Link Click
Link Click (Chinese: 时光代理人; pinyin: Shíguāng Dàilǐrén, lit. ''Time Agents'') is a Chinese donghua web series written and directed by Li Haoling and produced by Studio LAN with assistance by Li's studio, Haoliners Animation League. The first season aired from April 30, 2021, to July 9, 2021, on Bilibili and Funimation. There were a total of 12 episodes, including a special episode named 5.5. A second season aired from July 14, 2023, to September 22, 2023, on Bilibili. Several chibi specials were also released. A prequel season was announced shortly after the end of the second season, and aired from December 27, 2024, to January 31, 2025. It is titled Bridon Arc and has a total of 6 episodes, each roughly lasting 24 minutes besides the one-hour first episode. On January 1, 2025, the official account announced that the series had surpassed 10 million followers on Bilibili. A third season is set to premiere in 2026.
| Link Click | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 时光代理人 | |
| Genre | |
| Written by | Li Haoling (李豪凌) |
| Directed by | Li Haoling (李豪凌) |
| Country of origin | China |
| Original language | Mandarin Chinese |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 23 + 7 specials (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Cinematography | Yuka Yamajou |
| Animator | Studio LAN |
| Production company | Studio LAN |
| Original release | |
| Network | Bilibili |
| Release | April 30, 2021 – present |
Link Click (Chinese: 时光代理人; pinyin: Shíguāng Dàilǐrén, lit. ''Time Agents'') is a Chinese donghua web series written and directed by Li Haoling and produced by Studio LAN with assistance by Li's studio, Haoliners Animation League.
The first season aired from April 30, 2021, to July 9, 2021, on Bilibili and Funimation.[3] There were a total of 12 episodes, including a special episode named 5.5.[4] A second season aired from July 14, 2023, to September 22, 2023, on Bilibili. Several chibi specials were also released.
A prequel season was announced shortly after the end of the second season,[5] and aired from December 27, 2024, to January 31, 2025. It is titled Bridon Arc and has a total of 6 episodes, each roughly lasting 24 minutes besides the one-hour first episode.[6][7] On January 1, 2025, the official account announced that the series had surpassed 10 million followers on Bilibili. A third season is set to premiere in 2026.[8]
Synopsis
[edit]Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang run Moment of Time Photo Studio and accept requests from clients to relieve them of regrets. Through a photo provided by the client, Cheng Xiaoshi can travel back in time to the moment it was taken and assumes the identity of its photographer, with him absorbing the photographer's memories and emotions in the process. At the same time, Lu Guang has the ability to keep track of the events in time and helps Cheng Xiaoshi relive the experiences of the photographer. The two work under the conditions that they have only 12 hours with one chance to travel in time and find what their client is searching for, while also leaving the events of the past unchanged.
Characters
[edit]Main
[edit]- Cheng Xiaoshi (程小时; Chéng Xiǎoshí)
- Voiced by: Su Shangqing[9] (Chinese), Alejandro Saab,[10] Xanthe Huynh[10] (young) (English)
- The owner of Time Photo Studio. He possesses the ability to time travel through entering photos and possessing the photographer (he appears as himself if the photo is via. surveillance), and any action he takes can affect the timeline.
- Lu Guang (陆光; Lù Guāng)
- Voiced by: Yang Tianxiang[11] (Chinese), Zeno Robinson[10] (English)
- Cheng Xiaoshi's friend and partner at Time Photo Studio. He has the ability to look at a photo and retrace its area within 12 hours after it has been taken. While Xiaoshi is traveling through time, Lu Guang is able to telepathically communicate with him.
Recurring
[edit]- Qiao Ling (乔苓; Qiáo Líng)
- Voiced by: Li Shimeng[12] (Chinese), Suzie Yeung[10] (English)
- Xiaoshi's childhood friend and landlady of Time Photo Studio. She often arrives at the studio to provide time clients for Xiaoshi and Guang.
