#show recommendation

Without saying too much, the show is definitely one of the more creative time travel series out there; the strict limitations of what they can and cannot do with their powers is deeply compelling. The characters are also wonderful - the main three are especially endearing, at least to me. Link Click is also good at getting you invested in the stories of the clients, who have lives and regrets of their own that you (and Cheng Xiaoshi) experience through the dives. It also loves throwing insane twists and cliffhangers at you that make you genuinely go "what. what?!?!" And it has incredible rewatch value; as I said, I'm watching it for the third time now and I'm still enjoying it just as much as I did the first time, if not more.

It does get heavy. Since it is at least partially a mystery/crime show and many of the missions they take are based on real-world events, it doesn't shy away from themes of sexual assault, grief, death and domestic abuse. But to me that's part of the appeal, and it balances the angst with being endearing and funny too. If you like stories about time travel, regret, and the consequences of action vs inaction, I'd say definitely give this show a watch.

The main series has two full seasons and a shorter prequel season, which is essentially season 2.5 and should NOT be watched before completing season 2. The first episode is called "Emma". There's also two seasons of a chibi series, which has the characters mostly getting a break from the angst of the main story and being silly. I know there is also a live action adaptation with a totally different plot line that is apparently very good, I just haven't gotten around to watching it yet.

Link Click also for some reason has started doing annual short album releases of original promotional music for the series, I think because the opening and ending themes for seasons 1 and 2 ended up being so incredibly catchy and iconic. It's basically an official idol AU at this point - non-canon, but yet another fun break from the angst, with accompanying videos that usually contain hints for upcoming plot lines. Link Click music is awesome, it never misses.

As one last note, while I wouldn't say Witch Hat Atelier and Link Click are all that similar, I do think that if you like the way WHA has its characters grapple with the limitations and ramifications of what they can/are allowed to do (albeit not in a disability sense) and how the story repeatedly recontextualizes earlier scenes, then you will likely find Link Click's narrative rewarding.

I have mixed feelings about how Dashing Youth was handled, but The Blood of Youth is my favorite show, and Blood River acts as a fantastic bridge between the two shows. It softly retcons Dashing Youth’s shortcomings and failings where it needs to, such as Li Hanyi’s mention to Xiao Yong of how Baili Dongjun took away Xiao Ruojin’s martial arts (which is an extremely important scene that was cut from Dashing Youth), and having Yi Wenjun truly be Xiao Ruojin’s favoured consort (which potentially means that the very controversial and poorly-handled implied drugging—which Dashing Youth deviated from the source material to add—may not be canon to Blood River or The Blood of Youth). Blood River also succeeds in bringing a lot of depth to numerous characters and connections present in The Blood of Youth which strengthens the emotional impact of many scenes. Dashing Youth may not fully resonate with The Blood of Youth, but Blood River resonates with them both in a way that will make future rewatches very rewarding.

One thing I particularly appreciate about Blood River is the way it fleshes out aspects of this story’s world and characters: Dark River, Tang Sect, Wushuang City, Medicine King Valley, the Xiao royal family, the Shadow Sect, the Four Guardians of Tianqi, and more! It explores the shadows and plots and corruption in such interesting ways.

Regarding characters, there were many that I found interesting and entertaining. My favorites were probably Zhuo Qing, Jin Xuan, Xiao Ruojin, Qi Tianchen, Yan Zhantian, Ye Ya, Yi Bu, Mu Mingce, Mu Kewen, Mu Ying, Mu Ciling, Mu Qingyang, Xiao Ruofeng, Song Yanhui, and Tu Wan. I also really enjoyed Su Changhe, Su Muyu, Bai Hehuai, Mu Yumo, Mu Xuewei, Mu Fusheng, Xiao Yong, Dian Ye, Xie Ba, Su Jinhui, Grandmaster Tang, and the Water Official.

With shipping, this show gave me a lot of fun ideas. I’m absolutely obsessed with Xiao Ruojin/Jin Xuan, and this era of their relationship is so fascinating. I can’t stop thinking about Mu Mingce/Mu Kewen, aaaaaaa. I’m also intrigued by the alliance Zhuo Qing has with Yi Bu, and whatever Zhuo Qing has going on with Mu Fusheng that would lead to such a moment of what appears to be genuine care. Mu Ying’s dynamic with the Water Official was definitely fun. I loved Mu Qingyang/Mu Xuewei, and I enjoyed all three sides of the Su Muyu/Su Changhe/Bai Hehuai triangle. Mu Yumo/Tang Lianyue was fun too. Honestly, just like The Blood of Youth, this is such a good show for romantic ships, platonic ships, crackships, etc.

As a minor critique, a personal preference, I do wish there were more indulgent, lingering closeups of hands and swords. Blood River seemed to prioritize action and dialogue over beauty in quite a bit of its camera-work—which suits the show well enough, but made it harder for me to find moments I wanted to gif, especially when compared to Dashing Youth.