Every Dandadan Alien With A Real-Life Counterpart, Explained

Summary

Serpo Aliens in Dandadan are inspired by Ufology and Ultraman, with a costume that resembles a former Thai prime minister.
The Flatwoods Monster in Dandadan refers to a real-life cryptid with bizarre features, depicted larger and as a sumo wrestler.
Nessie in Dandadan takes inspiration from the Loch Ness Monster and Shin Godzilla, with its destructive water beam abilities.

As someone who has been immersed in various realms of literature, art, and culture for most of my adult life, I find the intertwining of historical figures, mythological entities, and ancient artifacts in the manga “Dandadan” to be nothing short of captivating. The creator’s ability to weave together these diverse elements into a cohesive narrative is truly remarkable.

The Count Saint-Germain, for instance, is a character that resonates deeply with me, given my fascination with the enigmatic figure from history. His portrayal in “Dandadan” as an alien collector of occult and paranormal objects is both intriguing and humorous, reminding us that even the most mysterious figures can be infused with a touch of humor.

However, it’s the Kur Exosuits that truly stand out for me. As a scholar of ancient civilizations, I appreciate the creator’s attention to detail in basing these exosuits on various clay figurines from Japan’s Jōmon period. It adds an authenticity to the narrative that is often lacking in works of fiction.

In closing, I must admit that I find the joke about Count Saint-Germain being a “Wonderman” particularly amusing. After all, isn’t it every scholar’s dream to be known as a ‘Wonderwoman’ or ‘Wonderman’ in their field? It’s a testament to the creator’s ability to infuse humor into even the most scholarly of subjects. Keep up the good work!

Dandadan blends captivatingly the realms of fantasy, horror, and sci-fi through its extraordinary and intriguing premise: spirits versus extraterrestrial invaders from outer space. Despite their outlandish nature, not all these strange creatures in this well-known anime and manga series can be traced back to the imaginative creativity of author Yukinobu Tatsu alone.

In truth, the aliens depicted in Dandadan largely take their cues from various real-world extraterrestrial creatures that can be found in urban legends, ancient folklore stories, or even fictional works like books and films. Some of the series’ most fearsome and bizarre adversaries share a captivating real-life counterpart, and here are eight of the most intriguing examples we’ve seen so far.

8. Serpo Aliens

Based On An Ufology Term, An Ultraman Enemy And A Former Thai Prime Minister

First Appearance: Chapter 1 (Manga) Episode 1 (Anime)

It’s undeniable that the Serpo Aliens, the memorable alien adversaries in the manga Dandadan, set the stage for the story right from the start and played a significant role in Momo Ayase unleashing her formidable psychic powers. Interestingly, all aspects of these strange extraterrestrial beings are inspired by elements from reality, ranging from their costumes to their names.

Initially, let’s discuss the term “Serpo.” In Ufology circles, it often refers to a secretive project involving the U.S. government and an extraterrestrial race known as Serpo. Contrastingly, the true form of the Serpo Alien shares a striking resemblance with the “Dada,” an adversarial alien species from the anime series “Ultraman.” However, one fascinating influence in the manga “Dandadan” comes from the human-like attire of the Serpo Aliens, which bears a strong likeness to Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister of Thailand. Due to this peculiar yet striking similarity, the Serpopulace has gained viral fame in Thailand as a meme.

7. Flatwoods Monster

Based On The Flatwoods Monster Cryptid

First Appearance: Chapter 2 (Manga) Episode 2 (Anime)

In the anime Dandadan, some references aren’t exactly subtle, with characters like Okarun casually mentioning them aloud. For instance, when he and Momo came across the dreadful Flatwoods Monster, Okarun explicitly referred to it. This creature was a reported alien sighting in the town of Flatwoods, West Virginia back in 1952. The most striking characteristic of this entity is its unusual collar/head design, resembling an ace of spades card.

In comparison to the creature spotted in Flatwoods, which stood approximately 3 meters tall and maintained a human-like figure, some individuals speculate that it might have been nothing more than a barn owl perched in a tree. On the contrary, Dandadan’s portrayal of the Flatwoods Monster deviates significantly from the actual cryptid, as this depiction is much larger and bears resemblance to a Japanese sumo wrestler instead.

6. Mr. Mantis Shrimp

Based On The Dover Demon Cryptid

First Appearance: Chapter 20 (Manga) Episode 8 (Anime)

One of the reliable extraterrestrial partners of the main pair is often referred to by various names, such as Mr. Mantis Shrimp or Peeny-Weeny. However, as per Okarun himself, he’s also said to be known as the Dover Demon. Much like the Flatwoods Monster, this was an alien cryptid spotted in the United States back in 1977, and, as its name suggests, it was seen in Dover, Massachusetts.

Mr. Mantis Shrimp and the Dover Demon share some minor resemblances, such as their large bald heads and big hands. However, it’s clear that the character Dandadan is modeled after the Mantis Shrimp, which is why he goes by this name. Additionally, his powerful form seems to be influenced by Alien Baltan, a well-known Ultraman villain.

