Rakuten’s Viki — a leading streaming platform for Asian content — is temporarily removing the paywall on 25 Japanese, Chinese, and Korean animation titles, featuring global sensations like My Hero Academia. The first collection is accessible until September 21, with the second set releasing on August 19 and available until September 28.
Keep reading for more information!
Batch 1
Cinderella Chef (Mainland China)
Modern chef Ye Jia Yao (Zhong Dan Ni) unexpectedly travels back in time to ancient China after a chance meeting with a forlorn scientist and his time machine. She awakens in the body of Lady Ye, who has just been abducted by the notorious Black Wind Fortress bandits, led by the fearsome Bai Chong Ye (Zhao Jian). Here, she encounters Xia Chun Yu (Bie Thassapak Hsu), an undercover agent who is investigating a conspiracy against the king. Posing as part of a fake marriage, Jia Yao must assist Chun Yu in keeping the peace in the kingdom while maneuvering through the treacherous world of ancient political schemes.
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Cinderella Chef 2 (Mainland China)
Ye Jia Yao finds herself abruptly transported from the 21st century to Imperial China, awakening in the body of Ye Jin Xuan, a magistrate’s daughter. After escaping her captors, she hopes to rebuild her life in Jinling as a professional chef. However, her plans become intricate when Xia Chun Yu, heir of Marquis Jing An, reenters her life, expressing affection towards the naive Prince He Lian Jing.
My Heroic Husband (Mainland China)
Set in modern China, a prosperous businessman faces betrayal from a treacherous partner, who dares him to seek vengeance in another lifetime. Transformed hundreds of years into the past, he inhabits the body of Ning Yi (Guo Qi Lin), who is engaged to Su Tan Er (Song Yi). Initially resistant to the arranged marriage, Ning Yi gradually falls for his charming fiancée, and learns that their family faces threats from competition and dangerous bandits. Using his contemporary business acumen and resourcefulness, he strives to safeguard his wife’s family and their interests amidst the complex social fabric of the era.
My Heroic Husband 2 (Mainland China)
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Now married, Ning Yi and Su Tan Er venture to Lin An to expand their business, only to have their plans disrupted when the city succumbs to a violent rebel army, causing them to become separated. Captured by the rebel leader Liu Xi Gua, Ning Yi is coerced into being her strategist, while Su Tan Er frantically seeks a rescue.
Soulmate Adventure (Mainland China)
Feng Ling Er is a thief with a seemingly greedy nature, yet her heart is generous—using her martial arts prowess to rob from the wealthy to support the needy. She soon intersects paths with Bai Yu Xiu, a mysterious girl with the unique ability to imitate martial arts moves. Together, they embark on a journey to assist those in need, while also searching for Yu Xiu’s mother, all while dark conspiracies lurk in the shadows.
Soulmate Adventure 2 (Mainland China)
As Bai Yu Xiu’s saga continues, she experiences bizarre occurrences that seem connected to the forbidden Red Yang Blood Essence. As she and Feng Ling Er proceed on their journey, they realize these events are no mere coincidences, and locating Bai Yu Xiu’s mother might be crucial to uncovering the truth.
The Richest Man in Game (Mainland China)
Pei Qian, an unremarkable office worker, accidentally clicks on a spam link and finds himself transported back to his college days, retaining all his memories, yet bound by a “wealth conversion system” with a curious catch: he retains only 1 yuan for every 100 yuan he legitimately earns, but any losses directly impact his own finances. Intent on outsmarting the system, he purposely releases absurd, disastrous online games to exhaust his initial funds. The outcome is nothing he anticipated, as his games become astonishingly popular, earning him the title “Business Wizard.” Can he ever figure out how to fail, or is he destined to keep succeeding in spite of himself?
Caged Character (Mainland China)
Fei Xing Kong eagerly starts his first day of university, only to be knocked unconscious by an unforeseen blow. Upon regaining consciousness, he enters his first class to meet Si Rui, the girl who eerily resembles his assailant. To his surprise, Si Rui confesses to hitting him, asserting that she had read an online comic featuring her as the story’s protagonist. The further she reads, the more closely her life parallels the comic’s plot, leading her to conclude that she and Xing Kong are trapped in the storyline. Initially dismissing her claims as madness, Xing Kong’s perspective shifts as even stranger experiences unfold. Both seek to escape, but can they outwit the author, or are they forever beholden to her narration?
No Doubt in Us (Mainland China)
Emperor Xiao Jin Yun and Empress Xu Yu are united in a politically arranged marriage, characterized by stark differences in temperament and expectations. Xiao Jin Yun is an intellectual, fragile scholar, while Xu Yu is an audacious, martial-arts adept daughter of a distinguished general. Their challenging relationship complicates further when a mishap at a lotus pond causes them to inadvertently swap bodies. Aboard Xu Yu’s agile form, the Emperor must navigate scheming rivals in the harem. Simultaneously, Xu Yu contends with state affairs while managing the Emperor’s delicate health. Living each other’s lives leads to a transformation of their mutual disdain into deep trust and unexpected romance.
