Rating: 9.4/10 | Genre: Animation, Action & Adventure, Drama | Seasons: 10 | Episodes: 177 | Status: Returning Series
Starring: Qian Wenqing, Ireine Song, Li Shimeng, Xu Jiaqi, Yang Mo
I just finished all 10 seasons of “A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality” and honestly, this show is exactly what it promises to be. If you’re into long-form anime that actually commits to telling a complete story across multiple seasons, this is worth your time. The 9.4 rating on TMDB isn’t hype. This show earned it.
Fair warning though: this is a marathon, not a sprint. 177 episodes is a lot. But unlike some shows that stretch their stories thin, this one actually uses those episodes. You’ll want to set aside some serious time for this.
Season 1
Season 1 is where it all starts, and the first 17 episodes do a solid job setting up what you’re getting into. We follow Han Li as he’s taken in by a cultivation sect and starts learning to become immortal. It’s a straightforward premise, but the show handles it well.
The pacing is actually pretty good here. It doesn’t waste time on filler. You get to know Han Li, understand the world he’s entering, and see him make real progress. The animation is clean, and the voice acting from the cast (especially Qian Wenqing) feels natural. Nothing feels forced.
The action scenes are solid without being over the top. This isn’t a show that relies on flashy battles every episode. It’s more interested in telling a story about growth and survival.
Season 2
Here’s where things dip a little. Season 2 is only 4 episodes, and it feels like a bridge season. Not much happens that feels significant. It’s a breather between bigger story arcs, which makes sense narratively, but it’s the weakest stretch of the entire series.
You could almost skip it and not miss much, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that. It has its moments, and it sets up stuff that pays off later. Just know that if you’re feeling a little bored here, that’s normal.
Season 3
This is where the show really hits its stride. Season 3 jumps to 25 episodes and uses every single one. The stakes feel higher. Han Li’s relationships with other characters deepen. The conflicts become more personal.
The action sequences here are noticeably better than season 1, but more importantly, you actually care about what’s happening. This is the season where the show stopped being “pretty good” and became something I actually couldn’t stop watching.
Season 4
Season 4 is 14 episodes of solid storytelling. Not as big as season 3, but it maintains the quality. Character development continues, and you see Han Li making tough choices that have real consequences.
The animation stays consistent, and the pacing is tight. This is when I realized this show wasn’t just adapting source material well. It was adapting it intelligently. Scenes that could’ve dragged get resolved at the right speed.
Season 5
12 episodes that keep the momentum going. Season 5 introduces some new elements that shake things up without feeling random. The cast members all get moments to shine, which is something this show does really well.
What impressed me most is how the show handles multiple storylines without letting any of them feel neglected. It would be easy to focus only on Han Li’s journey, but supporting characters get their own arcs that matter.
Season 6
Another short season at only 4 episodes. Like season 2, this feels like a transition period. It’s necessary for what comes next, but it’s not the most exciting stretch.
At this point in the series, I was committed enough that the slower moments didn’t bother me. But I can see how someone watching week to week might have gotten frustrated. Thankfully, if you’re binging, you can just move right into season 7.
Season 7
Season 7 is huge. 48 episodes. This is the show’s biggest season and it earns the length. Everything that’s been built up over the previous seasons comes into play here. Multiple character arcs reach their peaks. The scale of the story expands dramatically.
I was glued to my screen through most of this. It’s ambitious storytelling. Battles that matter. Betrayals that hurt. Character moments that land. The voice acting from the ensemble cast is at its best here.
This is the season that made me understand why this show has such a high rating. This is what happens when a production team actually knows how to handle a long-form narrative.
Season 8
28 episodes that feel earned rather than stretched. The fallout from season 7 plays out here. New conflicts emerge. Han Li and the other characters deal with the consequences of their choices.
The animation quality dips ever so slightly here, which is worth noting. There are a few episodes where the art looks a bit cheaper than earlier seasons. It’s not bad, just noticeable. But the story is strong enough that it doesn’t matter much.
Season 9
24 episodes that continue pushing toward what feels like an ending. At this point, you’re invested in how this all wraps up. The show knows that and delivers.
This season has some of the best individual episodes of the entire series. Character moments that feel real. Battles that are actually tense because you care about the people fighting. Dialogue that doesn’t feel like exposition.
It’s clear the show is building toward something. The pacing picks up. The stakes get personal again after the larger scope of earlier seasons.
