The availability of the Chinese animated series, based on the novel Tian Guan Ci Fu, on the streaming platform Netflix has significantly broadened its audience reach. The adaptation allows viewers to access the story of Xie Lian, a fallen god, and his interactions with the mysterious Hua Cheng, within a readily available and legally accessible digital environment.
This accessibility is important because it removes geographical limitations and offers subtitles in multiple languages, facilitating engagement with a global audience. The presence of the series on a major streaming service also provides a level of legitimacy and discoverability, often leading to increased viewership and greater awareness of Chinese animation (donghua) and the broader genre of danmei, stories focusing on romantic relationships between men. Historically, such niche content often struggled to find mainstream distribution.