No Doubt in Us 2 (Mainland China)
With their chaotic body-swap behind them, Emperor Xiao Jin Yun and Empress Xu Yu are bound by newfound trust, respect, and love. Yet tranquility is fleeting within the imperial court as menacing plots and external threats emerge. As foreign incursions threaten the kingdom’s borders and treacherous court factions devise schemes, the royal duo faces their ultimate loyalty test. While Xu Yu takes charge in leading troops during battles, Xiao Jin Yun tackles the treacherous political arena from the throne. Together, they must rely on their solid bond to outsmart their adversaries and shield their subjects.
The All-Devouring Whale: Homecoming (Mainland China)
In a realm where those with potent spiritual energy can train special beasts, Fan Ling Xiao distinguishes himself as a notable master. Accompanied by his spiritual whale, Kun, he establishes and leads the Ling Xiao Pavilion for aspiring masters. However, an untimely competition sees Kun lose control and consume Ling Xiao. When he regains consciousness a year later, he inhabits the body of a young man named Liu Feng Man, imprisoned by the rival Bai sect. Upon escaping with a catfish he names Nian, Ling Xiao discovers the Ling Xiao Pavilion’s prestige has sunk in his absence and that fish spirit animals are dangerously close to extinction. Ling Xiao resolves to go undercover with his new identity, seek out his old friends, and uncover the truth.
My Hero Academia (Japan)
Izuku “Deku” Midoriya is unique: while most individuals possess extraordinary abilities called “Quirks,” he appears to lack one. Despite this, he dreams of becoming a hero. His aspirations begin to materialize when he encounters his idol All Might, who gifts him his Quirk of powerful energy accumulation and the ability to share it. Armed with this remarkable power, Izuku joins U.A. High School, where young people with Quirks train to become elite heroes. However, just as Izuku starts to adapt to his new environment and companions, a group of villains launches an assault on the school! Will Izuku and his fellow students successfully repel the attack, or is his journey toward becoming a hero doomed before it truly begins?
The Legend of Princess Chang Ge (Mainland China)
After being caught sneaking out to play sports, Princess Li Yong Ning is exiled by her mother to contemplate her rebellious actions. Soon after, a calamity strikes as the King of Qin orders the annihilation of her family. Returning to find her home drenched in chaos, she pledges revenge, disguising herself as a male and taking on the name Chang Ge to conceal her identity. Throughout her journey, she faces numerous tribulations but meets allies who help reshape her worldview.
KILL BLUE ©Tadatoshi Fujimaki/SHUEISHA, KILL BLUE Production Committee
Batch 2
KILL BLUE (Japan)
Hitman Juzo Ogami has never faltered in his missions for the Z.O.O. assassin organization. But when a genetically enhanced wasp somehow transforms him back to his 13-year-old self, he is thrust into a role better suited to his new appearance: surveilling a middle school to ensure the safety of the syndicate leader’s daughter. As he juggles school life along with dangerous assignments for Z.O.O., he grapples with homework and conflicts with classmates. The situation becomes complicated when he discovers that his classmate Noren Mitsuoka is the daughter of the corporation behind the wasp; he needs to cleverly balance his dual lives in order to regain his normality.
My Hero Academia 2 (Japan)
Following the defensive triumph of U.A. High School against the League of Villains, Izuku “Deku” Midoriya and his hero-in-training comrades turn their attention to the looming sports festival and their final exams. This festival acts as both a competitive school event and an opportunity for students to showcase their Quirks before professional heroes scouting for potential sidekicks. Motivated by the increasingly frail All Might, Izuku is determined to seize the chance, but competitors like Katsuki Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki are equally intent on winning, making it challenging for him to prove his abilities.
No Home (Korea)
Escaping from abusive parents, teenager Eun Young finds himself living in a tent and doing what it takes to get by, including thievery. When he steals the wallet from Hae Jun, another runaway teen, their clash results in Eun Young losing his tent and Hae Jun missing his deadline for applying to his high school dorm. With nowhere left to go, the two homeless boys reluctantly end up sharing an abandoned dormitory near the campus. While initial animosity reigns, they gradually forge a bond in navigating trauma, loss, and the essence of having a home.
Pyramid Game (Korea)
Transfer student Seong Su Ji hopes for a positive start at her new high school but instead encounters the class’s callous ranking system, pitting peers into tiers from A to E. The top tier enjoys respect, while those lower must endure disdain, with the dreaded F tier being the worst—reserved for relentless bullying. After being voted into the infamous F tier, Su Ji becomes the latest target. Determined to retaliate, she faces a pivotal choice: win the Pyramid Game or obliterate it entirely.
