1. Setting the Scene
If you’re craving high‑flying visuals and otherworldly world‑building, The Immortal Ascension delivers. The story (adapted from the novel A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality) follows the young and unremarkable Han Li, played by Yang Yang, who hails from humble roots but sets his sights on the heavens anyway. (Drama Slot)
The production spares no expense in showing grand landscapes, sect campuses carved into mountains, flying sword sequences through misty skies, and all the trimmings of a classic xianxia epic. One reviewer said the flying scene quality in this show is “some of the best … they fly like Dragon Ball Z characters.” (A Virtual Voyage)
Why you might love it:
- A sweeping fantasy backdrop that doesn’t feel half‑hearted.
- The “from nothing to something” arc for Han Li gives a built‑in emotional rise.
- Generous doses of battle, cultivation, power‑ups, and sect rivalry.
Heads‑up:
- The sheer scale and fantasy‑ness means if you prefer grounded plots or slow‑burn characterisation, some parts might feel too epic or fast.
- Female characters, according to some reviews, aren’t always given equal depth or screentime. (A Virtual Voyage)
2. The Characters You’ll Root (and Wince) For
- Han Li (Yang Yang): Our humble‑start hero who gets thrust into the cultivation world. He’s not born spectacular, but the heart is there. (Drama Slot)
- Nangong Wan (Gina/ Jin Chen): The female lead who is entwined in Han Li’s journey. Their dynamic is less romance‑first and more “journey together” in many ways.
- Wang Chan and other rivals/sects: Cultivation dramas often depend on rival sects, power plays and shadowy schemes — this show is no exception. (koalasplayground.com)
What’s refreshing: Even though Han Li is the “one to watch”, the show doesn’t hesitate to put him through harsh trials, setbacks, betrayals. It’s not just smooth sailing.
What’s less perfect: Some reviews say that while the action and visuals are strong, the emotional layers sometimes feel flattened by the pace. As one critique put it, the show “moves quickly, but still feels oddly flat — like a checklist.” (Hanfu Forum & Community)
3. Pacing, Plot & the “Cultivation Journey”
Plot highlight: Han Li starts weak, enters a sect, begins cultivating spiritual roots, faces demons/sects and climbs toward immortality. Basic path, but the show layers in a lot of details. (Drama Slot)
Production note: The drama condenses lots of story — chapters, arcs, battles — into a tight sequence. As one review said: “They condensed about 100 chapters into the first three episodes to keep things moving.” (Hanfu Forum & Community)
Strengths:
- Keeps momentum — if you don’t like waiting for “stuff to happen”, good news: stuff happens.
- Visually exciting scenes and set‑pieces that deliver what the genre promises.
Weaknesses:
- Because of pace and scale, character moments or emotional beats sometimes don’t linger as much as they could.
- If you’re new to xianxia or cultivation dramas, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by terms, sect names, power levels. The worldbuilding is dense.
4. Style & Visual Treats
The show leans fully into the aesthetic: majestic costumes, misty mountaintops, sword duels in mid‑air, sect halls carved into cliffs. Not everything is perfect CGI (nothing ever is), but for the budget and scale, it holds up. Many fans are watching just to see how the world feels.
One review says: “Watch for the cool flying and action. Trust me, it’s fun.” (A Virtual Voyage)
If you’re in it mainly for the “wow”‑factor — massive visuals, fantasy magic, flight, ability surges — you’re going to be pleased.
5. Final Thoughts: Should You Binge It?
- “Go for it with snacks and a comfy couch” if you love fantasy, cultivation dramas, and big visuals.
- “Maybe lower your expectations for subtle emotional arcs” if you’re after a deep character‑driven piece rather than spectacle.
My verdict: The Immortal Ascension is a strong addition to the xianxia genre — ambitious, visually engaging, and fun as hell. It might not reinvent character depth, but if you want a ride through mystical realms, hidden sects, sword‑swirling magic and a “rising hero” arc that feels satisfying, it’s exactly what you need.
Go‑watch score: 7.5/10 — lean into the fantasy, and don’t over‑expect it to be quiet and introspective.
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