5. Nessie

Based On The Loch Ness Monster Cryptid And Shin Godzilla

First Appearance: Chapter 19 (Manga) Episode 8 (Anime)

Nessie first appeared alongside other entities such as the Dover Demon during the Serpo Arc. Although it wasn’t conclusively proven to be an extraterrestrial being, Nessie was employed by the Serpo Aliens and turned out to be a crucial element in their mission. It’s clear that Nessie shares similarities with the famed Loch Ness Monster.

It’s widely believed that the Loch Ness Monster, famously known as one of the world’s most iconic cryptids, may be a surviving plesiosaur. However, artist Yukinobu Tatsu has given a unique twist to this creature, depicting it with the ability to shoot powerful jets of water. This water-shooting feature and design clearly suggest that his version of Nessie was inspired by the title character from the 2016 kaiju film, “Shin Godzilla.

4. Bamora

Based On Tokusatsu Actress Rie Ota And Gomora From Ultraman

First Appearance: Chapter 63 (Manga)

Bamora stands out as the lone descendant of the Sumerian race and an alien character who engages in combat while donning a formidable kaiju exosuit. Given these unique characteristics, she undeniably ranks among the most captivating and endearing figures within the anime series Dandadan, and her primary sources of inspiration are equally intriguing.

It’s highly possible that Bamora resembles Rie Ota, a well-known Japanese stuntwoman and tokusatsu actress, given her wearing a kaiju suit and sporting short blonde hair. Many may recall her from the viral video of her growling inside the Baragon suit in the film “Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack”. Interestingly, Bamora’s exosuit bears a striking resemblance to the Ultraman kaiju, specifically Gomora.

3. The Kur Race

Based On H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos

First Appearance: Chapter 72 (Manga)

In the universe of Dandadan, a significant danger to mankind is posed by an extraterrestrial race called the Kur. Contrary to their imposing exosuits, these beings resemble talking octopuses. This likeness not only supports the theory that octopuses and other mollusks are hidden aliens on Earth, but also gives them a striking resemblance to Cthulhu.

In the works of H.P. Lovecraft, we find an ancient cosmic entity known as Cthulhu, which is depicted with a head resembling an octopus and is revered by its own cult. Since Cthulhu is the central figure in the Cthulhu Mythos, created by Lovecraft, it has been featured extensively across numerous films, books, TV shows, and video games. It’s therefore not surprising that Cthulhu has found a place in Dandadan, where an entire alien race of antagonists is modeled after it. Additionally, the leader of the Kur Race, named Hastur, is derived from another entity stemming from the very same mythos.

2. Kur Exosuits

Based On Various Ancient Figurines From Real Japanese Cultures

First Appearance: Chapter 63 (Manga)

Of course, the Kur Race couldn’t exist without their advanced warfare equipment – the Exosuits. These suits enable them to conquer other planets and overpower their inhabitants. Interestingly, these formidable tools of war appear to have been modeled after ancient statues discovered by archaeologists worldwide.

The majority of Kur Exosuits draw inspiration from various clay figurines dating back to Japan’s Jōmon era: for instance, the Takonoka Ru Patcho Exosuit resembles the Shakōkidogū, the Ta Komeshi Exosuit mirrors the Masked Goddess, the Suda Ko Exosuit takes after the Haniwa Terracotta Dancers, and the Imotako Exosuit is modeled on the well-known Dogū with hands in prayer position.

1. Count Saint-Germain

Based On The Legendary Count of St. Germain

First Appearance: Chapter 120 (Manga)

As a longtime fan of occult and paranormal literature, I find the character of Count Saint-Germain from the manga “Dandadan” particularly intriguing. With my extensive background in supernatural lore, I’ve come across countless enigmatic figures, but few have left me as puzzled as this mysterious antagonist.

The way he collects esoteric artifacts and seemingly human-like appearance only add to the mystery surrounding him. However, based on my research and understanding of various mythologies, I suspect that Saint-Germain might not be entirely human. My theory is that he’s an alien who collaborated with the Kur, an extraterrestrial race mentioned in ancient texts.

The fact that he’s now searching for powerful supernatural items on Earth further supports my belief that he comes from a different world. The enigmatic nature of Count Saint-Germain is captivating, and I eagerly await the unfolding events to uncover the truth about his true identity. He might even become the series’ main villain, making “Dandadan” an even more exciting read for those who share my fascination with the unknown.

I cannot help but notice a striking resemblance to the enigmatic figure known as the Count of St. Germain – a Frenchman renowned for his scientific, alchemical, philosophical, and artistic prowess. This elusive character made many astonishing claims, such as asserting he was over three centuries old, which earned him the moniker “Wonderman” from Voltaire. The Count’s enigmatic life story and extraordinary career have inspired numerous fictional characters across various works, including Castlevania and Shin Megami Tensei.

2025-01-02 07:34