Seven Seas Entertainment have announced that they have licensed the manhua comic adaptation of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi, written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (MXTX) and illustrated by Luo Di Cheng Qiu. 

Based on a series of popular New York Times bestselling novels of the same name, the story follows two powerful men drawn to one another through war and across various lifetimes. The manhua, also known as MDZS, will receive a full-color comic treatment, with the first volume set for release in December 2022 in large-trim paperback format. It will also be available as an eBook on digital platforms. 

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation has inspired numerous other adaptations, including a popular animated series, a live-action web drama called The Untamed, a mobile game, and audio drama. 

Seven Seas had previously licensed and released Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s original novel series in August 2021 for the first time in North America. It debuted at the ninth spot on the New York Times Best Sellers list for Paperback Trade Fiction on its first week of release. Xiu’s other novel series, The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System (Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong) and Heaven Official’s Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu), were also released in English by Seven Seas last year. 

Mo Xiang Tong Xiu is a popular writer of historical Chinese fantasy novels in the danmei genre — stories that are typically focused on romanticized tales of love and attraction between men, similar to Japan’s Boys-Love category. Although the majority of danmei writers are women writing for a female audience, anyone can produce and enjoy works within the genre. Xiu’s novels, in particular, have inspired various popular multimedia adaptations. 

Seven Seas is continuing to further their commitment to releasing more danmei, manhua, and other Chinese print media in the West. They have most recently licensed the novel series The Husky and His White Cat Shizun: Erha He Ta De Bai Mao Shizun by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou in March 2022. 

The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi novel series is described as:

Feared and hated for his sinister abilities, Wei Wuxian–the grandmaster of demonic cultivation–was driven to his death when the most powerful clans united to destroy him. Thirteen years later, Wei Wuxian is reborn. Summoned by a young man who sacrificed his soul in a forbidden ritual, Wei Wuxian is now bound to seek vengeance on the stranger’s behalf or risk the destruction of his own soul. But when an evil entity emerges, a familiar face from Wei Wuxian’s past suddenly appears amidst the chaos–a powerful cultivator who will help shine a light on the dark truths that surround them.

Source: Seven Seas Entertainment