Dandadanairing during fall 2024, it left a significant mark on the anime industry with its unique bizarreness and revolutionary approach to the shonen genre. Science Saru's exceptional adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu's work is without a doubt one of the most appreciated animes of recent times. The perfect blend of various elements is a key factor behind the anime's explosive popularity.
With its twelve episodes, Dandadan It made fans laugh, gasp in shock, feel affection for the characters and even shed tears. While each episode shines in its own way, a few clearly stood out as highlights of the series.
12
Okarun and Jiji become friends, but the cliffhanger is agonizing
Episode #12, “Let's Go to the Cursed House”
Episode 12 of Dandadan concludes the mannequin's narrative with a mix of comedy and romance. The episode then shifts focus to Jiji's reason for visiting Momo's house. Together, Momo, Okarun, and Jiji travel to Jiji's hometown, where a series of bizarre events unfold that deepen Jiji and Okarun's bond as friends.
THE end of Dandadan doesn't feel like a true conclusion, but rather a setup for the next big arcwhich is set to unfold in Season 2, releasing in July 2025. This makes the ending arguably the weakest episode, not because of its content, but due to its role as a transitional piece, especially when compared to the episode more self-contained and impactful previous episodes.
11
The most iconic grandmother in the Shōnen genre is presented
Episode #3, “It's a showdown between grandma and grandma!”
After their first epic team-up against an enemy, Okarun and Momo find themselves exhausted, and while this moment may have taken a serious turn for the worse, as Momo's unconscious state left her unable to suppress Okarun's cursed energy, the episode introduces Okarun's grandmother to Momo, Seiko Ayase, to save the day. The Spiritual Medium, Seiko, easily overpowers Turbo Granny with her abilities and captures the curse until Momo wakes up.
Seiko's presence adds a refreshing touch to the Dandadan, moving away from a common Shōnen trope that traditionally reserves the role of mentor or teacher for older male characters. Seiko's role becomes clear in this episode: she will provide support for her granddaughter and her friends in their paranormal adventures.
10
Summarizing the last dispute with joy
Episode #10, “Have You Ever Seen a Cattle Mutilation?”
After the trio's epic battle against the mutant aliens, this episode takes a step back, mixing moments of levity with meaningful character development. Notably, Aira experiences her first major change, setting the stage for a friendship with Momo after the latest incident.
The standout moment, however, lies in the deeper exploration of the Dover Demon's backstory, revealing that the alien's struggles mirror those of humans. The humor culminates with Seiko's absurdly simple but effective solution, which unexpectedly leads to the abduction of a cow, a clever nod to the classic sci-fi trope of alien invasionsdelivered with a hilarious, light-hearted twist.
9
Introducing a rival to shake up the story
Episode #6, “A Dangerous Woman Arrives”
After highlighting a budding romance, Dandadan episode six delves into the main plot, with Momo and Okarun searching for their missing private parts. The episode brims with comedy, especially with Turbo Granny wearing the Cat mascot costume. Meanwhile, Aira, the most recent addition to the main cast, is present. She is the opposite of Momo, strongly establishing herself as a rival.
While the episode sets up Aira's role as Momo's rival, Acrobatic Silky, the second Yokai, appears to be obsessed with the newest member. Acrobatic Silky captivates with her acrobatic fighting style, but Momo once again shines with her sharp wit, proving herself to be a standout heroine in the Shonen genre.
8
Okarun's transformation is highlighted by incredible animation choices
Episode #2, “That's a space alien, isn't it?”
The series premiere may not make it entirely clear whether Dandadan follows the same action-packed formula as a typical Shōnen Jump anime, but the second episode leaves no doubt. This episode features its protagonists, Okarun and Momo teaming up against their first alien enemy.
The alien Flatwoods Monster pushes Okarun and Momo to their limits, causing Okarun to transform into Turbo Granny and harness the power of the curse to gain speed and agility. What follows is a thrilling battle, as Okarun and Momo team up to defeat the alien threat. Although the action sequences are exciting, the the real highlight is Okarun's transformation, visually accentuated by striking dark red tones against a grayscale backgroundmaking it clear that Dandadan will have a variety of animation styles to captivate viewers.
7
Science Saru knows how to adapt controversial scenes and make them enjoyable
Episode #9, “Merge!, Serpo Dover Nessie Demon!”
After Aira is driven to use her transformation for the first time to save Okarun, she will certainly have her moment to shine. However, the Serpo aliens quickly overpower her with their psychic abilities, much like how Okarun fights them. With Chiquitita constantly keeping Aira and Okarun at bay, the tension and urgency for Momo's arrival builds, culminating in her making another heroic entrance.
