Summary
Donghua has grown significantly in recent years and has gainedrecognition for its stunning visualsand storytelling. While it has secured a solid place in the animation industry, there is still room for growth in the horror genre. That said, the horror donghua that do exist are very different and remarkably inventive. They usually draw inspiration from Chinese myths, supernatural elements, and traditional martial arts to come up with some very unique premises.
It’s worth noting, however, that many of these donghua don’t fit the conventional idea of ‘horror’ — the kind that relies on jumpscares or spine-tingling suspense. Instead, they often lean toward a slower, more atmospheric style of horror that prioritizes character development and a deeply engaging narrative over sheer shock value — which isn’t bad, but also not everyone’s cup of tea. They redefine horror in a way that’s uniquely their own.
2023
Other Genres
Mystery, Thriller
X&Y,also calledAiyou de Mishi, is amystery thriller donghuawith vibes that fit the horror genre. While not explicitly horror in the exact definition of the term, the complete illusion of safety in regards to how quickly things progress in the show is pretty on theme with horror.
The series follows two office workers who unexpectedly find themselves in an escape room in the middle of a very heavy downpour. They decide to give the room a go to dawdle around until the bad weather passes but find themselves way too deeply immersed in the puzzle. The game’s puzzles are supposedly based on glimpses of the owner’s life, and the two men leave the room highly impacted by it. So much so that they start seeing actual images of the experience and can’t seem to now differentiate between real life and an escape room.
2021
Supernatural, Adventure
The Buried Tree Devilis an adventure-horror donghua based on the very famous Chinese novel series called TheGrave Robbers' Chronicles. The donghua slightly spins off from the original story and introduces a different plotline to it. The novel, and by extension, the animation, follows a group of tomb raiders who unexpectedly come across divine objects with unfathomable powers during their adventures.
The Buried Tree Devilfollows the main character of the entire franchise, Wu Xie, as he embarks on a very dangerous tomb-raiding mission with his other tomb-raider friend, Lao Yang. The two are not novices in the business and have actually faced consequences for their actions — Lao Yang was recently released from prison because of another grave-robbing adventure these two had 3 years ago. This time, Lao Yang convinces Wu Xie to visit those relics once again — although this time, he clearly has an ulterior motive.
2018
Post-Apocalyptic, BL
Dawn of the Worldis a BLhorror post-apocalyptic donghuaset against the backdrop of a zombie outbreak. The story revolves around two friends from completely different backgrounds who share some eerily coincidental similarities as they struggle to survive together. What sets Dawn of the World apart from other generic zombie-themed narratives is its relatively realistic portrayal of a hypothetical outbreak.
The zombies in this show aren’t invincible creatures with superhuman hearing or unnatural agility that defy logic. Instead, they’re exactly what zombies are meant to be — slow, weak, and non-intellectual. This grounded approach makes survival feel more authentic. Adding to that, the dynamic between the two main characters, along with the overarching theme of ‘survival is only possible if you depend on each other,’ makes this particular horror story far more heartfelt than most.
2016
Mystery, Supernatural
Junji Ito fans with a taste foratmospheric and surreal horrorwill findQui Shui Yi Yunright up their alley. The show is a 12-episode series that keeps things concise with 10-minute episodes, but every minute is worth it. It’s like a creepypasta brought to life and stands out as the only purely horror show on this list.
The story centers around a small town that seems perfectly ordinary at first glance — quiet homes, friendly residents, and an unassuming landscape. But appearances can be deceiving, and this town hides a sinister past. This town is built on the ruins of an infamous haunted villa that had to be demolished. And while everything looks peachy on the surface, the villa’s destructive history has fully seeped into every corner, causing the most unordinary things to happen all over the place.
2015
Action, Comedy
Zombie Brotheris a satirical horror comedy about apost-apocalyptic zombie outbreak—though not in the typical sense. Sure, the virus epidemic and people getting infected are pretty on par with other zombie stories, but the complete unpredictability of this particular series definitely gives it an edge.
The satirical aspect of the show comes from its constant poking at modern society — so, in essence, it could be looked at as a commentary on the state of the world. The story follows the main character’s desperate journey to reunite with his girlfriend after a zombie virus spreads through his city. The virus, which infects anyone who drinks contaminated water, quickly turns the population into mindless creatures. The show is a mix of comedy, horror, slice-of-life, and action, Zombie Brother doesn’t take itself too seriously — and that’s exactly what makes it work so well.
2013
Action, Comedy, Psychological
Order Designeris a “reverse isekai” donghua that flips the script by bringing an entire realm into the real world instead of transporting a character to another. Itfollows gaming themesand has a mix of parody and horror elements in it — making it a very fun, albeit confusing, experience.
The story follows Ye Yinyi, a game designer who has been obsessively working on his mobile game, Ghost. The game, built around criminals, superpowers, and complex objectives, has consumed so much of his time and energy that he’s neglected his personal and social life. Things take a bizarre turn when news breaks of a woman being attacked by a mysterious monster. To his shock, the monster is a perfect replica of the one he created for his game. He realizes his reality is starting to mysteriously collide with the designs he worked so hard to produce.
2019
Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Ling Cageis ahorror sci-fi donghuathat channels the visual and atmospheric cues of something straight out of anAlien: Isolation-like game. It selves into the bleak aftermath of a catastrophic event that depletes Earth’s resources, leaving humanity with no place to call home.
Naturally, this raises the stakes so high that humans — being the creatures that they are — begin to completely lose sight of their humanity. They start focusing solely on survival and board massive ships that function as corporate-run time prisons, where endless work replaces any semblance of life or individuality. Over time, these oppressive customs become the norm — so much so that people lose even their names, reduced to being identified only by worker numbers. However, everything begins to shift when a group of humans is sent back to explore the remains of their ravaged world.
