Name: This Chinese animation is picture perfect—well, almost.
Item: Link Click
Rating: 80
Author: KiriyamaKaguya

Waifra

This Chinese animation is picture perfect—well, almost.

This review contains a brief description of the main characters’ abilities and a minor, vague spoiler related to Xiaoshi’s ability that is hidden under a spoiler tag.

If you just want a brief bullet-point summary of whether Link Click is the show for you, scroll to the bottom. If not, keep reading.

Link Click is the first Chinese animation (donghua) I watched, and with its top ratings on MyAnimeList and Anilist, that probably is and will be the case for many others as well. I see this as a good thing, because Link Click is well-deserving of this distinction and a worthy show in general that reaches emotional heights matching some of the best anime out there.

Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, friends who run hot and cold respectively, go back in time through photos for various clients who want something from the past to resolve an issue in the present. While Lu Guang has the ability to see up to 12 hours ahead of the time a photo was taken from the taker’s perspective, Xiaoshi can effectively possess that person’s past self and walk in their shoes, so to speak.

There is no explanation offered as to why they have these abilities in this first season, which is light on exposition in general. Rather, the show focuses on developing the stories of different individuals as Xiaoshi experiences their pasts. This leads to a plot that can be difficult to follow at times due to questions about time travel not always getting (immediate) answers, but creates compelling drama that provides several characters to root for besides the main protagonists.

Not that Xiaoshi isn’t an engaging character on his own. He is endearing and empathetic, inclined to think with his heart over his mind in situations where it would usually be wiser to follow Lu Guang’s guidance. This tendency may test some people’s patience, and it did test mine, but never past the point of understanding—especially as his own past comes to light. Lu Guang complements Xiaoshi well with his stoic and level-headed demeanor, but feels a bit flat in comparison. Though, his lack of development this season may mean he has his own arc in the upcoming second season. He does have a distinct personality and motivations; I just haven’t seen enough to care much for him personally.

But Link Click’s greatest strength is how each twist and turn makes a powerful impact on the characters as well as the viewer. Plot twists are not just played for shock value but rather contribute to the emotional narrative of the show. Characters navigate regrets, trauma, and tragedy, which the show handles with sensitivity while allowing for hope of renewal. And almost every episode (including the last) ends on a cliffhanger, but it’s hard to be mad when they feel earned... and slide so smoothly into the banger ED.

The show’s sound direction in general is on point, enhancing both calm and suspenseful moments with few missteps. There are no overly dramatic background tracks, just parents singing lullabies on a quiet night. I do not know Chinese, but the voice acting feels expressive to me and vividly portrays different characters’ personalities. The overall visuals are like watching a film, which is saying something. Though I'm not one to scrutinize every detail of art and animation, the art seems clean, sharp, and consistent—more appealing than most anime I’ve watched. The animation doesn’t stand out for the most part, but it gets the job done. If you want some fine animation of two guys and a girl dancing to some sick beats, though, go ahead and watch the OP.

Spoiler, click to viewclick to hide

If Link Click can be picked apart for plot holes, I’m not really seeing them. I will say the fact that Xiaoshi inherits people’s feelings and memories when he possesses them needs a more nuanced explanation. If he has their memories, one would think he would be better at saying the right things and not need to ask Lu Guang questions like if a client is in a relationship. Unless he can only access memories in dreams? As much as I appreciate the show-don’t-tell approach of this show, it would’ve been nice to get just a few more specifics on the time travel system.

The main criticism I have, though, does not have to do with the show itself, but its subtitles. They’re, uh, not great. The quality varies between episodes, but they are usually sprinkled with grammar errors, occasionally stilted, and in the worst cases flat-out incomprehensible. I would prefer to recommend that people watch the show on bilibili’s website to support the creators, but I must instead direct you to Funimation’s website since the subtitles there are more readable. Still sub-par, though. That the show shines despite this is a testament to its writing and other qualities.

Link Click’s subtitles make it a bit difficult to rate the first season, but I can safely say my first experience with a donghua was a positive one. I recommend this to anyone looking for a good time travel story or a thrilling drama. Certainly, there are important questions such as the origin of the main duo’s abilities that still need answers, but that will be a job for the second season. Link Click’s first season is a ride that transcends cultural barriers and a not-so-great translation to deliver moving stories about weathering life that’ll keep you clicking “Next” to the last episode.

IN SUMMARY:

Watch if you:

Like time travel dramas
Like seeing characters solve other people’s problems
Like emotionally driven narratives
Like bromance

Don’t watch if you:

Want detailed explanations with your time travel
Hate cliffhangers
Can’t deal with sub-par subtitles