When people stumble across clips of the massive fantasy hit The Untamed, confusion often follows. You see animated hair, stylized costuming, supernatural sword fights, and intense emotional bonds, which leads straight to the question: is it anime?
The short answer is no, The Untamed is not an anime. It's a live-action Chinese television series, specifically a dorama or Chinese television drama, adapted from a famous web novel.
Understanding What The Untamed Actually Is
To clear up the confusion right away, let's look at its origins. The Untamed is a 50-episode live-action adaptation of Mo Dao Zu Shi (also known as Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation), a web novel written by author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. The story belongs to the xianxia genre, which is a fantasy genre rooted deeply in Chinese mythology, Taoism, and martial arts traditions.
The plot follows Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, two cultivators from rival clans who cross paths while investigating a series of mysterious tragedies. After Wei Wuxian dies under tragic circumstances, he is resurrected sixteen years later. The narrative shifts between their past adventures and their present-day mission to unmask the true villain threatening the cultivation world.
Why do viewers mistake it for anime? The aesthetic overlap is strong. Modern Chinese fantasy dramas utilize elaborate visual effects, highly stylized flowing robes, dramatic framing, and heightened emotional stakes that mirror popular Japanese animation tropes. Furthermore, the source novel did receive a separate animated adaptation—known in Chinese animation as a donghua—which aired on Tencent Video. That animated version shares character designs and plot points with the live-action series, muddying the waters for casual viewers.
Where Can You Watch The Untamed
Finding reliable platforms to stream the series can be tricky because licensing rights vary by region. Several official platforms carry the complete series with subtitles.
Streaming on Rakuten Viki
For international audiences, Rakuten Viki is one of the most reliable places to watch the show. All 50 episodes are available with community-contributed subtitles in multiple languages, making it easy to follow the intricate plot.
Official YouTube Uploads
Tencent Video uploaded the entire series for free on the official YouTube Tencent Video channel. You can watch every episode with official English subtitles without needing a subscription, though you'll encounter standard platform ads.
Netflix Availability
Depending on your geographic location, parts of the series or the entire catalog may appear on Netflix. Availability shifts frequently due to regional licensing agreements, so it's best to search directly within your local app.
Key Differences Between Live-Action and Animation
If you're trying to figure out which version to consume first, understanding the medium differences helps set proper expectations.
- Pacing and Length: The live-action series spans 50 episodes, allowing for slow-burn character development and extensive political world-building. The animated donghua version is much shorter and packs the narrative into tighter, faster-paced seasons.
- Censorship and Adaptation: Because China enforces strict censorship guidelines regarding supernatural themes and romance, the live-action series adapted the original romantic subtext of the novel into a deeply profound platonic bond, known as a bromance. The animated version stays slightly closer to certain fantasy elements while navigating similar regulatory frameworks.
- Action Choreography: The live-action relies on wire-fu, martial arts choreography, and practical set pieces, whereas the animation uses fluid hand-drawn and CGI combat sequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read the book first?
No. While the novel contains extra lore and background details, the live-action series establishes its own rules, characters, and plot progression clearly enough for first-time viewers.
Is there a second season?
No. The Untamed was designed as a complete, self-contained 50-episode miniseries. The story wraps up entirely by the final episode, so don't expect a continuation.
What is the difference between xianxia and wuxia?
Wuxia stories focus on mortal martial artists operating under realistic physical constraints. Xianxia stories—like The Untamed—include fantasy elements, magic, cultivation of immortal powers, spirits, and deities.
Why is the show called The Untamed?
The title reflects the rebellious, free-spirited nature of the main protagonist, Wei Wuxian, who refuses to bow down to corrupt societal rules and rigid clan politics.
