Lord of the Mysteries

I'm reviewing this series as an absolute beginner to lotm, I just read a few chapters before starting the anime.

The thing I'd like to say first is that the animation style is just breathtaking in my opinion. Frankly I just stare at it with my mouth wide open.

The plot is being fast so far (first three episodes) so sometimes I am not following at all but I think it will progressively get better.

The characters are very unique and interesting in design so far but I think its a bit too early to comment on the writing of them because its just a few episodes and it can get better (and I believe it will).

The last thing I will comment on is the world building and the idea itself, I have never seen anything quite like it. And that itself is very worth watching the anime and keeps me going.

I haven't read the novel; this is just a review from someone who only watched the adaptation. The show gave me more than I expected-thrill, action, drama, and of course, mystery. It's not your typical isekai anime, but rather a world of complexity built in an outstanding way. There are dramatic and pivotal moments in the final episodes, and pure enjoyment throughout the entire series.

Of course, there might be flaws-some of which I don't agree with, like the excessive use of CGI, the Chinese language being considered bad, or that for those who read the novel, the pacing felt too fast. However, what I do agree with in terms of criticism is that the series is complicated at the beginning and requires the viewer to pay close attention.

Overall, the rating for this season (Season 1) is 9/10.

The animation is amazing; all of the character designs look lovely, and the plot is progressing beautifully. Of course, the story is amazing. The mix of the art style and story is nothing like you've ever seen before.

The soundtracks and sound effects are equally impressive, enhancing the immersive experience.

This thrilling supernatural steampunk mystery starts a bit slow in order to fully develop the world, but then it dives deeply into mystery and supernatural elements.

Overall: The series wastes no time in pulling viewers into its shadowy steampunk world. Thanks to a unique blend of "one shot & full animation" techniques, the donghua maintains a fluid, movie-like quality throughout each episode. It's a bold stylistic choice that elevates the storytelling and reinforces its moody, atmospheric tone.

I've just finished Season 1 of Lord of the Mysteries, and I have to say, it's a remarkable adaptation. The production quality is absolutely top-tier, with meticulous attention to atmosphere, lighting, and character design. Shimei has really captured the gothic, steampunk mood of the original work, and the emotional beats land surprisingly well for a compressed 13-episode season. For this IP, I honestly don't think any other domestic studio could have delivered a better version. The animation itself is breathtaking. The fight sequences are intense and visually spectacular, but occasionally the action can be hard to follow. Some explanatory dialogue or brief narration could enhance clarity without compromising the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the non-action scenes are sometimes visually "busy"; leaving a little more space for viewers to breathe would improve pacing. Overall, despite these minor criticisms, Lord of the Mysteries Season 1 delivers a high-quality adaptation that respects its source material. It's both emotionally compelling and visually impressive, and I believe it can stand confidently on the international stage. I'm eagerly looking forward to Season 2.

I haven't read the novels. I've only just started watching the anime. Although the barrier to entry to the series seems quite high, the exposition gets better with each episode. And I have to admit I'm truly blown away by how it's executed audiovisually. Honestly, I haven't seen anything so hypnotic in ages. The people responsible for it are true artists.