Anime Review: Heaven Official’s Blessing

I love discovering new anime series. Especially ones that are so rich in story and beautifully drawn as Heaven Official’s Blessing.

Seriously, the art work in this Chinese anime is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

Based on a Chinese novel series written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, this supernatural drama is more bloody than romantic. Still, the feelings between the two men Xie Lian, a Crown Prince of Heaven (and very unlucky God reduced to collecting scraps), and Hua Cheng, a ghost king known as the terror of the heavens, are ever-present.

After incurring a debt of 8.88 million merit credits, Xie Lian is tasked with heading to the mortal realm to deal with a ghost bridegroom kidnapping brides on Mount Yujun. Xie Lian sets a trap to catch the bridegroom in the act with the help of two middle heaven junior officials, Fu Yao, and Nan Feng. Throughout the first season’s 11 episodes (and 1 special), the feelings between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng make an almost immediate appearance but are slowly developed – strengthening their bond in a way a lot of BL anime (and even live-action) series do not.

However, if you’re expecting some hot and steaming MA series, Heaven Official’s Blessing is not for you. While a kiss is hinted at in the very last moments of the 11th episode, nothing is seen on screen.

Not only has a second season of the anime been announced by also a live-action adaptation. Under the title Eternal Faith, the series will be directed by Chan Ka Lam who previously helmed the global phenomenon The Untamed. The series, which will have 60 episodes finished filming over a year ago, but with more and more restrictions being placed no only on BL dramas but idol culture in general in China, who knows when it will air – hopefully soon.