The X Files for Freaks: Dandadan Season 1 Review

Summary

Dandadan excels in the balance between chaos and calm, blending supernatural action with teen romance in a visually stunning manner.
In numerous ways, this is a show about dichotomy, which is never more apparent than in the romance between Momo and Okarun.
Stellar voice acting and animation elevate Dandadan to great heights despite an underwhelming cliffhanger for a (mercifully) forthcoming sequel.

Title	Dandadan
Director	Fuga Yamashiro
Studio	Science Saru
Episode Air Date	10/3/2024

As a long-time anime enthusiast who has seen countless series, I must say that Dandadan is one of the most captivating and delightful shows I’ve watched in recent memory. Coming from someone who’s been around the block more than a few times, that’s saying something!

Summarizing the excellence of a series like Dandadan is quite a challenge, given how effectively it sets its tone in the opening minutes – vibrant, captivating, and briskly-paced. Among all the 2024 anime offerings, few were as eagerly awaited as this modern shōnen genre gem, bursting with swagger and genuine romance. Unsurprisingly, it lived up to expectations; it was a thrilling experience.

Under the guidance of Science Saru and Fuga Yamashiro, the series titled Dandadan unfolds the tale of a boy who trusts in extraterrestrial life but scoffs at ghosts, contrasted with a girl who holds faith in spirits yet dismisses aliens. As they challenge each other to visit locations rumored to be supernatural hotspots, they unexpectedly discover that their convictions are validated, and they become unwittingly entangled in phenomena beyond their wildest suspicions.

In the near future, a ghost makes off with a boy’s private property, while a girl unintentionally develops psychic abilities due to intrusive extraterrestrial interference. Faced with these unusual circumstances, the two team up to recover what was taken and protect the boy from further harm. Although it may sound outlandish, this imaginative concept is hard to ignore, and its true appeal lies deeper still. The real hook is subtler than you might think.

Understanding Dandadan’s Greatest Strength

Initially, this tale appears to be an unapologetically bizarre one, brimming with chaos as a natural consequence of its peculiarities. It’s a passionate ode to the supernatural realm, balancing both the captivating allure and the healthy dose of skepticism that such themes evoke. The animation and artwork strive to portray these peculiarities in the most vibrant manner possible, a feat Science Saru excels at more than many others. Yet, if it ended there, Dandadan‘s appeal might have faded swiftly. But fortunately, there’s much more to this enigma that keeps me hooked!

The key factor behind the success of this story lies in its mastery of rhythm and mood, which is not much of a secret if you ask the creators themselves. They emphasize it as an essential element when adapting the complex plotlines penned by author Yukinobu Tatsu. In the case of Dandadan, it’s important to strike a balance between chaos and calmness, allowing the emotions of its characters to resonate and transforming a script that is often comedic into one that is also relatable and sometimes surprisingly authentic.

Opposites, and the Attraction Therein

The series “Dandadan” revolves around contrasts, such as disorder and tranquility, spirits and extraterrestrials, supernatural adventures and teenage romance. The main characters are Momo Ayase, a bold gyaru with a secret soft spot for love, yearning for a reliable man like her idol, Ken Takakura, and Okarun, a timid nerd fascinated by the occult, seeking companionship in his ordinary life.

As I watch this unfold, it’s clear that these characters are unlike any other pairing, yet they complement each other flawlessly. This realization may not dawn on them right away, but it’s evident to the rest of us and especially to the observer like me. In the first act alone, Dandadan skillfully intertwines their lives, as they grapple with newly discovered abilities while encountering extraterrestrials, spirits, and Seiko, Momo’s boisterous grandmother who happens to be a spirit medium.

The Performances are Everything

This opening move is so effective at establishing the power dynamics between the characters without bogging down the narrative with excessive explanation. During any lulls in action, the script aims to foster character development through dialogue such as banter or disagreements, or even moments of shared silence that speak volumes. The visual aspect – presentation – is crucial, but so too is the voice acting, which brings the characters to life and enhances their interactions.

In this animated series, Natsuki Hanae and Shion Wakayama embody its essence with their exceptional performance flexibility, creating a dynamic chemistry. Specifically, Natsuki Hanae’s portrayal of Okarun is multifaceted, showcasing both timidness and explosive anger, making his interactions with Momo particularly enthralling. The English voice actors are equally impressive, including Abby Trott as Momo, AJ Beckles as Okarun, and Kari Wahlgren as Seiko, all of whom perfectly captured the roles they were assigned. Regardless of your language preference, you can’t go wrong with either dub.

Hats Off to Science Saru

Praising the animation of Dandadan is much like lauding a series such as Mob Psycho 100, in that the quality of presentation is so consistently outstanding that it leaves one at a loss for words to express it adequately. If anything pops into mind effortlessly, it’s that Fuga Yamashiro has truly excelled. Whatever he embarks on next – whether it be the next installment of this show or something entirely new – is certain to capture everyone’s interest.

It’s not unexpected, given their previous collaborations with Masaaki Yuasa, but it’s still thrilling all the same. Previously, Yamashiro emphasized maintaining the dramatic pace from the original source, and while only manga readers can truly evaluate his achievement in this aspect, the final product certainly reflects his efforts.

In my humble opinion, rarely does a shot in Dandadan fail to captivate, with characters that emote in ways that are either deeply moving or downright hilarious. The character designs by Takeru Noda and animation director Naoyuki Onda are simply stunning, and they shine even brighter when an episode director or AD takes creative liberties to enhance the dramatic impact. This show has transformed from exceptional to something truly extraordinary in its storytelling.

The Heights of Dandadan

Throughout the series, there was a remarkable blend of action, humor, heartfelt romance, and subtle yet impactful dramatic moments. However, Episode 7 stands out as the pinnacle, after which the quality remains consistently high, but doesn’t quite match that exceptional peak. It’s an episode that leaves you with the impression, “Ah, now I understand what this show is truly all about.

In simple terms, the anime “Dandadan” showed its depth around the halfway mark, demonstrating that it could delve into intense, genuine moments despite all the humor leading up to it. Essentially, it’s a reflection of every aspect that makes this series so engaging. To truly appreciate the quality of its animation, one need only watch this episode, where you can observe the energy in its action sequences, the vividness of its characters, and more.

I wasn’t completely satisfied with the ending since it didn’t seem like a proper finale. While there was a cliffhanger, it seemed strangely anticlimactic. It almost felt like just another episode in the show’s context, which isn’t bad at all. Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long for Season 2. In fact, I would advise new viewers to potentially wait until closer to Season 2’s premiere before diving into the series.

Discovering all that this series still holds is incredibly exciting, and it’s clear that Science Saru has truly surpassed themselves with their work.

Despite a somewhat lackluster ending that leaves you wanting more, Dandadan was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. This review only touched on the depth of characters like Seiko, Turbo Granny, Aira, and Jiji, all skillfully portrayed with intricate detail. Each character, no matter how initially antagonistic, quickly becomes endearing to the viewer. Even without prior knowledge of the manga, it’s clear that there is much more to this series, and the anticipation of what’s to come is thrilling. Science Saru has truly excelled with this production.

Dandadan is available to stream on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

2024-12-28 01:05