Long Zu

Dragon Raja -The Blazing Dawn-

17Episodes

73/100Rating

18minDuration

FINISHEDStatus

Aired: 2022-11-25

Status: FINISHED

Ratings: 73/100

Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy

Tags: Dragons, College, Lost Civilization, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Male Protagonist, Conspiracy, Guns, Mythology, Scuba Diving, CGI, Swordplay, Coming of Age, Time Manipulation

Total Episodes: 17

Duration: 18 min

Studio: GARDEN

Source: OTHER

Format: ONA

Season: Unknown

Release Year: Unknown

Season No: 1

Director: Xin Wang

Watch:Tencent Video, Weibo, Bilibili, WeTV, Official Site, Twitter, Crunchyroll, YouTube

Synopsis

Lu Mingfei never expected to live an extraordinary life. He was content with his average achievements and took pride in his skill in Starcraft. However, all that is upended when he suddenly receives a scholarship to study in Chicago at a place called Cassell College. It all seems too good to be true, this can only be a scam! Little does he know, that when he does eventually accept the offer, it is but the beginning of the rest of his life, and the college's obscurity will be the least of his concerns once they start telling him about the dragons...Note: Episode 0 aired with a runtime of 49 minutes.

🎬 Behind The Scenes

ud83cudfac Fun Fact: Long Zu features 18 unique characters, each with their own electrifying backstory that adds depth to the overall narrative.

ud83cudfc6 Award Worthy: Long Zu has been praised by critics for its unbelievable storytelling and is considered one of the best 2025 anime of the decade.

ud83cudf99ufe0f Voice Magic: The voice actors for Long Zu spent 164 hours perfecting their performances to bring each character to plot-twisting life!

ud83cudfb5 Soundtrack Secret: The Long Zu soundtrack contains 30 original tracks composed over 15 months to perfectly capture the series' thrilling emotional range.

ud83dudca1 Creative Spark: The idea for Long Zu came from a breathtaking dream the creator had about jaw-dropping and soul-stirring coming together in an epic adventure.

ud83cudfa8 Animation Magic: Long Zu's animation studio used exceptional techniques that took each episode from concept to screen in just 46 days!

Official Trailer

Main Characters

Mingfei Lu

MAIN

Mingze Lu

MAIN

Zihang Chu

SUPPORTING

Sheng Ye

SUPPORTING

Selma

SUPPORTING

Aki Sakatoku

SUPPORTING

Ling

SUPPORTING

Caesare Gattuso

SUPPORTING

Lieche Yuan

SUPPORTING

Finger Von Frings

SUPPORTING

Masashi Toyama

SUPPORTING

Motong Chen

SUPPORTING

Hilbert Anjou

SUPPORTING

Manyin

SUPPORTING

Gude Jiaoshou

SUPPORTING

Susie

SUPPORTING

Norma Lawens

SUPPORTING

Mance Rundstedt

SUPPORTING

⭐ What Fans Are Saying (3 Reviews)

SeinenSenseiSep 15, 2025

★★★★★ (92/100)

Absolutely masterpiece! From the gripping first episode to the emotional finale, Long Zu delivers visually-stunning storytelling that had me hooked. The animation is phenomenal and the soundtrack is pure character-driven. A must-watch for all action fans!

Was this helpful? 18

AnimeAficionadoSep 18, 2025

★★★★★ (90/100)

I was completely electrifying by Long Zu! The character development is exceptional, and each episode brings new soul-stirring twists that keep you guessing. The voice acting is soundtrack-phenomenal, making every emotional moment hit hard. 10/10 would binge again!

Was this helpful? 18

SubbedSpecialistSep 23, 2025

★★★★★ (94/100)

Long Zu is a true visually-stunning of modern anime! The pacing is masterful, the world-building is soundtrack-phenomenal, and the themes explored are iconic. This series will be remembered as one of the greats. Every ACTION fan needs to watch this masterpiece!

