Dan Da Dan

Dandadan is a visual explosion, a masterclass in how to use animation to tell a story that's as hilarious as it is terrifying. Director Fuga Yamashiro, with his experience on "Eizouken!", takes the reins and steers the anime into uncharted territory, merging classic techniques with experimental flourishes that perfectly complement the outlandish narrative.

The art style of Dandadan is a captivating blend of seemingly disparate elements. It draws inspiration from traditional anime aesthetics, giving a nod to the iconic works that came before it. But it doesn't stop there. The character designs, with their exaggerated features and expressive eyes, sometimes evoke the charm of Western cartoons, adding a layer of playful absurdity. And then, when you least expect it, the art takes a sharp turn towards the grotesque, showcasing terrifying yokai with intricate details that would make Junji Ito proud. This constant shifting of visual gears mirrors the unpredictable nature of the story itself, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Science Saru, the studio behind Dandadan, flexes its animation muscles in every single frame. The fight sequences are a spectacle to behold, a whirlwind of motion and impact. Characters contort and stretch in impossible ways, defying the laws of physics as they deliver devastating blows. The animators utilize dynamic camera angles and distorted perspectives, creating a sense of raw power and kinetic energy that truly immerses you in the action. But it's not all high-octane battles. Dandadan also excels in its quieter moments, where subtle shifts in expression and body language speak volumes. This masterful control over the animation allows the series to seamlessly transition between explosive action, slapstick comedy, and heartfelt drama.

Yamashiro's directorial vision is evident in every aspect of Dandadan's visual presentation. He's not afraid to break the mold, experimenting with a wide range of techniques to create a truly unique aesthetic. The color palettes are vibrant and varied, shifting to reflect the mood and atmosphere of each scene. He plays with aspect ratios, sometimes stretching the frame to emphasize the scale of a monstrous yokai, other times narrowing it to create a sense of claustrophobia. He even incorporates live-action footage in unexpected ways, blurring the lines between reality and animation. This bold and innovative approach is a testament to Yamashiro's talent and his desire to push the boundaries of anime.

Science Saru, founded by the visionary Masaaki Yuasa, has a well-deserved reputation for producing some of the most visually stunning and innovative anime in recent years. With Dandadan, the studio continues this tradition, showcasing its signature style in all its glory. The fluid animation, expressive character designs, and imaginative use of visual metaphors are all hallmarks of Science Saru's unique approach. The team clearly relishes the opportunity to bring Tatsu's bizarre creations to life, imbuing each yokai and alien with a distinct personality and visual flair.

The visual brilliance of Dandadan is further enhanced by its exceptional sound design. The soundtrack, composed by Nasuo, perfectly complements the on-screen action, blending traditional Japanese instruments with electronic beats to create a truly unique soundscape. The voice acting is also top-notch, with each actor bringing their characters to life with incredible energy and nuance. The sound effects are crisp and impactful, adding weight to every punch, kick, and supernatural encounter. This meticulous attention to sound elevates the viewing experience, creating a truly immersive and unforgettable world.

While the art and animation are undeniably impressive, they serve a greater purpose than just being visually appealing. They are integral to the storytelling, enhancing the humor, horror, and emotional depth of the narrative. Whether it's a terrifying yokai encounter, a hilarious misunderstanding between the two leads, or a touching moment of friendship, the visuals work in perfect harmony with the story to create a truly impactful and unforgettable experience.

Dan Da Dan is an eccentric anime that breaks the mold, bringing a hilarious twist to supernatural high school adventures with raunchy, irreverent humor and unpredictable paranormal encounters. Following Momo Ayase, a girl who firmly believes in ghosts but scoffs at aliens, and her classmate Okarun, who is convinced that aliens are real but ghosts are fiction, Dan Da Dan immediately sets itself apart with a storyline rooted in supernatural clashes and absurdity.

The anime kicks off with a bet between Momo and Okarun to prove their respective beliefs, leading to unexpected and laugh-out-loud outcomes. Momo finds herself abducted by a group of aliens who, in an unusual turn of events, end up unblocking her chakras and unleashing latent psychic abilities. Meanwhile, Okarun's ghost-hunting adventure takes a strange turn when he's possessed by a spirit, resulting in his body being semi-controlled by supernatural forces. It's a setup that skillfully blends paranormal intrigue with outlandish comedy, throwing viewers into a world where nothing is off-limits and every episode brings new supernatural hijinks.

What makes Dan Da Dan stand out is its dedication to the absurd. This isn't your typical ghost-meets-alien storyline; it's full of wild scenarios that get progressively stranger as Momo and Okarun team up to confront spirits, aliens, and everything in between. The battles are a particular highlight, with Momo using her psychic abilities to combat outlandish extraterrestrials while Okarun grapples with his own possession, adding slapstick comedy and unpredictability. The animation style complements this energy, with exaggerated, dynamic visuals that enhance the ridiculous nature of the characters' adventures.

