The Legend of Luo Xiaohei
A Chinese cat spirit's journey through a world of humans and gods.
The Legend of Luo Xiaohei (罗小黑战记) is a Chinese flash animation and webtoon franchise created by artist MTJJ (Zhang Ping). It began as an animated series broadcast online in March 2011 and has expanded into a graphic novel, a mobile game, and feature-length films. The story follows a cat spirit named Luo Xiaohei and his adventures in a world where humans, spirits, and gods coexist.
- creator
- MTJJ (Zhang Ping)
- first release
- March 2011 (animated series)
- medium
- Flash animation, webtoon, graphic novel, mobile game, film
- country of origin
- China
- notable works
- The Legend of Luo Xiaohei (series), The Legend of Hei (2019 film), The Legend of Hei II (2025 film)
Lore & Background
The series begins when Luo Xiaohei, a cat spirit, is injured after stealing Laojun's Pearl of Heaven and is transformed into a black kitten. He is rescued by a human girl, Luo Xiaobai, and they become friends. The first season follows Xiaohei and Xiaobai visiting her grandfather in the countryside, where they encounter spirits and evade those seeking the pearl. Xiaohei eventually regains his elfin form but stays with Xiaobai on instructions from his master, Wuxian.
The second season involves Xiaohei entering an elfin-developed video game, All Living Things, to complete a quest that is actually a test for his prospective job as an Executor. He struggles due to being underleveled and lacking necessary items. The franchise also includes a prequel film, The Legend of Hei (2019), detailing events before the series, and a sequel film, The Legend of Hei II (2025).
Reader's Guide
The Legend of Luo Xiaohei is significant as a long-running Chinese web animation that transitioned into multiple media, including a graphic novel (2015), a mobile game (Luo Xiaohei's Battle Demon Book), and a WeChat sticker series. Its 2019 prequel film expanded its reach to Japanese theaters. The series explores themes of coexistence between humans and spirits, with a focus on Xiaohei's growth from a vengeful spirit to one who understands humanity. Its episodic structure and character-driven storytelling have contributed to its enduring popularity, with 40 episodes and three extra videos available as of July 2021.
Did You Know?
- The series was adapted into a graphic novel in 2015, published by Beijing United Publishing.
- A mobile game titled 'Luo Xiaohei's Battle Demon Book' was developed by Beijing Manya Entertainment Culture Media Co.
- The prequel film The Legend of Hei was released in Chinese and Japanese theaters in September 2019.
- As of July 18, 2021, 40 episodes and three extra videos ('Exam Day', 'Sh…', and 'Goodnight Meow') were available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Legend of Luo Xiaohei?
It is a Chinese animated franchise that originated as a Flash-based web series in March 2011, created by artist MTJJ (Zhang Ping). The property has since grown to include feature films, a webtoon, a graphic novel, and a mobile game.
Who is Luo Xiaohei and what is his role in the story?
Luo Xiaohei is a cat spirit who serves as the central character, navigating a world where humans, spirits, and gods all share the same space. His adventures explore the tensions and connections between these different groups of beings.
What media formats does The Legend of Luo Xiaohei span?
The franchise covers Flash animation, webtoon, graphic novel, mobile game, and theatrical films. The animated series debuted online in 2011, followed by the 2019 film The Legend of Hei and its 2025 sequel.
Who is the creator behind The Legend of Luo Xiaohei?
The entire franchise was created by MTJJ, whose real name is Zhang Ping. He is responsible for the original concept, art, and storytelling across every medium in the series.
Why is The Legend of Luo Xiaohei important to Chinese animation fans?
As one of the earliest successful Chinese indie web animation projects, it proved that a solo creator could build a lasting multi-platform franchise. Its continuous presence since 2011 and expansion into theatrical films cemented its place as a beloved cornerstone of the medium.
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