📅 May 2006: Three-Body Begins Serialization in Science Fiction World

📅 May 2006: Three-Body Is Born

In May 2006, Science Fiction World magazine began serializing a novel called "Three-Body." No one knew at the time that this novel would change the trajectory of Chinese science fiction.

The Serialization

Magazine: Science Fiction World (科幻世界)

Issues: May 2006 to December 2006

Cover Price: 5 RMB per issue

Author: Liu Cixin (then: computer engineer at Niangziguan Power Plant)

The Response

During serialization, the novel attracted attention within sci-fi circles but was far from the phenomenon it would later become. China's sci-fi readership was still small, and while Liu Cixin had some reputation (from "The Wandering Earth," "The Village Teacher," etc.), he was far from a household name.

The Book Version

In 2008, "Three-Body" was published as a book by Sichuan Science and Technology Press. Compared to the serialized version, the book version adjusted and deleted certain chapters — this later became a hot topic among fans known as "version differences."

Timeline

| Year | Event |

|------|-------|

| May 2006 | Three-Body begins serialization |

| Dec 2006 | Serialization ends |

| 2008 | Book version published |

| 2010 | The Dark Forest published |

| 2011 | Death's End published |

| 2015 | English edition wins Hugo Award |

| 2026 | Global sales exceed 30 million |

Significance

On that morning in May 2006, when a reader spent 5 RMB on the latest Science Fiction World at a newsstand, they had no idea they were witnessing the beginning of a legend.

20 years later, that 5 RMB magazine is worth 5,000 RMB in the collector's market.

This is Three-Body.