A defining aspect of the anime is its raunchy humor, which comes in full force when Okarun's anatomy becomes a central plot point-specifically, his missing "parts." The bizarre quest to retrieve Okarun's lost anatomy adds an outlandish twist, poking fun at typical shonen tropes with a more risqué, adult sense of humor. Rather than shying away from the topic, the anime fully leans into it, balancing the crude with genuine comedic timing. This willingness to embrace such an absurd premise, along with the characters' reactions, makes for an ongoing gag that never feels forced. It's refreshingly bold, adding an extra layer of hilarity to the already unpredictable storyline.

Beyond the laughs, Dan Da Dan brings a fresh angle to the supernatural genre, infusing it with a dose of modern high school life and classic paranormal elements. The anime's supernatural elements feel vibrant and innovative, blending folklore, sci-fi, and fantasy without getting bogged down in complicated lore. Spirits and aliens are depicted in a way that is both creepy and comical, avoiding the typical tropes of "terrifying monster" or "futuristic robot." Instead, they're rendered as whimsical, strange beings that sometimes feel just as awkward in their own supernatural skin as the human characters do. This approach gives the show an unpredictably quirky vibe, keeping viewers guessing about what kind of bizarre entity might appear next.

What elevates the humor and supernatural flair is the relationship between Momo and Okarun. Their contrasting personalities and beliefs create an odd but endearing chemistry that grows over the course of the series. What begins as a rivalry based on conflicting beliefs evolves into a partnership filled with humorous banter and reluctant camaraderie. They're both strong-willed and determined but often find themselves in situations that are way over their heads, forced to rely on each other's oddball talents. This dynamic not only adds depth but ensures that the characters are consistently fun to watch.

While the anime is eccentric, its appeal lies in its willingness to mix bold, raunchy humor with heartfelt moments and thrilling supernatural action. For fans who enjoy an anime that doesn't take itself too seriously and embraces both the crass and the comedic, Dan Da Dan is a refreshing find. Its paranormal themes, over-the-top battles, and absurd humor are perfect for those seeking an anime that pushes boundaries and isn't afraid to be unapologetically weird. Whether you're drawn in by the ghost-versus-alien premise or just looking for a good laugh, Dan Da Dan delivers with originality and a delightfully twisted sense of humor.

I was skeptical at first with this anime, but seeing the art style and animation and then watching this first episode and loving every second of it i just binged it and cant wait for the next episode every week. Both the sub and dub for this anime come out at the same time which is a rarity and i love both. I was really routing for re:zero season3 to win this year(mostly because re:zero is one of my top 3 favorite anime) but after episode 7 its safe to say that this anime deserves anime of the year or at least give that single episode a reward. Like oh my god that was one of the most beautiful episodes I have ever seen.

Caught the first three episodes in the early theatrical run and was blown away but the animation and general quality of the story.

Dandadan is an action packed comedy adventure series with a little bit of everything.

Following the manga of the same title released weekly by shonen jump which has received a major following thanks to incredible artwork and consistent weekly releases.

This new anime adaptation has been Long wished for by fans of the Manga and lived up to my expectations

The studio did a great job with the animation and stylization. The characters in the story are very easy to root for and there episodes were all really funny.

Dandadan can seem so unserious at first. What with its ridiculous foundations, its even weirder subplots, and its character dynamic, the range of the show feels so huge, which is why I haven't reviewed it before.

While I know the show can go so many more places so easily, I have to say I think by now I can conclude: this show would struggle to go wrong. It is incredibly good.

Both in source and adaptation, this anime is without many flaws. I had questions about the pacing of episodes 5 and 6, but I realised the slow build was for a high point at 7, which I think completely resolves the pacing issues I feared. The plot, as I mentioned, has such a range, bringing in supernatural horror and sci-fi horror into one light, comedic and compelling storyline. I have laughed at this show, but I'd say more impressively, I've cried at this show. This is the range of Dandadan.

As well as just the plot, the adaptation is amazing. Science Saru's animation is always exceptional, but it's those aspirational, absurd and weird choices they make in framing, angles and movements which make their shows feel so authentic. The voice acting performances, especially for the Japanese leads for Ayase and Okarun are genuinely incredible, with both having a really good range of performances. That's needed for a show that works on two levels, as both a slice of live and as a supernatural shonen action, and a drama on top of that.

Doing so much makes Dandadan so hard to categorise, but I'd say most watchers will love this show. It is fast becoming a favourite for me and I'm sure I won't be alone on that.

10/10. An Autumn must-watch.