8 Things Dandadan Does Better Than Nearly Every Anime

Summary

Momo Ayase is a standout female protagonist, with a lot of depth and agency.
The series features a captivating romance story between Momo and Okarun.
Dandadan blends sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and mystery very well, thanks to its brilliant animation and unique music.

Over the last several years, Dandadan has steadily grown into a prominent shōnen franchise, gaining immense popularity following the debut of Science SARU’s acclaimed animated version. Today, it stands among the top-tier and adored anime series globally, and for valid reasons.

Owing to the hard work and skills of its gifted artists in animation, direction, scriptwriting, and music composition, Dandadan stands out as a remarkable anime that excels in numerous aspects, particularly when placed alongside its peers. Many areas where Dandadan shines are exceptional compared to most other animes, offering compelling illustrations of what makes this series truly unique.

1. A Well-Written Female Main Protagonist

Momo Ayase Is One Of The Best Female Characters In Anime

Many widely watched anime, particularly those categorized as shōnen, frequently face challenges in creating captivating female leads or even side characters, often resulting in stereotypical, flat, or superficial characterizations. However, the series Dandadan skillfully sidestepped these pitfalls by introducing a remarkable main character, Momo Ayase, who stands out as one of the most impressive female characters across all anime.

In her character, Momo exhibits a delightful and lively demeanor, yet she possesses an independent spirit and unexpected resilience in combat, demonstrating that she doesn’t always require assistance from others. Additionally, she showcases depth and has undergone an intriguing evolution. Although the original representation of Momo in the manga was impressive, the anime took this character to new heights due to its expressive animation and Shion Wakayama’s exceptional voice acting.

2. Dual Protagonists

Momo And Okarun Share The Limelight Equally

Crafting a narrative with two main characters simultaneously can be a complex endeavor for many authors, as it requires them to dedicate approximately equal resources to the development of both characters concurrently. This is why numerous shōnen anime opt for a single protagonist, while some romance series may struggle to balance the growth and depth of their characters, resulting in one character feeling less fleshed out or stereotypical compared to the other.

In the distinctive series Dandadan, where action and romance blend harmoniously, the characters Momo and Okarun work brilliantly together as dual leads, ensuring a balanced distribution of screen time. This equitable allocation allows for both characters to grow organically in tandem, making it challenging to favor one over the other by the series’ end.

3. A Captivating Romance Story

The Audience Actually Wants Momo And Okarun To Get Together

In some cases, the romantic themes in anime can be either engaging or disappointing. More frequently, shonen anime fall short in this aspect, primarily due to unconvincing romances between characters who lack a strong connection. Interestingly, even romance-focused anime can struggle to create compelling relationships, often relying too heavily on stereotypes such as unnecessary drama, misunderstandings, romantic rivals, which ultimately lead viewers to lose interest in the main characters.

In essence, while Dandadan primarily falls under the category of action shonen series, it also boasts a compelling romance narrative between Momo and Okarun that is exceptionally well-crafted. Their interaction exudes a captivating chemistry, and the progression of their relationship appears authentic. Though occasional instances of jealousy or drama may surface, they never resort to toxic behavior, leaving viewers eager for their potential union in the future. The anime adaptation enhances this endearing romance by employing superior cinematography, music, dialogue, animation, and voice acting.

4. A Perfect Mix Of Sci-Fi And Fantasy

At Its Core, Dandadan Is A Series About Two Different Worlds Clashing

It’s quite unusual for well-known anime to be confined to a single genre such as sci-fi, fantasy, horror, etc., although they might incorporate minor aspects from other genres into their narratives. However, the anime Dandadan is known for its exceptional blend of both sci-fi and fantasy (with notable horror elements) since the release of the original manga. This unique mix became even more apparent when Science SARU produced its adaptation.

Essentially, “Dandadan” is a tale that follows two characters hailing from distinct realms who inadvertently bring their separate worlds into conflict. One character, Momo, is deeply rooted in the belief of ghostly entities, while the other, Okarun, is convinced of extraterrestrial life. As this initial concept unfolded, it morphed into an exhilarating journey brimming with perilous spirits, alien invasions, and elusive mythical beasts. Remarkably, the blending of these contrasting genres never feels out of place or excessive. Much like its primary characters, they seamlessly blend together in perfect harmony.