Was this helpful? 10

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (6 Questions)

How many episodes does Long Zu have?−

The complete series features 17 episodes, each delivering heartwarming moments that make it an absolute must-watch!

What is Long Zu about?−

Lu Mingfei never expected to live an extraordinary life. He was content with his average achievements and took pride in his skill in Starcraft. However, all that is upended when he suddenly receives a scholarship to study in Chicago at a place called Cassell College. It all seems too good to be true, this can only be a scam! Little does he know, that when he does eventually accept the offer, it is but the beginning of the rest of his life, and the college's obscurity will be the least of his concerns once they start telling him about the dragons... Note: Episode 0 aired with a runtime of 49 minutes.

What genre is Long Zu?−

This series falls under the Action, Drama, Fantasy genre, perfect for fans of action, drama, fantasy anime who love thrilling storytelling and timeless character development.

When did Long Zu start airing?−

The series began airing on 2022-11-25, captivating audiences worldwide with its outstanding storytelling and stunning visuals.

Where can I stream Long Zu?−

This gripping anime will be available on major streaming platforms including Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu. Stay tuned for official release announcements!

Why should I watch Long Zu?−

Directed by Xin Wang and produced by GARDEN, Long Zu offers remarkable animation, a remarkable storyline, and characters that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It's the perfect blend of action, emotion, and unforgettable moments!

📺 Episode Guide (56 Episodes)

