Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre
2002 1 season · 40 ep live_tv Scripted China

Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre

倚天屠龙记

Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre sits in the top 3% of China seriess on this catalog — ranked #31 of 946 by TMDB audience score.

Synopsis

倚天屠龙记

Based on the popular novel by Jin Yong Kam Yung. He also wrote Legend of the Condor Heroes and Return of the Condor Heroes. The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre takes place during 14th Century China during the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty, roughly 100 years after the events of Return of the Condor Heroes. After decades of struggles, famine, and bitterness which the Chinese citizens blamed on the Yuan Dynasty's misgovernment, the Martial Arts sects have begun to rebel. Prince Ruyong asks Cheng Kun, a Shaolin monk with an ulterior motive, for a plan on how to deal with the rebels.

"The wielder of Heavenly Sword and/or Dragon Sabre rules the world."

This well known legend in the Martial Arts community is the impetus for the tale of Zhang Wuji. The story begins with how his parents met (episodes 1-3), then tells his trials as an adolescent (episodes 4-8), proceeds to relate his rise to prominence (episodes 9-23) and reveals the secret behind Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre (episode 23), and ends with the confluence of Wuji's love life, the Martial Arts sects' long standing grudges, and cruel fate.

The 2001–2003 China Window

30 China seriess released in this three-year window, ranked here by audience rating. Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre sits at position #3.

  1. For the Sake of the Republic
    #1

    For the Sake of the Republic

    ★ 9.5 · 2003

  2. The Grand Mansion Gate
    #2

    The Grand Mansion Gate

    ★ 9.3 · 2001

  3. Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre

    #3

    Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre

    ★ 8.6 · 2002

  4. Laughing in the Wind
    #4

    Laughing in the Wind

    ★ 8.6 · 2001

  5. Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils
    #5

    Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils

    ★ 8.1 · 2003

  6. Kangxi Dynasty
    #6

    Kangxi Dynasty

    ★ 7.9 · 2001

  7. Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks
    #7

    Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks

    ★ 7.6 · 2002

  8. Hero
    #8

    Hero

    ★ 7.5 · 2002

The 2000s China Landscape

Catalog density by release year in the 2000s. Highlighted year (yellow) is when Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre premiered. 142 total titles in this decade from China.

'004'0111'0213'036'049'0519'0617'0722'0817'0924

Broadcast Timeline

First Air Date
December 25, 2002
Last Air Date
February 28, 2003
Broadcast Span
2 months
Total Episodes
40 across 1 season
Total Runtime
≈ 32 hours

Reception Benchmarks

8.6
TMDB Rating
13
Audience Reviews
Outstanding
Critical Tier

Ranked #31 of 946 China seriess indexed here (97th percentile by TMDB audience score).

Rating is +1.9 points above the China average of 6.7/10.

Among China Drama productions specifically: #20 of 547 (top 4%).

Production Details

Primary Country China
Original Language Chinese
Series Type Scripted
Seasons / Episodes 1 / 40
Release Date December 25, 2002

Questions Answered

Who created Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre?

Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre was created by Lai Shui-Ching.

When did Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre end?

Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre finished its run with its final episode airing on February 28, 2003.

How highly rated is Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre?

Among China Asian seriess in this catalog, Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre ranks #31 of 946 — in the top 3%.