The Girl Downstairs (Mainland China)
Once a pop idol, Li Shi Ya now lives a quiet existence in the same apartment as college freshman Yuan Jun Tang. As Yuan embarks on his first year at Minsong University, still holding onto feelings for his high school crush, Zhu Zhu, he becomes enchanted by the enigmatic Shi Ya. As their lives increasingly intertwine, Yuan Jun Tang begins to grapple with whether his heart lies with the girl from his past or the captivating woman right downstairs.
Roommates (Mainland China)
When Luo Ben (Ye Zhiqiu) and Bai Jun Yan (Dafang Gong) find themselves as college roommates, their contrasting personalities spark immediate clashes and misunderstandings. Luo Ben exudes poise and confidence, while Jun Yan has a more conventional upbringing. As time passes, they unexpectedly bond during their time in the campus drama club, where they encounter Gao Shu (Youxi Deng), an introverted student leader, and Ou Yang (Su Shangqing), a talented yet shy artist. As they grow closer as a group, their interconnections deepen, leading each to navigate the themes of friendship, identity, and self-expression.
YAO-Chinese Folktales (Mainland China)
An anthology of eight independent tales rooted in Chinese traditions: “The Little Monster’s Summer,” “Goose, Goose, Goose,” “Linlin,” “The Country Bus Takes Away Wang Hai’er and the Immortal,” “Xiaoman, Birds and Fish,” “The Convenience Store,” and “The Jade Rabbit.” The stories evoke nostalgia for simpler rural life while exploring themes from technology fantasy to reflections on humanity, showcasing the breadth of Chinese imagination and cultural philosophy.
Mom, I’m Sorry (Mainland China)
In a desperate bid to save his terminally ill mother, Dong Cui Can strikes a bargain with a mysterious stranger, exchanging his remaining years for hers. Miraculously, the stranger not only revives Cui Can’s mother but gifts her with the vitality of her 20-year-old self. With this second chance, Yan Jin Yu is determined to savor every moment while Cui Can dedicates himself to repaying his mother for the sacrifices she made in raising him. This animated series from China is directed by Zhang Yu Xia and set to release in 2024.
April Showers Bring May Flowers (Japan)
Fifteen-year-old Hana Tabata adores shoujo manga, flowers, and all things adorable, but has resigned herself to the notion of an unremarkable high school experience, convinced of her lack of appeal. Everything transforms when her kind-hearted, good-looking classmate Yousuke Ueno discovers her replacing flowers in the classroom one day. Intrigued by the individual behind the floral arrangements, Yousuke begins seeking a friendship with Hana. As their relationship deepens, Hana grapples with profound insecurities about her self-image, while Yousuke realizes that love is far more intricate than mere feelings.
There’s No Freaking Way I’ll be Your Lover! Unless… (Japan)
Shy, anxious Renako Amaori pledges to reinvent herself post-middle school graduation. She alters her appearance and hones her conversational skills in preparation for high school, hoping to forge the friendships she has longed for. Her wish appears to come true as she befriends classmate Mai Ouzuka, a wealthy, outgoing fashion model, though Renako soon realizes the impossibility of maintaining her façade. In an earnest exchange, she reveals her true self to Mai. The following day, Mai confesses her feelings for Renako, leading the duo to navigate their ambitions—fostering their friendship and exploring potential romance.
Blue Spring Ride (Japan)
In middle school, Futaba Yoshioka and her classmate Kou Tanaka seemed destined for romance, but his move away thwarted her opportunity to confess her feelings. Three years later, Kou unexpectedly transfers to Futaba’s high school, providing her with hope of rekindling their bond. However, he has significantly changed, adopting a new surname and embracing a distant demeanor. Futaba herself has also transformed, reshaping her identity to fit in. As they reconnect, will their reunion bring love and the acceptance of their true selves?
TOUGEN ANKI (Japan)
In ancient times, demon-like creatures known as Oni wreaked havoc, easily vanquishing humans, until a steadfast man named Momotaro rose against them. Over thousands of years, the bloodlines of the Oni and Momotaro intermixed, giving birth to the Oni Agency and Momotaro Agency, comprising individuals descended from both lineages—such as Shiki Ichinose, who is rescued from a Momotaro assault when his adoptive father Tsuyoshi sacrifices himself, revealing his own Momotaro lineage as Shiki’s latent Oni ancestry awakens. Shiki’s Oni emergence captures the attention of Naito Mudano, an Oni instructor at Rasetsu Academy, who resolves to aid Shiki in mastering his powers to avenge his father.
YAO-Chinese Folktales
