Overview
Yukinobu Tatsu’s DAN DA DAN episode 1 of the anime adaptation is finally here. The pilot episode aired last October 3, 2024.
Dandadan or DAN DA DAN, is a Japanese manga created by Yukinobu Tatsu. It started running in Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump app and website in April 2021. As of October 2024, it has 16 collected volumes. An anime adaptation produced by Science Saru began airing in October 2024.
DAN DA DAN Episode 1 “That’s How Love Starts, Ya Know!” Recap
The episode kicks off with Momo Ayase violently breaking up with her first boyfriend. While walking through school, she spots ‘Okarun’ being bullied. They strike up a conversation and discover that they are into unusual beliefs.
Momo believes in ghosts and the supernatural because her grandmother is a spirit medium. While Okarun believes in UFOs and aliens. The thing is that they think the other belief is fake. To prove that their belief is real, they challenged each other.
Momo visits an abandoned hospital known for UFO abductions. While Okarun goes to a dark tunnel known for its paranormal activity. In true anime fashion, aliens from Planet Serpo abduct Momo. While Okarun comes face to face with Turbo Granny, a lewd spirit.
Then some great animated scenes happen. Okarun crashes the UFO while being cursed by Turbo Granny. Then some weird sexual scenes happen with Momo. She’s trapped and chained.
However Momo’s spiritual power comes forth. She attacks the aliens and destroys the UFO. Momo then kicks Turbo Granny out of Okarun’s body. But, Turbo Granny has his private parts, and the curse will not be lifted for as long as she has it.
DAN DA DAN Anime Release Date
Episodes will be released every Thursday starting October 3, 2024. This is barring any breaks.
Where to Watch DAN DA DAN?
You can watch DAN DA DAN on Netflix and Crunchyroll.
What I Liked (so far)
Artstyle
The artstyle of Yukinobu Tatsu is a stand out for the manga, which is one of the reasons why I read a bit. I’ve read maybe 15 to 20 chapters. The artstyle is comic book-esque, without the ben-day dots.
Studio Science Saru translated the artstyle well into the anime format.
DAN DA DAN’s Opening & Ending Sequence
The OP is Otonoke by Creepy Nuts. I’m not a huge fan of the song itself, but the animation for the opening sequence is phenomenal. It looks like they had a big budget for the opening sequence.
The ED is TAIDADA by ZUTOMAYO. As opposed to the OP, I’m a fan of this song. Sounds catchy, I do recognize the band, and I’m a fan of their other music.
Voice Acting
The studio secured a star-studded voice cast for the two main characters. Natsuki Hanae voices Okarun, and Shion Wakayama voices Momo Ayase.
Natsuki Hanae has voiced some famous characters in the past, including Tanjiro from Demon Slayer and Kousei Arima from Your Lie in April.
Shion Wakayama has voiced Shizuka from Mushoku Tensei, Takina Inoue from LycoReco and most recently Lemon from Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines.
The characters in DAN DA DAN overreact a lot, there’s a lot of screaming especially in this first episode. The duo sound convincing in their screaming.
What I Didn’t Like
Coloring
I don’t know what it is about the coloring, but to me it looks…off. It looks like there isn’t any shading and shadowing. Everything is a solid block of color. It doesn’t follow the shading and shadowing of the manga. Which is a shame because as I mentioned, the art looks amazing.
Some Animation
Some animation looks off as well. The regular scenes look like it’s stop motion…kind of or choppy? I think that’s the best way to describe it. The way the characters move and just the scene shifts look odd.
A lot of other anime have this kind of animation style, and it’s just not for me. The style is a personal gripe, and doesn’t mean the animation is objectively bad. You may not have a problem with it as much as I do.
The action scenes look fantastic though, I have to give Studio Science Saru credit there. Which should be expected of them as they did Ping Pong the Animation.
Would I Recommend You Watch it?
Overall, I think it’s going to be a must-watch, even if you haven’t read the manga. Fans talk highly of the manga, calling it ‘peak’. There are a lot of other anime this Fall 2024 season that you should check out here.
