Arsenal Military Academy (2019) User Reviews

Chinese Steampunk

[AppleEye2U · 8/10 · 11 June 2020]

Watching Arsenal Military Academy is a feast for your eyes. The cinematography, action scenes, film sets and costumes are on point. I wasn't eager to watch this drama, because I thought it would be patriotic, nationalistic, but fortunately, it wasn't.

Story

True to its title this series tells the adventures of young cadets who are training, bonding, finding their life purpose. Some interesting characters are introduced in several subplots. There's this girl (Bai Lu) who's grieving about her deceased brother. She decides to impersonate him at the academy. There are two young celebs, a rich heir (Xu Kai) and an actress (Wu Jia Yi) who both take too many risks just to escape their pampered life. The rich boy enlists himself for the academy. Among their high society friends are two brothers, who are leading a business imperium together, but also get more involved in the resistance against Japanese aggression. The younger brother (Toby Lee) goes to the Academy to sharpen his war skills. There he gets a surprise visit from a Sino-Japanese girl he knew from high school. She went to live abroad, but somehow she has returned for mysterious reasons.

Their story is set at the time of the Sino-Japanese aggression, but it all seems more like a fantasy tale, full of glamour, action and music. Characters get away with cross dressing, stunt riding on motor cycles, single handed shoot outs with complete combat armies, escapes from Japanese police cells in just a few minutes. It's all very entertaining.

Cast

This time, the second leads steal the show in stead of the leading couple that made me watch this drama in the first place. Bai Lu and Xu Kai are legendary together in The Legends (2019) but don't expect a rerun of their chemistry here. However, as stand-alone character they are both attractive. Xu Kai is tall, sexy and cute as ever. Bai Lu is even better as a male cadet than as a girl. The best romance scene goes to Hong Yao as the eldest Shen brother who deeply loves Qu Man Ting ( Wu Jia Yi) He's able to recognize this seemingly superficial actress as a strong and capable partner in life, long before she knows it herself. Toby Lee has the role of the younger Shen brother, a lone wolf full of dark brooding energy. It fits him like a glove.

Production

The fight scenes and special effects are well done. The soundtrack is nice and pays tribute to the story except for the modern intro-theme. Also there are a lot of details that can't be seen in one glance, so I will rewatch this series.

Overall

This drama has tags for friendship, teamwork, and romance but these aren't the main themes. Arsenal Military Academy is Chinese steampunk at its best, with action, intelligent characters, and glamour, all-in-one.

Kept me entertained and interested throughout

[leahcubed · 9/10 · 19 October 2021]

9.5/10 is my rating. This is a 2019 Chinese military, action, historical and romantic drama with 48, 45 minute episodes.

Xie Xiang (Bai Lu) always looked up to her older brother who aspired to join the miltary to defend the nation. When tragedy strikes and her brother is lost Xie Xiang decides to disguise herslef as a young man and join an elite military school in his stead. She feels she is honoring him by fulfilling his dream. Her new roomate Gu Yan Zhen (Xu Kai), is the son of a wealthy family and he immediately takes joy in teasing the slight young man who shares his room. Shen Jun Shan (Toby Lee) is a member of one of the wealthiest and most influential families and also decides to defend the small young man. As their training progresses the three form very strong bonds and both boys find themselves attracted to the Xie Xiang even as they are confused as they think she is a man. To further complicate this love triangle, Qu Manting (Wu Jiayi) takes a likeing to Gu Yanzhen and is not used to taking no for an answer. Through it all they, and their fellow army classmates, become friends and fight their way through many adventures as they seek to solve a deep root of corruption and espionage.

Spoiler Altert* I loved this one and the episodes really felt like they flew by because there was so much action around the main story it kept it interesting. It was very comical and even cringy at times as she tries to avoid being discovered and as the young men become confused and embarrassed about their sexuality. I would have rated it higher but there was one story line of some side characters that would have been very cute but it ended unnecessarily. There were also several pointless deaths. But the story was still very good, the romance very cute and well developed, and I would watch it again. I also recommend it to others who like the girl disguised as a boy storyline. It was cool to see her be such a strong soldier and not a whiny girl who needed saving. I really like my heroines to be capable of saving themselves. This did not disappoint. Great acting, great action - just great fun.

Superb production

[magnoliacream · 9/10 · 16 November 2021]

This is about a batch of cadets in Arsenal Military Academy including Xie Xiang (Bai Lu) who disguised herself as her departed brother to be able to enroll in the school for boys, Gu Yanzhen (Xu Kai), the spoiled son of a high-ranking government official and Shen Junshan (Toby Lee) the second son of a prominent business family who befriended a mysterious woman, Jin Xianrong (Gao Yuer), while studying abroad.

How the cadets, as well as their classmates and friends, get involved in the Sino-Japanese War is told in a spectacular fashion. The sad parts made me bawl and the triumphant scenes made me go wow!

