The Founder of Diabolism

Once feared for his unorthodox methods and reckless power, Wei Wuxian returns to life inside someone else’s body and has to reorient himself in a world that remembers him with suspicion. He reconnects with an estranged ally, Lan Wangji, and the two form an uneasy partnership to investigate a series of supernatural occurrences that unsettle the cultivator clans. As they follow clues and confront hostile forces, fragments of Wei Wuxian’s earlier life surface, raising questions about who he was and who he wants to be. The show mixes action, mystery, and supernatural elements with moments of humor and quiet character work.

Released in 2018, the series was directed by Gideon Liu and draws on the original work of Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, with Liang Sha and Liu Xing credited as creators. It’s an animated adaptation that keeps the novel’s core plot and character dynamics while fitting the story into a serialized format.

The show developed a devoted international fanbase that’s active online, producing fan art, discussion threads, and cosplay. Viewers often praise the chemistry between the leads and the memorable visual moments in its ghost-hunting set pieces, which helped it gain recognition beyond its initial release region.

Critics and fans generally responded positively, reflected in its user vote average of 8.151 out of 10 from 53 votes. Reviewers highlighted the voice cast, the animation’s effective mood-setting, and the way action scenes are staged alongside quieter interpersonal beats. Major themes include loyalty, moral ambiguity, and the consequences of past choices, with an emphasis on how relationships reshape identity.

While the series hasn’t been a fixture in major international awards listings, it’s remained important within its niche and continues to be recommended by genre fans who enjoy supernatural mysteries mixed with character-driven drama.