Dan Da Dan – Anime Overview, Release Info & Review
Dan Da Dan (Japanese: ダンダダン, Dandadan) is a supernatural action-comedy romance anime based on the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu.
The story centers around two high school students:
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Momo Ayase, who believes in ghosts but not aliens, and
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Ken “Okarun” Takakura, who believes in aliens but not ghosts.
When they make a bet to prove whose belief is correct, they each venture into supernatural investigations—Momo explores UFO hotspots while Okarun visits haunted locations. What follows is a wild ride involving spirit possession, alien abduction, awakened psychic powers, and an unlikely but growing partnership.
Key Details: Manga, Anime & Creative Team
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Original Manga | Dandadan, by Yukinobu Tatsu. Serialized on Shōnen Jump+ since April 2021, with over 20 volumes as of mid-2025. |
| Anime Studio | Science Saru |
| Director | Fūga Yamashiro (season 1) |
| Script / Series Composition | Hiroshi Seko |
| Music | Kensuke Ushio |
| Anime Premiere | October 4, 2024 – December 20, 2024 (Season 1) |
| Episodes | Season 1: 23 episodes |
| Season 2 | Began July 4, 2025; theatrical compilation Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye includes early episodes of this season. |
| Compilation Film | Dan Da Dan: First Encounter (2024) – recaps the first three episodes of the anime. |
What Makes Dan Da Dan Stand Out?
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Genre mash-up: Dan Da Dan blends supernatural horror, sci-fi (aliens), rom-com, action, and high school drama, creating a bold, unpredictable tone.
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Strong visuals and animation: Produced by Science Saru, the show features dynamic fight scenes, creative spirit/alien designs, and vivid animation that bring chaotic supernatural elements to life.
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Character chemistry: The push-and-pull between Momo’s fear of aliens and Okarun’s obsession with them drives both the comedic and dramatic arcs, and the gradual change in their relationship is a central draw.
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Emotional balance: While the show leans heavily into absurd supernatural hijinks, it also explores serious themes like belief vs. doubt, trauma, and personal growth—especially in how Momo and Okarun deal with possession, curses, and paranormal incidents.
Critical acclaim: The first season was widely praised by critics and anime fans for its originality, animation style, and tonal shifts.
Potential Drawbacks
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Inconsistent tone: Some viewers find the rapid shifts between comedy, horror, and romance jarring.
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Graphic or intense scenes: The show does not shy away from supernatural violence, possession, and horror—these elements might not appeal to everyone.
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Pacing: A few episodes can feel chaotic, with plotlines introduced and resolved quickly, sometimes at the cost of deeper character exploration.
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Final Thoughts
Dan Da Dan is a bold, genre-blending anime that takes risks with tone, storytelling, and character dynamics. If you're a fan of supernatural thrillers that aren’t afraid to mix humor, horror, and romance, and you enjoy visually inventive action, then Dan Da Dan is definitely worth checking out.
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✅ Watch it if you like high school settings with paranormal twists, creative fights, and characters who grow by getting involved in the weirdest supernatural events imaginable.
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⚠️ Avoid it if you dislike anime that swings wildly between comedy and body horror, or if you prefer a more grounded or consistently paced narrative.
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