So You Want to Watch The Untamed Part I

You’ve seen the internet talking about The Untamed (available on Netflix and YouTube), and you kinda want to check it out, but you have no idea what’s going on. Fear not, gentle viewer, I’m here to help you.

What is The Untamed and where did it come from?
The Untamed originated as a Chinese boys love (BL) novel, written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. The original title is Mo Dao Zu Shi (loosely translated to Grand Master of Demonic Cultivation), shortened by fans and in social media hashtags to MDZS. The author has two other stories that round out a trio of fantasy BL novels. MDZS seems to be the most popular of the three books and is currently the only one with both an animation and live version.

Who the heck are all these people and where did they get those amazing robes?
The Untamed has a big cast and they’re all introduced pretty quickly so it can be a little tough to figure out who is who. The two main characters are Wei Wuxian - who wears black, and Lan Zahn - who wears white. You’ve probably seen fan or official promo art for them. The majority of people are grouped into one of five big clans, identified by the color of their robes.

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The Characters

The Jiang Clan of Yunmeng
They are identified by their purple robes, although in the live version, they often mix in blue and a pretty sea green as well. Their family seat is Lotus Pier. They are a modest and well-respected clan, and their home has a beautiful and cozy feel to it.

Wei Wuxian aka Wei Ying. He is not technically a Jiang. As a small boy, he was adopted by the clan leader after his parents, who were former servants of the clan leader, were killed hunting demons. This is why he wears his trademark black and red, rather than the Jiang purple. He’s charming and precocious and his mischievous nature sometimes lands him in trouble.

Jiang Cheng. Son and heir of the Jiang sect. A good boy but has a few hang-ups from his mother’s berating, and a quick temper.

Jiang Yanli. Oldest of the siblings. She’s somewhat shy but a fierce protector of her little brothers, especially Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Fengmian Clan leader. A kind man, rumored to have loved Wei Wuxian’s mother.

Yu Ziyuan. Aka Violet Spider. Wife of and ruler of the Jiang household. She’s uh… a little harsh. But she’s a badass warrior. Wait until you see what she can do with her spiritual weapon. I want my own Zidian!

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The Lan Sect of Gosu
They are identified by their white robes, sometimes alternated with sky blue. They live in the mountains of the Cloud Recess. They are a strict clan (with 3,000 rules!) dedicated to studies. Cultivator students from other clans come there to learn and train.

Lan Zahn. (Called Lan Wangji by most everyone except Wei Wuxian). Second Lan brother. He’s quiet, elegant, and always follows the rules.

Lan Xichen Oldest Lan brother. With Lan Zahn they are known as the Twin Jades of Gosu.

Lan Qiren. Uncle to the Twin Jades. Although Lan Xichen is technically the clan leader, Grand Master is deferred to as an elder and is in charge of the cultivation school.

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The Wen Clan
This group is the big bad for the first half of the show. Their colors are red and black and they live in Sun Scorching Palace in Nightless City (named so because it’s so big the sun never sets on it. Brag much?).

Wen Ruohan Wen Clan leader and basically the ruler of the region since his clan is the biggest and has the most power.

Wen Chao. He’s the worst. Talentless hack of a second son who is put in charge of the young crowd of cultivators and carries out his father’s orders. (He has an older brother, but he’s on screen so little I don’t count him as a major player)

Wang Lingjiao. Mistress of Wen Chao. She’s also the worst. But I do love the way they dress her to show how tacky and cheap she is.

Wen Qing She is from a small offshoot branch of the main Wen clan. A healer who serves the clan leader, mostly out of fear for her and her brother’s life.

Wen Ning. The best cinnamon roll! Qing’s little brother. He was hurt as a child and ever since he’s been protected and cared for by his big sister while she finds a way to cure him.

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Jin Clan of Lanling
These are the hoity toity rich bitches. Identified by yellow, gold and cream robes. They’re the second biggest of the main cultivating clans and live in Carp Tower. It’s gorgeous with open airy rooms, decorated in white, green, and gold.

Jin Guangshan Clan leader. Clearly power hungry but smiles in your face like he’s not plotting to take over your clan. Also, a prolific womanizer. Dude has little Jin babies all over the place that he doesn’t claim and generally treats like shit.

Jin Zixuan. Only recognized son and heir of the Jin Clan leader. There’s sweetness hidden deep within him but mostly we see the stiff, rich boy façade. He’s so fancy he rented out an entire inn just for his group’s use and kicked anybody else who wanted to use it to the curb. His first onscreen words were, “This tea is stale.” Just drink the fucking tea, rich boy! Ha! I love him.

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Nie Clan.
They’re the newest of the main big clans. They’re smaller and a little rough around the edges. Their family home is Unclean Realm (I’m sure there’s something I’m missing in translation because the place is immaculate) the clan colors are a very pretty gray and silver and they use big blades instead of swords.

Nie Mingjue aka Red Blade Master. Leader of the Nie clan. I like to call him Big Daddy because he’s the biggest and most fierce in a show filled with slender, elegant men. Takes command of the combined forces to fight against the evil of the Wen clan. Also, his braids are pretty.

Nie Huaisang. Little brother of Red Blade Master and heir of the Nie Clan. He’s an adorable nugget. Carries a silk fan instead of a weapon and really just wants to be cute and have fun.

Meng Yao. Advisor to Red Blade Master. One of the unclaimed sons of Clan Leader Jin. He makes my spine itch.

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So that’s the who! And now, the what the heck is happening.

The Setting: Takes places in ancient fantasy China. In this world, demons, ghosts, etc. are a common occurrence. The nobility / upper class clans are cultivators – sorta like warrior exorcists – who fight these demons.

The Plot: As you may have noticed by the fandom’s screeching and fan arts, Wei Wuxian and Lan Zahn are the main protagonists. At the start of the show, Wei Wuxian is reincarnated in the body of Mo Xuanyu. Mo sacrificies his life to bring Wei Wuxian back from the dead in order to get vengeance against Mo’s enemies. The reason he picked WW for this is because in his first life, Wei Wuxian was a powerful demonic cultivator. The reason WW died? Because he was a powerful demonic cultivator and jealous hos were trying to steal his shine.

At the start of the show, Wei Wuxian has been dead for 16 years. When he’s resurrected, he wears a mask to conceal his identity from those who still hate him. Unfortunately, he’s thrown right in the middle of a dangerous mystery. Someone is manipulating ghosts and demons to harm people. As he tries to help a group of young cultivators fight these demons, Lan Zahn, a close friend from his old life, recognizes him, even behind the mask. The two start tackling the mystery together. But before they make much progress, Wei Wuxian passes out.

As he sleeps, he dreams of his first life, and the show turns into a big flashback where we see Wei Wuxian and his siblings attending the Lan sect cultivation school. It follows the time afterward, where we see all of the trials and tribulations that lead to Wei Wuxian’s powerful rise, fall, and death, as well as the growing close relationship between him and Lan Zahn.

When Wei Wuxian wakes from his coma, we are back in the present and they start working to uncover the mystery. This also leads them to discover events which lead to Wei Wuxian’s banishment, the cultivating world turning against him, and his eventual death.

And that’s what the show is about! But this wrap-up hardly does The Untamed justice. I’ve shown you the what. Next time I’ll show you why you should watch this amazing Chinese drama.

The Untamed is available on Netflix and YouTube.

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Thanks for reading my The Untamed watch guide! If you'd like to check out my published work, pop on over to my Amazon page where I have lots of m/m romance, including BLAZE, book one in my superhero series!
Love,
Christa

Christa Tomlinson on Amazon