Note: In a general sense this is the same location as People's Republic of China but the distinction in which should be credited is based on time period (this page should be credited for stories set before 1912) as both settings receive a large quantity of comic appearances but the type of stories the two settings get are quite different.

Chronology

Although most Western depictions of China tend to stick to contemporary or relatively recent eras, in comics produced in Asia it is much more common to depict Ancient China, both mythical and historical. For chronology after the Qing Dynasty, see People's Republic of China.

Antiquity (Pre-475 BCE)

The end of the Shang Dynasty (1600 BCE-1046 BC) inspired the mythological 封神演義, one of the major Chinese novels, which has received comic interpretations like the manga Hoshin Engi.

Warring States and Qin (475 BCE - 206 BCE)

The final decades of the Warring States period and founding of the Qin Dynasty (the official historical start of the Imperial era) under Qin Shi Huang are the primary focus of one of the best-selling manga, Kingdom. It features interpretations of many great historical figures of this period but chooses a less-prominent historical figure to make its protagonist in Li Xin.

Western Han (206 BCE - 9 CE)

The fall of the Qin and rise of the Han Dynasty has been depicted in comics including the manga Sekiryūō which switches between the stories of multiple major figures from this era including Liu Bang and Xiang Yu.

Medieval Dynasties (9 CE-1206 CE)

The Three Kingdoms Period of 220 CE-280 CE was the setting of 三國演義, one of the Classic Chinese Novels, and has led to the enduring popularity of its historical figures like Liu Bei. Comics inspired by these ancient stories include the manhua Huǒ Fèng Liáoyuán and the manga Sangokushi and Tenchi wo Kurau.

西遊記 (starring Sun Wukong), one of the Classic Chinese Novels, is set in the Tang Dynasty of the 600's. Comic interpretations of these stories include many manga like Boku no Son Goku, Son Gokū, Gokūdō and Sanjūshi. Dragon Ball is also loosely inspired by this story, most notably in the name of its protagonist, but most of this inspiration is early aesthetics of the series before it revealed the major characters were aliens.

水滸傳 (starring Song Jiang), one of the Classic Chinese Novels, is set in 1120. It has inspired comic interpretations including the manga Suikoden and Akaboshi: Ibun Suikoden.

Mongol Conquest (1206 CE-1368 CE)

Marco Polo made his travels along the Silk Road to China during this period.

Ming (1368 CE-1644 CE)

The story of Shao Jun, protagonist of an Assassin's Creed manga, is set in 1526.

The story of Mulan as popularly depicted in the Disney animated film (which has been adapted to comics) was set towards the end of the Ming Dynasty but the original stories are often set over a thousand years earlier (which is coincidentally the era that the villains in Mulan roughly correspond to).

Qing (1636 CE-1911 CE)

Towards the end of Imperial China was the Boxer's Rebellion, an uprising of anti-Imperialist and anti-Christian sentiment which has been most noticeably depicted in the pair of comics, Boxers & Saints. The comic adaptation of the film 55 Days at Peking is also set during the uprising, as well as the fumetti Shanghai Devil.

Sub-Locations

Real-World Locations

Warring States Period

• State of Chu: 1030 BCE-223 BCE
• State of Han: 403 BCE-230 BCE
• State of Qi: 1046 BCE-221 BCE
• State of Qin: 897 BCE-207 BCE...Conquered the other six Warring States to become the Qin Dynasty and officially begin the Imperial Era.
• State of Wei: 403 BCE-225 BCE
• State of Yan: 1046 BCE-222 BCE
• State of Zhao: 403 BCE-222 BCE