Lord of the Mysteries Episode 1 & 2 Review: China’s Answer to Anime?
There’s a new animated series on the block that people are hyping up as if it’s the reincarnation of Attack on Titan. They claim it has the best story, better world-building than One Piece, and a more complex power system than Jujutsu Kaisen — even than Hunter x Hunter.
So naturally, expectations are sky-high for Lord of the Mysteries.
I sat down to watch the first two episodes of this much-anticipated series… and honestly? I was left both impressed and confused.
Let me walk you through my experience, explain the basics so you don’t get lost in the gray fog, and share my thoughts on whether this might really be the next big thing.
What is Lord of the Mysteries?
For those who’ve never heard of it, Lord of the Mysteries is a mystery, supernatural, and fantasy donghua — which means it’s a Chinese animated series.
You can think of donghua as China’s equivalent to anime, and believe me, the quality here is absolutely at that level, maybe even higher in some places.
The series is adapted from a popular web novel written by an author who goes by the quirky name: Cuttlefish That Loves Diving. As strange as that name sounds, the story itself is incredibly grand, complex, and unique.
It’s hard to classify this series under just one genre. Apart from mystery, supernatural, and fantasy, it also includes:
- Action
- Psychological drama
- Occult & horror elements
- And yes — it’s also an isekai (a genre where the protagonist is transported into another world).
What Makes This Isekai Different?
Anime is already overflowing with isekai. Every season brings new ones — some good (Re:Zero, Mushoku Tensei), some silly (Reincarnated as a Slime, or even as a Vending Machine*).
Thankfully, the protagonist here is not reincarnated as a weird object. Instead, he wakes up in another world as a man named Klein Moretti, in a place called the Loen Kingdom.
Before coming here, Klein lived in what seems to be a normal world (like ours). He was performing a bizarre ritual when suddenly, he found himself in this strange world.
When he tries to go back, he ends up trapped in something called the Gray Fog, which only raises more questions:
- Why did the original owner of his body shoot himself?
- What’s with the cryptic diary entry: “Everyone will die, including me”?
- Why is his sister studying at Backlund University?
- What even is this world?
These questions are what drive the story forward — and it’s fascinating to watch him try to figure it all out.
The World & Power System of Lord of the Mysteries
Soon, Klein discovers the existence of Beyonders — individuals with supernatural powers, somewhat like wizards or jujutsu sorcerers.
Here’s where it gets complex:
- There are 22 Pathways to becoming a Beyonder.
- Each pathway has 9 sequences (levels), unlocked by drinking special potions.
- As you ascend the sequences, you gain stronger abilities — eventually becoming godlike.
- This path to godhood is called the Path of the Divine.
The world also features actual gods — such as:
- The Lord of Storms
- Mother Earth
- God of Knowledge and Wisdom
- God of Steam and Machinery
It’s a rich, detailed power system — arguably as intricate as One Piece’s devil fruits or Nen in Hunter x Hunter — and can feel overwhelming at first.
Visuals & Animation Quality
Now let’s talk about the animation.
China, you didn’t have to go that hard — but you did.
In just the first two episodes, the studio has already delivered stunning visuals that blend 3D CGI with 2D animation seamlessly.
The environments are gorgeous. The action scenes? Absolutely insane — even if you don’t fully understand what’s happening, you can’t help but be impressed by how crazy and fluid it looks.
In fact, the studio even claims that these first two episodes were their worst quality — because they were animated early in production.
If that’s true, and the quality improves from here, we’re in for a visual treat.
Pacing & Storytelling
Here’s where some viewers might struggle: the pacing.
Fans of the web novel say the anime is moving very fast — cramming a lot of information into each episode.
As a result, newcomers might find it hard to follow everything. It throws a lot of exposition at you, which can feel overwhelming or even boring to some, especially since the protagonist hasn’t yet developed a clear motivation.
If you’re used to fast-paced stories like Re:Zero, where Subaru is thrown into high-stakes scenarios right away, this might feel slow in comparison.
But remember — Lord of the Mysteries is a mystery at heart. The story takes its time, letting you soak in the world, the lore, and the many unanswered questions. The payoff comes later.
Why This Feels Special
Despite its slower pace, Lord of the Mysteries stands out because:
/ Its unique Victorian/Industrial Age setting (instead of the typical medieval fantasy).
/ A highly detailed, rich power system.
/ A genuinely intriguing mystery driving the plot.
/ Top-tier animation from a Chinese studio showing Japan-level quality.
Many fans are already calling it “the One Piece of China” — which speaks volumes about the confidence in its world-building and storytelling.
On top of that, the franchise is expanding with other adaptations, like an audiobook and a potential video game.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Watching?
Yes — but with some caveats.
If you’re looking for something fast, simple, and easy to digest, this might not be for you.
But if you enjoy deep lore, rich world-building, and a unique take on isekai, then this is absolutely worth your time.
We’ve seen countless isekai with generic settings, magic systems, and characters.
Lord of the Mysteries dares to be different — and it succeeds in creating a world that’s both fascinating and intimidating at the same time.
For now, just keep watching, take your time, and let the story unfold.
And to all the overly-excited fans out there? Please chill a little — let the rest of us catch up before declaring it the greatest of all time.
What Did You Think?
Have you watched the first two episodes of Lord of the Mysteries? Were you blown away? Confused? Both?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below — and if you want me to create a beginner-friendly guide to the pathways, sequences, and gods, just say the word!
Until then — enjoy the gray fog and stay mysterious.
Tags:
#LordOfTheMysteries #AnimeReview #Donghua #Isekai #ChineseAnimation
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