This fall season has some great shows lined up, and Dan Da Dan is one of them, managing to stand out among the rest. Here are our initial thoughts and reactions to this insane story.
Contents
What is Dan Da Dan
Dan Da Dan (also denoted as DanDaDan) is Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu. It has been serialized on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ app and website since April 2021, with 16 tankōbon volumes collected as of October 2024. The anime was announced on November 28, 2023 and adapted by studio Science Saru (known for Ping Pong The Animation, Devilman Crybaby, Eizouken, and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off). The show will air on every Friday starting from October 4 and will have 12 episodes total.
What does Dan Da Dan mean you ask? IDK, I only started on the anime, maybe it has a meaning if you dig the manga deep enough.
First Impressions
The anime is awesome; it lives up to the hype. In terms of production quality, I couldn’t ask for a better adaptation than this. The animators did justice to the tone and theme of the story. It kind of gives me FLCL vibes, but distinguishes itself with its own charm. The storyboarding, expressive animation, colorful visuals, music, and voice acting—everything is top-notch. However, it has yet to go from good to great.
Characters
Nothing too significant has happened yet to blow us away, but the characters are just out there. They have distinct personalities and quirks, and they’re kind of just rolling with everything that’s happening. Both are facing their own dilemmas when they cross paths and get into a childish argument, which leads to the revelation of the MacGuffin. Momo, frustrated and depressed, blurts out her backstory, which is properly integrated into the current plot. Ken, an introvert, has his backstory used as a gag, but the ending of the episode hits differently because of it. The characters are handled well enough, setting up something much bigger.
Dan Da Dan is a story about loneliness and the fear of being ostracized. Momo tries to hide her true self and blend in with others but ends up being rejected. In contrast, Ken accepts who he is despite all the bullying and shows courage. His character is what draws him to Momo, leading them on a dumb scavenger hunt that changes their lives forever. It’s as if they were made for each other, and fate brought them together.
World Building
Now, the cream of the crop. The world of Dan Da Dan is built on insanity—like, it’s weirdly insane. There are lots of adult jokes, some vague and some obvious, and it doesn’t hold back on using dirty words. It’s based on the clichéd topics of the occult and aliens but amped up through the roof. It’s like science meets religion, and both happen to be true. The weird stuff is really just weird, and our main duo find themselves connecting with each other through it.
Opening and Ending
Both the opening and ending of Dan Da Dan have some of the sickest edits I’ve seen yet. They capture the insanity and weirdness of this world, with the characters seamlessly flowing through it. They’re packed with Easter eggs and foreshadowing that have yet to be unveiled in future episodes. Very few OP & ED have stood out as much from this year’s anime: The Dangers in My Heart S2, Tower of God S2, The Elusive Samurai, Mayonaka Punch, and Shikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan all showcased some crazy creative art in their OP & ED. Dan Da Dan’s will go down as a top contender.
The Opening song is “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts and the Ending song is “TAIDADA” by ZUTOMAYO.
Dan Da Dan Key Visuals
The poster or key visuals of the anime is pretty enticing as they are littered with details, easter eggs, and charisma.
Dan Da Dan Watch Anime
The show is streaming on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, and MuseAsia. You can watch it right here and now if you are in the right region for free. Although, we can’t guarrenty the quality of the video.
After Thought
Dan Da Dan is a unique take on a clichéd topic that offers a thrilling experience. I can’t wait to see what it has in store. Even amidst all the insanity, there are some heartfelt moments that resonate deeply. It’s a must-watch this season.
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