shénmó
Also written: shenmo; shen mo; gods-and-demons fiction; 神魔小说
A Chinese fantasy tradition centered on gods, immortals, demons, spirits, monsters, magical journeys, and conflicts drawn from religion, folklore, and mythology.
Literal meaning
gods and demons
Cultural context
Shenmo fiction is associated with classic narrative traditions such as stories of divine bureaucracy, pilgrimage, religious magic, and battles between supernatural beings. It predates modern online genre labels and overlaps with later xianxia and mythological fantasy.
How dramas use it
In screen stories, shenmo elements appear when the plot focuses on named deities, legendary monsters, divine weapons, underworld officials, celestial courts, or mythological quests rather than a structured cultivation journey.
Usage & formality
Shenmo is a useful literary and mythological category, but contemporary dramas may be marketed under broader labels such as fantasy, xianxia, or mythology.