Nothing new. But since I'm currently reading the original novel (quite entertaining) I'm compiling a list of characters and sort of summarizing our finds now.
*Due to the limited information, this summary is subject to change in light of newer, more accurate information. The characters, descriptions, are based on comparing the three Youtube videos and the novel.
Title: Nine Dragon Lanterns (Nine Dragon Warriors according to the Youtuber loneleewinna)
Based on the novel of the same name by Chin Hong
Year: '80s, specific date unknown
Length: 4 episodes, each 45 minutes
CrewPublisher: Shih-Guo Video Enterprises, Ltd.
Studio: unknown
Producer: Lin Kun Chong
Director: Chang Tseng Chai
www.imdb.com/name/nm0151843/ Screenplay: unknown
Opening ThemeSong: unknown
Lyrics: unknown
Singers: unknown
Cast
Shanguan Mulong: John Chiang Tai Wei
-The lead character
The Nine Dragons1. The Nine Dragons are disciples of the "Elder of Nine Comparables".
2. All of them are in the series, but besides some obvious ones most of them aren't easy to determine.
3. Long Tianxiang is obviously one of the Dragons, by elimination he seems to be the 2nd or 3rd
or 7th Dragon.
4.
Also it seems that at least one of the Dragons has undergone a gender swap. As shown in a female in green fighting side by side with the other Dragons.5. After watching the video more carefully, it seems the female in green is not a Dragon, since the Handsome Dragon actually leaps to fight her and another swordsman.
"Gold Dragon" Shanguan Tianrong: John Chiang Tai Wei
-SGML's father
-Youngest disciple of the 9 Dragons in the novel.
-In the novel the father and son look alike, hence they are both played by Chiang in the series.
-There seems to be some emphasis of his plot in the series, since there are quite a few scenes. In the novel SGTR has been "dead" for awhile, with limited mentioning of his deeds.
"Sick Dragon" Chai Yixiou: Paul Chang Chung
-Sixth disciple of the 9 Dragons in the novel.
-In the novel he starts out seemingly as a mentor to SGML, however, as the novel progresses it is obvious that he is more likely interested in the "Nine Dragon Jade", which records all of the Elder of Nine Comparables' martial arts.
-It seems that in the television series, this character is in a leader position, as well as takes up the secret identity of the "Dragon Subduing Saint", as shown in the videos, and considering the comical appearance of the "Bald Dragon".
"Bald Dragon" Yen Gongzhan: Hung Kei
-Eldest disciple of the 9 Dragons in the novel.
-In the novel he is a highly praised person, and is the most accomplished martial artist of the 9 Dragons, as well as most of Wulin. As of Chapter 6 only one person is skeptical of his personality. In the novel he is revealed to be the Dragon Subduing Saint.
-In the series it seems that this character is more comical and probably different from the novel.
"Laughing Dragon" Weng Xiaofei: To be determined (TBD)
-2nd disciple of the 9 Dragons in the novel.
-While the videos have a couple scenes of the 9 Dragons, no one seems to show his characteristics.
"Sleeping Dragon" Dong Luchen: TBD
-3rd disciple of the 9 Dragons in the novel.
"Drunk Dragon" Chang Le: TBD
-4th disciple of the 9 Dragons in the novel.
-In the opening title he can be seen fighting with his gourd of wine.
"
Blind Dragon" Ke Tianxiong: TBD
-5th disciple of the 9 Dragons in the novel.
-In the opening title he can be seen in 0:49, eyes rolled up as if he's blind.
"Literate Dragon" Gong Tianying: TBD
-7th disciple of the 9 Dragons in the novel.
-His weapon is a pair of Judge's Pens.
-Can be seen in 0:39 fighting the Dragon Subduing Saint and 2:59 of the opening title (white long robe carrying his pens).
"Handsome Dragon" Pan Bing: TBD
-8th disciple of the 9 Dragons in he novel.
-His weapon is a white jade flute.
-He can be seen joining the fight
with against the green clad female in 0:40 of the opening title.
Liu Yinghua/Xu Xiangqin: Nancy Yen
-SGML's mother who killed his birth mother and pretended to be his birth mother.
-Is in the final showdown
Elder of Three Plentifuls: TBD
-Martial brother of the Elder of Nine Comparables
-Can be seen in 1:09 in the opening title. He fakes his death so that he can surprise the Dragon Subduing Saint. Also seen in the fight that starts from 2:36, probably the same scene or a previous fight. (There are two encounters in the novel.)
Feng Yenyen: Koon Jing Wah
-Grand Daughter of the Elder of Three Plentifuls
-Has feelings with SGML
Xiao Qiouer: TBD
-Feng Yenyen's maid.
"Yi Duo Yun" or "A Cloud": Chen Shan
-A beggar who helps SGML throughout the novel.
-It is revealed that he is a disfigured SGTR who survived a fall.
-He is also in the final showdown.
Hua Caiyun: TBD
-Concubine of the Handsome Dragon.
-In the novel, there is this scene where SGML goes to the Handsome Dragon's mansion to warn him about an early attack from the Dragon Subduing Saint. He is greeted by Hua and they enter the mansion to discuss further.
-Therefore this explains the scene in 2:25 of the opening titles.
-On some other thought, maybe the "green clad female
Dragon" is actually Hua Caiyun in a different costume.
In the novel at the beginning Hua and the Handsome Dragon were attending the Nine Dragon Lantern Meeting together.Henchmen/Redshirts/Fodder
-In the novel, besides the Gold Dragon and the Drunk Dragon, all of the other Dragons are like powerful warlords/gangsters, each holding a territory and leading probably hundreds of fighters, to the point that Wulin characters passing through their lands requires permits. As the plot goes there are quite a few scenes where characters are dealing with these henchmen.
-The Dragon Subduing Saint also leads quite a few henchmen. He attacks the Handsome Dragon's mansion with two hundred elite fighters, which are lead by 8 swordsmen.
-Therefore there are a lot of scenes in the opening titles where people are fighting henchmen.