice. Although she said she liked A Xiu, and she had lived with him for so many years, still she didn't understand him at all. She couldn't fathom that A Xiu was mired in difficulties within the family, She didn't understand why he acted an an inferior when he left. If she really liked A Xiu, she ought to have bravely put her thoughts into action. She was totally different from Liu Fengshuang.

After A Xiu left, she freed herself even more. After Ma Wei's talk, she had already let go of A Xiu. Many people were looking for various excuses and reasons for Zi Chuanning, but in my opinion , the root of everything is her infidelity to love!

In fact, there is no need for the audience to feel sorry for Zichuan Xiu and Zichuan Ning, because Her Royal Highness Shuang is A Xiu's destiny. Liu Fengshuang and Zichuan Xiu became acquainted in the war. Unlike Zichuan Ning, the lady in the deep palace, the relationship between A Xiu and Shuang was destined to be full of romance!

In general, Zichuan is a good work whether it is the original work or the animation. Its theme is to choose the direction of powers in war, which is rare in China, although it is not filled with many gorgeous animations like other fantasy animations. There are lots of Special effects, but its wealth in details based on literary drama and micro-expressions is not inferior to martial arts, and its grand war scenes are second to none in the national comics world, compared to the tens of thousands who only have rely on a few characters modeling. In terms of animation, Zichuan's rendering of the battlefield can truly make the audience feel the pressure of thousands of troops! Finally, if you have time, we recommend to read the original book, I believe you will not be disappointed!

--> Watch it here

(links to the  long 11+ hours movie edition of the 42 episodes with double subtitles). 

IMDB information : 

Purple River Original title: Zi Chuan TV Series 2021–  20m Creator Zhu Lao Stars Tu-Te-Ha-Meng Zhen Zhao Mo Yang

The story focuses on the depth of the main characters and how they confront adversities while maintaining their bond. The three brothers are fighting for a common goal and to protect their clan. Countries:  Indonesia, India, Mexico ; Argentina, Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, United States, Vietnam Language : English Release : Tue, Dec 21, 2021 to Tue, Aug 2, 2022 (Episodes 1-35) ; up till 42 episodes total version in 2022.

Information from TV tracker :

Synopsis : "Two hundred years ago, on the Battlefield of the Blue River, the last remaining army of the Empire of Light collapsed in the midst of demonic outcries. In the south-eastern part of the land, a powerful faction with over two hundred years of history - House ZiChuan - fought off the Demons to the east, defended against the House Liu Feng to the west, and contained the House Lin to the south. In order to accomplish their great ambitions and extend the bloodline of their family, countless heroes of ZiChuan gave their lives in order to make this magnificent hymn come to life. This is a story about this legendary family and a hundred years of their blood and tears."

 From https://www.yualexius.com/2021/10/purple-river-zichuan-donghua.html overview : 

Official streaming platform on Tencent Video here: 紫川 (in Chinese, VIP access) see above for YT version with subtitles.

screenshot from the opening credits of the donghua, still available at the link above in Chinese.

Zichuan Key Visual, Photo Credit: Build Dream, Tencent Penguin Pictures

The donghua adaptation of Zichuan was first announced at the Tencent Video Animation 2020 Annual Conference, and was accompanied by a trailer that featured bloody and action-packed fights. But it was only released in December 2021. "Studio Build Dream is animating the series with Tencent Penguin Pictures as producer, and the series is scheduled to have 52 episodes. If you’re not familiar with Build Dream, it has animated some 3D donghua in the past few years including Deadly Response, and the Great King of the Grave: Secrets of the Qilin. While they also have the upcoming donghua adaptation of the popular novel Renegade Immortal in their lineup."

Visual | Photo Credit: Build Dream, Tencent Penguin Pictures

The first teaser video of the donghua was released in 2020, together with the theme song called  Breaking Dawn., sung by Liu Yuning.    Trailer excerpts GIF below : click on to view in full.  Theme song of Zichuan / Purple River MVs with and without translation : click on pictures to access direct link to Youtube. 