- Xiao Li (肖力; Xiāo Lì)
- Voiced by: Tútè Hāméng (图特哈蒙) (Chinese), Christopher Sabat (English)
- A police captain who requests the Time Studio's help in solving the murder case involving Liu Min.
- Qian Jin (钱进; Qián Jìn)
- Voiced by: Wei Chao (魏超) (Chinese), Aaron Campbell[10] (English)
- A mysterious lawyer who represents Liu Jing and is Xiao Li's former police partner.
- Liu Jing (刘晶; Liú Jīng)
- Voiced by: Lín Qiáng (林强) (Chinese), Anthony Bowling (English)
- CEO of Quede Games and Liu Min's father who requests Qian Jin's services.
- Liu Min (刘旻; Liú Mín)
- Voiced by: Sūn Lùlù (孙路路) (Chinese), Daman Mills (English)
- A man who seems to be connected to a string of murders and son of Quede Games CEO Liu Jing.
- Emma / Wu Lihua (吴丽华; Wú Lìhuá)
- Voiced by: Zhào Yìtóng (赵熠彤) (Chinese), Xanthe Huynh[10] (English)
- Overworked secretary to the CFO at Quede Games (formerly) and client of Time Photo Studio.
- Chen Bin (陈彬; Chén Bīn)
- Voiced by: Xīng Cháo (星潮) (Chinese), Howard Wang[10] (English)
- Xiao Li's police partner.
- Xu Shanshan (徐姗姗; Xú Shānshān)
- Voiced by: Zhào Shuǎng (赵爽) (Chinese), Caitlin Glass (English)
- A school friend of Qiao Ling, Cheng Xiaoshi, and Lu Guang who comes to them seeking help when she can't remember what Dong Yi told her when she was drunk.
- Dong Yi (董易; Dǒng Yì)
- Voiced by: Jīn Xián (金弦) (Chinese), Aaron Dismuke (English)
- Xu Shanshan's friend who enjoys hanging out with her and uses every excuse he can to stay by her side.
- Yu Xia (予夏; Yú Xià)
- Voiced by: Qián Chēn (钱琛) (Chinese), Morgan Lauré (English)
- Client of Time Photo Studio who asks them to find the secret ingredient to her friend Lin Zhen's noodles after she left her to restart everything.
- Lin Zhen (林贞; Lín Zhēn)
- Voiced by: Niè Xīyìng (聂曦映) (Chinese), Jad Saxton (English)
- Yu Xia's closest friend and chef of their noodles. She ended up leaving Yu Xia's side after coming to terms with the fact she no longer enjoyed making the noodles Yu Xia once enjoyed.
- Chen Xiao (陈潇; Chén Xiāo)
- Voiced by: Wāi Wāi (歪歪) (Chinese)
- A client who seeks out the Time Studio as he asks if they could simply deliver a message to some people from his past on the day of a basketball game. Qiao Ling notes that he looks incredibly tired and unhappy.
- Liu Lei (刘磊; Liú Lěi)
- Voiced by: Gǔ Jiāngshān (谷江山) (Chinese)
- Lu Hongbin (陆鸿斌; Lù Hóngbīn)
- Voiced by: Guān Shuài (关帅) (Chinese), Brandon McInnis (English)
- Doudou (豆豆; Dòu Dòu)
- Voiced by: Zǐ Zǐ (仔仔) (Chinese), Cherami Leigh (English)
- A young boy who is kidnapped. The Time Photo Studio looks for clues to secure the boy's rescue.