The romance arcs are not bad either. The development of the relationship between Xie Xiang and Gu Yanzhen from bickering roommates to lovers is amusing. Xu Kai made the role of Gu Yanzhen, a bratty bully and shameless flirt, lovable, imbuing it with heart-melting faithfulness, playfulness, passion and vulnerability. The second couple is cute too. Qu Manting (Wu Jiayi), an entertainer whose proud father repudiates her career choice, is wild and funny. Her arranged fiance, Shen Tingbai (Hong Yao), Shen Junshan's older brother, tries to protect her while patiently waiting for her to grow up and return his affection.

It's a well produced drama that is guaranteed to satisfy.

Best

[dbmk-19661 · 10/10 · 12 July 2021]

Best chinese drama i have ever seen..this is an emotion.. I couldn't get out of this for many days ..in my mind the scenes played for two weeks..i love this drama from the core of my heart..the casts are very talented.. The actors are very very talented.. I love the chemistry between Xu kai and Bai lu..they are best.. Xu kai's acting rocks..and Bai lu is a very strong actress.. I feel grateful to watch this.. But why it is so underrated?..people should watch this masterpiece.. In this drama you can find everything comedy,soft and deep love,romance,thrill,adventure,patriotism,a beautiful friend circle and so on.. Sometimes you will laugh loudly and sometimes you will cry out..

Thanks for giving us such a masterpiece drama..

Really this is the best cdrama 💚💚

Good wishes for bailu and xu kai💜 Xu kai looks like kinda young Leonardo d Caprio here.

Must watch

[samiaislam-56501 · 10/10 · 27 July 2021]

You won't find a drama like this , a bit of romance a bit jealousy alot of actions amd emotional breakdown.

Very Underrated!!!!

[ChViewer · 15 November 2020]

Very Underrated! A must watch! You will not get disappointed.

Excellent

[shoba_acc · 10/10 · 25 June 2021]

Very good drama. Brought all sorts of emotions. Great show. Enjoyed it.

A Captivating Blend of Romance and Patriotism

[MelH2023 · 9/10 · 18 September 2023]

"Arsenal Military Academy" is a remarkable Chinese drama that seamlessly blends romance, patriotism, and historical intrigue to create a captivating narrative that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish. With its well-developed characters, strong performances, and compelling storyline, this series deserves every bit of its 9/10 rating.

Set against the backdrop of China's turbulent Republican era, "Arsenal Military Academy" transports audiences to a time of political upheaval, espionage, and resistance against foreign powers. The story follows the resilient and tenacious Xie Xiang, played brilliantly by Bai Lu, who disguises herself as a male cadet to attend the prestigious Arsenal Military Academy. Her journey of becoming a soldier with a mission adds depth and layers to her character, making her an incredibly relatable and admirable protagonist.

Within the confines of the academy, Xie Xiang forms close bonds with a group of young male recruits, each with their unique personalities. Among them is the rich, hot-headed and affluent Gu Yan Zheng, portrayed with depth by Xu Kai, and the soft-spoken and introverted Shen Jun San, portrayed with quiet charm by Li Cheng-Pin. However, both Gu Yan Zheng and Shen Jun San find themselves entangled in a complex web of emotions, both harboring feelings for the enigmatic Xie Xiang.

The chemistry between Xie Xiang and the enigmatic Gu Yan Zheng, is undeniably electric. Their blossoming romance, while complicated by the fact that Xie Xiang is masquerading as a man, is beautifully depicted and adds an extra layer of tension and intrigue to the plot. Their love story is filled with touching moments that will tug at your heartstrings.

The supporting cast, including the lovable and hilarious group of cadets, each with their unique quirks and backgrounds, adds a perfect balance of humor and camaraderie to the show. The camaraderie among these characters is one of the highlights of the drama, showcasing the importance of friendship and teamwork in times of adversity.

Furthermore, "Arsenal Military Academy" does an outstanding job of weaving historical events and real-life figures into its fictional narrative. This historical authenticity adds depth and weight to the storyline, making it both educational and entertaining. The attention to detail in the sets, costumes, and military tactics is commendable.

The drama's pacing is on point, with a perfect balance of action-packed sequences and quieter, character-driven moments. The suspenseful plot twists and cliffhangers at the end of each episode will leave you eagerly anticipating the next instalment.

In conclusion, "Arsenal Military Academy" is a superbly crafted drama that manages to strike the perfect balance between romance, patriotism, and historical drama. With its engaging characters, brilliant performances, and a well-executed plot, it's a must-watch for fans of the genre. Whether you're drawn to the romance, the action, or the historical backdrop, this drama has something to offer everyone. I wholeheartedly give it a solid 9/10 stars and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling and emotionally resonant series.

Pathetic last season....waste of good character and story

[manasds · 1/10 · 18 June 2022]

Had great expectation....but the ending was pathetic. The relation bw shen jushan and xie xiang went cold as did every other relation of her....they basically laid waste to her character completely making her only a lover. This was nothing like the initial seasons.