Trailer excerpt  (1min45)	Trailer of Dec.2021 excerpt  (1min55)
Breaking Dawn Opening song of the donghua sung by Liu Yuning (no translation)	Breaking Dawn theme song, with transliteration and translation of lyrics into English.

An official trailer was released in August 2023 for an upcoming Season2 of Zichuan donghua, still TBA.  GIF of the full 0'35 video above.

From  DayDayNews

2021/12/21

The reviewer described the reception of the anime version in December 2021, which was supposed to align with the 52 weeks in the year, but had finally been cut short to 42 episodes. It had been highly anticipated, also for its novel method of interactive broadcast. "There is a small dot on the bar. Click this dot and the animation will jump to the interactive drama. The plots of the interactive drama are all memories. According to the official follow-up calendar, there are a total of 12 episodes in the interactive drama part, and there are 54 episodes in total. Even if the first season is less than a year, the number of episodes is rare. 

"The interactive drama mode is the first time to be used in domestic animation. It separates the memory plot from the main storyline, not only does it not affect the plot development of the feature film, but it also greatly improves the fluency of the main storyline. [...]

"Zichuan has a grand story background, but a few strokes of the animation will clearly show the world view, and the subsequent plots are also highly restored. The screenwriter has the right control over the rhythm of the plot. There is no sluggishness. The characters on the stage have distinct personalities. [...]

"Not only the adaptation of the plot has been well received by many audiences, but the animation production is also commendable. The animation producer has always maintained a high standard in the production of 3D animation. This is especially true for the Zichuan animation. The picture is very large and the scene is magnificent without losing details. The war scenes in the animation are spectacular and tragic. "  The reviewer concluded in praising the modeling of the characters, but noted some uncoordination when it came to faces, which was the only thing that was not perfect, as the anime could be hailed as a landmark masterpiece. 

The following article was less laudatory providing the view and warnings from critics who were not as thrilled as the first one (slight ediing, below)

"Zichuan's anime actually doesn't have much content. The adaptation is a mess. If the second season remains such a mess, Zichuan despite being such a good IP will be completely ruined.

"Zichuan Xiu is the real protagonist in the second season of Zichuan Anime. The Far Eastern half-orcs are going to fight against the demon army. The commander of the Far Eastern Army is General Lu Di. He was not killed by the Demon Emperor in the first season, but he has been promoted. became the capital of the Far East. Those big figures of the Protoss who appeared in the first season will be in the base camp of the gods, they can be viewed as having gone offline. The appearance of the big figures of the Protoss in the first season was just a cut scene to serve as "soy sauce to the dish". 

"The focus should be on how Zichuan Xiu became the King of Light. The three heroes of Zichuan in the first season were just  supporting cast. The real protagonists should be Di Lin and Sterling. The story should focus on telling Sterling's love story. As for Zichuan Xiu and Zichuan Ning's roles, these are trifling, since there is nothing between them, they are just brother and sister. 

"The Zichuan show in the second season is the real shining moment. But the CP combination of Zichuan Xiu and Liu Fengshuang will come later. In the early stage, there is no opportunity for Liu Fengshuang to appear. If the anime insists on pushing the plot, it will lose its way. Since the big figures of the demons have withdrawn from the capital of the gods, to exert their brutal rule  in the Far East, the governor of Ludi, gave Zichuan Xiu a chance to earn the title of King of Light, given to him by the elders of the orc tribe.  In the Moon Bay Battle in the first season, the elder of the orcs tribe proved to be someone who was very good at strategizing. He made Zichuan Xiu the King of Light, in order to lead the orcs revolt in the Far East and establish the Far Eastern half-orc country,  becoming the third largest force on the mainland.

"This goal and design was really  huge! The war between the Demon Race and the Orcs in the Far East was quite brutal, and the brutality of the Demon Race in the Far East was the focus of the description.