After The 3-Body Problem on Netflix, it is possible to watch the Chinese series. Adapted from the novel by Liu Cixin, it spans 30 episodes and it is possible to watch it for free in legal streaming.
The Netflix adaptation of Liu Cixin’s book, The 3-Body Problem, is a huge success in every way. It was not easy: very conceptual, and temporally complex, the story of the books is a challenge to adapt. Despite everything, the creation of the former showrunners of Game Of Thrones is not the first adaptation to date: there has already been a series, Chinese, produced by Tencent.
Three-Body / Trois Corps: the Chinese series adapted from Liu Cixin
The series produced by Tencent was broadcast in China at the very beginning of 2023. Now finished, it consists of a total of 30 episodes of around forty minutes each.
Unlike the Netflix series, it takes up more exactly the context and characters of Liu Cixin’s book. For example, the main character remains the nanomaterials scientist Wang Miao (where he is divided into several protagonists in the Western version). The Tencent production also preserves the timeline of the book, when the creators of Game Of Thrones have slightly restructured the process. The Chinese version takes place in China, like in the book, where the Netflix version only takes place there in the historical part during the Cultural Revolution.
Another major variation: the Chinese series is the adaptation of the first book, not of The Black Forest and of Immortal Death. Conversely, the Netflix series covers, in 8 episodes, the events of the first volume before moving very quickly to the start of the second; and to borrow some elements from the third. The narrative rhythm is therefore very different.
Finally, the Chinese series chooses to immediately represent, visually, the trisolarians (named San-Ti in the Netflix series). In the books as in the creators’ version of Game Of Thrones At the moment, not much is known about their appearance.
One point in common all the same: the two series end on a very similar scene, namely the one which closes the first volume by Liu Cixin.
Where to watch the Chinese series The 3-Body Problem (and for free)?
The Chinese series, titled Three Bodies (Three Body), is available on the streaming service Rakuten Viki, dedicated to Asian entertainment. The thirty episodes are available there and subtitled in French.
Viewing is completely free, except that access to the high definition version of the image is reserved for Rakuten Viki subscribers (the standard plan is €4.99 per month).
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