One of the most entertaining donghua I have watched all year is the romantic comedy animated series How Dare You?
Animated by Shengying Animation, the series follows protagonist Yu Wanyin who, after reading a specific novel, is transported into that book and suddenly finds herself as one of the concubines of the emperor.
Oddly, however, it is only a few hours before Yu Wanyin realizes, while she was transported into this fictional world so, apparently, was the emperor himself. (And the scene during which she figures it out is really quite clever, and yet obvious to anyone who has ever taught English as a Second Language in Asia).
From then on the pair, working together, have to figure out how to change events as, if they don’t, the same things that happened in the novel will happen to them — they will die a horrible death.
If you haven’t watched How Dare You? yet, and love a really quite funny and unique love story full of palace intrigue, and with a completely unique art style, this one should be on your list to view.
Thankfully, you can also do that now without spending a cent of your money to watch it — and legally as well.
Where to watch How Dare You? free (and legally)
Up until just a few days ago, you could watch the Chinese donghua How Dare You? free via the official iQIYI website/app.
That has just changed, however, with only the first two episodes now available for anyone, while Episodes 3 through 12 are currently blocked to everyone except VIP subscribers.
Sure, you can watch Episodes 13 through 24 for free, but what is the point if you’ve missed half the story due to most of the donghua’s previous episodes being blocked.
Interestingly, it is iQIYI themselves who have given us a different option.
That option comes in the form of iQIYI’s YouTube channel, which is currently in the process of uploading all 24 episodes for their viewers — and all free to watch. (Be aware, the English subtitles are nowhere near perfect, but they are good enough that you will easily understand what’s going on).
Those episodes are being uploaded several at a time on one video, which means their first video (watch below) features How Dare You?, Episodes 1 through 8, followed by their second video (watch here) that includes Episodes 9 through 16.
Their third video, which should be uploaded in the next couple of days, will include the final eight episodes of the series.
So there you have it — how to watch How Dare You? free and completely legal.
Entertainment journalist covering Japanese and Chinese anime industry for a decade.
Favorite donghua — World of Immortals, A Will Eternal, The Demon Hunter, Perfect World, Battle Through the Heavens, Fabulous Beasts, Spy x Sect, Soul Land, Tales of Herding Gods, Heaven Officials’ Blessing