Michelle Topham 
Thousand Autumns (aka Shanhe Jian Xin or 千秋) is a Chinese donghua (animated series) adapted from the hit danmei novel of the same name written by Meng Xi Shi.
The Boys’ Love story is set in a fictional historical and martial arts (wuxia) world, and combines political intrigue, intense martial arts battles, and a complex relationship between the two main characters to create an incredibly fun and satisfying watch.
The novel series is known for its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and superb world-building.
Its donghua adaptation does a brilliant job of bringing that novel’s vivid characters, dramatic storyline and fascinating world to life in animated form, as it stays true to the source material while appealing to both fans of the original novel and newcomers.
The Thousand Autumns donghua has also gained popularity for its stunning visuals, compelling narrative, and the fascinating relationship between it two main characters — Shen Qiao and Yan Wushi.
But what is the Thousand Autumns plot?
The plot of the Thousand Autumns donghua
The story revolves around protagonist Shen Qiao, a kind-hearted, virtuous and quite naive Daoist priest from the Xuandu Mountain sect, who is betrayed and left severely injured after his sect is destroyed.
After falling off a cliff at the end of a suspicious martial arts battle, he is rescued by Yan Wushi, the cunning and ambitious leader of the demonic Huanyue Sect.
Wushi, for reasons only known to himself, decides to take care of Shen Qiao until he recovers from his life-threatening injuries.
Throughout his recovery, and despite their hugely different personalities and moral outlooks, the two end up forming a complicated relationship as Shen Qiao navigates the treacherous world of martial arts sects and political power struggles, and tries to find out who wanted him dead and why.
While Thousand Autumns mainly follows Shen Qiao’s journey of resilience and growth as he faces betrayal, manipulation, and the harsh realities of the martial arts world, we also see Yan Wushi begin to change.
Initially intrigued by Shen Qiao’s purity and strength of character, although also annoyed by it, the arrogant and emotionless leader of the Huanyue Sect finds himself becomes increasingly drawn to him.
This leads to a dynamic interplay of trust, conflict and, eventually, mutual respect and affection between the two.
While, of course, not featuring every detail of the Thousand Autumns novel series, the first season of the donghua does a beautiful job in beginning the telling of its story.
A second season of the Chinese anime was also said to be in production but, four years now since its first season ended, and we seem to be no nearer to seeing it released.
Some of which, of course, has to do with the Chinese government’s current crackdown on anything to do with Boys’ Love. Boo.
The themes of Thousand Autumns
While telling a quite beautiful story of love between two men the Thousand Autumns donghua, and the book it originates from, also explores the complex themes of morality, power, loyalty, and the contrast between idealism and pragmatism.
Especially when Shen Qiao begins to realize his own version of morality and his idealism were almost as much to blame for his betrayal as the person who did the betraying, (well, sort of!).
And that if he had been a little more pragmatic, like Yan Wushi, things may not have ended so poorly for him.
Along with these themes, the donghua also delves into the complexities of human relationships, and the struggle to maintain one’s principles in a world filled with corruption and driving ambition.
Even if the principles, in the case of Yan Wushi’s, aren’t particularly admirable to start with.
If this tale of Boys’ Love sounds like something you would enjoy (and, believe me, if you like a good BL story with characters as complex and interesting as those in Heaven Officials’ Blessing, you will adore this one), you can currently watch all 16 episodes of the first season of Thousand Autumns, Season 1 via WeTV for free.
Meanwhile, Seven Seas Entertainment publishes all five volumes of the danmei series in English if you also enjoy a great read.
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