Media
[edit]Donghua
[edit]The first season of the donghua series was released on Bilibili and Funimation on April 30, 2021. It was directed by Li Haoling, original character design by INPLICK, art directed by Tanji Takumi, Asami Tomoya, and Zhu Lipiao, photography directed by Sanjou Yasuka, and chief animation directed by Studio LAN. A second season was announced at the ending of the episode 11.[13]
Crunchyroll premiered an English dub on August 8, 2022.[10]
Music
[edit]Season 1
[edit]| Link Click Animation Soundtrack | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | August 20, 2021 | |||
| Length | 99:12 | |||
| Language | Chinese, English | |||
| Label | Bilibili | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Link Click soundtrack albums chronology | ||||
| ||||
The opening theme for season 1 is "Dive Back in Time" by 白鲨JAWS, while the ending theme is "OverThink" by Fàn Kǎ (饭卡). Alternative versions of "Dive Back in Time", performed by bicaso (a vocal project by Sony Music Entertainment Japan) featuring Gen Kakon, and "OverThink", performed by bicaso featuring Eaeran, were also released and used in the Japanese dub version.
The soundtrack album, composed by various artists, was released on August 20, 2021, by Bilibili.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dive Back in Time" | Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣) | Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣) | 白鲨JAWS | 2:54 |
| 2. | "Dive Back in Time (伴奏)" (instrumental) | Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣) | 2:54 | ||
| 3. | "OverThink" | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | 3:00 |
| 4. | "OverThink (伴奏)" (instrumental) | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | 3:00 | |
| 5. | "与你有关" | 泠鸢yousa | Zhèng Wěi (郑伟) | 泠鸢yousa | 3:41 |
| 6. | "与你有关 (伴奏)" (instrumental) | Zhèng Wěi (郑伟) | 3:37 | ||
| 7. | "时光教会我的 (钢琴版)" (piano version) | Wáng Xiǎoqiàn (王晓倩) | Bǐngyīn Yáng (楊秉音) | Zōu Jùnjiàn (邹俊健) | 3:53 |
| 8. | "时光教会我的" | Wáng Xiǎoqiàn (王晓倩) | Yang | Zōu Jùnjiàn (邹俊健) | 3:41 |
| 9. | "Beginning" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:54 | |
| 10. | "Overcome" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 3:18 | |
| 11. | "Hope" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 3:16 | |
| 12. | "Sign" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:56 | |
| 13. | "Joke" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 1:52 | |
| 14. | "Alright" | av4ln | av4ln | 1:54 | |
| 15. | "Street" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:14 | |
| 16. | "Ordinary" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:08 | |
| 17. | "Countdown" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:34 | |
| 18. | "Mission" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 1:58 | |
| 19. | "Afternoon" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:00 | |
| 20. | "Relaxation" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 1:55 | |
| 21. | "Memories" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:21 | |
| 22. | "Arabesque" | Yamaguchi, av4ln | Yamaguchi, av4ln | 2:09 | |
| 23. | "Pray" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:58 | |
| 24. | "Wind" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:03 | |
| 25. | "Peaceful" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:07 | |
| 26. | "Hazy" | av4ln | av4ln | 2:08 | |
| 27. | "Luminous" | av4ln, Yamaguchi | av4ln, Yamaguchi | 2:00 | |
| 28. | "Strain" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:08 | |
| 29. | "Turbulence" | av4ln | av4ln | 1:57 | |
| 30. | "Tense" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:10 | |
| 31. | "Ominous" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:48 | |
| 32. | "Struggle" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:35 | |
| 33. | "Sprint" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:16 | |
| 34. | "Power" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:01 | |
| 35. | "Decision" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:27 | |
| 36. | "Hero" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:24 | |
| 37. | "Invigorate" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 1:56 | |
| 38. | "Irritation" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 0:58 | |
| 39. | "Silence" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 0:56 | |
| 40. | "Nostalgic" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 0:49 | |
| 41. | "News" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 1:05 | |
| 42. | "Chase" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 0:38 | |
| 43. | "Calm" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 0:39 | |
| Total length: | 99:12 | ||||
Season 2
[edit]| Link Click Season 2 Animation Soundtrack | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Tenmon, Yuma Yamaguchi, Kent Watari, Ignacio Ramirez | ||||
| Released | September 30, 2023 | |||
| Length | 56:57 | |||
| Language | Chinese, English | |||
| Label | Bilibili | |||
| Link Click soundtrack albums chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Link Click Season 2 Animation Soundtrack | ||||
| ||||
The opening theme is "Vortex" by 白鲨JAWS, while the ending theme is "The Tides" by Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) & 白鲨JAWS. The song "Vortex" contains reversed lyrics; this was because of writer/director Li Haoling's request to incorporate the theme of reversing time into the song.[14]
The music for season 2 was composed by various artists. The soundtrack album was first released on September 30, 2023. A later re-release, released on January 15, 2024, contained additional opening, ending, insert, and promotional songs.
