Review of Dan Da Dan

When this anime premiered, I read comments saying this anime wouldn't be able to get super popular due to how "weird" it was. There was so much hype, especially due to the amazing opening. Now that it's finished, I binged it all in a few days. It is good, but for sure leans on the many established tropes of the many shonen anime before it. I mean, not many anime deal with the theme of aliens, although there are plenty of yokai themed ones. Combining them is for sure unique, but the executions is as you'd expect as a seasoned anime watcher. The main characters fightdifferent threats, gain mysterious powers, and so far have an awkward time with he opposite sex, not making anything official. When people were talking about this show, I assumed they were a couple, but it just ended up being the standard of them liking each other, but being too shy to do anything about it. Maybe that will change later. The interactions between the characters are entertaining enough. A lot of standard misunderstandings, or not saying what you mean.

In terms of the fights, they are animated very stylistically. It looks good, but in a way that made me think they found ways to do it cost effectively. The content of the fights is standard Shonen fare for the most part. The characters get beat up in ways that should probably kill them, then they think of some plan, or get saved last minute by something to win.

I know I'm sounding kinda down on this anime, but it's just that I was expecting something much more unique and less generic due to all the hype. I for sure enjoyed the anime, and think it's good. I mean, I binged it in a few days, so I for sure liked it. Maybe the next season will step it up a notch. I remember feeling similarly about Jujutsu Kaisen, and season 2 of that show really popped off. I for sure recommend Dandadan, just keep your expectations in check to be able to enjoy it.