Warning: SPOILERS for episode 4 of Dan Da DanDan-Dan is clearly standing out as one of the most distinctive shōnen anime series of the year, with each new episode fueling its rapid rise in popularity. The success of the series lies in the protagonist duo and the relationship and romance they build, which is unusual in the genre. This new perspective breaks away from traditional shōnen stereotypes, offering a refreshing take on the genre.
Additionally, Dan-Dan presents his comedy in a bizarre style, often with mature tones. While these elements are enough to keep viewers hooked, one aspect is missing: emotional depth. However, Dan-Dan Episode 4 also delved into this question in a way that suggests it may have taken inspiration from another successful shōnen anime, Jujutsu Kaisen.
Dan-Dan Get inspired by Jujutsu KaisenMain theme
Dan-Dan Episode 4 explains that the show’s curses and ghosts exist for a reason
Jujutsu Kaisen builds its central theme around the existence of cursed energy and curses, born from negative human emotions like regret and trauma, adding a sense of realism to the series. In contrast, the first three episodes of Dan-Dan had a strong start, featuring key elements of the shōnen genre such as humor, intense battles, and action, but it lacked similar emotional depth. This was mainly because the series overwhelmed viewers with the sudden introduction of curses and aliens without much basis. However, very similar Jujutsu Kaisen, Dan-Dan eventually provides some dark elementsparticularly the existence of curses, with a significant basis.
After Okarun and Momo narrowly escape with their lives in their battle against Turbo Granny, defeating the ghost along with the “location-bound spirit” she fused with, Momo notices the spirits of several girls her age being exorcised. Shortly afterwards, her grandmother, Seiko Ayase, reveals that these spirits were once girls who suffered abusemurdered and discarded in the tunnel where grandma lived. She explains that they did not become evil spirits on their own, but were transformed by the consequences of these brutal human acts. Seiko also provides additional context, clarifying Turbo Granny’s strange behavior.
Dan-Dan Explains Turbo Granny’s strange behavior
The scary spirit is kinder than it seems
Seiko reveals that Turbo Granny often finds shelter in places where girls have suffered irrational deaths, possibly to console the lost spirits of these victims. It seems that Turbo Granny’s desire to protect these souls and prevent similar tragedies leads her to offer her body to men, cursing them by taking her private parts. These elements emphasize that the curses in Dan-Dan serve a purpose, just as in Jujutsu Kaisenwhere curses are tied to deeper motivations from the start.
Also, a small detail Dan-Dan episode 4 also hints at other inspiration it may have drawn JJK. While running away from the crab monster, Okarun and Momo comment that they are not visible to other people. This reflects a concept from Gege Akutami’s manga, where only those with enough cursed energy or already cursed can see cursed spirits.
With such elements throughout the anime it is clear that for fans who are still reeling from the end of Gege Akutami’s best-selling manga, Dan-Dan could become Jujutsu Kaisentrue successor, drawing inspiration from the same grand and moving themes that gained JJK his acclaim.