In 2021, the Chinese danmei novel “Liu Yao: The Revitalization of Fuyao Sect” by Priest captured the hearts of fans with its captivating storyline, complex characters, and intricate plot. The novel’s immense popularity led to an exciting announcement—a donghua (anime) adaptation by Studio GARDEN through the production of MangoTV. Fans were thrilled at the prospect of seeing their beloved characters come to life on screen.
However, since the initial announcement in 2021, there has been a deafening silence surrounding the donghua adaptation. No updates, no trailers, no release dates—just an eerie silence that has left fans wondering if the project has been canceled.
Factors that Could Have Led to Cancellation
The lack of information surrounding the donghua has fueled speculation about the project’s fate. Several factors could have contributed to its potential cancellation:
- Financial Difficulties: Animating a full-fledged anime series is a costly endeavor. It is possible that MangoTV faced financial constraints that made it difficult to continue production.
- Production Issues: Unforeseen production issues, such as delays in animation or scriptwriting, could have hindered the project’s progress and ultimately led to its cancellation.
- Shift in Priorities: Changes in management or a shift in priorities at MangoTV could have resulted in the project being dropped in favor of other endeavors.
- Censorship: This could have been the most possible truth in this, if Liu Yao truly got canceled, it is probably the strict censorship from the Chinese government recently on media productions that concern sensitive topics such as homosexuality as Liu Yao as a story is a danmei.
Novel Overview and Donghua Announcement
“Liu Yao: The Revitalization of Fuyao Sect” follows the journey of four mischievous characters. Liu Yao is a cultivation story about how a declining sect is restored by a narcissist, a troublemaker, a meanie, an idiot, and a wimpy kid.
In 2021, the announcement of the donghua adaptation sent shockwaves through the danmei community. Studio GARDEN, known for its high-quality animation on Dragon Raja and the later seasons of Fox Spirit Matchmaker, was set to bring the novel’s characters to life, and fans eagerly anticipated the adaptation’s release.
Lingering Hopes and Questions Liu Yao Anime
Despite the lack of updates, some fans remain hopeful that the donghua adaptation is simply delayed and will eventually come to fruition. However, the prolonged silence from MangoTV has left many feeling disheartened and uncertain about the project’s future.
The potential cancellation of the donghua adaptation is a significant loss for the danmei community. It represents a missed opportunity to bring a beloved novel to a wider audience and further solidify the genre’s growing popularity.
Only time will tell whether the donghua adaptation of “Liu Yao: The Revitalization of Fuyao Sect” will emerge from the shadows or remain a bittersweet reminder of an unrealized dream. For now, fans can only hold onto their hopes and continue to cherish the novel that has captivated their imaginations.
