The King’s Avatar (Donghua) – The Anime That Redefined Esports Storytelling

What is The King’s Avatar About?

At its core, The King’s Avatar is a story about resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of mastery.

• Premise: Ye Xiu, once hailed as the Battle God of Glory, is forced into retirement. Stripped of his legendary character, he starts over at a local internet café with a brand-new account (Lord Grim). Despite the odds, Ye Xiu begins climbing back into the competitive scene, assembling a new team and aiming for the championship once again.

• Core Themes:

  • The sacrifices and struggles behind esports success.

  • Underdog determination against corporate powerhouses.

  • Teamwork, trust, and leadership in competitive play.

  • The evolving balance between passion for gaming and the business side of esports.

Rather than relying on fantasy tropes, the donghua’s tension and excitement come directly from the realistic portrayal of competitive gaming as a sport.

Why Should You Watch The King’s Avatar?

This donghua stands apart from most anime and Chinese animation because of how it treats esports with the same seriousness as sports dramas.

• Innovative Storytelling: A rare anime that dives into the professional gaming world.

• Strategic Depth: Fights in Glory feel like real esports matches, with tactical plays, counters, and long-term strategies.

• Relatable Hero: Ye Xiu isn’t a “chosen one” or a fantasy savior—he’s a dedicated player who refuses to give up, even when stripped of everything.

• Cultural Significance: Helped establish donghua as a global force, appealing not just to anime fans but also to gamers and esports enthusiasts.

• Stunning Visuals: Later seasons showcase improved CGI, fluid combat animation, and visually creative depictions of in-game battles.

Is The King’s Avatar Worth Watching?

Yes, absolutely.

• For anime fans, it’s a refreshing take outside the usual Japanese industry offerings.

• For gamers, it resonates deeply with the realities of competitive gaming culture.

• For casual viewers, the themes of determination, leadership, and redemption are universally compelling.

Its balance of esports intensity and human drama makes it one of the most accessible and rewarding donghua available today.

Cast and Characters

The donghua introduces a strong ensemble of characters, each with their own roles in Glory:

• Ye Xiu (叶修) – “Lord Grim”

  • The protagonist, nicknamed the Glory Textbook.

  • Former captain of Excellent Era, later founder of Team Happy.

  • Known for his tactical brilliance and skill with unspecialized classes.

• Chen Guo (陈果)

  • Owner of the Happy Internet Café.

  • A passionate fan of Glory and Ye Qiu (Ye Xiu’s alias).

  • Supports Ye Xiu’s comeback journey.

• Su Mucheng (苏沐橙)

  • Longtime ally of Ye Xiu.

  • Master of sharpshooter gameplay and former member of Excellent Era.

• Tang Rou (唐柔)

  • Fierce competitor who joins Team Happy.

  • Known for her aggressive playstyle.

• Han Wenqing (韩文清)

  • Rival captain of Team Tyranny.

  • One of the strongest professional players in Glory.

Supporting characters like Bao Rongxing, Luo Ji, Qiao Yifan, and Wei Chen further flesh out Ye Xiu’s journey from underdog to contender.

Episodes and Watch Order

For newcomers, here’s the chronological watch order of the anime:

• Season 1 (2017): 12 episodes (April – June 2017)

• OVA (2018): 3-episode sequel (April – May 2018)

• Film (2019): The King’s Avatar: For the Glory (prequel, August 2019)

• Season 2 (2020): 12 episodes (September – December 2020)

• Season 3 (2024): 17 episodes (May – September 2024)

International Release: In February 2025, Crunchyroll officially released Seasons 1–2 with English subtitles, making the series more accessible than ever.

Production and Development

• Source Material: Based on Hu Dielan’s bestselling web novel The King’s Avatar.

• Studios: Produced by Tencent, animated by Colored-Pencil Animation.

• Technology: Combined CGI and traditional animation for esports matches.

• Film Expansion: For the Glory (2019) expanded on Ye Xiu’s early career before the main story.

• Consistency: The voice actors from the donghua also lent their performances to other adaptations (including the live-action dub).

Reception and Legacy

The King’s Avatar is often credited as the gateway donghua for international audiences.

• Critical Praise: Applauded for originality, character depth, and competitive authenticity.

• Global Reach: One of the first donghua to gain a significant non-Chinese fanbase, largely via fan-subs before its official Crunchyroll release.

• Cultural Impact: Helped elevate esports storytelling in animation, inspiring comparisons to sports anime like Haikyuu!! and Kuroko’s Basketball.

• Awards: Won recognition at events like the China Animation Golden Dragon Awards for its innovation and popularity.

The King’s Avatar (Donghua) FAQ

Q: Is there an English dub of The King’s Avatar?
A: No official dub exists yet, but English-subtitled versions are available on Crunchyroll and other platforms.

Q: How many seasons are out?
A: Three seasons (2017, 2020, 2024), plus a 2018 OVA and a 2019 prequel film.

Q: Do I need to watch the film For the Glory?
A: It’s optional, but highly recommended—it explores Ye Xiu’s early career and adds depth to the main story.

Q: Is the donghua faithful to the novel?
A: It adapts the key arcs while streamlining some details, but it remains true to the spirit of Hu Dielan’s story.

Q: Where should I start watching?
A: Begin with Season 1 (2017), then follow the release order: OVA → Film → Season 2 → Season 3.

Conclusion

The King’s Avatar (donghua) is more than just an anime about games—it’s a story of ambition, resilience, and passion for mastery. With three seasons, a prequel film, and international accessibility, it has become a cornerstone of Chinese animation and a must-watch for fans of esports and anime alike.

Whether you’re a gamer seeking authenticity or a casual viewer looking for an underdog story filled with strategy and drama, The King’s Avatar delivers an unforgettable experience.

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