Link Click anime by To Be Hero X creator Li Haoling replaces Solo Leveling in 2026

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Anime fans consistently gravitate towards shows with exciting action and stories about powerful characters. The huge popularity of Solo Leveling – a fantasy anime known for its quick pace, incredibly strong main character, and video game-like features – perfectly demonstrates this trend.

Chinese animation, known as donghua, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide and is now a strong competitor to anime. The best donghua series are demonstrating their ability to deliver captivating and emotionally resonant stories with high production values, rivaling the quality of top anime. One particularly successful donghua, which gained international anime fans in the early 2020s, is scheduled to return with new episodes in 2026.

Donghua Has More Than Proven Its Boundless Potential to Anime Fans

Although Solo Leveling is a hugely popular anime right now, it actually started as a web novel and comic (manhwa) from South Korea, not Japan. And it’s not the only non-Japanese series gaining international anime fans. Chinese animation, known as donghua, has been around for years and enjoyed by audiences outside of China – even before its recent surge in popularity.

While donghua (Chinese animation) has a dedicated international following, it’s only recently started gaining wider recognition. Historically, most donghua hasn’t been created with international viewers in mind. This, combined with limited availability and stories that can be complicated and heavily based on familiar themes, makes it difficult for new fans to get into. Even in the near future, many promising donghua releases are unlikely to achieve widespread international popularity.

Many fans eagerly anticipate new donghua series like Fierce Blade in the Snow, Sacred Ruins and Shrouding the Heavens, but they often go unnoticed by the wider anime community. However, recent popular donghua shows are changing perceptions, and it’s now gaining recognition as a significant force in animation. Donghua’s increasing international presence started in the late 2010s with hits like The King’s Avatar and Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation.

However, Chinese animation really took off internationally in the 2020s, and Link Click played a major role. This original web series was created by Li Haolin – who also made the popular anime To Be Hero X – and Studio LAN. Even almost five years after it first appeared, Link Click continues to gain popularity with each new episode, and it shows no signs of losing momentum.

Link Click Is One of the Best Modern Animated Series Across Genres & Mediums

The first season of Link Click debuted in April 2021 and quickly captivated viewers with its unique and fascinating concept. The show follows Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi, close friends who work together at the Time Photo Studio, which is owned by the family of Cheng Xiaoshi’s friend, Qiao Ling. But beyond their everyday work, they also handle unusual requests involving the supernatural.

They have a unique ability: by working together, they can enter any moment frozen in a photograph. Cheng Xiaoshi actually goes into the photo, taking control of the photographer, while Lu Guang directs him from the present, using his ability to see 12 hours into the future of whatever’s depicted. Unlike typical time travelers, they don’t try to change history. Their powers are limited, which makes each case challenging, and their studio operates on the principle of helping people overcome present-day regrets without altering the past.

The first season of Link Click tells mostly self-contained stories that are often deeply moving and focus on themes like memories, relationships, and dealing with regret. These emotional and well-developed episodes not only explore the lives of the show’s clients but also build the relationships between the main characters and hint at a larger, unfolding mystery.

Link Click is a show known for its surprising changes in mood and its carefully planned, complex storylines. It expertly blends heartfelt character moments with exciting, suspenseful mysteries, constantly raising new questions while remaining focused on genuine human emotions. Each episode adds to the intrigue without losing sight of what makes Link Click so compelling.

The Most Revered Donghua Series Is Returning in 2026 with a Brand-New Season

The popular Chinese animated series Link Click was supplemented in late 2024 with a six-episode prequel called the Yingdu Arc. Beyond a new look thanks to a different animation studio, the Yingdu Arc introduced significant plot twists and two important characters, Vein and Xia Fei, who are expected to play key roles as the story progresses.

Right after the exciting prequel storyline ended, the release date for Season 3 was revealed: October 2026. Just when things had calmed down after solving the Li Tianchen mystery at Time Photo Studio, news broke that Xia Fei has gone missing, disrupting the peace once more.

Get ready for another collision of characters with hidden agendas! Season 3 of Link Click introduces Jae Lee, a detective from Yingdu, who arrives in Guidu to investigate a bizarre mass killing. Judging by trailers and the show’s recent storyline, this season will be filled with more action and focus heavily on the mystery and thrills that have been building since Season 2.

Beyond uncovering the show’s biggest mysteries, viewers are also eager to see how Link Click develops its characters and continues to tell its heartfelt stories. With so much anticipation building for what’s next, now is a great time for anyone interested in Chinese animation to check out this highly-rated series.

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2026-01-04 04:43