Dandadan: Japanese Folklore From Show, Explained

Key Takeaways

Dandadan merges Japanese mythology with urban legends in a fresh way, blurring the lines between spirits, aliens, and yokai.
Turbo Granny is inspired by Japan’s cryptid lore and possesses characters, showcasing the unique origins of yokai in the series.
Dandadan references American alien lore through Serpos and explores infamous Japanese urban legends such as the Slit-Mouthed Woman.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast who’s traversed countless dimensions and time zones in search of the next big thing, I must say that Dandadan has truly caught my attention. Being a connoisseur of all things eerie and supernatural, I find myself utterly captivated by its unique blend of urban legends and cryptids from across the globe.

Note: This content may reveal plot points from the Dandadan anime and manga, as of its latest published date. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

Japanese folklore has long been a significant influence in anime productions. Shows like “Inuyasha”, “Natsume’s Book of Friends”, and “Mushishi” have showcased various yokai from Japanese mythology. However, the series “Dandadan” offers a fresh take by incorporating urban legends from across Japan rather than traditional yokai. This results in an exclusive collection of yokai within its manga and anime. The franchise takes creative liberties with diverse elements, such as exploring the intriguing backstory of Turbo Granny, even referencing the Loch Ness Monster; “Dandadan” is no stranger to blending and adapting myths and legends from various sources.

In the tale of Dandadan, our main characters engage in a debate over whether supernatural occurrences like aliens or spirits are genuine. By the close of the inaugural episode, it becomes clear that both theories hold merit, serving as the catalyst for the storyline and forging an otherworldly bond between the characters that will likely persist throughout their future adventures. This shared experience also unveils a surprising truth: aliens and spirits are one and the same, marking the initial instance where the audience encounters the blending of Japanese mythology and local folklore that has become synonymous with Dandadan in more recent times.

Turbo Granny

From The Highways of Hyogo Prefecture

In the anime, Turbo Granny is the initial yokai we meet, one that leaves a lasting impression. You’ll find this supernatural being in an old, deserted tunnel within Shono City. Momo Ayase challenges Okarun to venture into this tunnel, which is said to be her home, as a condition for visiting a renowned alien hotspot – all part of their agreement to determine if aliens or spirits are real. Eventually, when Okarun can’t escape from her, she takes control of him, becoming the origin of his initially uncontrollable abilities.

The folklore surrounding her origins can be traced back to the highways of Hyogo Prefecture in Japan, where a notorious cryptid figure, colloquially known as “Turbo Grandma” (or Turbo Baachan), is said to roam. This enigmatic character often appears as an elderly woman, monitoring the roads for reckless drivers. Some tales suggest she deliberately induces accidents for reckless drivers, while others claim her intention is to warn them of impending danger if they persist in risky driving behaviors. Her reputation stems from her penchant for chasing vehicles exceeding the speed limit, leading to variations of the myth where Turbo Grandma is linked to and named after a specific speed limit based on the highway she inhabits. In comic books, this character is later referred to as “100kph Granny,” reflecting the discovery of other similar characters, each named for their associated speed limits, during the characters’ journey.

Acrobatic Silky

Japan’s Version of Slenderman

In the Dandadan manga, one of the yokai’s origins might be among the saddest yet. This character, known as Acrobatic Silky, stands unusually tall, donning a red dress and wide-brimmed hat. She is fixated on following Aira Shiratori because she believes Shiratori was the child taken from her. In her past life, Acrobatic Silky worked tirelessly at various jobs to support her own child. Unfortunately, men she owed money to arrived and brutally attacked her, kidnapping her daughter before she could regain consciousness. Heartbroken and unable to find her child, she ended her own life by jumping off a building. Today, Acrobatic Silky exists in the manga as we know her.

Originating from an online tale shared by a college student on a 2-chan forum in 2008, she is another contemporary cryptid figure. Her depiction in anime closely resembles accounts of her being spotted between Fukushima and Hiroshima, where witnesses describe her leaping from buildings only to vanish before reaching the ground. Interestingly, those claiming to have seen her or those crafting stories to perpetuate the creepypasta lore often mention hollowed-out eye sockets and scars on her left arm.

Serpos

A Reference To American Alien Lore

In the anime titled “Dandadan“, there’s an alien species called Serpo, which consists entirely of male creatures. Upon encountering Ayase, they identify themselves as yokai. They hail from Planet Serpo within the Zeta Reticuli star system. Due to their race being exclusively male, they cannot reproduce naturally. Instead, they resort to cloning while seeking a human for organ transplant purposes. To blend in with humans, they initially disguise themselves as ordinary Japanese businessmen.

Although Japan doesn’t have a folk legend equivalent to the Serpos, the term is a direct nod to Planet Serpo, which some current UFO enthusiasts assert as the origin of Gray aliens. A group known as Project Serpo, founded by Victor Martinez, aims to enlighten the public about UFOs and claims that their website details a “covert exchange program” involving twelve American military personnel with Planet Zeta Reticuli from 1965 to 1978. In this manga, they occasionally incorporate veiled references to various alien-related controversies in the United States, such as theories surrounding Area 51.

Slit-Mouthed Woman

Do You Wanna Know How She Got These Scars?

In the Dandadan manga, Reiko Kashima goes by the chilling moniker, the Slit-Mouthed Woman. After Ayase was brutally attacked by the psychic co-protagonist, Reiko nursed a deep grudge and swore revenge on their next encounter. Standing exceptionally tall and muscular, what sets her apart is her distinctive wide, slit mouth lined with razor-sharp teeth. Although her backstory in the manga remains largely unexplored, her Japanese urban legend counterpart carries an ominous reputation as one of Japan’s most notorious urban legends, inspiring numerous horror films.

During the Edo period, there were mentions of yokai similar to Kuchisake Onna. However, it was in the 70s, as per Japanese literature professor Iikura Yoshiyuki, when the manga interpretation of this Slit-Mouthed Woman emerged. In contemporary folklore, she is said to pose a question: “Do you think I’m beautiful?” If her victim answers “no”, they meet an immediate death by her scissors or she waits until they fall asleep to murder them while unconscious. If the answer is “yes,” she reveals her wide, gaping smile with thin lips and sharp teeth before asking again. If the answer remains “no,” death follows. If “yes” is said a second time, she uses her scissors to cut the corners of the victim’s mouth, resembling her own.

As a passionate gamer immersed in the intriguing world of Dandadan, I can’t help but marvel at its vast array of urban legends and creepypasta references, all packed into just 4 anime episodes and 3 years of serialized manga. This article has shed light on some of the primary characters, but the manga also nods to monsters and mythical creatures from folklore and cryptid lore across the globe. If its success is any indication, titles published in Shonen Jump often have a lot more story left to unfold. So, I can’t help but wonder: which mysterious beings will we encounter next?

Dandadan is airing on Netflix and Crunchyroll, with new episodes premiering every Thursday.

2024-11-01 22:34