A brief round-up of Wuxia media: three examples each, over the past three years…
Once a niche interest outside of Asia, Wuxia—a genre centered on martial heroes, wandering swordsmen, honor codes, and mystical sect rivalries—is enjoying growing global recognition. Wuxia (武俠 “martial heroes”) is a long-standing genre of Chinese fiction that centers on skilled martial artists who uphold—or challenge—the codes of honor, loyalty, and justice within a richly imagined world known as the jianghu. Rooted in history and folklore, Wuxia stories often feature secret sects, hidden techniques, wandering swordsmen, and internal cultivation. While the genre has deep cultural origins in Chinese opera, poetry, and literature, its themes—personal honor, spiritual growth, and fighting for what is right—have helped it find growing popularity in the West. In recent years, creators across the globe create Wuxia themed works in novels, comics, TV, film, and video games, introducing a new generation to its poetic storytelling and balletic action. Its blend of rich philosophy, exhilarating action, and spiritual growth appeals to readers, gamers, and cinephiles alike.
While while it would be easy take Top to mean best, we would suggest it might mean most-recent or upper most in the queue instead. To help you better navigate these varied entries, each title is labeled with tone, offering a quick sense of its emotional atmosphere and storytelling style. For example, Epic entries emphasize sweeping narratives and heroic quests; Philosophical works explore moral complexity and spiritual themes; Dark stories include grim, violent, or morally ambiguous elements; Youthful stories are lighter or designed for younger readers; Supernatural titles include mythic creatures or magical martial arts; and Comedic works lean into satire or absurdity. These tone labels allow both new and seasoned fans to find the kind of Wuxia experience that speaks to them. Below is a *curated selection of relatively recent Wuxia-inspired works (2022–2025) across 5 media categories. Each includes a link for further reading or access.
📚 Novels
- The Earthly Blaze (2024) by Alice Poon
Tone: Epic, Modern, Mythic
In this sequel to The Heavenly Sword, the martial heroine Sai’er leads the White Lotus Sect in defiance of an emperor’s tyranny.
Blending supernatural battles and ancient Chinese legends, it offers a modern take on Wuxia tradition. - Redemption: Snow Wolf Saga, Book 1 (2024) by Fred Lit Yu
Tone: Classic, Gritty, Vengeful
The mysterious warrior known as the Snow Wolf journeys across sect-ridden lands, seeking justice through blade and silence.
It’s a love letter to traditional Wuxia—featuring poetic revenge, introspection, and rigorous martial philosophy. - The Poppy War Trilogy by R.F. Kuang
Tone: Dark, Military, Spiritual
Rin, a war orphan turned shamanic prodigy, becomes entangled in a brutal war where godlike powers come at enormous cost.
Drawing from the Sino-Japanese wars and Chinese mythology, this is Wuxia reimagined as grimdark political fantasy.
📺 TV Shows
- Sword Snow Stride (2022)
Tone: Epic, Philosophical, Slow-burn
A nobleman-in-disguise must grow into a martial hero amid palace intrigue and Jianghu chaos.
With literary dialogue and multi-layered duels, this series is patient and richly atmospheric. - My Journey to You (2023)
Tone: Romantic, Suspenseful, Wuxia
This series follows an assassin infiltrating a powerful clan, only to find love and betrayal in a high-stakes sect rivalry.
Its combination of subtle romance and Jianghu intrigue earned it enthusiastic fan praise upon release. - The Legend of Zang Hai (2025)
Tone: Vengeful, Supernatural, Stylized
A haunted swordsman uncovers his past while crossing paths with cursed weapons, immortal enemies, and broken oaths.
Rich cinematography and magical realism define this darkly operatic wuxia tale.
🎬 Movies
- Sakra (2023)
Tone: Classic, Epic, Philosophical
Donnie Yen directs and stars in this adaptation of Jin Yong’s Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. As Qiao Feng, a noble martial hero cast out by his sect, he embarks on a soul-searching journey packed with honor-bound duels, sect politics, and spiritual introspection. - Full River Red (2023)
Tone: Period, Comedic-Thriller, Patriotic
Directed by Zhang Yimou, this wuxia-tinged historical thriller is set during the Southern Song dynasty. It weaves political intrigue and righteous swordplay with light comedic moments—an accessible blend of entertainment and martial tradition - A Legend (2024)
Tone: Mythic, Action-Packed, Heroic
Jackie Chan returns to wuxia with a standalone sequel in this action-fantasy set in mythical eras. Expect grand battles, mystical quests, and the stoic heroism typical of classic wuxia period epics. - Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants (2025)
Tone: Romantic, Legendary, Grand-scale
Directed by Tsui Hark, this adaptation of Jin Yong’s masterpiece captures Guo Jing and Huang Rong’s sweeping journey.
It’s a definitive wuxia fantasy full of aerial combat, sacred scrolls, and timeless ideals.
🎨 Comics & Graphic Novels
- Shaolin Cowboy: Cruel to Be Kin (2022) by Geof Darrow
Tone: Comedic, Absurdist, Violent
A near-silent warrior wanders through an apocalyptic landscape, fighting mutants with style and sarcasm.
This hyper-detailed, ultra-violent satire is Wuxia filtered through a Mad Max lens. - The Shadow Ghost (2023) by Kurtis Fujita
Tone: Supernatural, Contemporary, Youthful
A teen martial artist uncovers a spectral legacy in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Created by a real-life Kung Fu master, this comic mixes coming-of-age energy with ancient martial traditions. - A Tiger’s Tale (2022-2024) by Patrick Lugo
Tone: Youthful, Mythic, Heartfelt
A young tiger must journey among humans and dragons to learn the lessons that will help him grow into his role as ruler of his forest kingdom.
This beautifully illustrated tale introduces younger readers to classic Wuxia themes like loyalty, growth, and discipline.
🎮 Video Games
- Wandering Sword (2023)
Tone: Traditional, Strategic, Open-World
Players join sects, train secret techniques, and traverse a pixel-art martial world.
Offers both turn-based and real-time combat, and the moral freedom to become either a sage or a tyrant. - Nine Sols (2024)
Tone: Mythic, Futuristic, Taopunk
You play a vengeful warrior awakening in a techno-Taoist realm ruled by ancient gods.
A stunningly animated, xianxia-influenced metroidvania with martial combat and meditative lore. - Blood Message (2025)
Tone: Cinematic, Dramatic, Historical
Set in the late Tang dynasty, you must escort a sacred messenger through hostile territory.
With large-scale duels and cinematic storytelling, it promises to be a major AAA release.
*On curating this list: The challenge in creating this list mostly surrounded finding recent entries which suited the genre and our own particular view of Wuxia as a genre. The exception was found in movies (of course) where the challenge was in narrowing down a suitable list. In this, we leaned heavily towards the popularity (among most English reading audiences) of the movie’s lead; star actor or director.