What are the different Chinese folklore elements in Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld? Explained

Modified Dec 12, 2024 10:49 GMT

An image taken from the Netflix series Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld (Image via Netflix)

Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld is an animated series on Netflix created by Echo Wu. The supernatural-action series contains 13 episodes and was released on December 5, 2024. Echo Wu, Ali Wong, Ben Kalina, Aron Eli Coleite, Antonio Canobbio, Shannon Prynoski, and Chris Prynoski serve as the show's executive producers.

Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld blends elements of Chinese mythology with a contemporary American setting to deliver viewers a unique viewing experience. The series features several mythological creatures, such as the jiangshi, the Mogui, and the painted-skin demon, who wreak havoc in Jentry's life.

The show's official logline, as per Netflix, reads:

"A teen hero fights terrifying creatures from the underworld in this animated horror comedy blending elements of Chinese mythology and Texan culture."

Who are the mythological creatures in Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld?

A still from the animated series Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld (Image via Netflix)

Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld draws heavily from Chinese mythology and weaves it along with a coming-of-age story set in present times.

Among the elements taken from Chinese folklore is the underworld or Diyu, the Daoist version of hell. Its gatekeepers, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, are tasked with escorting the newly dead into the Diyu. After unknowingly opening the portal to the underworld, Jentry is warned by the gatekeepers to seal off the portal to maintain the balance between the two worlds.

According to Chinese folklore, a Mogui (meaning monster in Cantonese) is an evil spirit and has its roots in Buddhism. In the Netflix series, the Mogui is a parasitic demon that takes over the body of Mr. Cheng, who wants to bring his daughter back from the dead using Jentry's powers. Together, the two hunt down the teen in hopes of stealing her powers.

Jentry's sidekick, Ed, is a jiangshi, or a shapeshifting vampire who previously worked for Mogui. Chinese folklore describes a jiangshi as an undead creature, similar to a vampire or zombie from Western culture. In Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld, Ed appears as comic relief to balance the show's dark themes.

The character of Kit, Jentry's potential love interest, is based on the 18th-century short story, The Painted Skin. In reality, Kit is a painted-skin demon disguised to look like a young high school student. Kit was sent by Mr. Cheng to steal Jentry's qi in exchange for a soul that can make it human.

Also Read: Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld season 1 soundtrack: A definitive guide to every song in the series

Plot summary

In Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld, Jentry is a teenage girl with the ability to wield fire from her fingertips. After unintentionally burning down most of her hometown due to her uncontrolled powers, she decides to repress them out of guilt.

However, her powers reignited on her 16th birthday when she discovered that the Mogui and Mr. Cheng wanted to steal her fire-wielding powers for nefarious reasons.

Jentry is also a regular teenager dealing with the pressures of fitting in among her peers while navigating friendship and romance along the way. She finds herself in a love triangle with her childhood friend, Michael, and the mysterious new student, Kit.

After accidentally opening the portal to the underworld, she is left to fight off various demons and monsters from Diyu while learning to embrace her powers as an extension of herself.

Also Read: Why there should be a Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld season 2? Reasons explored