Few upcoming anime adaptations have commanded as much buzz as Yukinobu Tatsu’s Dandadan. This adrenaline-pumping manga has built a passionate fanbase through its surreal blend of sci-fi, horror, comedy, and romance – earning it well-deserved comparisons to Tatsuki Fujimoto’s smash-hit Chainsaw Man.
Now, with eccentric animation studio Science Saru (of Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! and Netflix’s Scott Pilgrim fame) bringing Dandadan’s hallucinogenic artwork to life in 2024, hype has reached fever pitch.
Dandadan TV Anime Teaser Visual.
Series will be adapted by Science SARU and is scheduled to premiere in 2024. pic.twitter.com/11w1aLZHTl
— Shonen Jump News (@WSJ_manga) November 27, 2023
Many manga readers initially checked out Dandadan because it was said to have been inspired from Chainsaw Man. And thus far, author Tatsu has managed to deliver something very close to CSM.
But now that an anime adaptation is tangible, expectations have undoubtedly heightened. Can Dandadan capture fans’ hearts to the same degree as its beloved predecessor? The bizarre magic is there, but does Dandadan have what it takes to make all the pieces fit?
What’s Dandadan about? Ghosts, aliens and romance.
Dandadan follows an unlikely duo – ordinary girl Momo and UFO fanatic Okarun (“Don’t say his real name out loud!”) – as they dive headfirst into the supernatural.
At first, Momo doesn’t buy Okarun’s obsession with aliens. And Okarun doubts Momo’s beliefs in spirits. To settle the debate, these polar opposites agree to prove each other wrong. Soon they discover that, in their world, aliens and ghosts are very real indeed!
What follows is a wild ride crammed with haunted tunnels, horny aliens, interdimensional portals – and two kids falling in love along the way. Author Yukinobu Tatsu stuffs his manga full to bursting with eccentric characters and bizarre events ala X-Files meets Scooby Doo.
Will Dandadan be as good as Chainsaw Man?
Now this hit manga is getting animated by Science Saru in 2024. Given the source material’s surreal, hallucinogenic flair, hopes are sky-high. But can the anime capture hearts like Chainsaw Man did?
- There’s certainly potential here. Dandadan’s supernatural premise offers plenty of craziness, while the bond between leads Momo and Okarun tugs at the heartstrings. And with a stellar manga to adapt, anime-only fans are in for a wild ride.
However, the manga also shows some cracks that the anime will need to patch. While the paranormal insanity delivers shock value, there’s less depth and coherent plotting than Chainsaw Man. Too often, crazy moments happen just because, without meaningful buildup or payoff. And side characters, while charming, lack development.
- This leaves the burden on leads Momo and Okarun to carry the show. Thankfully, their endearing dynamic brings relatability that grounds the madness. But they can’t shoulder the weight alone. The anime will need to go beyond cheap thrills to weave an impactful, holistic story.
Of course, talent behind the scenes gives hope. With a strong staff and production schedule, the Dandadan adaptation could iron out the manga’s flaws. But that’s no guarantee, as many ambitious adaptations have faltered before.
Conclusion:
While Dandadan likely won’t reach Chainsaw Man’s profound storytelling heights, it may still capture fans’ hearts. As long as the anime doubles down on character and taps into the poignant moments amidst the chaos, this spirited rom-com stands to resonate. Dandadan almost certainly won’t be an all-time great – but it could be one hell of a fun time.
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