The King’s Avatar (2019)

Not a wasted moment in 40 episodes

I'm reviewing this as someone who hasn't read the novel or watched the animation. I discovered this show because Netflix recommended it to me. I didn't know any of the actors, and while I do like video games, I first gave it a skip for a long time because of other shows. But then I eventually decided to watch it and I was not disappointed. All the things I thought would be in it and would irritate me, failed to happen. It was fantastic.
To keep to the point:

PROS:
No drawn out excess filler in the episodes
Great characters (male and female)
Great character development
Great character relationships
Great acting
No romance (thank goodness, because it generally makes the characters behave like idiots and doesn't contribute to the plot)
Not too predictable at all
Exciting
Good feels
Humorous
Some suspense
Great OST
Great pace
Great action/CGI fight scenes for the in-game play
Clean, attractive sets
Great casting all around

CONS:
'Happy' is a really lame name for any sports team (but it's hardly a dealbreaker and doesn't change how great the show is)

I'd recc this for anyone who likes video games and also good shows that represent a good balance of fun/humor/drama/plot with consistent acting, and I'd probably watch it again sometime. Looking forward to a season 2, I hope they stick to this formula though, or it'll lose it's great vibes.

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different from the novel, but good in its own right

The King's Avatar drama has a very different vibe than the novel - it's light and fluffy and goofy, for one. Some characters are changed and the plot is shuffled a bit. As someone who watched it because I loved the novel so much, part of me was disappointed by the difference. The rest of me, though, loved it in an entirely different way. I've re watched a few times now.

It's funny and not a romance. The main characters are generally full adults, with a sense of fun but some maturity thrown in too. Side characters get plenty of screen time and character development. The in-game CGI scenes are decent. The music is good and the pacing isn't too fast or too slow. I'd recommend The King's Avatar to pretty much anybody, at least to give it a try. Definitely my favorite esports drama by far.

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SOMEONE GET THIS BOY A COMB PLEASE

Disclaimer...I struggle with most Chinese dramas. There's a cultural mindset gap that I really cannot seem to bridge well, especially when it comes to humor. That being said, I decided to watch this REALLY LONG drama anyhow, because it was about gamers and I like gamers.

The story itself was really fun and engaging and if it had been a 10 episode drama it would have been a much higher rating. This, however, was 40 episodes each like 45 minutes long. That's 30 hours. THIRTY HOURS. I've seen other Chinese dramas and I know that this is actually one of the shorter ones, so I try not to hold the runtime against it. However, 20% of that 30 hours was actually good engaging story and 80% was the lead character giving these weird little-buddah style lectures about life. He was basically like Chinese gamer jesus, telling stories and parables to recruit disciples. It was fun initially but rapidly turned into mindless droning on and on and on.

Even with all the excess boring bits, the theme was still really fun. The whole professional eSports thing was fun to watch and the classic David vs Goliath theme was as stereotypically entertaining as it always it. I'm glad I watched it and I enjoyed it, but it's a lot better in my truncated memory version and the actual act of watching it often felt like work.

Also....can someone please buy this boy a hair brush. I really do not understand at all what they did with his hair to make it look so damaged, frayed, and unappealing. Dude looked like a homeless man who got his hair done for free at the local barber school by a kid who absolutely cooked his hair with chemicals. The lead actor's hair could have stood up and spoken and I wouldn't have been shocked. It was like someone stuck a muppet on top of his head, laughed, and walked away.

Though I will always remember the story fondly, no part of me will ever ever watch this show again willingly. I don't like my entertainment to lecture me.

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It’s been a late review but hope this review find you well.
I have been a big fans of the novel itself, so i had been very excited waiting the drama to finally release last year. Not only the novel and live action drama, the anime is great as well.
Even though the drama has different story to the original in web novel series, you don’t have to worry. It successfully deliver the important elements from the web novel, the friendship, hardwork, effort and teamwork.
The King’s Avatar has been the most number drama I have been re-watching even until now,
In the drama, it brings many unfamiliar actor but experienced actor/actress like Yang Yang, Maggie, Lai Yumeng along with rising actor/actress such as Daisy has brought the characters of TKA very well.
OST is good as well matching bringing added value to the drama itself.
Tencent Pictures has been preparing the drama for 3 years until finally released it.
Can’t wait for the next season 2 where Team Happy compete at the highest league of GLORY.

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Series made for people who already have read the novel.

Headline says everything. If I were to guess, I'd say that they adapted at least 100 chapters of the novel per chapter of the drama, and even had the balls to add OC to it. It's extremely rushed, and it's no exaggeration to say that at least 95% of the world building got lost.

Read the novel first, then watch the drama. It'll be a better experience for you if you treat the drama as an addition to the novel, instead of a standalone series.

Also, how hard is it to get the license for more than 3 songs? The soundtrack feels so repetitive when you're binge watching the series.

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AWESOME!

