I signed up for a new account on MyDramaList just so I could rave about my latest obsession. Nirvana in Fire was possibly one of the best drama series I have ever watched. (PERIOD!) I am comparing the amazing quality of this show to my American favorites of Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones. It is very hard for shows to wow me as I am one of those annoying critics that cannot simply just swallow what the director hands me. The screenplay, dialogue and cinematography must all pass my logical test. How believable were the characters and their motives? How interesting was the plot? At the same time, the events that unfold must be engaging and shocking. All in all, I am a tough person to impress. It might sound strange to say this drama passed all of my critical qualms when there are flying swordsmen literally fighting in mid-air but it was that type of drama. The screenplay was so believable you actually overlooked the fantastical aspects as merely interesting parts of this magical world.

With all that said, the plot, as brilliantly written and executed as it was actually took a backseat to the relationships between the characters. When Mei Changsu and Jingyan were together on the screen, you could hardly look away hoping that this would be the moment that they acknowledged each other. Each achingly painful interaction felt like eternity. At the end, you really could not help but feel for both of these characters. Their bromance and loyalty to each other felt more moving than any romance arc. Other relationships such as the one Mei Changsu has with all the members of his posse felt real and were equally moving. I honestly believe that the most brilliant aspect of Mei's character was his ability to captivate people. With that quality, he managed to use, manipulate and inspire all those around him to help him achieve his goal. The fact that Mei was terminally ill also provided an interesting dynamic to his, at times, superhuman mind.

Another wonderful aspect of this drama was the slew of brilliant supporting characters. Each actor/ actress dominated their roles. The music, camera work, sets, costumes... man, I could go on and on raving about it all. The world of Nirvana really came to life. The only criticism I have is that the ending felt a bit rushed and left me feeling like I needed closure. However, it was a fitting ending to the ride. In short, this is a must watch. Go on. What are you waiting for?