Shiguang Dailiren

Link Click

Characters

Ling Qiao

MAIN

Xiaoshi Cheng

MAIN

Guang Lu

MAIN

Xia Yu

SUPPORTING

Emma Muqin

SUPPORTING

Bin Chen

SUPPORTING

Shanshan Xu

SUPPORTING

Xiao Chen Ma

SUPPORTING

Li Xiao

SUPPORTING

Zhu Taitai

SUPPORTING

Hongbin Lu Ma

SUPPORTING

Emma

SUPPORTING

Min Liu

SUPPORTING

Meng Liu

SUPPORTING

Xiao Chen

SUPPORTING

Yi Dong

SUPPORTING

Xiao Chen Ba

SUPPORTING

Lei Liu

SUPPORTING

Doudou

SUPPORTING

Xiaoshi Cheng Ma

SUPPORTING

Hongbin Lu

SUPPORTING

Xie Zhu

SUPPORTING

Ma Laoshi

SUPPORTING

Zhen Lin

SUPPORTING

Emma Fuqin

SUPPORTING

Link Click Season 1: A Time-Traveling Masterpiece That Redefines Donghua

Link Click (Chinese: 时光代理人; pinyin: Shíguāng Dàilǐrén, lit. “Time Agents”) is a Chinese donghua series that took the anime world by storm with its debut season in Spring 2021. Written and directed by Li Haoling and produced by Studio LAN with assistance from Haoliners Animation League, the series aired from April 30 to July 9, 2021, on Bilibili and Funimation. Comprising 11 episodes plus a special episode (5.5), Link Click Season 1 is a gripping blend of time-travel fantasy, psychological thriller, and emotional drama that has earned it a reputation as a hidden gem in the world of animation. With a rating of 8.6/10 on platforms like MyAnimeList and glowing reviews from critics and fans alike, it’s no surprise that the series has garnered a dedicated following.

A Unique Premise: Time Travel Through Photographs

At the heart of Link Click is the innovative concept of time travel through photographs. The story follows Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, two friends who run the Time Photo Studio, a small shop in a bustling metropolis. Using their extraordinary powers, they dive into photographs brought by clients to relive the moments captured within, aiming to fulfill their clients’ wishes and resolve their regrets. Cheng Xiaoshi can possess the body of the photographer, experiencing their memories and emotions, while Lu Guang guides him from the present, ensuring they adhere to strict rules to avoid altering the past. However, each mission carries significant risks—one wrong move could ripple through time, changing the future in unpredictable ways.

The series begins with seemingly straightforward tasks, such as uncovering a secret recipe or resolving personal regrets, but it quickly escalates into darker, more complex territory. The narrative weaves episodic client stories with an overarching plot that delves into the duo’s pasts, their powers, and a mysterious serial killer case that transforms the show into a psychological thriller by its finale.

Compelling Characters and Emotional Depth

Link Click shines through its well-developed characters, particularly the dynamic between Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang. Cheng Xiaoshi is impulsive, emotional, and deeply empathetic, often letting his feelings influence his actions during missions. Lu Guang, in contrast, is calm, analytical, and the voice of reason, ensuring they stick to their mission objectives. Their contrasting personalities create a compelling bromance, with moments of lighthearted banter seamlessly transitioning into vulnerability and mutual trust. Qiao Ling, their friend and the studio’s manager, adds a grounded perspective, often acting as the intermediary between the duo and their clients.

The series excels at crafting emotionally resonant stories. Each episode introduces new clients with poignant regrets, ranging from lost love to unresolved trauma, making the audience empathize with their plights. The show’s ability to balance these standalone stories with an overarching narrative about the consequences of time travel is one of its greatest strengths. By the season’s end, the stakes become deeply personal for Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, culminating in a finale filled with shocking twists and cliffhangers that leave viewers reeling.

Stunning Animation and Soundtrack

The animation, handled by Studio LAN and Haoliners Animation League, is a standout feature. The vibrant visuals, stylish character designs, and fluid action sequences enhance the storytelling, particularly during time-travel scenes where the past and present are visually distinct yet seamlessly connected. Critics, such as Rafael Motamayor from /Film, have praised the animation for its ability to create tension and evoke emotion, describing the series as “life-affirming” and “fresh.”

The soundtrack is equally captivating, with the opening theme, “Dive Back in Time” by 白鲨JAWS, and the ending theme, “OverThink” by Fàn Kǎ, becoming fan favorites for their catchy beats and thematic resonance. The opening incorporates reversed lyrics to reflect the show’s time-travel motif, a creative touch by director Li Haoling. The background music, composed by various artists, adds depth to the emotional and suspenseful moments, with the iconic call dismissal sound at the end of each episode signaling impending twists. The soundtrack album, released on August 20, 2021, has been lauded for its lo-fi vibes and unskippable quality.

A Genre-Bending Narrative

While Link Click starts as a fantasy-mystery, it evolves into a psychological thriller, with its final episodes dipping into horror elements. The season’s pacing is masterful, with early episodes establishing the rules of time travel and the duo’s dynamic before introducing a darker, interconnected plot. Episode 5.5, “Marrying by Contesting,” serves as a lighter, standalone story but is crucial for understanding later events, and fans are advised not to skip it. The finale, “Pinnacle of Light,” throws curveballs with a serial killer arc, alternate timelines, and a new enemy with abilities rivaling the protagonists’, setting the stage for Season 2.

Posts on X reflect the fervor surrounding the season’s impact, with fans like @_FrozenLilly calling it a “10/10 masterpiece” and @pochettenooutaa praising its unique take on time travel and emotional storytelling. The series’ ability to shift from heartwarming to gut-wrenching has drawn comparisons to Attack on Titan for its unpredictable plot twists.

Critical Reception and Legacy

Link Click Season 1 has been celebrated for its originality, emotional depth, and innovative use of the time-travel concept. With an IMDb rating of 8.5/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes presence highlighting its strong reception, the series has been called a “hidden gem” by fans and critics alike. Its ability to blend episodic storytelling with a serialized narrative has drawn comparisons to dramas like Reset (2022) and Oh No! Here Comes Trouble (2023). The season’s cliffhanger ending, coupled with its high production quality, paved the way for a second season (July 14 to September 22, 2023), a prequel Bridon Arc (December 2024 to January 2025), and an upcoming third season in 2026.

Where to Watch

Fans can stream Link Click Season 1 on platforms like Crunchyroll, Bilibili, Biliintl, AnimeLab, Wakanim, and Amazon Prime Video. An English dub premiered on Crunchyroll on August 8, 2022, making it accessible to a broader audience.

Final Thoughts

Link Click Season 1 is a tour de force in the donghua landscape, offering a fresh take on time travel with its emotionally charged storytelling, stunning animation, and unforgettable soundtrack. Its ability to balance lighthearted moments with dark, thrilling twists makes it a must-watch for fans of anime and donghua alike. As Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang navigate the dangers of altering the past, they invite viewers on a rollercoaster ride of suspense, heart, and mystery. With Season 3 on the horizon in 2026, now is the perfect time to dive into this captivating series and discover why it’s left fans clamoring for more.

For those eager to explore the world of Link Click, head to Crunchyroll or Bilibili and prepare to be hooked—you won’t want to skip a single frame.