| No. | Title | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gloom" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 3:51 |
| 2. | "Facing" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 3:27 |
| 3. | "Infantile" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 4:52 |
| 4. | "Vacant" | Kent Watari | Watari | 3:19 |
| 5. | "Serenade" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 3:35 |
| 6. | "Feeling" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 4:24 |
| 7. | "Blaze" | Watari | Watari | 4:17 |
| 8. | "Escape" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 3:08 |
| 9. | "Earth" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:36 |
| 10. | "Rete" | Watari | Watari | 2:33 |
| 11. | "Infer" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:21 |
| 12. | "Detector" | Watari | Watari | 1:58 |
| 13. | "Separation" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:49 |
| 14. | "Relationship" | Watari | Watari | 2:45 |
| 15. | "Reminisce" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:51 |
| 16. | "Distance" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:16 |
| 17. | "Dream" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:16 |
| 18. | "罗密欧与朱丽叶的时光幻想序曲" | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | Ignacio Ramirez | 3:39 |
| Total length: | 56:57 | |||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Tides" | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡), Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣) | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡), Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣) | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡), 白鲨JAWS | 3:20 |
| 2. | "Vortex" | Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣) | Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣) | 白鲨JAWS | 4:09 |
| 3. | "Flash" | Higashi Lowland | Sasanomaly, Higashi Lowland | Gorilla Attack | 3:28 |
| 4. | "出借" | Shuo | Shuo | Tán Yún (覃云) | 3:18 |
| 5. | "Until It Dies" | Tán Yún (覃云) | Tán Yún (覃云) | Tán Yún (覃云) | 5:01 |
| 6. | "Gloom" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 3:51 | |
| 7. | "Facing" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 3:27 | |
| 8. | "Infantile" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 4:52 | |
| 9. | "Vacant" | Kent Watari | Watari | 3:19 | |
| 10. | "Serenade" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 3:35 | |
| 11. | "Feeling" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 4:24 | |
| 12. | "Blaze" | Watari | Watari | 4:17 | |
| 13. | "Escape" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 3:08 | |
| 14. | "Earth" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:36 | |
| 15. | "Rete" | Watari | Watari | 2:33 | |
| 16. | "Infer" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:21 | |
| 17. | "Detector" | Watari | Watari | 1:58 | |
| 18. | "Separation" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:49 | |
| 19. | "Relationship" | Watari | Watari | 2:45 | |
| 20. | "Reminisce" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:51 | |
| 21. | "Distance" | Tenmon | Tenmon | 2:16 | |
| 22. | "Dream" | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi | 2:16 | |
| 23. | "罗密欧与朱丽叶的时光幻想序曲" | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | Ignacio Ramirez | 3:39 | |
| 24. | "XƎTЯOVerthink" | Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣), Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣), Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | 白鲨JAWS, Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | 3:22 |
| 25. | "Mastermind" | Kat | Kat | Kat | 3:20 |
| 26. | "3,2,1!" | Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣) | Mìchàel Yú (鱼麦扣) | Cheng Xiaoshi, Lu Guang, Qiao Ling | 4:02 |
| 27. | "盗火者" | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) | Lǐtiān Chén (李天辰), Liú Xiāo (刘枭) | 3:52 |
| Total length: | 90:59 | ||||
Audio drama
[edit]An audio drama adaptation was released on 猫耳 (pinyin: Māo ěr) FM ("Cat Ears FM") on November 10, 2022, and aired every Thursday. The first season consists of 12 episodes that are each about 30 minutes long.[15]
Live-action drama
