The Imperial Coroner 2 (2026) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Imperial Coroner 2 (2026) - Nostalgia can only take the dream team so far in this uninspired sequel

This is 7/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮  from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7 Stars Plot:                      6.5 Stars Acting/cast:           7 Stars Chemistry:             7 Stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7 Stars

I was so excited to see this hotly anticipated sequel to The Imperial Coroner (2021) and wanted to love it so much. Season 1 was an absolute gem of a drama, and was easily a 9 out of 10 stars for me (👉review). Season 2 brings back the original Director (Lou Jian), one of the original Screenwriters (Qian Xiao Bai), and all of the original main cast members - our dream team of Chu Chu (Su Xuai Tong), little goldfish Xiao Jin Yu (Wang Zi Qi), Jing Yi (Yang Ting Dong) Lang Yue (Zhao Yao Ke). Even adorkable older bro Xiao Jin Li (Wang Yan Bin) is back. Surely a recipe for success? 

But alas, despite a promising start and the warm nostalgic feeling of a reunion with old friends, it was evident early on that The Imperial Coroner 2 (2026) was not on par with the original in terms of novelty and whimsy. The cases were bland, the relationship dynamics often felt contrived, and the drama's pedestrian pace and predictability meant that it was mediocre at best. 

Albeit the occasional moments of brilliance that reminded me why I loved season 1 so much, season 2 definitely falls short by comparison. I give it a 7 out of 10 stars, but that is a subjectively generous score - it is more of a 6.5, with an extra 0.5 added for pure nostalgia. 

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

The Imperial Coroner 2 (2026) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:                      The Imperial Coroner 2 (2026)

Chinese title:         御赐小仵作2

Episodes:               28

Genre:                    Detective, historical, mystery, romance

Original network:  Tencent 

Release date:         15 Jan 2026

Airing schedule:     15 Jan - 27 Jan 2026

Synopsis:

This sequel is set three years after The Imperial Coroner (2021). It follows the story of imperial coroner Chu Chu and Prince An Xiao Jin Yu, and their friends and colleagues, Jing Yi and Leng Yue, as they navigate married life while continuing to do the crucial work of the Three Judicial Ministries三法司.