#watched cql and now watching the animated version straight after

[ramblebrambleamble]

Your name is Jin Ling and today your crazy uncle has decided to be mad in Exciting New Directions and there is nothing that you can do to stop him because he has the power of God and anime Hanguang-jun on his side.

[icancdramahanfu]

Hello! I am looking to cosplay wei wuxian and/or xie lian(from the donghua) can you please describe the layers of their clothes, I have zero experience in sewing clothes or pattern making and I have no idea where to even begin. Thank you very much!

Hello there, Sorry for the slow reply, I've been distracted by real life and my continued PT for my wrist. But I can type much more normally at least now. As far as Wei Wuxian, I haven't really looked at his outfits seeing that he's got so many different versions in the live action CQL/The Untamed and in the MDZS donghua and manhua as well. I'm not a huge fan of MDZS, so, I can admit I haven't paid much attention to it. I think like most MXTX characters, he relies on a heavy black/red color palette and is pretty open to interpretation. I think focusing on the donghua would be your best bet since when you have to animate someone you would simplify their outfit, but the drama might have more realistic clothing to draw from since and actor wore it. Xie Lian is considerably easier since he wears many layers of white. I think the main thing to realize with all these outfits is that you have a foundation layer and then multiple layers over top with great variations.

The foundation layer (zhong yi) is usually the skin layer in white (cotton/linen) that it is breathable and washable. It seems for a more dramatic effect a character like WWX will have this as black. This is a top and pants combo, but I was lazy and skipped out on pants for my Wen Kexing b/c it was very warm already. I don't use Taobao sites (no Chinese skillz here) but it might be worth your while to look at some of the hanfu retailers to see how they construct their tidy little package outfits.

Like Hanfu Story which has a very good website and plenty of english language descriptions. Even though the colors aren't plain white, this one has a very close match to what XL wears. It has the skirt with the slight pleating like XL and simple sleeves and cut.

It is interesting to note that many of these outfits only sell the top layers, not that base layer.

When it comes to determining the exact layers just look at the neckline, that pretty much lets you know what else is on top of that base layer.

If this is your first time sewing and drafting a pattern, I would enlist the help of a friend who may have more sewing experience. Also, since many of these outfits don't reveal the full aspect of all of their layers, you have to guess what you think is underneath - that is what I did after lots of screen shots from as many angles as possible - or hoping for a zhong yi late night confession scene (as in Word of Honor) which allowed me to nail the sleeve shape for all the layers. I'll do and example with XL since his outfit is much easier.

As we can see here, he's only got two layers.

The inner layer is more form fitting in the torso, with wide-ish sleeves. The skirt portion appears to be pleated, which is why we get a ripple effect in the front. It appears the outer layer is a simple straight hem robe with wider sleeves that he wears very loosely since it flares back. You can't tell from this picture but the left side should also have a slit that runs along the left side of his body to allow for easy movement - it isn't a full rap around robe structure. He has a narrow belt that is tied off with the cyan colored cord and his bandages and basic hat. I haven't watched the donghua for awhile so I can't remember if he also has pants on underneath the pleated skirt. I'd go back and refer to the scene where San Lang notices the shackle on his ankle to see what he's wearing then.

When it comes to picking a layer to draft first for the pattern, it really doesn't matter. You will need to make a mock up and adjust. If you want it to be the inner layer it will need to be the same length but less wide than the outer layer. I just made a pattern and tested it out - it was terrible but hey, I knew where to go from after that. Good luck and hope this helps!

[sonickitty]

Next in the Series: (Episode 1 Recap) | (Episode 2 Recap)

"I Need it. Where do I find it?”

The Untamed: Netflix | Youtube

The Untamed Special Edition: Youtube

Mo Dao Zu Shi Animation: Youtube

Mo Dao Zu Shi Comic: WeComics | MangaDex

Mo Dao Zu Shi Novel: Exiled Rebels

“Wait - I’m still confused, but I’m invested now. Help?”

Here’s another great primer by Jenny at Reading the End

And here’s a great explainer on the character names

The recaps linked above will help you navigate the first two episodes, which are known to be confusing. 

“I need a text version of this post!”

Right here, under the cut!

The Untamed: A Primer

Part 1. So You Want To Join The Pyramid Scheme

You say: I want to watch this show you keep telling me to watch, but it's 50 Episodes and I'm confused. Why should I keep watching?

I respond: It’s gay, there’s pining, people have big emotions about soup, lots of soap opera family drama, Aesthetics, bunnies, necromancy flute, reincarnation, flying on swords, accidental baby acquisition, heartwarming sibling dynamics, and bothering the prettiest, coldest boy in school until he develops a lifelong crush on you. 

What’s the The Plot

A plucky supervillain is resurrected 16 years after his epic demise to solve supernatural mysteries, cause trouble and fall in love with the one guy who doesn't think he's a complete asshole.

How Gay Is It?

It's based on a boy-love novel which is explicitly gay. They fuck. The show has to subtextualize all that to get past the censors in China, so it's just like any American show you've been in fandom for, except your suspicions are all TRUE.

What is the show actually called?

The live action show is called The Untamed. In Chinese, it's Chen Qing Ling, which gets shortened to CQL. The show is based on a book called Mo Dao Zu Shi, which gets shortened to MDZS. Mo Dao Zu Shi is also the name of the animated series and comic.

The English translation is usually The Master of Demonic Cultivation, or a similar variation with the words "Grandmaster or Founder" of "Diabolism."

Is there more than one way to get this story? 

Yup. The animation is probably the fastest method to mainline this straight to your soul. The comic is ongoing, and English translations are sometimes more literal than meaningful, but it's already got some of the Big Gay moments that the live action and animation are missing. Or you could go right to the source and read the novel.

Also, there's now a "special edition" live action that's 20 episodes. It condenses the plot in favor of longing eye-contact between the main characters.  

I am not sure if anyone has made an audiobook version of the story yet, but there is a Chinese audio drama. 

What’s the best way for me to experience this? 

The Untamed was my first, and I think it should be yours, too. It's a good slow burn. It's also more in-depth than the animated and special edition series, and it spends more time setting up smaller characters.

Also, it's BEAUTIFUL, and the English subtitles are well-translated, so you'll have a solid concept of the universe by the time you finish.

Then you can go off and experience... everything else.