Fall 2024 Preview: Dandadan

Fall 2024 Preview: Dandadan

Key Takeaways

  • Dandadan, a supernatural anime, debuts Oct 4, 2024, balancing thriller elements with a romantic comedy twist.
  • The series follows Momo and Okarun, high schoolers with opposing beliefs about the supernatural.
  • Dandadan features a unique cast of characters, including Momo, Okarun, and a mix of spirits and aliens.

As someone who’s been following the anime scene for years, I can confidently say that the Fall 2024 season is shaping up to be a doozy! Among the anticipated sequels and new stories, there’s one title that has caught my eye – the supernatural anime Dandadan. This October, I’ll be tuning in for what promises to be a thrilling blend of romance, comedy, and suspense!


The Fall 2024 anime lineup is shaping up nicely, featuring some highly-anticipated sequels as well as several fresh tales. One of these new series hails from a popular manga that has been growing in popularity since 2021 and is set to become an ideal choice for Halloween viewing. The upcoming supernatural anime, Dandadan, will make its debut on our screens this October.

If you’re unfamiliar with the anime titled Dandadan or just need a refresher before diving in next month, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s delve deeper into what we currently know about this upcoming series. When does it air and where can I watch it? What is its storyline? Find the answers below.

Anime TitleDandadan
Air DateOctober 4th, 2024
StudioScience Saru

What is Dandadan About?

What Can We Expect from Season 1?

Fall 2024 Preview: Dandadan

The series “Dandadan” originates from a manga created by Yukinobu Tatsu, which first appeared on April 6th, 2021. As of its publication, there were 15 volumes available. This manga is published in Japan by Shueisha and licensed for English distribution in North America by Viz Media. Currently, it can be found in Japan’s “Shōnen Jump+” both on the app and on the website. Only two years after its debut, the manga has been adapted into an anime by studio Science Saru.

As a devoted fan, I’d describe “Dandadan” as a captivating blend of supernatural thriller and lighthearted romantic comedy. This unique mix ensures that even the darker aspects of the story never overpower its delightful love tale. The narrative revolves around two high school students, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, who go by Okarun. Both share a fascination with the unknown, but their beliefs are diametrically opposed – Momo is convinced of ghosts’ existence, yet skeptical about aliens, while Okarun holds the opposite views. Intrigued to prove each other wrong, they embark on an adventure to explore supernatural hotspots, creating a thrilling and humorous investigation journey.

As they delve into investigations, Momo gets kidnapped by extraterrestrials at an old hospital infamous for UFO sightings, while Okarun encounters a spirit in a spooky underground passage. Their encounters grant them supernatural abilities and insights into each other’s faiths. Thereafter, Okarun and Momo employ their powers to battle ghosts and aliens alongside their companions and kin, simultaneously developing feelings for each other. Simultaneously, they confront malevolent aliens and spirits, but also forge friendships with the unexpected, discovering that there’s a far greater universe than initially perceived.

Who are the Characters in Dandadan?

Get a Jump Start on Your Knowledge of the Series

Fall 2024 Preview: Dandadan

Among the factors that set Dandadan apart is its distinctive ensemble of eccentric characters, and there’s no shortage of them. Here are some key details about the principal ones who will feature in Season 1, giving you a bit more insight as you dive into this series this autumn.

  • Momo Ayase (Shion Wakayama) – Momo is one of the main characters of the anime. She comes from a family of mediums, hence her belief in ghosts. When she is abducted by aliens known as Serpoians, her latent psychic powers are awakened.
  • Ken “Okarun” Takakura (Natsuki Hanae) – Okraun earns his nickname from Momo because he shares his real name with the celebrity she has a crush on, and his obsession with the occult, hence “oka.” He doesn’t believe in ghosts until he is possessed by one named Turbo Granny, which gives him super speed.
  • Seiko Ayase (Nana Mizuki) – Seika is Momo’s grandmother, and a spirit medium. She gives advice regularly to Momo and Okarun in their struggles against the supernatural, and is able to erect a barrier around her house to keep it a safe space.
  • Aira Shiratori (Ayane Sakura) – Aira is a classmate at Momo and Okarun’s high school, who is both beautiful and popular. She also has supernatural powers granted to her by a yokai called “Acrobatic Silky,” and believes it is her mission to fight against demonic forces. Unfortunately, she thinks that Momo’s powers are demonic in nature, and is often trying to fight against her.
  • Jin “Jiji” Enjoji (Kaito Ishikawa) – Jiji is Momo’s childhood friend, and also her first crush. When his home is haunted by a spirit and his parents hospitalized, he starts to live with Momo and Seiko. His prior relationship with Momo leads to Okarun’s jealousy.

Infuse this lively gathering of peculiar individuals with a multitude of spirits, extraterrestrials, and yokai (Japanese entities), and you have the manga titled “Dandadan“. The uniqueness and amusement that these characters offer are key elements contributing to the manga’s quirky and entertaining reputation, with an equal dose of action complemented by a sprinkle of witty humor. The manga has gained significant popularity both domestically in Japan and internationally, leading to its swift adaptation into an anime mere two years after its initial publication. With Halloween fast approaching, the anime series debut is perfectly timed for fans to meet numerous ghosts and monsters, making the start of “Dandadan” as an anime franchise nothing short of ideal.

Dandadan will air from October 4th, 2024 on Netflix and Crunchyroll (region dependent).

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2024-09-16 18:03