A new Chinese anime (Sou Shen Ji) is on the horizon, and it’s time to take a closer look at what might be one of the interesting fantasy releases of the upcoming year. The series is “Sou Shen Ji” (搜神记), also known as “In The Search of God”. A new trailer and poster have surfaced, giving us a solid glimpse into a world filled with ancient myths, powerful deities, and epic battles.
The donghua is scheduled for release in 2025 and will be available on iQIYI. Let’s break down what we know so far about this upcoming title from the animation studio CG Year (Zhong Ying Nian Nian), the same team behind the popular series The Great Journey of Teenagers (Shao Nian Ge Xing).
What is Sou Shen Ji About?
Sou Shen Ji is adapted from the web novel of the same name by author Shu Xia Ye Hu (树下野狐). The story is set in a primordial era, a time of turmoil and chaos where heroes and ancient gods walked the earth. The plot follows the journey of a young man named Tuoba Ye. Through a twist of fate, he becomes the heir to the immense power of Emperor Shennong, one of the legendary sage-emperors of ancient China.
This inheritance throws him into a world of conflict and adventure. As he navigates this dangerous landscape, Tuoba Ye must learn to control his newfound abilities while contending with powerful forces, from rival clans to mythical beasts. The narrative is deeply rooted in Chinese mythology, drawing from classic texts and legends to create a rich and expansive fantasy world. If you are a fan of series like Against the Gods, you will likely find the themes in Sou Shen Ji familiar and engaging.
Trailer Breakdown and Analysis
The official trailer, which runs for about a minute and forty-five seconds, is packed with action and intriguing visuals that set the tone for the series. Here’s a closer look at some of the key moments.
(00:16) The trailer immediately throws us into the action with a series of dynamic combat sequences. We see various characters engaged in high-speed battles, giving a sense of the fluid animation style. A notable shot features a massive winged creature that appears to be breathing ice, hinting at the scale of the mythical beasts we can expect to see in the series.
(00:26) The use of magical abilities is on full display here. Characters are shown wielding what looks like elemental powers and energy blasts. This is typical for the cultivation and fantasy genre, and the effects look polished and impactful. It seems the power system will be a core component of the visual storytelling.
(00:32) The trailer shifts to more story-focused moments with some intense dialogue. While the specifics are in Mandarin, the tone suggests serious conflicts and high stakes. Characters are seen discussing events related to “Holy Tower City” and “Chaoyang Valley.”
(00:51) One of the standout creatures in the trailer is the “Blue-winged Sea Dragon Beast,” a massive and imposing dragon that is a central point of conflict in the dialogue. The design is intricate and showcases the studio’s capability in creating detailed and fearsome monsters, something that fans of fantasy donghua like Lord of Mysteries will appreciate.
(01:16) We get a glimpse of a character levitating, surrounded by glowing green energy. This classic imagery from cultivation stories often signifies a breakthrough or the use of a powerful technique.
(01:27) The trailer ramps up again with more fast-paced fighting. The choreography appears to be a mix of martial arts and supernatural abilities, which is a hallmark of many successful action donghua. For those who enjoyed the action in The Blade Master, this looks promising.
(01:38) In a visually impressive sequence, a character creates multiple projections of themselves to attack an enemy. It’s a classic move that again points to a well-developed and visually exciting power system.
The trailer concludes at (01:45) with the official title card for “Sou Shen Ji” (搜神记), leaving a strong impression of an action-packed fantasy adventure.
The Studio Behind the Magic: CG Year
The animation is being handled by CG Year (中影年年), a studio that has already made a name for itself in the donghua industry. Their most notable work includes The Great Journey of Teenagers (Shao Nian Ge Xing) and The Young Brewmaster’s Adventure (Shao Nian Bai Ma Zui Chun Feng). They also worked on The Land of Miracles (Shen Lan Qi Yu Wu Shuang Zhu) and Carp Reborn (Yuan Long).
Their involvement is a good sign for Sou Shen Ji. CG Year is known for its high-quality 3D animation, fluid action sequences, and faithful adaptations of novel source materials. Given their track record, we can expect a visually stunning series that does justice to the epic scale of the story. The studio seems to be handling several big projects, including the much-anticipated The Great Ruler Season 2.
What to Expect from This Donghua
Based on the trailer and the information available, Sou Shen Ji is shaping up to be a classic fantasy and cultivation donghua. It has all the elements that fans of the genre look for: a young protagonist with immense potential, a rich world based on mythology, powerful allies and enemies, and plenty of epic battles.
The story’s connection to Emperor Shennong adds a unique mythological layer that could set it apart from other series. Rather than just a generic power fantasy, the narrative is tied to one of the most significant figures in Chinese folklore, known for his contributions to agriculture and medicine. This could lead to some interesting plot developments and world-building.
For now, Sou Shen Ji is definitely a donghua to keep on your radar for 2025. It promises to deliver the high-octane action and grand-scale fantasy that has made Chinese animation increasingly popular worldwide. We will be keeping a close eye on any new announcements, including a specific release date and episode count, and will provide updates as they become available.