5. Brilliant Interpretations Of Real-Life Myths

It Features New Spins On Well-Known Yokai, Spirits, And Aliens

In Japan, where the anime industry predominantly resides, it’s quite typical for shows to incorporate their own versions of traditional Japanese folklore creatures such as yokai and various mythological beings, including Yamato no Orochi, Kuchisake-Onna, the Nine-Tailed Fox, etc. However, what makes Dandadan exceptional is that it offers unexpectedly distinct portrayals of well-known myths from real life.

In this anime, the primary character is Turbo Granny, a peculiar Japanese urban myth that many Western viewers may be unfamiliar with. This series also introduces various other yokai, such as Acrobatic Silky, Kuchisake-Onna, Kasa-Obake, and others, each boasting unique personalities, designs, and abilities. Additionally, the anime Dandadan creatively integrates cryptids and extraterrestrial creatures from different regions, like the Loch Ness Monster, the Flatwoods Monster, or the Mongolian Death Worm, which are more appealing to audiences outside of Japan. Notably, this anime takes a risk that many mainstream anime shy away from.

6. Its Beautiful Animation Is Not Used Exclusively For Fights

Some Of Its Best-Animated Sequences Are Not Even Battles

Currently, the standard of an anime’s animation can significantly influence whether it becomes a global sensation or not. For instance, hit series like “Demon Slayer” and “Solo Leveling” allocate their top animators and artists primarily for intense and violent battle scenes featuring powerful characters, resulting in exceptional action sequences that stand out within the industry. Interestingly, the “Dandadan” anime is also being crafted by a skilled team of artists and animators, but surprisingly, some of its best-animated segments aren’t fight scenes at all.

This series weaves together elements of mystery and romance, resulting in vibrant, intricate, and vividly animated romantic, comedic, or suspenseful moments. Unlike many shows, where action sequences often involve one-on-one fights, “Dandadan” features more chase scenes, such as Momo and Okarun being pursued by Turbo Granny through town, or when Momo, Okaru, and Aira evaded the Loch Ness Monster and the Mantis Shrimp during school hours. It’s an unusual yet gratifying experience to acknowledge that some of the most beautifully animated scenes in contemporary anime are not associated with battles.

7. A Catchy Soundtrack

Kensuke Ushio’s Music Perfectly Fits Every Situation

In many popular anime shows, the background music, excluding the opening and closing themes, can range significantly in quality. Occasionally, it seems as though effort and emotion were poured into its creation; however, more often than not, it appears to be an after-thought, hastily composed to cover up uncomfortable silences. However, there are exceptions among contemporary mainstream anime series with outstanding soundtracks, and luckily, Dandadan is one of those exceptions.

The primary musician behind this series is Kensuke Ushio, renowned for his work in Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and Chainsaw Man. His selection for this narrative was indeed apt. The music he composed for Dandadan showcases a broad range, is remarkably catchy, and crucially, adapts perfectly to every unique scene it’s used in, be it humorous, romantic, suspenseful, or action-packed. This undeniably ranks among the finest anime soundtracks, and its quality is such that it’s delightful even when listened to separately.

8. Creative Opening And Ending Sequences

The OPs And EDs Of This Show Are Anything But Generic

Every seasoned fan of anime recognizes that opening and ending sequences play a crucial role in defining each show’s unique character, and they are rarely missed by the creators. However, many contemporary anime often present openings (OPs) and endings (EDs) with impressive music and animation, yet they may seem overly generic or predictable. Fortunately, the anime “Dandadan” stands out from this trend as it boasts some of the most unique and innovative sequences in the entire industry.

In 2024, the opening theme song for Season 1, “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts, with its vibrant and fantastical animation and infectious melody, swiftly rose to be one of the year’s most cherished Opening themes. It even helped the show gain widespread popularity, drawing in a larger audience. The closing theme for Season 1, “TAIDADA” by ZUTOMAYO, was equally memorable and endearing, which is quite remarkable given that many viewers often skip the Ending credits in anime. Now that Season 2 has been released, Science SARU has offered two more outstanding animated sequences: the new opening theme song, “On The Way” by AiNA THE END, and the new closing theme, “Doukashiteru” by WurtS.

2025-07-05 20:08