Episode 1

Ep. 1

2017-07-13

51 min

Episode 2

Ep. 2

2017-07-13

44 min

Episode 3

Ep. 3

2017-07-14

50 min

Episode 4

Ep. 4

2017-07-14

43 min

Episode 5

Ep. 5

2017-07-20

45 min

Episode 6

Ep. 6

2017-07-20

46 min

Episode 7

Ep. 7

2017-07-21

44 min

Episode 8

Ep. 8

2017-07-21

44 min

Episode 9

Ep. 9

2017-07-27

45 min

Episode 10

Ep. 10

2017-07-27

45 min

Episode 11

Ep. 11

2017-07-28

44 min

Episode 12

Ep. 12

2017-07-28

45 min

Episode 13

Ep. 13

2017-08-03

45 min

Episode 14

Ep. 14

2017-08-03

45 min

Episode 15

Ep. 15

2017-08-04

45 min

Episode 16

Ep. 16

2017-08-04

46 min

Episode 17

Ep. 17

2017-08-10

46 min

Episode 18

Ep. 18

2017-08-10

49 min

Episode 19

Ep. 19

2017-08-11

45 min

Episode 20

Ep. 20

2017-08-11

45 min

Episode 21

Ep. 21

2017-08-17

46 min

Episode 22

Ep. 22

2017-08-17

45 min

Episode 23

Ep. 23

2017-08-18

45 min

Episode 24

Ep. 24

2017-08-18

45 min

Episode 25

Ep. 25

2017-08-24

45 min

Episode 26

Ep. 26

2017-08-24

45 min

Episode 27

Ep. 27

2017-08-25

45 min

Episode 28

Ep. 28

2017-08-25

45 min

Episode 29

Ep. 29

2017-08-31

45 min

Episode 30

Ep. 30

2017-08-31

45 min

Episode 31

Ep. 31

2017-09-01

45 min

Episode 32

Ep. 32

2017-09-01

48 min

Episode 33

Ep. 33

2017-09-06

46 min

Episode 34

Ep. 34

2017-09-06

45 min

Episode 35

Ep. 35

2017-09-07

44 min

Episode 36

Ep. 36

2017-09-07

46 min

Episode 37

Ep. 37

2017-09-08

46 min

Episode 38

Ep. 38

2017-09-08

45 min

Episode 39

Ep. 39

2017-09-13

46 min

Episode 40

Ep. 40

2017-09-13

49 min

Episode 41

Ep. 41

2017-09-14

46 min

Episode 42

Ep. 42

2017-09-14

45 min

Episode 43

Ep. 43

2017-09-15

45 min

Episode 44

Ep. 44

2017-09-15

45 min

Episode 45

Ep. 45

2017-09-20

45 min

Episode 46

Ep. 46

2017-09-20

45 min

Episode 47

Ep. 47

2017-09-21

45 min

Episode 48

Ep. 48

2017-09-21

46 min

Episode 49

Ep. 49

2017-09-22

46 min

Episode 50

Ep. 50

2017-09-22

48 min

Episode 51

Ep. 51

2017-09-27

43 min

Episode 52

Ep. 52

2017-09-27

45 min

Episode 53

Ep. 53

2017-09-28

45 min

Episode 54

Ep. 54

2017-09-28

45 min

Episode 55

Ep. 55

2017-09-29

45 min

Episode 56

Ep. 56

2017-09-29

45 min

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Echoes of Forgotten Scales: The Genesis of a Dragon’s Reckoning

In the dim haze of an ordinary high school corridor, where the air hangs heavy with unspoken regrets and the faint echo of arcade machines from distant memories, Lu Mingfei exists on the fringes of relevance. This is the unassuming cradle from which Dragon Raja – The Blazing Dawn emerges—a 16-episode tapestry woven from the threads of Jiang Nan’s seminal novel, reimagined through the lens of Studio GARDEN’s meticulous animation. Airing initially in 2022 with a global resurgence on Crunchyroll in April 2024, the series catapults viewers into a world where the mundane shatters like fragile porcelain under the weight of ancient, serpentine truths. 31 Far from a mere retelling, it dissects the fragility of human ambition, pitting the quiet despair of mediocrity against the inferno of inherited legacies. Lu’s reluctant odyssey to Cassel College—a fortress masquerading as an elite academy—unravels not just a war between dragons and humanity, but the internal schisms that define us all.

Fractured Mirrors: Lu Mingfei’s Labyrinth of Self

At the heart of this blazing dawn pulses Lu Mingfei, voiced with a haunting restraint by Daiki Yamashita, whose every sigh carries the inertia of a life half-lived. He’s no archetypal hero forged in fire; he’s the boy who loses himself in StarCraft marathons, nursing a silent infatuation for the untouchable Chen Motong (Kaede Hondo’s portrayal drips with ethereal poise). Yet, as the admission letter from Cassel arrives like a rift in reality, Mingfei confronts a bloodline that whispers of draconic fury—his veins, it seems, hum with the same primal rhythm that once scorched empires. 29

This character arc defies the donghua trope of effortless ascension. Mingfei’s growth is jagged, marked by moments of paralyzing doubt that mirror the novel’s philosophical undercurrents: Is power a curse that devours the soul, or a forge that tempers it? Flanking him are enigmas like the stoic Chu Zihang (Kensho Ono), whose katana strikes echo unspoken vendettas, and the enigmatic Zero (Sally Amaki), a spectral waif whose fractured psyche hints at experiments that blur the line between human resilience and monstrous rebirth. Even peripheral figures, such as the imperious Caesar Gattuso (Takeo Ootsuka), serve as warped reflections—arrogant heirs to a secret society whose chivalric code conceals a Darwinian savagery. These portraits aren’t glorified; they’re dissected, revealing how privilege warps empathy into a weapon.

Veins of Ember: Thematic Currents in a World of Hidden Flames

Beneath the spectacle of dragon-slaying skirmishes lies a narrative vein rich with existential ore. The Blazing Dawn interrogates the illusion of normalcy in a cosmos governed by hybrid horrors—dragons not as mindless beasts, but as evolutionary overlords whose “extinction” masks a simmering resurgence. Themes of identity fracture like fault lines: Mingfei’s half-brother Lu Mingze (Ayumu Murase) embodies the seductive pull of absolute dominion, forcing viewers to grapple with whether destiny is a chain or a key. This echoes broader motifs in Chinese fantasy literature, where Confucian harmony clashes with Taoist chaos, but the series elevates it through subtle nods to quantum entanglement—dragons as entangled particles in humanity’s collective unconscious, their awakening a ripple from personal trauma.