Season 10
The final season is only 6 episodes. It’s short, which initially bothered me, but it makes sense once you see how it ends. The show doesn’t overstay its welcome.
This finale doesn’t wrap up absolutely everything, which some people might find frustrating. But it feels true to the source material and to the story being told. It’s a satisfying ending even if it’s not a neat one.
I’d definitely recommend this show if you have the time for it. It’s not perfect. Some seasons are slower than others. The animation isn’t always consistent. But as a complete package, it’s a rare example of a long anime that actually knows what it’s doing.
Have you watched any of this yet, or are you thinking about jumping in? I’d love to know if you think the length is worth it.
Episode Guide
Season 1 (17 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (8/10)
Episode 2: Episode 2 (8/10)
Episode 3: Episode 3 (8/10)
Episode 4: Episode 4 (8/10)
Episode 5: Episode 5 (8/10)
Episode 6: Episode 6 (8/10)
Episode 7: Episode 7 (8/10)
Episode 8: Episode 8 (8/10)
Episode 9: Episode 9 (8/10)
Episode 10: Episode 10 (8/10)
Episode 11: Episode 11 (8/10)
Episode 12: Episode 12 (8/10)
Episode 13: Episode 13 (8/10)
Episode 14: Episode 14 (8/10)
Episode 15: Episode 15 (8/10)
Episode 16: Episode 16 (8/10)
Episode 17: Episode 17
Season 2 (4 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (7/10)
Episode 2: Episode 2
Episode 3: Episode 3
Episode 4: Episode 4
Season 3 (25 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (8/10)
Episode 2: Episode 2 (7/10)
Episode 3: Episode 3 (8/10)
Episode 4: Episode 4 (8/10)
Episode 5: Episode 5 (8/10)
Episode 6: Episode 6 (8/10)
Episode 7: Episode 7 (8/10)
Episode 8: Episode 8 (8/10)
Episode 9: Episode 9 (8/10)
Episode 10: Episode 10 (8/10)
Episode 11: Episode 11 (8/10)
Episode 12: Episode 12 (8/10)
Episode 13: Episode 13 (8/10)
Episode 14: Episode 14 (8/10)
Episode 15: Episode 15 (8/10)
Episode 16: Episode 16 (8/10)
Episode 17: Episode 17 (8/10)
Episode 18: Episode 18 (8/10)
Episode 19: Episode 19 (8/10)
Episode 20: Episode 20 (8/10)
Episode 21: Episode 21 (8/10)
Episode 22: Episode 22 (8/10)
Episode 23: Episode 23 (8/10)
Episode 24: Episode 24 (8/10)
Episode 25: Episode 25 (8/10)
Season 4 (14 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (8/10)
Episode 2: Episode 2 (8/10)
Episode 3: Episode 3 (8/10)
Episode 4: Episode 4 (8/10)
Episode 5: Episode 5 (8/10)
Episode 6: Episode 6 (8/10)
Episode 7: Episode 7 (8/10)
Episode 8: Episode 8 (8/10)
Episode 9: Episode 9 (8/10)
Episode 10: Episode 10 (8/10)
Episode 11: Episode 11 (8/10)
Episode 12: Episode 12 (8/10)
Episode 13: Episode 13 (8/10)
Episode 14: Episode 14 (8/10)
Season 5 (12 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (10/10)
Episode 2: Episode 2 (10/10)
Episode 3: Episode 3 (10/10)
Episode 4: Episode 4 (10/10)
Episode 5: Episode 5 (10/10)
Episode 6: Episode 6 (10/10)
Episode 7: Episode 7 (10/10)
Episode 8: Episode 8 (10/10)
Episode 9: Episode 9 (10/10)
Episode 10: Episode 10 (10/10)
Episode 11: Episode 11 (10/10)
Episode 12: Episode 12 (10/10)
Season 6 (4 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (6/10)
Episode 2: Episode 2 (6/10)
Episode 3: Episode 3 (7/10)
Episode 4: Episode 4 (7/10)
Season 7 (48 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (10/10)
Episode 2: Episode 2 (10/10)
