The Immortal Ascension” Season 01 is a gorgeous and moving trip into an expansive fantasy world of cultivation. It cleverly combines immense battles on the heavens with the close moments of struggle inside, resulting in the tone that moves between its epic and vulnerable extremes. The cinematography and production design is exquisite, placing the audience in a world of gothic sect buildings, mountain halls covered by mist and sacred nature. The special effects are blended well enough so that they do not overwhelm you with the feeling of magic and divine power. The music is in perfect harmony with the visuals, entwining etherealism with tensed beats that build tension and emotional stakes even higher and open a world of immersion.
The pivotal character in the series is Han Li, an unsung but strong protagonist whose subtle expressions and attitudes draw sympathy. The story of his progression to the role of a great farmer and grower can be viewed as a spiritual reflection on greed and willingness to sacrifice as well as on the importance of not forgetting about his mortal origins. The minor characters, particularly Nangong Wan and the antagonists, contribute to the complexity of themes, who bring in the strengths, indecisiveness, greed and hubris. The dialogue points to poetic and philosophical undertones and challenges viewers to contemplate life, death and transcendence long after the end credits have finished rolling.
Although the series is great in terms of story, character, and visual design, it does occasionally stumble into melodrama and some of the plot twists are perhaps somewhat forced. However, its profundity and ability to capture exactly the moral ambiguity are the reasons it is a good watch. The Immortal Ascension I found touched by its sweeping breath upon the human spirit, its eternal striving, an inspiring and thought-provoking powerful work that transcends the commonness of the cultivation genre by transforming this story into a deep, penetrating examination of the most significant endeavors that man pursues.
