Online Gaming TV Series Review: The King's Avatar (2019)

The King's Avatar (2019) Chinese TV Series

watched on Netflix

Synopsis from MyDramaList
In the multiplayer online game Glory, Ye Xiu is well known as the textbook level expert and a top-tier player. Due to a series of circumstances he was forcefully expelled out of his professional team. After leaving the pro gaming scene he resides at an Internet Café employed as one of the managers. When Glory launches the tenth server he throws himself into the game once more. Equipped with ten years of gaming experience, memories of the past, and an incomplete self-made weapon. His journey back to the top begins.

40 episodes
finished

 9/10

* * *

Guys, guys, I think I binge-watched the whole series in a week - week and a half, tops. This was sooo good!

First of all, this is based on anime series, and while I haven't watched the original, the adaptation was awesome. The non-romantic plot (thank god! because it definitely did not need any romance), the tension between main characters and the magnificent online fight sequences, individual and group-based. Any lover of online gaming and urban fantasy would appreciate the kick-assery of it all.



The character of Ye Xiu is extremely charismatic and adorable. He has godlike status in the online game of Glory which is similar to WoW, has been in that scene for 10 years and peaked his professional gaming career as a captain of the team. He really goes through the motions until his manager requests he steps down and trains his replacement because he flat out refuses to do the marketing events for his team. Ye Xiu walks away with nothing, no money, no job, no place to live and no practical normal job skills. Luckily, he wanders into an internet cafe which is looking for a network operator and gets hired because he can play Glory well.

What he does is slowly rebuilds his dreams and his online character and then creates a team around him to make his comeback, but on his terms. He is a brilliant tactician, a genius in his field with extraordinary solutions to the situations he has to deal with. This is very much a Cinderella story with many problems and setbacks and heartbreaks, but it's a kind and inspiring TV series. I cheered for Ye Xiu and his team all the way to the top and I loved their online characters. I swear they were expressive and beautifully made, and the story felt equally powerful online and in real life.

I hear there might be Season 2 on the horizon, and if that's the case? SQUEEEEEEE!!!! I can not contain my excitement. Very much recommended.