Dandadan and how to make a great premiere

Key things

• Dandadan is an action-packed occult romantic comedy with two leads having supernatural encounters.
• The dynamic characters, visuals, and pacing of Dandadan's season premiere make it stand out in anime.
• The balance of chaos and calm, character chemistry and stunning visuals in Dandadan made for a promising series.

Warning: The following contains minor spoilers for Dandadan Episode 1, “This Is How Love Begins, Ya Know!”, streaming now on Crunchyroll.

The wait is finally over and Science Saru is an adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu Dandadan began — and one of the most frenetic, funniest, and stylish season premieres in recent years. From the excellent performances of its two leads to the methodical pacing, this eclectic mix of supernatural and sci-fi will be the easiest series to become addicted to all year.

Dandadan is an action-packed occult romantic comedy following the misadventures of a boy who believes in aliens but not ghosts and a girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens. When they realize they are both right, their lives are changed forever and supernatural encounters become commonplace as they bond and find the strength to fight back.

Dandadan wastes zero time

It is often said that the end comes first, but it can also be true for the beginning. After all, the path may be what really matters, but one must be forced to it in the first place. Creating a good season opener is an art and it doesn't exist one the right way to do it but Dandadan it certainly packs more punch than most, and it's not just because of how much is crammed into it. That's true is part, but it's more that the episode feels like a standalone short.

It comes full circle in such a clever and charming way, while still telling the audience everything they need to know about these characters. Even before that, though, the opening theme, Creepy Nuts' “Otonoke,” kicks things into high gear with an aesthetic sample plate of the madness to come. There's no time for cold weather – this show has little time to spare and uses every second to make you fall in love with this story.

I look for love in all the bad faces

As quickly as the opening theme assaults the senses, the story jumps just as briskly to introduce Momo Ayase (Shion Wakayama) just as she's being kicked out. Momo just wants a tough guy who reminds her of famous Japanese actor Ken Takakura, but as her friends are quick to remind her, that kind of guy is extinct. Her ex might look, but otherwise he was a complete jerk and Momo now despairs of her futile search for love.

Her sulking leads her to a bullied boy, and after helping him, the boy (Natsuki Hanae) strikes up a conversation about aliens. This turns into a bickering as their aforementioned alien versus ghost disagreement escalates until they dare each other to visit opposing paranormal hot spots to prove the other wrong. The story moves quickly and the banter never disappoints, but this quick intro only paves the way for what makes the premiere truly so special.

Dare started it

As noted in our review of the theatrical screening of the first three episodes, there's a balance between chaos and calm that — if absent — would probably make for a much less compelling story. The crazy action – of which the premiere climax certainly has plenty – is only so impressive because of the time spent getting to know Momo and the boy, later in the story nicknamed “Okarun”.

Momo is an instantly endearing main character with a large dimension that is evident after only five minutes. She's wild and doesn't hesitate to speak her mind, but she's also a romantic, and beneath her sometimes formidable exterior lies a mostly kind heart. Okarun is similarly dynamic in that his shyness quickly fades the longer he spends with Momo, revealing a rather manic personality and tendencies to be a bit wild at times.

Calling their chemistry “good” doesn't do it justice. Just as they talk to each other on the phone to keep their nerve, the tension in their haunted surroundings similarly eases. He talks about why he believes in ghosts/aliens and the anecdotes are charming and even a little sad. Kensuke Ushio's score complements the sentimentality of this scene as beautifully as the action that follows.

When ghosts and aliens collide

It's hard to know where to start when evaluating visuals outside of trailer previews. Science Saru is no stranger to bold and varied animation, but their work with this adaptation far exceeded expectations. Director Fuga Yamashiro may technically be making his directorial debut here, but he's been assistant director to studio founder Masaaki Yuasa on many of the studio's biggest projects for years.

as such Dandadan is an expectedly beautiful series, especially in terms of camera work and character animation. The whole scene with Momo exploring the abandoned hospital is a great example of the two working in tandem to enrich the vocal performances, create atmosphere, or create as many cool shots as possible. It achieves all this while maintaining the manga style and dramatic pace, which was a big priority according to Yamashiro.

Episode 1 ends on a high note

Even amidst the chaos, there remains serious character writing that makes Momo and Okarun feel much closer by the end of a single episode.

The highlight of the premiere is sheer perfection as the unrelated brushes of Momo and Okaruna collide with the unknown in an outrageously colorful battle. The pace picks up again, and between the ghost who is strangely fixated on Okaruna's cock, and the similarly perverted aliens interested in Momo, the weird factor is on top. The more troubling implications are tempered by the humor, if not the breakneck speed with which it introduces so many variables.

Even amidst the chaos, there remains serious character writing that makes Momo and Okarun feel much closer by the end of a single episode. Their deepest beliefs were challenged and confirmed at the same time, new powers were violently awakened and a quest was put upon them. Combined with one last hilarious plot twist that brings the episode full circle, it's an amazing start to one of the most anticipated anime of 2024. So far Dandadan it was worth the wait.