Dandadan Easter Eggs And References To Other Franchises

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Summary

  • Dandadan is filled with easter eggs and references to various franchises, including Ultraman and Godzilla.
  • Various characters and scenes in Dandadan pay homage to Star Wars, Gundam, and Alien.
  • Fun nods to Slam Dunk, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Jumanji can also be found in the Dandadan manga.

Dandadan is widely recognized as one of the top and cherished modern action shonen series due to its distinctive storyline, peculiar environment, and captivating characters. It’s no secret that creator Yukinobu Tatsu possesses a fertile imagination, and his exceptional work draws inspiration from numerous films, television shows, anime, manga, and other sources.

In Dandadan, Tatsu didn’t shy away from making his inspirations obvious, as it teems with nods to various media that influenced its creation. To add to this, the animation studio Science SARU not only took these references from the manga but also introduced some new ones of their own. Consequently, Dandadan’s Easter eggs are brimming with delightful and heartwarming references to other popular franchises.

1. Too Many Ultraman References

The Classic Tokusatsu Show Was One Of The Main Inspirations Behind Dandadan

In the series Dandadan, while it primarily centers around ghosts, yokai, and aliens, a crucial component is the presence of giant monsters (commonly referred to as kaiju). This is evident due to numerous nods to Tsuburaya Productions’ renowned Tokusatsu franchise, Ultraman. In fact, this connection has been present since the series’ inception. For instance, the true form of the Serpo Aliens bears a strong resemblance to the Dada aliens, and moreover, they imitate Ultraman’s famous Ultra Beam pose when employing their psychic abilities.

One example among many is this: The enhanced form of Mr. Mantis Shrimp resembles the malevolent Alien Baltan, and the name Bamora and its powerful exosuit are tributes to two other famous Ultra Kaijus – Bamora and Gomora. Furthermore, Science SARU included additional references to the opening scene of the anime adaptation, which was designed to mirror the original Ultraman opening. This similarity is evident in both scenes where the silhouettes of their respective monsters are displayed against colorful backgrounds.

2. Nessie Is Basically Shin Godzilla

The Loch Ness Monster Resembles One Of The Scariest Versions Of Godzilla

In the opening scene of the Serpo Arc, Momo first comes across Nessie within the school. The creature’s presence is instantly noticeable to both the character and viewers, thanks to its unusual appearance and the lethal beam of pressurized water it emits, which nearly claims Momo’s life. This distinctive monster can be understood as being modeled after the main antagonist from the 2016 kaiju blockbuster, Shin Godzilla.

Indeed, Nessie’s imposing visage bears a striking resemblance to that version of the Godzilla ruler, but it was the sequence where it discharged its potent beam that made the connection crystal clear. The manner in which Nessie drooped its head, opened its jaws, and gradually unleashed its beam mirrored the awe-inspiring scene in Shin Godzilla, where the monster expelled its atomic breath for the first time. It’s worth noting that these tributes are not unexpected, given that both Godzilla and Ultraman form the bedrock of the kaiju genre.

3. Mr. Mantis Shrimp’s Ship Is The Millennium Falcon

One Of The Most Iconic Spaceships In All Of Sci-Fi Made A Surprise Cameo

At the conclusion of the Serpo Arc, Mr. Mantis Shrimp managed to form friendships with Momo, Okarun, Aira, and Seiko. To transport a cow he received as a gift, he utilized the powerful tractor beam of an extraordinary spaceship that resembled Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon from the Star Wars series, thanks to its unique triangular design.

In addition to its other elements, Dandadan also incorporates science-fiction, and given that Star Wars is undeniably one of the largest sci-fi franchises globally, the inclusion of the Millennium Falcon, a renowned spacecraft in fiction, aligns flawlessly with the series. This distinctive triangular spaceship has recurred frequently throughout the manga, and it was disclosed that it isn’t actually owned by Mr. Mantis Shrimp, but rather he borrowed it from the legendary alien, Ludris. Regrettably, the anime version omitted this explicit Star Wars reference, as Science SARU altered the spaceship’s design to resemble a typical UFO instead.

