Series Premiere
17-05-2025
Dandadanbarely needs an introduction, it being one of the most anticipated manga adaptations in years, and the latest work from a studio well-versed in masterful storytelling across diverse styles. So it was only natural that audiences were clamoring to witness the first three episodes on the big screen, and yet, even with the hype, it was even more delightful than expected.
Based on Yukinobu Tatsu’s hit manga,Dandadanfollows a boy who believes in aliens but not ghosts and a girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens; unlucky for them, they’re both right.Dandadan: First Encounteris a theatrical cutof the first three episodes preceded by behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast, the director, and the original creator himself.
The Perfect Primer For A Peculiar Show
Dandadan’s Pre-show Was a Blast
I sawFirst Encounterwith two friends, neither of whom were familiar with the manga, but were interested in going into it blind, having heard the premise alone. As someone who had never read the manga myself, but was nonetheless familiar with the series' reputation, this event was by far the best way to become acquainted with such a uniquely charming story. Among the cast and crew, there is an infectious enthusiasm that built hype for the coming screening tenfold.
Actors Natsuki Hanae and Shion Wakayama did a lot to endear the viewers to the characters before the episodes even began. They discussed the relatability of the characters and the influences from their own lives upon which they drew for the roles, but most consistently, they commented on the blend of chaos and calm comprising the drama.This was where director Fuga Yamashiro’s commentarywas particularly insightful.
An Adaptation in the Right Hands
Readers of the manga would be the best judge of the adaptation’s faithfulness overall. However, there is a burning passion apparent in director Yamashiro’s segments that makes one think “Oh yeah, this show is going to rock.” His earnest desire to translate the manga’s visual style in a way that preserves the dramatic rhythm surely puts any doubts to rest - if any existed, to begin with.
Having worked as an assistant director alongsideScience Saru founder Masaaki Yuasa, Yamashiro’s resume was already impressive, but he took to this directorial debut naturally. At one point, he shares a book filled to the brim with storyboard sketches; they’re just ideas for interesting shots, but he expresses a dream of one day creating a project that can incorporate all of them. It’s the enthusiasm of an artist who is just as excited to create as the audience is to witness.
You Will Fall in Love with Dandadan
Yamashiro’s enthusiasm almost outstayed its welcome - charmingly - as the behind-the-scenes look inched toward its end, a testament to the audience’s palpable hunger for the main event. It didn’t disappoint - in fact, it got off to a very good start from frame one with the opening theme, “Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts. You may have seen itwhen it leaked online previously, but nothing compares to seeing it in its full, uncompressed glory, to say nothing of seeing it in a theater.
The First Episode Is Nearly Flawless
Momo Ayase is a girl who just wants to find the man of her dreams - the standard for which doesn’t leave her many options, seeing as how her ideal man is the famed actor Takakura Ken. Nevertheless, she sulks until she stumbles upon a boy being bullied and, upon showing him some kindness, ends up getting into a discussion about aliens and ghosts. He believes in the former while she believes in the latter, and they’re too stubborn to believe in the other’s fascination.
Suddenly, a dare. They’ll each visit paranormal hot spots on the same night to see who is right. The boy - nicknamed “Okarun” - becomes possessed by a spirit who wants to steal his penis, while Momo is abducted by aliens andawakens the psychic powers lying dormant within her. It escalates quickly, and from there, the two are entangled while they try to make sense of the supernatural entities chasing them, all of whom are weirdly interested in genitalia.
An Effortless Blend of Chaos and Calm
The loud, colorful, and creative insanity is what largely draws people in, but it’s the moments in between where audiences' hearts are won. As alluded to earlier, there is a tonal elasticity with which this series can seamlessly transition from its fast-paced exposition and action to simple but utterly human character moments. Kensuke Ushio’s soundtrack similarly matches the show’s speed, arguably to a greater and more impactful degree thanhis work on 2022’sChainsaw Man.
The performances by Hanae and Wakayama match this tonal dichotomy perfectly. Hopefully, the English dub will achieve the same effect, because it’s the little things that make these characters so endearing. Okarun is a shy boy seeking friends, but like the story he is a part of, he has a manic side that he slips out of naturally, which leads to a lot of playful bickering.
Momo, despite her no-nonsense attitude, harbors a kindness that - like her bold sense of style - makes her unforgettable. And it would be a crime to go without mentioning Seiko, Momo’s spirit medium grandmother, whose intimidating aura commands the scene, and whose vivacious figure betrays her assumed age. She’s an instantly mesmerizing character and surely the tip of an iceberg full of equally interesting characters.
The Animation Is Sublime
Dandadan’s animation was already a key point of intrigue- the biggest, arguably, especially among those who haven’t read the manga themselves. And even if the story at its foundation were to have faltered - which it certainly hasn’t thus far - the visuals certainly didn’t drop the ball. Each of the three episodes' central action scenes was incredible, and no fight was quite like the other in terms of how they were presented.
Amid the chaos of the characters' acclimating to their circumstances, the rules are picked up on the fly. Momo’s psychic abilities require a learning curve, and Okarun’s possession comes with some nifty perks if he’s not completely taken over by the spirit of “Turbo Granny.” Victories feel triumphant whilethe stumbles along the way lead to great comedy.
The Verdict Is Clear
The only disappointment I felt after watchingDandadan’s first three episodes was the sadness of knowing I couldn’t watch every single other episode in a theater as well. Where other TV productions' blemishes might be magnified through a theater projector, this series only looks more beautiful. It sets a high standard, which is to say that this show should be watched on the biggest screen possible when it premieres next month.
The only disappointment I felt after watchingDandadan’s first three episodes was the sadness of knowing I couldn’t watch every single other episode in a theater as well.
Dandadanwas hyped for a reason, and for those who needed any guarantee,First Encounterdemonstrated that it was worth it. It is funny, charming, and brimming with personality. For those who weren’t able to catch it, rest assured, it will be worth the wait. The Fall anime season is still some weeks away, but very few projects are sure to come close to this one.
Dandadanwill premiere on Jul 25, 2025, and will be streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