[edit]A live-action drama adaptation was announced on June 17, 2023.[16] The series can be found on Bilibili or YouTube, starring Jiang Long as Cheng Xiaoshi and Bi Wenjun as Lu Guang.[17]
A Japanese live-action adaptation has been announced and is a co-production between Fuji TV, Bilibili, and Tokai TV.[18]
Musical
[edit]A stage musical adaptation was announced on August 8, 2023,[19] and premiered on November 10, 2023.[20]
Reception
[edit]Reviewing the first season for /Film, Rafael Motamayor praised the animation, music, and the series's ability to create tension. Motamayor described Link Click as "life-affirming" and "feel[ing] fresh and new".[21]
Accolades
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | New York International Film Awards | Best Animation, February 2026 | Link Click: Bridon Arc | Won | [22] |
| Lisbon Animated Film Festival | Audience Award (Perspectives Features Competition) | Won | [23] | ||
| Sweden Film Awards | Winner, February 2026 | Won | [24] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Link Click - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll（crunchyroll.com）. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.／Crunchyroll, LLC. 2021. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ a b "LINK CLICK - bilibili". bilibili（bilibili.tv）. bilibili Inc.／balaboom Pte. Ltd. 2021. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ "LINK CLICK Chinese Donghua Anime to Stream on Funimation". 29 April 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ "两个月播放量破亿！这部国漫内容疯狂反转！". 搜狐网. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
- ^ "时光代理人LinkClick".
- ^ "Link Click Bridon Arc". Bilibili. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
- ^ "时光代理人 英都篇最新PV公开｜MadeByBilibili". YouTube（youtube.com） (in Chinese and English). 哔哩哔哩动画Anime Made By Bilibili. 2024-07-07. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
at mark 0:18：2024冬 敬请期待：2024冬：2024 dōng：2024 winter
- ^ Luster, Joseph. "Link Click Season 3 to Premiere in 2026". www.crunchyroll.com. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
- ^ "时光代理人：角色PV3" (in Chinese). bilibili. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Dempsey, Liam (August 5, 2022). "Link Click English Dub Announced, Cast & Crew Revealed". Crunchyroll. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- ^ "时光代理人：角色PV2" (in Chinese). bilibili. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ "时光代理人：角色PV1" (in Chinese). bilibili. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ "时光代理人LinkClick".
- ^ 白鲨JAWS (2023-07-14). "Link Click Season 2 Opening -behind the scenes-". YouTube (in Chinese and English). Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ "时光代理人 - 猫耳FM". 猫耳FM.
- ^ "Link Click Live Action Drama Adaptation Announcement". Sina Weibo.
- ^ "LINK CLICK HD | bilibili". www.bilibili.tv. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Ukil, Aparna (2026-02-18). "Link Click Is Getting a Live Action Drama - Here's the Lead Cast". Beebom. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ^ Dempsey, Liam. "Chinese Donghua Link Click Gets Stage Musical Adaptation". Crunchyroll.
- ^ Ukil, Aparna (2026-02-18). "Link Click Is Getting a Live Action Drama - Here's the Lead Cast". Beebom. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
- ^ Motamayor, Rafael (June 1, 2022). "Link Click Is A Nail-Biting And Emotionally Complex Time-Travel Thriller From China". /Film. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
- ^ "NYIFA® • New York International Film Awards - Monthly Film Festival". NYIFA® • New York International Film Awards. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
- ^ "Film – MONSTRA | Festival de Animação de Lisboa". Retrieved 2026-03-24.
- ^ "February 2026". Sweden Film Awards. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
Further reading
[edit]- Hong, Sanyu (May 21, 2021). 《时光代理人》：这部国产动画值得高分 [Link Click: This Domestic Animation Deserves a High Score]. 澎湃新闻 [The Paper] (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]- Link Click on Bilibili
- Link Click on Crunchyroll
- Link Click at IMDb
| TV/web series and web shows | |
|---|---|
| Animated series | |
