DANDADAN Season 1 is probably the best Fall Anime of 2024. In the Best of Upcoming Fall 2024 Anime article I mentioned DANDADAN. I discussed that I didn’t read much of the manga, only around 15 to 20 chapters. Well I caught up to the manga, which is around 175 chapters right now.
About DANDADAN
DANDADAN, also stylized as Dan Da Dan, is originally a Japanese manga on Shonen Jump+ by Shueisha. Yukinobu Tatsu writes the story and does the art for the manga.
It has been a well known manga since its serialization in April 2021. In the same year DANDADAN won runner-up in the Next Manga Awards 2021. It won under the Web Manga Category.
DANDADAN Season 2
Last December 20 the final DANDADAN episode, “Let’s Go To The Cursed House”, of Season 1 aired. However, Studio Science SARU left us with a cliffhanger.
Fans are eagerly waiting for season 2 which will be airing sometime in July 2025, Netflix posted on their X account, formerly Twitter.
Synopsis
Ghosts, monsters, aliens, teen romance, battles…and the kitchen sink! This series has it all! Takakura, an occult maniac who doesn’t believe in ghosts, and Ayase, a girl who doesn’t believe in aliens, try to overcome their differences when they encounter the paranormal! This manga is out of this world!
Taken From Shueisha’s Official Website
DANDADAN Season 1 Full Review
For those who haven’t seen or read DANDADAN, the first couple episodes might be a little ‘out there’. Here is a review I did on Episode 1 “That’s How Love Starts, Ya Know!”.
I discussed my impressions of the first episode. What I liked and what I didn’t like.
My opinion of course changed over the course of the show. Lets see what my impressions are now after I watched the entire series.
What I Ended Up Liking
Artstyle
This is something I knew would not change throughout the anime. Yukinobu Tatsu’s style is still a standout for the anime and manga.
Opening and Ending Sequence
I mentioned in the first review that I didn’t really like Otonoke by Creepy Nuts, the OP. However I did a complete 180 on my opinion of the song. I really enjoy the song now, so I added it to my playlist. I don’t remember why I didn’t like it, but I was wrong about it.
The ED is TAIDADA by ZUTOMAYO. Originally I liked the ED, and I still do. I initially said that I liked the ED better than the OP. But that’s not the case anymore, I still like this ED though.
Voice Acting
Japanese Cast:
Natsuki Hanae voices Okarun
Shion Wakayama voices Momo
Nana Mizuki voices Seiko Ayase
Kaito Ishikawa voices Jiji
Ayane Sakura voices Aira
Mayumi Tanaka voices Turbo Granny
English Cast:
A.J. Beckles voices Okarun
Abby Trott voices Momo
Kari Wahlgren voices Seiko Ayase
Aleks Le voices Jiji
Lisa Reimold voices Aira
Barbara Goodson voices Turbo Granny
The English Dub for DANDADAN went viral for the voice acting. I don’t usually watch dubbed anime, however I made some exceptions throughout the years of watching anime. The dubbed anime that comes to mind I’ve watched are Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Ghost Stories.
The DANDADAN English cast fit the characters really well. Especially Momo and her childhood friend Jiji’s voice actors. Abby Trott and Aleks Le are a couple reasons the dub went viral. The acting they did really fit the teenage characters.
Here is a comparison of the English dub and original Japanese of Momo and Okarun:
Coloring
This is something I initially did not like when I watched the first episode. It grew on me throughout the series.
Studio Science SARU also added their own flavor to the anime. Depending on the situation or mood, whether they are in the spirit world or not, the color shifts. There are a variety of bright colors used throughout the series. It received criticism from fans online, saying that it was doing too much.
However, I think that it adds to the chaos that is the story. I read online somewhere describing DANDADAN to Regular Show. If you know this show from Cartoon Network, you know that the most absurd things happen. Thinking about it, DANDADAN is no different. Especially in the later chapters.
Animation
Another aspect I initially didn’t like. But just like the coloring the animation grew on me. Studio Science SARU went all out with the animation in the action scenes. It was obvious they would do well with the work they’ve done with Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and Star Wars: Vision.
Would I Recommend DANDADAN?
I think that if you can get past the introduction of the Turbo Granny arc, which are episodes 1-3. It does get a little strange in these episodes, however it’s worth it if you get past it.
The season finale ended in a cliffhanger, just as another action packed arc was going to start. Me and many fans are excited for season 2 in July 2025.
