Yaoguai Mingdan

Yaoguai Mingdan, or The Monster List, originated as a popular web manhua series serialized on the Tencent Animation & Comics platform before being adapted into an ONA series. Produced by Tencent and directed by Dong Yi, the animation was designed to bridge the gap between traditional Chinese folklore and the fast-paced, humor-infused storytelling characteristic of contemporary domestic web animation. The production sought to appeal to a younger demographic by blending romantic comedy elements with supernatural action sequences, set against a backdrop of modern campus life.

The series received a generally positive reception for its vibrant character designs and its willingness to explore themes of reincarnation and historical interconnectedness. By drawing heavily on Chinese mythology—specifically the interplay between humans, fox spirits, and deities—the animators aimed to establish a distinct aesthetic identity within the saturated Chinese streaming market. While the animation style was occasionally noted for its simplicity, the show became a benchmark for how Tencent successfully transitioned successful static digital literature into serialized motion media.