Dandadan
Entry updated 27 January 2025. Tagged: TV.
Japanese animated tv series (2024-current; vt Dan Da Dan). Science SARU. Based on the Manga by Yukinobu Tatsu. Directed by Fūga Yamashiro. Written by Hiroshi Seko. Voice cast includes Natsuki Hanae, Kaito Ishikawa, Nana Mizuki, Ayane Sakura, Mayumi Tanaka and Shion Wakayama. Twelve 24-minute episodes to date. Colour.
Hotheaded Momo Ayase (Wakayama) comes to the aid of meek fellow student Ken Takakura (Hanae) who is being bullied; nonetheless, as his name is that of an actor she idolizes and he is somewhat unprepossessing, she insists he answers to Okarun. Wishing to strike up a conversation and aware of Momo's interest in the occult, Okarun presumes she will share his belief in Aliens, UFOs (or rather, "UAPs" – Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) and related conspiracy theories (see Paranoia) – this proves not to be the case, so he angrily counters that he doesn't believe in ghosts (see Supernatural Creatures). In fact Momo has never seen a ghost and Okarun has no memory of meeting an alien, though he argues that their fondness for memory wipes (see Memory Edit) means he might have. Challenges are issued: Okarun will visit a location renowned for its ghost sightings and Momo one known for its UFO reports.
Okarun duly meets a creepy old yokai called Turbo Granny (Tanaka) who demands and eventually takes his penis, whilst Momo is abducted by aliens from the planet Serpo, who – being all male – propagate by cloning (see Clones); this has caused Evolutionary stagnation, so they wish to return to sexual reproduction, experimenting by having Sex with her and stealing her uterus. Fortunately, by now having possessed Okarun, the yokai – who originally comforted the spirits of girls who died horribly – travels through the students' mobile phones (in effect, Matter Transmission) to attack the aliens. Momo's struggles release her dormant Psi Powers, which enable her to restrain Turbo Granny, allowing Okarun to use her supernatural abilities but maintain control, turning into a Monster (albeit one with a tendency to mope) whilst doing so. The pair are now able to fight back against the supernatural creatures and various aliens (the "Flatwoods Monster" makes an appearance) they subsequently encounter.
Momo lives with her surprisingly young granny Seiko Ayase (Mizuki), a spirit medium, and the pair ask for her help. Seiko expels the yokai's consciousness into a Maneki Neko doll, and – as Okarun retains her powers – she is reduced to a grouchy nuisance. However, Okarun's genitals are only partly restored, as the yokai lost the testes: they are now in the form of Magic golden marbles. One is found by Aira Shiratori (Sakura), a vain fellow student who believes she has been called upon to save the world and that Momo is a devil, so tries to exorcize her. The balls make their bearer conspicuous to spirits and Aira attracts that of her late mother, who lived a tragic life: in the ensuing battle Aira is mortally wounded, but the spirit sacrifices herself by transferring their aura to her daughter: she is revived, and now has the spirit's supernatural powers.
The aliens return, intrigued by the humans' ability to acquire supernatural powers, and seek to capture our heroes for experimentation: they are seen off. Okarun theorizes that aliens cannot defeat yokai – nor the world's other Mythological creatures – who therefore protect the Earth from Invasion. Hence the aliens interest in them: they hope to develop a means to overcome the yokai. The first season's finale has Momo and Okarun going to the home of Jin Enjoji (Ishikawa), one of the former's childhood friends (now handsome, thus provoking Okarun's jealousy): it ends on a cliffhanger with Momo imperilled, whilst Okarun and Jin discover a hidden room in the house.
The first episode has some Fan Service and uncomfortable sexual moments, but Dandadan then settles down to become a very good, entertaining Anime with an eccentric storyline (see Absurdist SF; Humour) and interesting, well animated action scenes; the opening credits are also good. Momo is a strong main character (see Women in SF). A second season is due for broadcast in 2025. [SP]
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