Shadow Punisher: Episode Schedule and Where to Watch

If you've been craving a mystery with a little supernatural spice, Shadow Punisher (魅影神捕) might be your next binge. The Chinese drama lands on iQIYI this October, and it's built around eerie cases, a team that doesn't always get along, and a lot of martial arts. Here's what to expect, plus the schedule so you know when to hit play.

Three Detectives Who Start Out Wary of Each Other

The story is set in the Great Shi Dynasty, in the 37th year of the Hongyun era, when old tensions are close to boiling over. Li Si, also called Master Qing Yang, joins the Imperial Detective Bureau with a personal goal: figuring out what really happened to the Fourth Prince. Along the way he works with Bai Zhen Zhu, a forensic examiner nicknamed Detective Frost, and Meng Rui, a ghost catcher who is carrying a lot of anger.

The three of them become the Divine Detectives, and the cases they take on are strange. One involves a man-eating demon plant in the Black Wind Forest. Another features a boy who turns into a werewolf under the moonlight. Shadow puppetry and gu sorcery show up too, giving the show a creepy folk-tale feel. Each case has its own hook, so it rarely feels like the story is dragging.

The Episode Schedule

iQIYI is starting with a big batch. VIP members get six episodes on October 2, released at 12 PM China time. After that, new episodes come out most days. Here's the first week:

1. October 2: Episodes 1 to 6
2. October 3: Episodes 7 and 8
3. October 4: Episodes 9 and 10
4. October 5: Episodes 11 and 12
5. October 6: Episodes 13 and 14
6. October 7: Episodes 15 and 16
7. October 8: Episode 17

The full run is 30 episodes, so you'll have plenty of time with it. The schedule may shift, so it's worth checking the platform as the season goes on.

Luo Yunxi and Alen Fang, Reunited

Luo Yunxi plays Li Si, and plenty of viewers are already saying his calm, clever performance is what keeps them watching. Fans are also excited to see Alen Fang share the screen with him again after Whispers of Fate. Their first scenes together are a bit prickly, which makes the gradual thaw between their characters fun to follow.

Shen Yujie plays Bai Zhen Zhu with plenty of spark, and the bickering among the three leads adds a lot of charm. Some viewers wish the characters had more backstory, but many still say the chemistry carries each case.

Trailer and Costumes

The official opening theme song is "You Mei / Charm" performed by Liu Yuning. You can see the vibe for yourself in the official trailer down below.

The costumes are a talking point. They're bold, and some viewers feel they're a little much for a detective story. The fight scenes, on the other hand, get a lot of praise for being smooth and exciting.

Where to Watch

You can stream Shadow Punisher on iQIYI. Picking a regular viewing time around the daily drops is an easy way to keep up with the cases as they unfold.

If you like supernatural puzzles, team-based detective stories, and historical martial arts, this one is worth adding to your October list.