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Is Mo Dao Zu Shi Based on a Manga or Light Novel, and Is It Complete or Ongoing?


Mo Dao Zu Shi Manga Status
Credit: B.CMAY PICTURES

With Mo Dao Zu Shi Season 4 being extremely unlikely, it's a good time to pick up the source material. So, does Mo Dao Zu Shi have a manga or light novel, and what's its status?

Also known as Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, it is one of the most popular donghua or Chinese-animated works. But where did it all begin?

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Is Mo Dao Zu Shi Based on a Novel?

Mo Dao Zu Shi Light Novel
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Credit: B.CMAY PICTURES

For those craving more Mo Dao Zu Shi content, we have good news: the series is based on a light novel penned by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.

It first made an appearance between 2015 and 2016 on the Chinese website Jinjiang Xexuecheng. Later, in 2016, print copies became available. The novel is already complete, so you don't have to wait for new updates.

In December 2021, the novel was finally published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.

Is Mo Dao Zu Shi Based on a Manga?

Mo Dao Zu Shi Manga
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Credit: B.CMAY PICTURES

Of course, the fun didn't stop there, as the novel inspired an award-winning manhua adaptation (as Chinese comics are called).

Unlike most Japanese manga, the Mo Dao Zu Shi manhua is structured like a webtoon, not unlike Korean works such as Solo Leveling. Therefore, it is meant to be read primarily through a phone screen.

The manga is available in English in the WeComics app, and it's one of the most faithful adaptations, second only to the audio drama, which was supervised by the author.

Are the Mo Dao Zu Shi Manga and Light Novel Finished?

Is the Mo Dao Zu Shi Manga Finished
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Credit: B.CMAY PICTURES

For those who found the finale season of the donghua somewhat rushed, the manga and novel series of Mo Dao Zu Shi are both finished and ready to tell the story in its entirety.

If you're sad that Season 3 of the donghua was the last, you can rest assured that there's plenty of exciting content after the season finale.

While you might feel there is no point in reading the manhua or the novels after having watched the donghua, both are highly recommended.

Is The Mo Dao Zu Shi Novel Finished
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Credit: Mo Xiang Tong Xiu / Seven Seas Entertainment

In fact, the animated version, with its color-coded characters and pretty art style might be a good place to begin, as the novel has a lot of characters, and it might help to have them visualized first.

Besides, both the novel and the manhua are much less censored in the portrayal of the two main characters' queer romance.

Several scenes were not included in the animated version, so you will be able to better appreciate the fuller story if you leave it for the end.

Looking for even more? Mo Dao Zu Shi inspired a live-action titled The Untamed, which is available to stream on Netflix.

Are the Mo Dao Zu Shi Manga and Light Novel Finished?
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Credit: B.CMAY PICTURES

This story diverges from the original a bit more and it's more heavily censored, but it's still fun and exciting to watch.

The Mo Dao Zu Shi donghua is currently available on Tencent's international platform, WeTV.

While no English dub is available yet, the series has gotten a Japanese dub.

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