Bai Yao Pu 4th Season

TL;DR: The donghua version of Mushishi.

First, I was simply curious, because it was a chinese anime with a very promising cover and a somewhat interesting plot description. I expected to lose interest in it after the first few episodes. But then I just kept watching... And now, 4 days later, I can't wait to see the next episode. This is truly something amazing. A hiden gem, that I can only compare to Mushishi.

I've been thinking for a while, how to describe this donghua, because I honestly think, that more people should check it out. However, I think this one will fall into the underrated and ... unapprechiated pile, like most of the great ones, that will only get recognised many years later.

Story structure:
The first season was pretty much just random short stories in 2 episode formats, where we learned about the main characters and we got a taste of what this donghua are planning to offer. It has a rather unusual way of telling stories in my opinion. Almost all of the stories start out with a chaotic setup, which could make viewers think, that these are poorly writen stories. However, by the end of each episode we learn about the truth of the conflict and it always bring out a very emotional reveal. For me personally, this was a very refreshing experience, because it really felt like a reward for being patient and letting the story play it self out. Unlike in most anime nowadays, where we get bombarded with strong emotinal impulses, just to keep us glued to them. Once you get used to the format, you'll sit the stories trough knowing, that something amazing will await you at the end.

Over the following seasons, this donghua begin refining itself and telling longer and more complex stories, which made the previously shorter experiences even better.

Characters:
The main cast is interesting. At first glance they're all very flawed and seemingly unlikable characters who can't even stand eachother. However, as we see them working their way though their various encounters, we learn through their actions, that there's a lot more complexity involved with them. It is very refreshing in this environment, where most characters are trying to up eachother by being the most perfect being, with some random flaw thrown in. Or the ones, that are literary just an expected stereotype.

The most beloved characters always flawed in many ways, and their journey of overcoming these flaws make them unforgetable.

Side characters:
The side characters are the ones, who carry show, just like in Mushishi. Their problems and strugles keep things interesting. Luckily these characters rarely predictable, like in most anime, were most people can guess everything about them in about 5 minutes. I really apprechiete the fact, that some of these characters are dealing with serious, very relatable problems and in many cases, their conclusion at the end is almost enlightening. However, be warned not all conclusions are happy endings, but just.

The world:
The donghua takes place in a historical fantasy setting with a little bit of fantasy to make it interesting any mysterios. There's a bigger over arching plot involving this fantasy aspect, that we slowly learn about, but we're only getting tiny bits of information drops about it. I really enjoy watching it, because it feels very real. There are multiple instances, where we get a grim reminder of the reality of ceratin things in life. No ones perfect, everyone get their fair share of happines and sorrow. Some more, than the others.

Conclusion:
The overall idea is the same as in Mushishi. A traveling doctor healing/helping patients. But here, the story structure evolved from a single episode formats and it's trying to reinvent itself in every season to do better, than last time. The main cast also have a much bigger impact, unlike in Mushishi, where he was mostly just a semi-active participant in the stories. On the surface, Mushishi appears to be a much darker themed story, I think this donghua penetrate deeper, with it's emotionally charged revelations. The main casts unsually goofy antics probably play into this too, by making you forgot, how episodes usually end.

I'm still new to writing these, but I really hope, that my review will make you give this donghua a chance and will bring as much joy into your anime watching life as it did to my.