📖Written by: MSY

🗓️ Published on: December 9, 2025

✨ My First Manhua Journey: From Hobby to Passion

From Curious Reader to Story Explorer: My First Manhua Journey

📖 Introduction

Back in 2018, I stumbled upon a few chapters of The Devil President’s Sacrificial Bride and Psychic Princess online. Even though I’m Chinese, my language skills weren’t very strong at the time. Out of curiosity, I began using these stories as reading practice to improve both my Chinese and English. What started as a small personal challenge quickly became a meaningful creative hobby — one that allowed me to learn, connect with others, and even share my love for storytelling.

These two manhua were the very first series I attempted as part of my translation projects. My early work was far from perfect — full of typos and awkward phrasing. I still remember the embarrassment of accidentally writing “thanks you” in one chapter. Despite the mistakes, I kept practicing, and over time, the process became genuinely enjoyable. People who loved the same stories started following my work and offering encouragement. Their kind words pushed me to improve further and continue my translation journey.

✨ Why These Stories Inspired Me

Both titles caught my attention because of their distinctive art styles and engaging storylines. Psychic Princess blends humor with supernatural romance, while The Devil President’s Sacrificial Bride dives deep into emotional and dramatic themes. They were the perfect starting point for someone like me who wanted to explore the world of manhua translation.

What drew me even more was how relatable the characters were. From the witty dialogues to the heartfelt moments of sacrifice and love, these stories made me feel connected to a world far beyond my own daily life. Translating them allowed me to relive those emotions in both languages — an experience that became unexpectedly satisfying.

⚡ Challenges Along the Way

One of the hardest aspects of translation was dealing with idioms and cultural references. Chinese expressions often have no direct English equivalent, and my limited vocabulary made it even trickier. For instance, translating a phrase like “青出于蓝而胜于蓝” (literally “the student surpasses the master”) into natural, readable English was a challenge. Every mistake became a lesson, and slowly but surely, both my Chinese and English improved.

Another challenge was balancing accuracy with readability. Some phrases made perfect sense in Chinese but sounded awkward in English. Deciding when to translate literally and when to adapt for clarity was a skill I had to develop over time.

💌 Reader Reactions

The most rewarding part of this experience has always been the community. I’ll never forget one message I received:

“Finally there is someone who can translate with good English and make it understandable.”

Comments like this reminded me why I continued practicing. For me, it wasn’t just about languages — it was about helping others enjoy stories they cared about. Over time, readers began sharing their own thoughts, fan theories, and even tips for cultural understanding. This exchange made the experience far more interactive than I ever imagined.

📝 Lessons Learned

Through this journey, I discovered just how rich and diverse Chinese storytelling can be. Themes of family duty, love, sacrifice, humor, and personal growth appear in countless works. Learning to understand them deeply increased my appreciation for the culture behind these stories.

I also learned patience and resilience. Translation is not a fast process — each chapter took hours of careful reading, interpretation, and rewriting. At times, I felt frustrated, especially when I saw my work reposted without permission. Yet, the joy of connecting with an appreciative community always outweighed the setbacks.

🌅 Closing Reflections

It’s been nine years since I began this hobby, and I’ve now worked on over 100 projects — from reading practice exercises to full-fledged translations for communities. The journey has taught me more than just languages; it has taught me how to persevere, pay attention to detail, and value human connection.

Sharing stories isn’t only about words on a page. It’s about emotions, creativity, and culture. Each translation is an attempt to let someone else experience the world as vividly as the original readers did. The process has given me a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and a way to contribute positively to a community I care about deeply.

💡 Tips for Aspiring Translators

• Start with stories you love — passion makes learning easier.
• Don’t be afraid of mistakes; they’re part of the growth process.
• Take notes on idioms, slang, and cultural references to improve your understanding.
• Engage with your readers — their feedback can guide and motivate you.

💬 Now It’s Your Turn

I’d love to hear from you:

1. Out of all the stories you’ve enjoyed, which one left the deepest impression on you?
2. Which series did you first discover through my work, and what made you keep reading?

Your story matters too. Sharing it can create new connections, just as these manhua did for me.