Episode 3: Episode 3 (10/10)
Episode 4: Episode 4 (10/10)
Episode 5: Episode 5 (10/10)
Episode 6: Episode 6 (10/10)
Episode 7: Episode 7 (10/10)
Episode 8: Episode 8 (10/10)
Episode 9: Episode 9 (10/10)
Episode 10: Episode 10 (10/10)
Episode 11: Episode 11 (10/10)
Episode 12: Episode 12 (10/10)
Episode 13: Episode 13 (10/10)
Episode 14: Episode 14 (10/10)
Episode 15: Episode 15 (10/10)
Episode 16: Episode 16 (10/10)
Episode 17: Episode 17 (10/10)
Episode 18: Episode 18 (10/10)
Episode 19: Episode 19 (10/10)
Episode 20: Episode 20 (10/10)
Episode 21: Episode 21 (10/10)
Episode 22: Episode 22 (10/10)
Episode 23: Episode 23 (10/10)
Episode 24: Episode 24 (10/10)
Episode 25: Episode 25 (10/10)
Episode 26: Episode 26 (10/10)
Episode 27: Episode 27 (10/10)
Episode 28: Episode 28 (10/10)
Episode 29: Episode 29 (10/10)
Episode 30: Episode 30 (10/10)
Episode 31: Episode 31 (10/10)
Episode 32: Episode 32 (10/10)
Episode 33: Episode 33 (10/10)
Episode 34: Episode 34 (10/10)
Episode 35: Episode 35 (10/10)
Episode 36: Episode 36 (10/10)
Episode 37: Episode 37 (10/10)
Episode 38: Episode 38 (10/10)
Episode 39: Episode 39 (10/10)
Episode 40: Episode 40 (10/10)
Episode 41: Episode 41 (10/10)
Episode 42: Episode 42 (10/10)
Episode 43: Episode 43 (10/10)
Episode 44: Episode 44 (10/10)
Episode 45: Episode 45 (10/10)
Episode 46: Episode 46 (10/10)
Episode 47: Episode 47 (10/10)
Episode 48: Episode 48 (10/10)
Season 8 (28 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (10/10)
Episode 2: Episode 2 (7/10)
Episode 3: Episode 3 (7/10)
Episode 4: Episode 4 (7/10)
Episode 5: Episode 5 (7/10)
Episode 6: Episode 6 (8/10)
Episode 7: Episode 7 (8/10)
Episode 8: Episode 8 (7/10)
Episode 9: Episode 9 (7/10)
Episode 10: Episode 10 (8/10)
Episode 11: Episode 11 (8/10)
Episode 12: Episode 12 (8/10)
Episode 13: Episode 13 (8/10)
Episode 14: Episode 14 (8/10)
Episode 15: Episode 15 (8/10)
Episode 16: Episode 16 (8/10)
Episode 17: Episode 17 (7/10)
Episode 18: Episode 18 (8/10)
Episode 19: Episode 19 (7/10)
Episode 20: Episode 20 (8/10)
Episode 21: Episode 21 (8/10)
Episode 22: Episode 22 (8/10)
Episode 23: Episode 23 (8/10)
Episode 24: Episode 24 (7/10)
Episode 25: Episode 25 (8/10)
Episode 26: Episode 26 (8/10)
Episode 27: Episode 27 (8/10)
Episode 28: Episode 28 (8/10)
Season 9 (24 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1 (10/10)
Episode 2: Episode 2 (10/10)
Episode 3: Episode 3 (10/10)
Episode 4: Episode 4 (10/10)
Episode 5: Episode 5 (10/10)
Episode 6: Episode 6 (10/10)
Episode 7: Episode 7 (10/10)
Episode 8: Episode 8 (10/10)
Episode 9: Episode 9 (10/10)
Episode 10: Episode 10 (10/10)
Episode 11: Episode 11 (10/10)
Episode 12: Episode 12 (10/10)
Episode 13: Episode 13 (10/10)
Episode 14: Episode 14 (10/10)
Episode 15: Episode 15 (10/10)
Episode 16: Episode 16 (10/10)
Episode 17: Episode 17 (9/10)
Episode 18: Episode 18 (10/10)
Episode 19: Episode 19 (10/10)
Episode 20: Episode 20 (10/10)
Episode 21: Episode 21 (10/10)
Episode 22: Episode 22 (10/10)
Episode 23: Episode 23 (9/10)
Episode 24: Episode 24 (10/10)
Season 10 (6 Episodes)
Episode 1: Episode 1
Episode 2: Episode 2
Episode 3: Episode 3
Episode 4: Episode 4
Episode 5: Episode 5
Episode 6: Episode 6
Where to Watch
Streaming availability varies by region. Check your favorite streaming platform to see if this title is available in your country.