Official Trailer
Rating: 8/10 | Genre: Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy | Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 1 | Status: Returning Series
Starring: Yu Yi, Liu Zhiyang, Xiao Yin
So I just finished “The Ferry Man 10th Anniversary” and honestly? I’m kind of obsessed. This show came out of nowhere for me. I didn’t even know it was a thing until it dropped, and now I’m sitting here at 2 AM wondering how I’m supposed to wait for season 2. It’s the kind of show that grabs you immediately and doesn’t let go, even though it does some weird stuff with its pacing that almost doesn’t work but somehow does anyway.
The basic premise is wild. You’ve got this 444 Convenience Store in Mirage City that’s basically a gateway between worlds, and the people working there are tasked with keeping the balance between realms. Sounds like it could be cheesy, right? But it’s not. It’s actually genuinely inventive. The show takes what could have been a gimmicky concept and makes it feel real and lived in.
Season 1
Okay so here’s the thing. Season 1 is technically just one special episode, but they’re saying there are 24 episodes in the full season coming later. This first episode is basically a 10th anniversary special that’s also functioning as a soft reboot or reintroduction to the world. It’s confusing on paper, but it works in practice because the show doesn’t waste time explaining things. It throws you into the action and assumes you can keep up.
The episode focuses on Xia Dongqing and Ya, two people who end up getting pulled into this mess at the convenience store. There’s also this character called the Night Watcher who shows up and is immediately mysterious in a way that actually feels earned instead of annoying. The three of them have to deal with this crimson moon that shows up and starts exposing all these hidden conspiracies that nobody was supposed to know about. By the end, they manage to restore the balance, but you can tell something bigger is brewing.
What really works here is the tone. It’s dark without being grimdark. It’s got action sequences that feel purposeful. There’s actual tension in the dialogue scenes instead of just filler. The show respects its audience enough not to explain every little thing, which means you have to pay attention. I like that.
The only issue is that because this is technically just one episode right now, I can’t really assess the season as a whole. It feels incomplete, which I guess is the point. It’s meant to be a teaser. But it does its job. I’m definitely coming back for the rest.
The Cast
Yu Yi plays Xia Dongqing and carries a lot of the emotional weight of this episode. There’s something genuine about the performance that prevents the character from becoming just another action hero. When Xia Dongqing is confused or scared, you believe it. When they’re determined, it feels earned.
Liu Zhiyang as Ya is the kind of character who could have been annoying in the wrong hands. But Liu Zhiyang gives them this weird vulnerable edge that makes them interesting. There are moments where you’re not sure if Ya is going to help or hinder the situation, and that uncertainty is really effective.
Xiao Yin as the Night Watcher is honestly the MVP here. They don’t have a ton of screen time, but every scene they’re in just pops. There’s something about the way they deliver lines that makes even simple exposition feel intriguing. I have no idea what their backstory is, but I want to know everything about this character.
Should You Watch It?
Yeah, absolutely. It’s only one episode right now, so it’s not a huge time commitment. The action is solid, the story is interesting, and it leaves you wanting more in the best way possible. If you like shows that don’t treat you like you’re stupid and aren’t afraid to get a little weird with their mythology, this is worth your time.
The TMDB rating of 8/10 feels right to me. It’s not perfect. The pacing in the first act is a little off, and some of the exposition could have been handled better. But it’s genuinely good entertainment that’s also trying to be something more than just another streaming show.
Fair warning though: this format of releasing one episode as a “special” before launching the full season is going to drive some people crazy. If that sounds annoying to you, maybe wait until all 24 episodes drop. But if you can handle the wait, dive in. I have a feeling this show is about to become a lot bigger than people realize.
Have you watched it yet, or are you waiting for the full season drop?
Episode Guide
Season 1 (24 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
Episode 7: Episode 7
Episode 8: Episode 8
Episode 9: Episode 9
Episode 10: Episode 10
Episode 11: Episode 11
Episode 12: Episode 12
Episode 13: Episode 13
Episode 14: Episode 14
Episode 15: Episode 15
Episode 16: Episode 16
Episode 17: Episode 17
Episode 18: Episode 18
Episode 19: Episode 19
Episode 20: Episode 20
Episode 21: Episode 21
Episode 22: Episode 22
Episode 23: Episode 23
Episode 24: Episode 24
Where to Watch
Streaming availability varies by region. Check your favorite streaming platform to see if this title is available in your country.