The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Anime›Blades of the Guardians
Entertainment • Anime

Blades of the Guardians

Blades of the Guardians is a Chinese animated television series based on Xianzhe Xu’s manhua of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Blades of the Guardians is a Chinese animated television series based on Xianzhe Xu’s manhua of the same name. It follows Dao Ma, a skilled escort and wandering fighter in the late Sui dynasty, as he takes on a mission that leads him toward Chang’an and into wider conflict. The series premiered in 2023 and was produced by Tencent Penguin Pictures and Colored Pencil Animation.

Premise

The series follows Dao Ma after he accepts an escort mission to Chang’an. What begins as a routine job turns into a dangerous journey through political unrest and conflict in ancient China.

Production

Blades of the Guardians is a Chinese animated adaptation of Xianzhe Xu’s manhua. Sources identify Colored Pencil Animation as the studio and Tencent Penguin Pictures or Tencent Video as production-related companies.

Release

The series premiered on June 1, 2023, and completed its first season in 15 episodes by August 2023. It is listed as a finished series by major anime databases.

Source material

The original work, Biao Ren, is a Chinese manhua written and illustrated by Xianzhe Xu. The adaptation keeps the historical-action setting and the central character Dao Ma.

Key facts

  • The series is an adaptation of Xianzhe Xu’s Chinese manhua Blades of the Guardians (also known as Biao Ren).
  • It is set during the transition from the Sui dynasty to the early Tang era.
  • The story centres on Dao Ma, an escort or bounty hunter travelling across ancient China.
  • The anime/ONA ran for 15 episodes and first aired in June 2023.
  • It was produced by Tencent Penguin Pictures and animated by Colored Pencil Animation.
🍁
Canadian context

It has no specific Canada-focused connection in the available sources, but it is part of the international anime and streaming market that Canadian viewers may access through licensed platforms.

Frequently asked questions

What is Blades of the Guardians?
It is a Chinese animated television adaptation of Xianzhe Xu’s manhua about an escort fighter named Dao Ma.
When did it first air?
It premiered on June 1, 2023.
How many episodes does it have?
The first season has 15 episodes.
What is it based on?
It is based on the manhua Blades of the Guardians, also known as Biao Ren.
Who produced it?
Sources name Tencent Penguin Pictures and Colored Pencil Animation, with Tencent Video also listed among production credits.

References

  1. Anime.com — https://www.anime.com/shows/blades-of-the-guardians
    Supports: Premiere date, episode count, status, basic synopsis, and credits.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biao_Ren
    Supports: Manhua source, creator Xianzhe Xu, adaptation details, country of origin, and production/release information.
  3. MyAnimeList — https://myanimelist.net/anime/44388/Biao_Ren
    Supports: Alternative titles, type, episodes, airing dates, studio, source material, and genre classification.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28259824/
    Supports: Series title, origin, language, runtime, and adaptation notes.