The First Order

About The First Order

Looking for background on The First Order (第一序列)? This action, adventure and fantasy series by Passion Paint Animation (2023) starts out like this. In short: Having endured a nuclear winter, humanity is no longer the master of this realm. Species have mutated, and survival resources are scarce, leaving people to face an unpredictable future and environment fraught with constant crises.

Further in, to protect themselves, humans have erected countless fortifications, yet many still live beyond the walls, eking out a meager existence by hunting in the wild. The protagonist, Ren Xiaosu, and his younger “brother,” Yan Liuyuan, are among them—bound not by blood but by a shared fate, the two grow ever stronger through sheer willpower, and at a sudden moment. Driven by the need to make a living and safeguard his family, Ren Xiaosu leaves the town where he has always lived and ventures into the Border Mountains.

In an action series like this, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. This one is best suited to viewers who like fast, high-impact fights. At 16 episodes in total, it is easy to plan a viewing schedule.

Production & Appeal

Animation is handled by Passion Paint Animation, so the studio's house style defines how The First Order looks and moves on screen. The action focus matters here: fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. With a 6.9/10 score, it is more of a niche pick than a universal crowd-pleaser. Released in 2023, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.