As I am watching this so far the visual effects are awesome. I am noticing the cast... I am seeing most of the cast are from the "Legend of Fuyao" and to see Yang Yang act among them in the Main Lead is so incredible. The action of gaming... unbelievable! This is a must-see! Yang Yang's other drama series Love O2O is about gaming too. This actor just might be on my Top 10 favorite actor list. I need to see more from Yang Yang. A lot of actors and actresses in this Drama Series and they all did great. There was no romance but only friendships that were made behind this game. I applaud the writer(s) and producers! Thank you!

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Good story with great animation

Story: It is about the YQ and his journey to reach top again from scratch with his friends and teammates. There are episodes dedicated to give a good story and background to other characters as well. It is story of hardship, friendship, hope and glory.

Characters: YQ: He is a very lovable funny guy, knows when and what to say, motivates others and importantly never gives up. He is a confident person who is very intelligent and knows his opponents.
SMC: She is very similar to the ML, funny, smart, attentive, doesn't gives up and really cares for the ML. She is also really good in the game and also have a good supporting skills.
CG: She is funny and clumsy. She has given motivation to many of the characters in the series, she is childish but also knows when to tough up.
TR: She is a tough person who doesn't like to lose. She always wants to improve herself and is very determined. Even though she is tough, she also is a caring and joyful person. She becomes close with her fellow teammate/friends and also becomes a team player.
BRX: Funny loving guy who likes to joke. Is a good person, sometimes overconfident but learns from his mistakes.
QYF: A timid and shy person for most of the series, he listens to others and not to himself, had a little problem with self confidence but overcomes it whenever he faces any obstacles.

Acting: Really good acting from all especially from YY , LYM and Daisy. The supporting actors also did a great job. Only problem was with JSY, felt like sometimes she was overdoing it.

Likes: It had great animation, really good voice interaction in the game, great and well built friendship, good mentorship, pace of story was really good. Relations and chemistry between the characters were awesome. Best part was the friendship between YQ and SMC, they are bestfriends and sometimes felt like they may like eachother romantically even though there is zero romance in it.

Dislikes: Episode 17-22 are kind of boring, pace is slow and some unnecessary stuffs. CG character could have been a little better. Could have added a very slight romance (optional).

Overall: It's a great drama with good acting and great animation. It has a really good friendship and mentorship elements. You will laugh as well as feel sad while watching this but at the end you will be satisfied.

Rating as casual viewer: 10
Rating as Critique: 9.8

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Best C-drama and best professional gaming cdrama I've ever watched

Before starting with this review, let me just put it out there. This review is based on my opinions and how I personally feel about this drama. So let's start. There are a lot of good things to say about this drama so I quite don't know here to start but let me start with the cast. Yang yang. The best thing ever that happened to this show is him. This is my first drama of him and now I'm a fan. His smile is to die for DAMNIT and umm he's hot, smoking hot, smoking spicy hot. Moving on, the cast was perfect. Every one of them portrayed their characters flawlessly. You will feel sad for them, you will feel happy for them, you will feel frustrated for them, they'll make you feel everything they feel. You'll even come to love the opponents. There's also character development for a lot of characters.

Secondly, the story. I know this is based on a novel but still I want to praise the story. I heard from some people that a lot of things from the novel were changed in here which acted as a great disappointment for them. So for people who wants to read the novel too, read it after watching this to enjoy the drama properly. Since I watched it without reading the novel, I really enjoyed it a lot. This drama will leave you hooked like something. The drama will move slowly but steadily. You might get bored at first but it gets extremely engaging. I personally found myself get intrigued from episode 8 but it might differ from person to person. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to binge it since it has 40 eps but I did watch it continously.

Another reason to enjoy this drama is the ost. It doesn't matter if you know chinese or not, you will thoroughly enjoy the ost. Every song is a masterpiece. I felt the songs touch my soul. When no words are said, the songs talk to you.

Lastly, the next reason I enjoyed the drama is the life lessons. They're honestly so inspiring and motivating. It showed the characters' personal growth which was so enlightening. You learn about what life really is. You learn about how you should just go with the flow of life and not question it. You learn that a new beginning follows every end and to never give up on your dreams no matter what or who says. So this was an awesome watch for me and I could rewatch it a thousand times and never get bored. If you decide to watch this, prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions.

Happy watching!!

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Must Watch !!! An Epic Journey Through the Gaming World: The King's Avatar

The King's Avatar takes viewers on an exhilarating ride through the immersive world of professional gaming. This Chinese drama is a masterful blend of intense action, strategic gameplay, and compelling characters, making it a must-watch for both gaming enthusiasts and drama lovers alike.

The series revolves around the story of Ye Xiu, a former professional esports player who was forced to retire but makes a triumphant return to the gaming scene. As Ye Xiu reclaims his throne, viewers are treated to breathtaking battles, intricate gaming strategies, and a deep exploration of the esports industry.

