February 2026 Donghua Rankings Released: “Xian Ni” Dominates with a Landslide Victory; “Fan Ren” Holds Strong Despite Hiatus

The monthly rankings in the world of Chinese animation (donghua) are never without drama. With the release of the viewership rankings for February 2026, another tale of throne changes and the cycle of the old making way for the new has unfolded. This time, the long-reigning champions have temporarily stepped aside for a new king, who has claimed the top spot with a dominant lead. This not only reshuffles the deck but also reflects the profound shifts in current audience aesthetics.

New King Crowned: “Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality” (Xian Ni) Tops with Nearly 70 Million Views

February 2026 witnessed the rise of a commanding new ruler in the donghua market. “Xian Ni” (Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality) garnered nearly 70 million views over the past month, seizing the top spot with an overwhelming, dominant lead. This marks a triumphant “redemption,” shedding its long-held label as the “eternal runner-up.”

Xian Ni’s success is no accident. Recent episodes featured Wang Lin’s battle against the Fire Demon, triggering a chaotic battle involving millions of demon soldiers. The dense barrage of special effects, including fire dragons, demonic palms, and red lightning, left viewers exhilarated. Furthermore, the plot twist where Wang Lin summons an ancient demon to defend himself and uncovers Tian Yunzi’s true scheme perfectly combines high-octane excitement with narrative depth. It is this rhythmof “constant high energy and dense plot points” that has earned Xian Ni fervent market pursuit , establishing it as the new benchmark for the xianxia (cultivation fantasy) genre.

The “Big Three” Battle: “Sword of Coming” (Jian Lai) and “A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality” (Fan Ren) Close Behind, Competition Intensifies

Hot on the heels of the champion, the second and third-place titles, “Sword of Coming” (Jian Lai) and “A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality” (Fan Ren), remain unshakable pillars of the donghua world.

As the strongest dark horse of early 2026, “Jian Lai” Season 2 had previously topped the charts multiple times with iconic scenes like A Liang single-handedly charging into the Dali Imperial City or a single sword split opening the fake Yujing. It secured second place in February with 60.51 million views. However, as the storyline enters a more stable phase focused on philosophical discussions and slower-paced world-building during Chen Ping’an’s journey, viewership has naturally dipped from its peak, though its solid fanbase remains unshaken.

Most astonishing, however, is “A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality” (Fan Ren). Despite being on hiatus throughout February, it still amassed 41.88 million views, ranking third. Its total views across all platforms have officially surpassed 6.1 billion. The “long-tail effect” of fans repeatedly rewatching classic scenes like “Forming the Nascent Soul” testament to its national-level influence. Adding to the excitement, the official announcement on Valentine’s Day (Feb 14th) confirmed its return, with behind-the-scenes production diaries released weekly for 8 weeks. Details like Han Li’s character model being upgraded from 800,000 to 8 million polygons have fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming Boundary War arc.

Status of Veteran IPs: “Fights Break Sphere” (Doupo) Shows Fatigue, “Perfect World” Holds Steady

“Fights Break Sphere” (Dou Po Cang Qiong), once the pioneer of the donghua boom, secured fourth place with 39.06 million views in February. Some observers note that the series now seems to be消耗 (xiāohào – consuming) the patience and enthusiasm of its long-time viewers; weekly updates feel like a chore for some. The silver lining is the official confirmation that the series will conclude at the end of this year, offering a nostalgic farewell for fans who have accompanied it for years.

“Perfect World” (Wanmei Shijie) ranked fifth with 34.28 million views. The proud solitude and hot-blooded spirit of Shi Hao as he “stands alone against eternity” continue to attract its specific audience. However, some viewers report finding recent plots slightly confusing, affecting their viewing experience.

Diverse Tracks Compete: From Sci-Fi to Urban Fantasy, Donghua Blooms

Beyond the top tier, the middle and lower sections of the February chart also showcased vibrant diversity:

“Swallowed Star” (Tunshi Xingkong) (27.84 million views) landed in tenth place. The opening of the Domain Lord-level treasure and the birth of Luo Feng’s third avatar, with its metallic modeling and cosmic-scale special effects, led fans to joke, “Is there really no bottleneck for their modeling?”

“The Outcast” (Yi Ren Zhi Xia) Season 6 (29.57 million views) ranked ninth. Heavenly Master Zhang instantly killing several experts, combined with the ongoing mysteries of Ma Xianhong and Wu Gensheng, kept the urban fantasy suspense high.

“Shepherd God” (Mu Shen Ji) (31.92 million views) came eighth. The sheer sense of oppression from the ancient deity Tūbó’s appearance dwarfed many other donghua villains. With a Douban score of 8.9, it’s a critically acclaimed gem of recent years.

“The Great Ruler” (Da Zhu Zai) Yearly Season 2 (32.49 million views) ranked seventh. The dream crossover featuring Emperor Yan Xiao Yan and Martial Ancestor Lin Dong was hailed as one of the most fan-pleasing moves in donghua history.

“Douluo Dalu II: Peerless Tang Sect” (33.09 million views) placed sixth. The thrilling scene of Huo Yuhao using his Destruction Storm to blow up the enemy camp maintained the dignity of this veteran IP.

Audience Voices: Rankings vs. “Unforgettable” Favorites

Beyond the numbers, fan opinions add another layer. Some netizens expressed that their personal rankings would place “Spirit Cage” (Ling Long) first, “Jian Lai” second, and “Fan Ren” third, differing from the viewership chart. Others lamented the absence of “Outside the Time” (Guang Yin Zhi Wai), calling it a severely underrated masterpiece. One highly liked comment stated, “If you want to watch a truly high-quality series, you should follow the currently paused ‘Fan Ren’. It’s the eternal god of donghua.”

Conclusion

The donghua rankings for February 2026 represent a complete reshuffling of the deck. Xian Ni’s ascent proves the audience’s appetite for high-quality, fast-paced, and intensely satisfying cultivation content. Fan Ren’s top-three finish despite its hiatus demonstrates the powerful longevity of a strong IP. Jian Lai’s ups and downs highlights the challenge of balancing a slower, philosophical narrative with market rhythms.

From special effects and modeling to narrative depth, from IP adaptation to diverse innovation, donghua is steadily progressing towards industrialization and higher quality. A new king has arisen, yet the classics remain evergreen. What legends will the future of donghua world unfold? We wait and see.