Nessie's involvement doesn't make things any easier, but the main trio manage to perform solid teamwork to defeat the merged entity. When the characters return to the real world, however, they are in their underwear and Momo and Okarun are left in an awkward position. What really elevates this episode is Science Saru's smart choice to adapt the controversial scene with a funky art stylechanging from weird to fun.
6
The decision to add original anime scenes was great
Episode #4, “Kicking Grandma Turbo's ass”
The quest to retrieve Okarun's family jewels continues as Momo and Okarun devise a plan to lure Turbo Granny out of her territory and defeat her. However, the execution of the plan proves to be much more dangerous than expected, with Momo and Okarun barely escaping with their lives. The episode's defining moment is, without a doubt, when Okarun runs out, carrying Momo on his back.
Although the manga sequence was brief, spanning just two pages, Science Saru's decision to extend it was a masterstroke, turning it into one of the most iconic moments of the season. What really elevates Episode 4, however, is its ability to delve into the darker elements of the series, adding unexpected emotional depth through Turbo Granny and other spirits that fans initially thought the series wasn't capable of.
5
The romantic bond between Okarun and Momo dominates everything else
Episode 5, “Like, Where Are Your Balls?”
Episode 5 takes a refreshing break from the supernatural action, dedicating himself to building the romantic connection between Momo and Okarun. In a short space of time, he beautifully captures the essence of a budding relationship: the thrill of seeing each other, the joyful tension of a classic miscommunication, and an undercurrent of unspoken feelings.
This episode expertly balances romance with just a hint of mystery, subtly introducing a new character, signaling that the series' romantic storyline will play an important role alongside its intense action sequences. This approach promises lasting appeal within the Shōnen genre, differentiating it from series that rely solely on heavy action elements.
4
The trope of love mixed with comedy is Dandadan's safest quality
Episode #11, “First Love”
After introducing Jin Eijoji, a new character, the episode takes a few moments to let him shine, showing off his quirky personality and adding tension by revealing that Jin was Momo's first crush. His introduction also delves into the plot, introducing his unique situation and how it relates to the story.
The highlight of the episode, however, is undoubtedly the second half, which features a strange mannequin going crazy. Upon realizing that the possessed mannequin may contain Okarun's other family jewel, a chaotic game of capture begins, full of hilarious moments. THE the best part of this sequence is how it leads Okarun to realize his feelings for Momoinspiring you to take action and express them instead of giving up.
3
Romance, comedy and horror: Dandadan has it all
Episode #8, “I've Got a Funny Feeling”
After exploring the heartbreaking story of Acrobatic Silky, this episode returns to Dandadanthe greatest force of -humor. With Aira now in the mix, the episode also deepens its romantic tones, incorporating classic elements of the genre, such as love triangles and humorous misunderstandings between the protagonists.
While the the first half offers a refreshing comedic tone, the second half takes a darker turn as the trio are hunted by aliens. The Seripo aliens return, tormenting Okarun in a tense sequence. This leads Aira, the newest addition to the main cast, to unleash her powers in an incredibly satisfying moment, making this episode a defining essence. Dandadan at its best.
2
Dandadan's first episode sets the series apart from other popular Shōnen titles
Episode #1, “That's how love begins, you know!”
Even though Dandandan is a Shōnen title, fans familiar with the genre will quickly notice from the premiere that this series is far from typical, despite incorporating all of the essential Shōnen elements. A standout aspect of the premiere is the humor, which appeals to a broader, more mature audience. This sets it apart from many other Shōnen titles, which are generally aimed at younger teenagers, signaling that Dandadan will entertain a wider demographic.
In addition to its dark and mature humor, the first episode suggests a central theme of romantic connection between the main characters, a rarity in most Shōnen series, where romance is often secondary or absent. By presenting these standout elements, Dandadan Episode 1 stands out as one of the best in the series, making it clear that these unique qualities will hook any viewer from the start.
1
Dandadan's real strength is the emotional storytelling
Episode #7, “For a Kinder World”
In the first episodes, Dandadan leans more towards comedy than drama. However, the series' depth is first glimpsed in episode four, with the revelation of Turbo Granny's heartbreaking reason for existence. Episode seven, however, really confirms Dandadanthe strength of the emotional narrative.
Acrobatic Silky's backstory is beautifully adapted by Science Saru, with a few tweaks and added scenes that build a tragic story that is sure to bring fans to tears. This episode marks a turning point, showing that each villain is worked with realism and delicate themes that the series does not shy away from conveying, making this episode the best of Dandadan season 1.