Introduction
Immortal Doctor in Modern City (Chinese: 都市古仙医, Du Shi Gu Xian Yi) is a Chinese donghua (animation) blending cultivation, modern setting, medical fantasy, and supernatural elements. It’s based on a web novel and has gained attention since its release for combining healing powers with martial arts in an urban environment. The show began airing in October 2024.
Plot & Synopsis
- The story centers on Ye Bufan, a college student whose mother is ill and needs medical treatment. In desperation, he tries to scam a car driver to raise funds.
- The scam goes wrong: he is hit by the driver, and through this accident, abruptly transported to a fantasy realm. There, he inherits the medical and cultivation inheritance of the Gu Yi Sect, a powerful ancient lineage of healers.
- With these new powers, he returns to the modern city. Ye Bufan now has both advanced medical abilities and cultivation skills. He uses them to heal people, take on enemies (both ordinary and supernatural), navigate crime, corrupt families, cultivation sect politics, etc.
- The story also includes romance: Ye Bufan attracts the attention of several women due to his healing skills, compassion, and his supernatural abilities.
Characters
- Ye Bufan — Protagonist. Starts out as struggling student; gains cultivation and medical powers and tries to protect his mother, deal with enemies, and heal those in need.
- Supporting Characters — Various love interests, sect figures, antagonists that challenge him. Because of his powers, Ye Bufan becomes involved with both mundane and mystical conflicts.
Format, Episodes & Release Info
- Type: On-line Animation (ONA) / Donghua
- Premiered: October 2, 2024
- Episodes: Planned ~150 episodes (ongoing series)
- Episode Length: ~7-11 minutes each episode depending on source
- Schedule: New episodes release twice a week (e.g. Wednesdays & Sundays) in many places.
- Studio / Producers: iQIYI (animation & distribution), based on a novel from Zongheng Novels.
Themes & What Makes It Interesting
- Cultivation in Modern Setting — Instead of classical xianxia with ancient sects and remote realms, this story puts cultivation and medical magic into a city environment. Hospitals, streets, crime, modern technology mix with mystical arts. This juxtaposition is part of its appeal.
- Healing & Compassion — The medical inheritance isn’t just for power; Ye Bufan’s motivation to heal his mother and help others gives the story emotional weight. Many episodes focus on illnesses, miraculous cures, diagnosing rare conditions with supernatural elements.
- Power Growth & System Tropes — Ye Bufan grows in ability gradually, learning new cultivation techniques, healing methods, facing foes of growing strength. The “inheritance system” trope (he inherits an ancient sect’s knowledge/powers) is used.
- Romance + Harem Elements — Several female characters are interested in him, partly due to his powers, moral character, etc. It adds interpersonal dynamics, romantic tension, conflict.
- Conflict with Both Mundane and Supernatural — Ye Bufan’s challenges are not only mystical enemies but also modern societal issues: paying medical bills, crime, medical ethics, powerful families. This helps ground the fantasy.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Engaging premise: ordinary person gains extraordinary healing & combat skills.
- Fast pacing, especially with short episodes. Keeps momentum.
- Good mix of medical drama + fantasy + cultivation. For fans of both genres, it offers something different.
- Visually appealing for a mid-tier donghua; modern city design + fighting visuals.
Weaknesses / Critiques:
- Short episodes limit how deeply side characters and world-building can be explored.
- Animation quality fluctuates, especially in early episodes.
- Some fans feel the harem / romance side is overdone or distracts from deeper plot potential.
- As with many cultivation stories, power scaling or plot convenience (inheritances, revelations) sometimes weakens internal consistency.
Where to Watch / Access
Available on streaming donghua platforms like iQIYI. English subtitles provided via platforms like DonghuaStream.fans also watch via region-localized or subtitled uploads. Check if available in your country
Final Thoughts
Immortal Doctor in Modern City offers a refreshing take on urban cultivation fantasy. It stands out by mixing medical drama with supernatural power and rooting many stakes in personal relationships (family, healing) rather than only epic cultivation wars. If you like stories where the protagonist starts off in a disadvantaged place, then receives supernatural gifts and uses them not just for strength but also compassion (helping others, curing disease), this donghua is likely to be engaging.
