calamariexpert

I like the TV drama. It'll draw more fans to the author's Douluo novel series, anime, manhua and other words. If investors are watching, maybe they'll make more of these kinds of stories. I tried the first few anime episodes, but the unemotional CG faces and women's clothing were kind of off-putting, I may try again later. The novel is good, but there are a few unnecessary comments about the 6- and 12-year-old girls' bodies. Hopefully the novel gets better. Thanks for recommending the anime.

Ep. 29 - I really like the comedic aspects of Ning Rong's family - her bullying the Sword Titled Doulou, and then counting the levels on her pagoda while her dad is lecturing - well timed comedy and well filmed. Most dramas start to feel boring and claustrophobic after 20 episodes with the same characters, but I find Douluo Continent gets more interesting, as each episode introduces more and more powerful, interesting characters with their own backstories. I would like it if there were more older female characters (almost all of the newer, more powerful characters are men aged 30-70 and I'm starting to have trouble telling them all apart), but I guess that's just the way the book is written (I haven't read the book). The Headmaster and Sword Douluo's humourous expressions are funny.

Oh, okay. From the drama, I thought Tang San's dad was cold/taciturn and drank a lot in the evenings = cranky, but secretly caring for him. I liked in the novel, how his dad beat up teacher Zhao Wujing secretly after Zhao Wujing had beat up Tang San earlier in the day during his admission test.

Right, the taboos don't apply here. I tried to watch this with my little kids and they were grossed out at how people can refer to each other as siblings and then develop crushes on each other. It took me a long time to try and explain to them that the words in English mean something different in the drama, and the leads are not related at all...

Watching Tang San banter with Poison Douluo ("Aren't you afraid of me?" "Why would I be afraid of you?" "Because I'm Poison Douluo." "But I'm immune to poisons." Ha.), makes me realize Tang San has had years and years of experience buttering up cranky old powerful Titled Douluo....starting with his own dad.

While I greatly enjoy the drama, it's hilarious that they have these top secret conversations in the middle of busy streets, in front of big open windows, and right next to a troop of royal guards (ep. 25, where they're talking about the Tian Dou top secret Titled Doulou...). I guess it adds to the visual scenic background when they have these deep secret talks.

Tang San and Xiao Wu call each other brother-sister but develop romantic interests in each other. This is weird. Because in real modern life, having romantic feelings towards a full-blooded, half-blooded, step, adopted, or foster sibling is generally taboo.

But I think it’s important to note that in ancient chinese dramas, very close male-female friendships are named differently - they are also called brother-sister relationships, even if there is no blood relation, or they weren’t brought up together. In sects, they call each other disciple brother-sister, even if they join as adults. In large extended families, distant relatives (with no blood relationship) can be called brother-sister. Adults can become honorary brother-sister (just think of the two dads in Legend of Condor Heroes bowing together to become brothers for life). In little kids, they can call each other big brother, little sister, as a matter of courtesy. (It’s kind of like how korean dramas have girls calling older boys “oppa”?)

So to me, Tang San and Xiao Wu are more like little kid best friends. And in real life, develping romantic feelings towards your best friend isn’t that unusual (especially if she is a super cute, kind, fierce, loyal bunny girl, or he is a super kind, valiant, loyal blacksmith)….

I'm really enjoying this. I'm at ep. 25. I love reading fantasy chinese novels (translated), but sometimes the corresponding dramas have annoying characters/whiny dubbing/bad CG/poor introduction to complicated worlds/poor plot line. I haven't tried to read this novel yet. This drama has it all so far. I like that the first few episodes show the male lead's humble background and introduction to this magical world. The actors/actresses are all good, the music and visuals are well done, the special effects/CG are excellent (for a drama), and the plot gets better and better. Each of the 7 Shrek Devils has an interesting background/story that is slowly unravelled, I can actually tell them all apart, and the male lead's noble idiocy/selflessness/standing up for everyone attitude is actually shown in a wholesome, inspiring way. I couldn't get into other cultivation novel drama adaptations like Battle Through The Heavens, Fighter Of Destiny, etc. (I haven't tried to read those novels yet either), but this drama is really good for me. I really like the character development of the 7 Shrek Devils. Oh, and the alpacas were so, so cute.