Top Anime Series Directors in Mainland China (2025)

Based on industry recognition, market performance, and creative innovation, China’s most influential anime directors can be categorized as follows:

1. Legendary Directors (Industry Pioneers)

Li Haoling (Bilibili · Haoliners Animation)

Notable Works: Link Click, Heaven Official’s Blessing, To Be Hero

Style: Master of emotional storytelling and suspense, blending international aesthetics with local narratives.

Liu Kuo (Sparkly Key Animation)

Notable Works: The Legend of Hei series

Style: Pioneer of adult-oriented wuxia animation, driving industrialization in 3D animation.

Shen Leping (Xuan Yi Entertainment)

Notable Works: The Legend of Qin, Swallowed Star

Style: Long-term IP strategist, merging history with fantasy, setting visual quality benchmarks.

Xiong Ke (SJM Pictures)

Notable Works: The Founder of Diabolism, Space-Time Rift

Style: Leader in anime-style BL adaptations, with cinematic storyboarding.

1. Veteran Directors (Industry Pillars)

Chen Shengyao (Zhong Ying Nian Nian)

Notable Works: Young Brewmaster’s Adventure, Thirty-Six Cavalry

Style: Top-tier 3D action choreography, specializing in shounen battle series.

Dong Yi (Bilibili · Haoliners Animation)

Notable Works: Demon Girl, Addicted to Lying

Style: Expert in fantasy world-building and supernatural themes.

Wang Xin (Luo Shui Hua Yuan)

Notable Works: Fox Spirit Matchmaker, Love Between Fairy and Devil

Style: Blends xianxia with light comedy, creating vibrant characters.

Wei Qi (V7)

Notable Works: Swordstorm, Super God

Style: Innovator in sci-fi military anime, known for intense combat sequences.

III. Rising Directors (Innovative Forces)

Huai Jiajia (Nice Boat Animation)

Notable Works: White Cat Legend

Style: Historical detective stories with dark humor, meticulous art detail.

Wei Tianxing (Firebird Animation)

Notable Works: My Heroic Husband, Fairy Planting Manual

Style: Fast-paced urban fantasy, setting standards for web novel adaptations.

Xue Jinsheng

Notable Works: Song of the Broadsword

Style: Martial arts choreography master, combining ink-wash aesthetics with violent beauty.

Yu Tian (ASK Animation)

Notable Works: The Last Summoner

Style: Japanese-style cinematography with Chinese themes, targeting Gen Z audiences.

1. Industry Trends & Challenges

Director-Centric Production: By 2025, studios increasingly build brands around directors (e.g., Liu Kuo, Li Haoling).

Tech Evolution: UE5 adoption (e.g., Ling Cage team), AI-assisted production lowering entry barriers.

Genre Diversification: Shift from fantasy dominance to sci-fi (The Three-Body Problem), crime (The Silent Reader).