This review will be split off into sections each delving into an aspect of the adaptation. Note I did read the novel before watching the anime. Ill try not to be biased though. Animation: 9.7/10 I find that this particular aspect is unanimous in agreement. The studio clearly put time effort and budget into their animation. The visuals were aesthetically pleasing and complex and the fights were masterfully choreographed. However there were some awkward scenes and sliding characters. Nevertheless bravo director and the crew. . . . Plot: 8.0/10 Yes yes I know. Those first few episodes were fast paced and hard to follow especially in sub. For those who dropped LotM for that reason please watch in dub it clears most of the confusion. If I based this off of just episodes 13 the rating would be closer to 6/10. But because I kept watching and didnt drop it the plot kinda fixed itself up. The director said they took an event based approach commonly used in cop shows to help digest the information better. Quite ironic considering the abhorrent pacing. This story follows our main character Klein who after getting transmigrated from China to this mysterious world with a crimson moon hes thrown into occult missions and tries to unravel hidden truths of why he transmigrated and how he can get back. For the time being he joined the Nighthawks an organization aimed at stopping those who lose control and go corrupt. His missions with the Nighthawks introduced him to many many deeper enigmas and so he became a Beyonder. In the novel unlike the Donghua Klein becomes a Seer later on. Not when he first joined the Nighthawks. Right off the bat viewers are bombarded with the unknown. What is the Antignonus Family? Why did old Klein write Everyone will die including me.? Who/What are Hornacis and Flegrea why does Klein hear them when he drinks the potion. Why did he really transmigrate? What is the Gray Fog a pocket dimension he seems to have full access over? And finally just who is this Celestial Worthy that after reciting His honorific name Klein got transmigrated. THAT SAID. . . I tried putting myself in the shoes of newwatchers and yeah I can agree that its really really convoluted. Theres no time to care about the characters so the stakes decrease dramatically which in turn hurts the plot. . . . Characters: 7.2/10 This aspect really needed work compared to the others. As a result of Tencents choice the company funding LotM the studio were forced to cut out many scenes that built connection with the characters to novel readers. Sad isnt it. One fatal mistake by this company brought forth the biggest criticism of the show. Sigh It could have been perfect. . . It was made so for the first 5 episodes the only character fans really cared for was Klein. Luckily This was fixed in episode 6 9 and finally 13. Where Dunn Smith Azik Eggers and Old Neil were given proper treatment. That doesnt make up for almost an entire cast that were cast haha aside. In the novel characters like Audrey and Alger were given a lot of screen time and readers liked them a lot. Even mundane characters like Rozanne or Angelica divination club secretary had a lot more time on screen. Wicked world we live in guys. Moving forward Season 2 is projected for 30+ episodes. Which is interesting because Volume 1 and Volume 2 were similar in length yet Season 2 will be 30+ episodes compared to season 1 being 13. Goes to show how much the studio didnt adapt. You neednt fret Donghuaonlys. Season 1 Volume 1 is by FAR the worst of the 8. . . . Worldbuilding/Lore: 9.8/10 This one even through the thick thorns and vines that is the pacing still shines. Lord of the Mysteries is KNOWN for its intricate worldbuilding/lore and even in this horrible pacing anime format watchers were made sure to know that this series doesnt play around. Theres a bunch of churches each with their own history who worship different gods. The history of the nations. The epochs 5 in total which span years and are so full of detail theyre more complex than some storylines. This part is just a glaze fest I fear . . . Conclusion. While theres probably ten more aspects left to talk about Im writing this at night and my brain is tired. All Ill say is despite its flaws LotM is still a very good show. I hope you like me enjoyed it too . . . My final rating of the Donghua: 8.0/10 I put 9.4/10 on my actual Anilist because Im bias and I love LotM tooooooo much.