Link Click (Chinese: 时光代理人; pinyin: Shíguāng Dàilǐrén, lit.'Time Agents') is a Chinese donghuaweb series written and directed by Li Haoling and produced by LAN Studio with assistance by Li's studio, Haoliners Animation League.
The first season aired from April 30, 2021, to July 9, 2021, on Bilibili and Funimation.[3] There were a total of 12 episodes, including a special episode named 5.5.[4] A second season aired from July 14, 2023, to September 22, 2023, on Bilibili. Several chibi specials were also released.
A prequel season was announced shortly after the end of the second season,[5] and it premiered on December 27, 2024.[6]
Synopsis
Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang run Time Photo Studio and accept requests from clients to relieve them of regrets. Through a photo provided by the client, Cheng Xiaoshi can travel back in time to the moment it was taken and assumes the identity of its photographer, with him absorbing the photographer's memories and emotions in the process. At the same time, Lu Guang has the ability to keep track of the events in time and helps Cheng Xiaoshi relive the experiences of the photographer. The two work under the conditions that they have only 12 hours with one chance to travel in time and find what their client is searching for, while also leaving the events of the past unchanged.
The owner of Time Photo Studio. His ability is to enter the photo world and possess a designated person, and can control all the words and actions of that person.
A partner of Time Photo Studio. His ability is to retrace everything that happened in the photo world within 12 hours of the photo being taken; he also directs Cheng Xiaoshi's actions.
A school friend of Qiao Ling, Cheng Xiaoshi, and Lu Guang who comes to them seeking help when she can't remember what Dong Yi told her when she was drunk.
Dong Yi (董易; Dǒng Yì)
Voiced by: Jīn Xián (金弦) (Chinese)
Xu Shanshan's friend who enjoys hanging out with her and uses every excuse he can to stay by her side.
Yu Xia (予夏; Yú Xià)
Voiced by: Qián Chēn (钱琛) (Chinese), Morgan Lauré (English)
Client of Time Photo Studio who asks them to find the secret ingredient to her friend Lin Zhen's noodles after she left her to restart everything.
Yu Xia's closest friend and chef of their noodles. She ended up leaving Yu Xia's side after coming to terms with the fact she no longer enjoyed making the noodles Yu Xia once enjoyed.
Chen Xiao (陈潇; Chén Xiāo)
Voiced by: Wāi Wāi (歪歪) (Chinese)
A client who seeks out the Time Studio as he asks if they could simply deliver a message to some people from his past on the day of a basketball game. Qiao Ling notes that he looks incredibly tired and unhappy.
The first season of the donghua series was released on Bilibili and Funimation on April 30, 2021. It was directed by Li Haoling, original character design by INPLICK, art directed by Tanji Takumi, Asami Tomoya and Zhu Lipiao, photography directed by Sanjou Yasuka, and chief animation directed by LAN Studio. A second season was announced at the ending of the episode 11.[11]
Crunchyroll premiered an English dub on August 8, 2022.[8]
The opening theme for season 1 is "Dive Back in Time" by 白鲨JAWS, while the ending theme is "OverThink" by Fàn Kǎ (饭卡). Alternative versions of "Dive Back in Time", performed by bicaso (a vocal project by Sony Music Entertainment Japan) featuring Gen Kakon, and "OverThink", performed by bicaso featuring Eaeran, were also released and used in the Japanese dub version.
The soundtrack album, composed by various artists, was released on August 20, 2021 (2021-08-20), by Bilibili.
Singles from Link Click Season 2 Animation Soundtrack
"The Tides" Released: July 5, 2023 (2023-07-05)
"Vortex" Released: July 8, 2023 (2023-07-08)
"Flash" Released: July 16, 2023 (2023-07-16)
"出借" Released: July 23, 2023 (2023-07-23)
"XƎTЯOVerthink" Released: July 24, 2023 (2023-07-24)
"Until It Dies" Released: July 30, 2023 (2023-07-30)
"Mastermind" Released: October 1, 2023 (2023-10-01)
The opening theme is "Vortex" by 白鲨JAWS, while the ending theme is "The Tides" by Fàn Kǎ (饭卡) & 白鲨JAWS. The song "Vortex" contains reversed lyrics; this was because of writer/director Li Haoling's request to incorporate the theme of reversing time into the song.[12]
The music for season 2 was composed by various artists. The soundtrack album was first released on September 30, 2023 (2023-09-30). A later re-release, released on January 15, 2024 (2024-01-15), contained additional opening, ending, insert, and promotional songs.
Link Click Season 2 Animation Soundtrack standard edition
An audio drama adaptation was released on 猫耳 (pinyin: Māo ěr) FM (Cat ears FM) on November 10, 2022, and aired every Thursday. The first season consists of 12 episodes that are each about 30 minutes long.[13]
Live-action drama
A live-action drama adaptation was announced on June 17, 2023.[14] The series can be found on Bilibili or YouTube, starring Jiang Long as Cheng Xiaoshi and Bi Wenjun as Lu Guang.[15]
Musical
A stage musical adaptation was announced on August 8, 2023,[16] and premiered on November 10, 2023.
Reception
Reviewing the first season for /Film, Rafael Motamayor praised the animation, music, and the series's ability to create tension. Motamayor described Link Click as "life-affirming" and "feel[ing] fresh and new".[17]
^"时光代理人 英都篇最新PV公开｜MadeByBilibili". YouTube（youtube.com） (in Chinese and English). 哔哩哔哩动画Anime Made By Bilibili. 2024-07-07. Retrieved 2024-07-07. at mark 0:18：2024冬 敬请期待：2024冬：2024 dōng：2024 winter{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Hong, Sanyu (May 21, 2021). 《时光代理人》：这部国产动画值得高分 [Link Click: This Domestic Animation Deserves a High Score]. 澎湃新闻 [The Paper] (in Simplified Chinese). Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