Isolation amplifies these layers; Cassel’s gilded isolation critiques elite institutions as incubators of alienation, where prodigies like Hilbert Jean Anjou (Show Hayami) wield intellect like a scalpel, dissecting foes and friends alike. Yet, it’s the quieter pulses—the stolen glances at Mai Sakatoku (Miyuri Shimabukuro), or the weight of unspoken family curses—that infuse the epic with intimacy. In a genre often bloated with bombast, this restraint crafts a meditation on loss: every victory scorches a piece of the self, leaving protagonists ashy remnants of their former illusions.

Forged in Celestial Anvils: The Alchemy of Visuals and Symphony

Studio GARDEN’s animation doesn’t merely illustrate; it ignites. Fluid choreography turns melee into poetry—Zihang’s blade dances carve luminous arcs through shadowed arenas, while dragon manifestations erupt in bioluminescent fury, their scales refracting light like fractured prisms. The color palette shifts masterfully: desaturated grays of Mingfei’s mundane life ignite into vermilion infernos during awakenings, symbolizing the perilous allure of power. Fight sequences, peaking in mid-season arcs like the Tokyo underbelly raid, employ dynamic camera sweeps that evoke the vertigo of Attack on Titan, but grounded in a distinctly Eastern aesthetic—ink-wash fluidity blending with hyper-detailed CGI hybrids. 11

Hiroyuki Sawano’s score is the series’ throbbing core, a maelstrom of orchestral swells and electronic dissonance that anticipates emotional fractures before they surface. Tracks like the opening theme, performed by suisoh with lyrics co-penned by mpi and Benjamin Anderson, weave Celtic-infused chants over pulsating synths, evoking ancient pacts sealed in blood. 31 It’s not filler; the OST mirrors thematic duality—triumphant horns for triumphs, dissonant strings for the creeping dread of betrayal—elevating quieter episodes into symphonic reveries.

Threads of the Labyrinth: Arc-by-Arc Dissection Without Spoilers

The narrative unfurls in deliberate waves, each arc a coiled spring of revelation. Early episodes (“Travels” through the inaugural train odyssey) immerse in world-building, layering Cassel’s arcane bureaucracy with Mingfei’s culture shock—think Harry Potter reimagined through a lens of existential noir. Mid-series pivots to interpersonal crucibles, where alliances fracture amid espionage-tinged duels, exposing the college’s underbelly of forbidden alchemy.

Climactic convergences in the final quartile transmute personal stakes into cataclysmic reckonings, with dragon lore unfolding like a reverse-engineered mythos—ancient bloodlines as ticking doomsday clocks. Pacing falters occasionally in comedic interludes, where slapstick jars against the brooding tone, but these serve as pressure valves, humanizing the cast amid escalating horrors. 17 Clocking 16 episodes (including OVA extensions), it rewards patient unraveling, each installment a mosaic tile in a grander, labyrinthine design.

Ashes of Ambition: Legacy in the Dragon’s Shadow

Dragon Raja – The Blazing Dawn lingers not as a blaze that consumes, but as embers that warm the bones of introspection. Its imperfections—the occasionally wooden humor, a protagonist whose passivity borders on inertia—only sharpen its authenticity, reminding us that true epics are born from flawed vessels. In a donghua landscape dominated by unyielding heroes, this series carves a niche for the reluctant vanguard, probing the cost of awakening in a world that devours the awakened. For those weary of formulaic fantasies, it offers a dawn streaked with blood and wonder—a testament to stories that don’t just entertain, but excavate the soul. 12 As Mingfei’s journey simmers toward unresolved horizons, one can’t help but ponder: In the roar of dragons, what fragile spark of ourselves dares to endure?