Review of Dan Da Dan
Some shows simply have to be experienced rather than described and Dandadan’s one of them. It’s the biggest and most popular show this season for a reason. Amazing animation, direction, fun characters and just a wacky and wild experience that never leaves a dull moment. I can confidently say this one lived up to the hype from source readers. While the story was not the strongest in the first cour, I appreciate them setting up the wider world and introducing characters who will be the foundation of the series going forward. Where Dandadan really shines for me thus far is the character interactions and chemistry.Momo and Okarun’s relationship being the centrepiece of the story works excellently. They flow so well together. The banter, petty fights, the teasing, it’s all got a sort of 90s anime romance vibe to it and that goes for the show as a whole as it clearly takes some influence from things like FLCL.
The mix of sci-fi and supernatural themes also makes Dandadan a rather unique experience. Usually it’s one or the other in a show and in this we see the overlap in the occult and unexplained scientific phenomenae. Again, it’s all pretty surface level for now, but you get a sense this is going to be a really interesting story once it gets going.
Though the first 12 episodes feel like setup, I’d be remised if I didn’t mention the Episode 7’s mini-arc on acrobatic silky which is easily one of the best episodes of the year and a gut wrenching story of a mother’s love. We got a nice taste there as to just how good a writer this author is and how he can make us connect and genuinely feel for characters we just met. If the rest of the story has a few arcs half as good as that, we’re going to be in for a treat.
Even before this anime came out I had a ton of respect for Science SARU as being one of a handful of studios that push anime to its limit and just make beautiful content. I was a big fan of Eizouken and ride your wave, but I have to say this is definitely their magnum opus. Dandadan’s general art and animation look great, but the big action set pieces are some of the best I’ve ever seen. Pure visual spectacles that were crafted with the utmost love and care. Moments like episode 7’s climax with Acrobatic Silky evoke a sense of magic that’s rarely felt in a seasonal anime. While I haven’t read the manga yet, I’m sure manga readers would agree that this adaptation has likely not only captured the vibe, but elevated the source material. If you’re a Sakuga nut or just an appreciator of well made art Dandadan is worth a view for that alone.
Dandadan’s first cour does a great job introducing newcomers to this world, its mechanics, characters and concepts and is a very fun action filled ride. One of the few shows that lives up to the insane hype.
Dandadan gets 9 balls out of 10.