Battle Through the Heavens (original title Doupo Cangqiong) is one of the most influential Chinese xianxia web novels, written by Tiancan Tudou (Heavenly Silkworm Potato). The story follows Xiao Yan, a teenager whose cultivation power mysteriously stalls after his mother's death, until he discovers an ancient ring holding the soul of a master.
Beyond the donghua (Chinese animation) reviewed here, the work also has a 2018 live-action series directed by Yu Rongguang and starring Leo Wu, which aired on Hunan TV and won at the 12th Tencent Video Star Awards.
Quick Facts
- Author: Tiancan Tudou (Heavenly Silkworm Potato)
- Studio: Donghua airing since January 7, 2017 on Tencent Penguin Pictures; five seasons plus a Season 1 remake "Origin" (2022)
- Adaptations: 2018 live-action TV series (directed by Yu Rongguang, starring Leo Wu, Hunan TV)
- Awards: 12th Tencent Video Star Awards for the live-action version
Story
Xiao Yan was once a cultivation prodigy on the Dou Qi continent, but his power mysteriously stalled after his mother's death. When he discovers an ancient ring holding the soul of Yao Chen, a legendary alchemist, Xiao Yan begins his path back to power, both to reclaim his lost honor and take revenge on those who once looked down on him.
Behind The Scenes
The donghua originally launched in 2017, but as animation studios changed and quality became dated, the team remade season 1 under the title "Battle Through The Heavens: Origin," airing from July 17–24, 2022. Season 5 began July 31, 2022, produced by Shanghai Motion Magic, airing on Tencent Penguin Pictures alongside other platforms.
The 2018 live-action series, directed by Yu Rongguang and starring Leo Wu, aired on Hunan TV from September to October 2018 and expanded to five seasons totaling 184 episodes by 2022, consistently holding strong ratings in its time slot.
Experience
The cultivation system and world
The core appeal of Doupo Cangqiong is its clear, easy-to-follow cultivation ranking system, along with the Dou Qi continent's many competing factions and sects.
Donghua versus the live-action series
The donghua keeps more of the supernatural elements and grander battle scenes thanks to animation, while the live-action version emphasizes acting and was recognized with strong ratings on Hunan TV.
Strengths
- A clear, easy-to-follow cultivation system
- Multiple adaptation formats: donghua and live-action
- The donghua has run five seasons, showing lasting appeal
Weaknesses
- The original season 1 animation was criticized as dated and had to be remade
- The cultivation-revenge motif is familiar within the xianxia genre
- Limited official international distribution outside China
What Critics Say
The 2018 live-action series achieved strong ratings and won at the 12th Tencent Video Star Awards. The donghua has sustained its appeal across five seasons and a season 1 remake, showing long-term staying power despite early animation quality criticism.
Who Is It For
For fans of xianxia and Chinese cultivation stories who like clear tiered power systems. If you prioritize high-quality animation from the start, watch the remade "Origin" season 1 rather than the original 2017 version.
OtaHub Score
Verdict
Battle Through the Heavens is a pillar of the cultivation donghua genre, with a tight power system and reach across multiple formats, even though early animation quality was a drawback. OtaHub scores it 7.8/10.
FAQ
How many donghua seasons does Doupo Cangqiong have?
Five seasons since 2017, plus a season 1 remake "Origin" in 2022.
Is there a live-action version?
Yes, aired in 2018 on Hunan TV, directed by Yu Rongguang.
Who wrote the original novel?
Tiancan Tudou (Heavenly Silkworm Potato).