The Rise of Chinese Animation: Link Click

There's a certain IQ checkpoint you need to vault in order to understand Chinese anime also known as "donghua." I wasn't aware of the term until recently, and by that, I mean this year. I remember the old me, I never gave donghua much attention, aside from Rakshasa Street and The King's Avatar.

They weren't hard to understand and it was easy to get into. With other donghuas it felt like a bunch of things were thrown in front of your face and you're overloaded with a bunch of unfamiliar information.

Wait, why is donghua hard to get into?

Well, donghua isn't like most anime. Rember I said there's an IQ checkpoint?

You can only upgrade it by educating yourself. Whether it be simply reading more light novels and manhua becoming more accustomed to Chinese culture which is entirely different from Japan, playing Chinese RPGs, or watching wuxia or xianxia C-dramas, you need to do something. Otherwise, if you don't, you won't understand a single thing that's happening. Even if you are acquainted with all these things there's still a chance you still may not understand the plot.

Just like with anime the more donghua you watch the more things you know without even a need for explanation, your brain will jump to more logical conclusions yourselves. Habitual anime watchers should be able to understand this too right? When in anime certain things aren't explained but you're still able to pick up on it because of IQ. You can watch it with friends but when they don't understand anything it's slightly frustrating and disappointing but you can't get mad because you know.

It was like that with this new donghua I stumbled upon called "Link Click." A donghua that isn't saturated in wuxia/xianxia fantasy or rpg like theme. It's something new and original, so it's not hard to immerse yourself.

The first episode made sense to me when watched carefully alone, it was only after watching it with my Mother and realizing she didn't understand what was happening that I became conscious of the fact the episode itself didn't explain much, it showed it.

Just like in a novel. Aside from that once you piece two and two together, it's smooth sailing in understanding from there... For you, I hope.

What is Link Click?

Link Click a.k.a Shiguang Dailiren was a donghua that came out this year, April 30th. There's been a recent rise in quality with Chinese animation, and I've been watching some recently, this show was the last straw for me. It's only after finishing this that I felt hard-pressed to share this with the world. It's time ladies and gents to stop sleeping on donghua!

(Because if this show doesn't get a lot of love and doesn't come out with multiple seasons, Imma be pissed. Scuse me for the slang.)

Link Click is a story about time travel. I know, I remember the first time I heard that I also was like -"Okay, meh, NEXT!" Which, is sadly, why I am so late to the party only finally watching it now in December.

Why should you watch it? Well, if hot asian guys, girls, and mouth-watering tea( = drama, mystery, and suspense) aren't enough for you, then, don't watch. (r. r ) It's okay. I am not good at begging nor convincing, I can only explain. This donghua is beautiful, frankly, I think it deserves an award. Please watch it.

Moving on.

More specifically Link Click is a story centered on the lives of three characters. Qiao Ling, Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi.

Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi are two hot guys who knew each other from college, after graduating they opened up a store that develops old films. Both boys were born with special abilities. At their store, they have a secret service this show only focuses on.

Qiao Ling is Cheng Xiaoshi's childhood friend, the granddaughter of the landlord, she's the middleman of their secret service, connecting them to clients. Admires Lu Guang. Though I wonder, if she never met Lu Guang would she eventually develop romantic feelings for Cheng Xiaoshi? Hmmm. Moving on.

Lu Guang, the deuteragonist of this show is a cool and quiet marshmallow of a soul who although seeming expressionless is in no way indifferent, he just puts his own feelings to the side for the greater good. Lu Guang has the ability to see the past within photos for twelve hours. He also manages the film store's front and finances.

Then there's Cheng Xiaoshi, the brunette, and the protagonist, an innocent and cheerful little bean who upon first impression, doesn't seem all that smart but he goes out and surprises you multiple times. He's the one who actually has the photography skills and is left in charge of developing films. Power-wise he has the ability to enter a photo through the eyes of the person that took it, temporarily possessing them and being able to live, speak, eat and sleep as them.

When these two powers are combined, Cheng Xiaoshi can do so for twelve hours, and Lu Guang can see through his eyes, investigating and navigating Xiaoshi through the past using Lu Guang as a medium.

Since it is the past, Cheng Xiaoshi must listen to Lu Guang and do everything the person originally did, otherwise, it may end up changing the future forever.

This isn't a trailer just the opening. Thanks for reading!