What sets The King's Avatar apart is its meticulous attention to detail in portraying the world of competitive gaming. From the elaborate team dynamics to the intricacies of game mechanics, every aspect is meticulously researched and portrayed with authenticity. The show strikes a perfect balance between gaming action and character development, offering a glimpse into the personal struggles and triumphs of the players.

The performances in The King's Avatar are outstanding, with the lead actor bringing Ye Xiu's character to life with a blend of charisma and vulnerability. The supporting cast members are equally impressive, creating a dynamic ensemble that enhances the overall viewing experience.

Another standout aspect of the series is its production quality. The stunning visuals and top-notch special effects make the gaming scenes come alive, immersing the audience in the virtual world. Combined with a well-paced storyline and a captivating soundtrack, The King's Avatar succeeds in creating an addictive and engaging viewing experience.

In conclusion, The King's Avatar is a gripping drama that seamlessly blends the thrill of esports with a compelling narrative. Whether you're a gaming enthusiast or simply appreciate well-crafted storytelling, this series will keep you hooked from start to finish.

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I Love It!

First of all, my review is based on the series only because I didn't read the novel or the manga/anime. At first I was hesitant to watch this series even though my friend recommended it. I watched another series on my list first before I finally ran out of series and turn to this one. I have to say, I regret to not listening to my friend. But of course people have different preference, so this series might not be suitable for other people.

This series is about a pro gamer, a legendary one that is. People refer him as the god, or textbook of the game. That show how good he was. But eventually problem come from his professional team and he got kicked out. The news said he was retiring, but actually he just waiting for his revival. This series followed how he was fall down from the top and start from the bottom again, but not once he falter. Not once he show weakness or thinking about giving up, he give all he got in every game he played. Then he made his own team, filled with problematic people. But then he managed to gather the team members together. solving their problem one by one, train them and make the professional gamer.

The story probably common, but how they presented it was awesome. Ye Xiu as the captain and the legendary player could taught his team members well even when all of them are newbie or rookie. For people who like drama about friendship, motivation, I think this drama is really good. Also the game is a non-existing game, I think it won't even exist until much later in future. But the concept is really good that make you immersed into the game too, two thumbs up for the idea.

Cast is good too, especially Yang Yang as Ye Xiu. I usually don't notice actors whoever they are, but I say Yang Yang is really good in this series. No romance too, another good point from me because I don't like drama that only focused on romance. Music is good too.

Overall I think this series is really good, I gave it 9 out of ten.

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A different kind of e-sport drama; lots of gaming content

Completed - 12/02/2021

I've watched my fair share of e-sports/gaming dramas and The King's Avatar is quite different from Love 020, GGS1, GGS2, Gank Your Heart, Falling Into Your Smile and Cross Fire (I am not counting Love Scenery and You Are My Glory as e-sports dramas). Though it did not surpass my favorite, Cross Fire, it is still a great drama to watch. There is no romance and the focus is on gaming and individual character's growth.

I would recommend this drama if you are a FAN of:

1) E-sports or gaming. Compared to the other esports drama that I've named above, gaming is featured predominantly. You cannot skip the gaming scenes to just focus on Yang Yang and the rest of the cast. If you do that, you would only be watching 20-30% of the drama. The CGI and the gameplay are very well done. I really enjoy the characters having their "faces" in the game. It really helps with distinguishing all the different actors and actresses, as there are many of them in this drama. Though the drama tries to explain the gameplay, I am still a little lost at times and need to rewind and watch certain parts again. I am not a gamer at all, but I do enjoy these dramas.

2) Yang Yang - I suspect the high ratings are partially due to Yang Yang's popularity. I wouldn't say his acting is amazing, but he's quite good in this drama. I just wish it's his own voice because he sounded very different (esp. after I finished watching You Are My Glory not too long ago). I see a different side of him, as his character is not the cool/stoic type as in Love020 or YAMG. He actually has a personality, will joke around and act silly and sarcastic. He should really branch out to more lively roles and not pigeon-holed into the cool and handsome roles. Well, he still looks handsome in casual wear. I also think his character is a little too perfect in this drama.

3) Individual character growth - Most e-sports dramas focus a lot of team building and teammates don't get along with each other. There are still some in this drama, but the majority of the storylines are about personal growth of individual characters. I especially enjoy the story of Qiao YiFang (played by Fang JinWei). He started out as a very shy backup player, and then worked really hard to become a vital part of the team. This is my first drama of Fang JinWei and I really like him. He's adorable but when he cries and I see snot coming out of his nose, I appreciate it :) Each of the team members has their own unique storyline, though not long, but you've seen how far they have come - from first introduced to the last episode.

Other Observations:
1) I also like the friendship and camaraderie of all the team captains. It's great to see even though they are competitors, they are professionals and have an unspoken mutual admiration of each other.
2) Took me a while to get into the personality of FL/Chen Guo (played by Jiang ShuYing).
3) There are a few pretty loud characters who talk non-stop! LOL
4) Are internet cafes really that big and fancy in China?
5) Do esports teams really have so much money that their complexes and dormitories are so grand?

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