Guardian: Zhen Hun (镇魂) by Priest has been licensed for an English-language release by Seven Seas Entertainment (SSE) and will be published under the publisher’s danmei label. SSE has acknowledged the title will be made available in two formats: digitally and in large-trim, deluxe paperback editions priced at US$19.99 per volume.
Zhen Hun Volume 1 will be out on May 30, 2023.
The publisher hasn’t specified the total number of volumes, as of December 2022.
This interesting danmei (boys love) title is set in a fantasy world and centers on a professor named Shen Wei and the chief of the Special Investigations Department named Zhao Yunlan, a.k.a. Guardian.
The Special Investigations Department is tasked with investigating paranormal occurrences in this upside-down setting populated with gods, ghosts, and humans (and who knows what else!) in what is known as Dragon City.
The Guardian: Zhen Hun Web Series
To the best of my knowledge, Guardian: Zhen Hun hasn’t been treated with a donghua adaptation, but there’s a web series that premiered in 2018 (the image on top is taken from this series). The show stars Bai Yu and Zhu Yilong as Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei, respectively.
Judging by fans’ reviews, this adaptation follows an alternative plotline due to China’s censorship laws and is set in an alternate universe. Also, the drama has a different ending, so reading the Zhen Hun novel is definitely recommended for any serious danmei buff.
The Zhen Hun web series premiered on Youku (优酷), a Chinese hosting video platform owned by Alibaba Group Holding Limited. Currently, it’s available via Amazon Prime Video here.
