Warning: SPOILERS for episode 5 of Dan Da Dan
Dan-Dan is one of the most unpredictable series to come out of Shōnen Jump in recent years, and its ongoing anime has finally revealed its central premise that is as unusual as anyone could have predicted. The series started turning heads in its first episode and doesn’t seem willing to slow down any time soon, continuing to throw hilarious punch after hilarious punch week after week.
After four episodes of paranormal shenanigans, Episode 5, aptly titled “Like, Where Are Your Balls?!” finally introduced the main premise of the anime: Okarun and friends are on a mission to recover their reproductive organs. Not only is it Dan-Dan boasting one of the funniest plots in anime, but it’s proving to be entirely unique compared to its contemporaries in doing so. While other shōnen protagonists fight for greater causes or in the name of heroism, Okarun just wants his family jewels back.
The main plot of Dan Da Dan revolves around the protagonist’s family jewels
This mission will definitely get more attention
Through its first four episodes Dan-Dan operated strictly as the monster of the week animenever straying far enough from whatever conflict was introduced in the previous episode. After defeating Turbo Granny, it appeared that Momo and Okarun were free, and with no imminent threat present, the two wandered the school’s hallways impatiently waiting for the chance to talk to each other. The episode was light-hearted, based on the two leads’ growing romance until Okarun went to the bathroom and discovered some parts were missing from his private area.
It was later revealed that Turbo Granny was still hiding inside Okarun, waiting before regaining strength to take revenge. After being ripped from him, his consciousness was transferred into a Maneki-neko, or traditional Japanese cat doll, where it will remain for the remainder of the series. This revelation officially begins the journey that acts as the ridiculous driving force behind Dan-Dan.
Dan Da Dan’s ridiculousness is what makes him special
Anything and everything is possible in Dan Da Dan
Dan-Dan has been anything but regular since its debut, and that’s exactly what sets it apart from other popular anime currently airing. Now that the series’ main conflict has been revealed, Momo and Okarun are destined to go on even crazier adventures, encountering all kinds of spirits and aliens. When a plot point as random as the retrieval of private parts becomes central to a story, absolutely nothing is off the table. And given how the series has worked so far, it’s fair to assume nothing will be held back.
As Dan-Dan progresses, it is certain that the story will continue to be as humorous and unpredictable as its opening sections were. The next episode promises the introduction of an entirely new character, likely plunging Momo and Okarun into a new conflict that the two will have to resolve together. The series has been one of the wildest of the season so far and will certainly continue to deliver excitement and style in future episodes.