4. Okarun And Jiji Are Slam Dunk Fans

They Compete By Singing Two Legendary Anime Songs

When Okarun feels envious about Jiji’s bond with Momo, he attempts to outmatch his romantic rival by serenading a special song titled “Anata Dake Mitsumeteru”, originally featured as the ending theme in the renowned basketball anime, Slam Dunk. To add to the spectacle, Jiji counters back by singing “Kimi ga Suki da to Sakebitai”, which happens to be the opening theme of the same cherished series.

Though it might appear unexpected, this playful tribute paid a heartfelt nod to one of the sports anime industry’s most impactful series. Moreover, Science SARU amplified the amusing nature of this scene by incorporating the sounds of scuffling shoes as Okarun and Jiji jumped about and sang – a detail that seems illogical considering they wore socks and were on tatami mats. This auditory touch is yet another evident nod to the frequent sound effect in Slam Dunk.

5. Kinta Sakata Is A Walking Gundam Reference

He’s A Natural Mecha Pilot

For several decades, Mechas have been a significant aspect in Japanese media, making it unsurprising that Yukinobu Tatsu would draw inspiration from one of the most renowned Mecha franchises, specifically Mobile Suit Gundam, in his work Dandadan. Kinta Sakata is an eccentric and humorous character (with a touch of eeriness), who frequently makes references to classic mecha anime. Notably, at one point, he’s depicted purchasing numerous figurines from a line called Dandam, a clear nod to the Gundam series.

Indeed, it’s clear that Kinta’s passion for gigantic robots, or mechas, was evidently demonstrated when he utilized the unique qualities of the alien Nanoskin to convert the Ayase Residence into a colossal mecha capable of battling kaiju, named Great Kinta Bodhisattva, Zeta Version. Furthermore, its second design, first unveiled during Kinta and Bamora’s confrontation with the Kur leader who had stolen the Bamora exosuit, bears an even closer resemblance to a traditional Gunpla model.

6. Two Kur Warriors Look Like Xenomorphs

An Obvious But Deserved Homage To The Alien Movie Franchise

The alien race known as the Kur don their robust Exosuits for conquest across various planets, taking forms reminiscent of various historical artifacts from Japanese cultures, such as ancient figurines. Interestingly, among these forces, two specific Exosuits bear a striking resemblance to the Xenomorphs, the iconic adversaries from the blockbuster Alien film series.

The design of the two characters – the Jet Booster Exosuit and the Head Exosuit – was creatively split: the first resembles a Xenomorph body, while the second sports the distinctive long head that is characteristic of this species. Since exosuits are manufactured using the leftovers of organisms consumed by Big Mamas, it’s plausible that the Kur may have come across Xenomorphs somewhere out in space at some stage in their journey.

7. Mai Kawamanga Is A Small But Fun TMNT Reference

There’s A Reason Kawamanga Sounds Like “Cowabunga!”

In Rin Sawaki’s initial storyline, the spectral entity that troubled her was modeled after various Japanese yokai, such as Konaki-jiji or Obariyon, but with a striking resemblance to turtles. The reason for this likeness is an intentional nod to the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.

Essentially, Onbusuman is actually the spirit of Rin’s late childhood friend Mai Kawabanga, who transformed into her protective guardian spirit. The turtle motif remains consistent in both Onbusuman’s new form and the design of Rin’s idol costume whenever she employs her spiritual abilities. This is why Mai’s surname, Kawabanga, bears a striking resemblance to “Cowabunga!”, the famous catchphrase associated with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

8. The Danmanra Board Game Is Inspired By Jumanji

Unji Zuma’s Name Reveals A Subtle Easter Egg

In the latest narrative sequence of the Dandadan manga, known as the Danmanra Arc, focuses on a game called Danmanra, a cursed board game that confines individuals within it. The characters can only escape once they’ve conquered every challenge set forth. This unique scenario is undeniably reminiscent of the popular Jumanji book and film series.

The narrative unfolds as Momo and Okarun encounter an old game player who’s been trapped within the virtual world for years, much like the character Alan Parrish from the 1995 film “Jumanji”. Interestingly, the main character in the Danmanra Arc, Unji Zuma, seems to hint at this connection. Upon reversing the order of his name’s Romanized letters, it spells Jumanji in Japanese (Zuma Unji).

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2025-01-05 06:05