DANDADAN has gained a lot of popularity recently because of the release of the anime. If you enjoy it like the rest of the world, here is a popular manga like DANDADAN that you may want to add to your to-read-list.
Its title is Youchien Wars or Kindergarten WARS in English. A Web manga that was first released in 2022, written and illustrated by You Chiba.
In 2023 Kindergarten WARS won 3rd place in the Next Manga Awards 2023 in the Web Manga category with 41,463 points. Behind Neko Oji and The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy At All.
Synopsis
Welcome to Kindergarten Noir, an exclusive school catering to children of the global elite. Rita, one of the teachers, has been on the hunt for a boyfriend but has had absolutely zero luck so far. One day, an assassin comes after one of the children…and he’s totally dreamy?! Dive into this action-packed rom-com as it unfolds inside the world’s “safest” kindergarten!
Synopsis from MangaPLUS
What I Like About Kindergarten WARS
Story Elements
Kindergarten WARS is a silly action, romance manga like DANDADAN. The story is kind of similar, in a comedy way. You don’t expect the things to happen and they catch you off guard. There aren’t any supernatural or aliens in Kindergarten WARS, so far and I doubt there will be. You never know with these manga nowadays though.
The aspect of the story that I like the most is the comedy. Like I mentioned it’s a silly manga, the comedy is mostly slapstick and surreal. I know that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it’s a hilarious manga like DANDADAN. There is romance in the manga as well, but it’s more unrequited? I’ve read around 50 chapters and I’m not sure what’s going to happen with the romance.
Characters
The Teachers of Kindergarten Noir’s Dandelion Class: Rita, Doug, Hana
Rita is the main character, and is new to kindergarten. She’s placed with Doug and Hana in the Dandelion Class.
The three of them have such funny chemistry. Rita, being a legendary assassin, is much stronger than the other two. Doug was a swindler, and Hana was an assassin and bomb expert.
The Teachers of Kindergarten Noir’s Chrysanthemum Class: Luke and Silvia
Like and Silvia are the senpai of the Kindergarten. Doug and Hana consider them strongest one’s at the kindergarten. Luke was a cop while Silvia was a smuggler. When the inexperienced Dandelion Class’s teachers are in trouble, these two are the ones there to help them.
They notice that the three Dandelion teachers have something going on with each other, and they secretly ‘help’ them.
Would I Recommend You Read it?
If you like manga like DANDADAN then this is perfect for you. I hope this manga will get an anime adaptation soon. I would be surprised if we didn’t get an anime adaptation announcement by the end of 2025.
Currently there are close to 100 chapters on the web application, and as I’ve mentioned I’ve only read about half of them. Alongside this manga, here are other ongoing manga I’ve enjoyed Blue Box and Kaoru Hana for non-action manga.
