Anyone with their ear to the ground has likely heard the buzz around Dandadan, an adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’s million-selling oddball manga. Yukinobu Tatsu introduces Japanese yokai and otherworldly occult science fiction monsters as part of its shonen romance adventure. Indeed, anime is a treat for alien and occult fans, and much of its growing popularity is driven by these enthusiasts.
Studio Science Saru delivers an unapologetically weird, stylish, and anarchic opener that marks it out as one of anime’s first must-watch shows for the 2024 Fall season, keeping fans anticipating more. While Yokai and aliens may grab the most attention, the series also captivates viewers with its comedic references and entertaining humor.
Interestingly, Dandadan‘s creator recently revealed that his main focus in the manga wasn’t its unique concepts or compelling characters, but rather the comedic elements that he has always prioritized.
Dandadan‘s Author Reveals the Key Essence That Sets It Apart from Iconic Shonen Series
Dandadan has built up incredible hype over the past few months, becoming one of the most eagerly anticipated anime of the year. Unlike most anime that spend an episode or two explaining the backstory or its characters’ beliefs, Dandadan takes a different approach with its brisk pace that prioritizes getting straight to the big moments.
The story revolves around high school classmates Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, aka Okarun. After a quick talk, each realizes they’re into slightly ‘out there’ interests. Momo believes in ghosts, while Okarun is mad at alien conspiracies.
It wouldn’t be fair to say that Dandadan episode 1 stood out just for its amazing animation; its rich comedy also entertained every viewer. In an exclusive interview with GameRant, Tatsu opened up about the importance of comedy and humor in his hit manga series. He said:
I really do think that comedy is the essence of Dan Da Dan. The roller coaster of how fast the emotions move is something I devoted so much attention to. And that so much of the comedy does come from the timing, it was really important for this kind of setting and world. We tried to really use the visual timing component to highlight the contrast between the serious character-driven moments and then the comedy, which was the serious part to us.
With its bold mix of both the supernatural and paranormal, Dandadan always finds ways to surprise readers with strange occurrences and distinct characters. Yukinobu Tatsu’s Dandadan is a unique manga series that defies genre conventions by incorporating comedy elements into a thrilling storyline. Following the success of opening episodes, Tatsu added:
That you and some others who have had a chance to see the opening episodes have brought up that visual aspect of the comedy, I’m really glad that it seems to validate what we were going for.
The comedic aspects also allow for clever character development, as the absurd situations they find themselves in shed light on their personalities and quirks.
Though the story is really funny, it can get deep sometimes with intimate or heartbreaking scenes. These elements make Dandadan a standout in the genre, providing fans with a fresh and entertaining experience.
Unveiling the True Protagonist of Dandadan That Fans Often Mistake
Dandadan is a testament to Yukinobu Tatsu’s writing, as the show goes from spooky to gross to hilarious to even cute, all in the span of a few minutes without ever feeling jarring. Not to forget, the anime even received an appraisal from Hideo Kojima, who praised Dandadan for its unique animation style, stellar character designs, and voice acting on social media.
While Okarun often steals the spotlight, Dandadan focuses on Momo Ayase, as Yukinobu Tatsu has expressed his intent to have a female lead from the start. Tatsu also revealed that his lack of experience with female protagonists posed a challenge for him.
Well, it seems the creator put a great deal of thought and effort into Momo’s character, as she’s been receiving plenty of praise and attention from fans. The mangaka also revealed that Okarun was a crucial character to enhance Momo’s likability, which was a clever choice as the duo has captured fans’ hearts.
Dandadan is available to stream on Netflix and Crunchyroll
