Dandadan It took the anime industry by storm, thanks to its catchy Creepy Nuts opening song and hilariously unconventional quest to recover lost private parts. Science Saru did an excellent job adapting Tatsu Yukinobu's original manga, masterfully capturing every element of the original narrative. The result is that Dandadan is one of the most unique shonen anime in recent years, and part of that is how funny it is.
However, the comedic elements, while strong in the manga, really shine in the anime adaptation. What elevates these moments in the anime is how carefully Science Saru crafted them using a variety of techniques: a funky art style, crisp voice acting, and quirky music. These ten moments perfectly capture what the studio intends to convey.
10
Okarun and Momo's fight after finding out they are both alive
Episode #3, "It's a Showdown Between Grandma and Grandma!"
After encountering the strange alien in Momo's house, Momo loses consciousness, causing Okarun to lose control as she is no longer suppressing Turbo Granny's cursed power. When Momo regains consciousness, she is immediately worried that Okarun may have been killed by her grandmother and rushes to find out what happened.
To her surprise, she discovers Okarun casually eating a rice ball, completely unharmed. This causes Momo to fly into a rage, exclaiming in disbelief why Okarun is still alive. The episode is filled with comedic moments, including Momo being forced to keep an eye on Okarun even while he's in the bathroom. With its variety of hilarious bits, this episode stands out as one of the funniest in Dandadan Season 1.
9
Okarun goes full throttle while carrying Momo
Episode 4, "Kicking Grandma Turbo's Butt"
Episode #4 of Dandadan depicts Momo and Okarun luring Turbo Granny away from their territory so that she is easier to defeat. However, the moments that follow the execution of this plan, fortunately, also provide one of the most hilarious and emotional moments of this season. This entire sequence is extended in the anime and The funniest aspect of this scene is undoubtedly the decision to add the final act of William Tell's Overture as the score.
The music injects a funky energy into the action, perfectly complementing the anime's signature quirky humor. A subtle but fun detail is how normal Okarun, in his transformed state, appears to viewers, making the scene even funnier as he runs down the street carrying someone on his back, seemingly just an ordinary teenager.
8
The consequences of turning Turbo Granny into a cat doll
Episode #5, “Like, Where Are Your Balls?!”
After episode 5 of Dandadan builds the romantic bond between the protagonists, the story takes a hilarious turn when Okarun reveals that he has not yet recovered the “family jewels”. This brings Seiko Ayase back into the mix as she attempts to purge the spirit hiding within Okarun. While she manages to extract Turbo Granny's essence and trap it in a cat doll, Okarun can still transform even without Turbo Granny inside him, as her spirit is still inside Okarun.
The scene quickly turns to humor as Turbo Granny, once menacing, ends up begging for mercy as Seiko comically swats her with a paper fan. Furthermore, the episode ends on a hilarious note, establishing Okarun's absurd quest to find his missing "private parts."
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Dandadan's version of cattle kidnapping is an absolute riot
Episode #10, "Have You Ever Seen a Cattle Mutilation?"
Episode #10 of Dandadan brings back its latest villain, the Devor Demon, and delves into a backstory that offers a surprisingly poignant reason for his actions. While the story initially tugs at fans' hearts, encouraging empathy for the Demon Devor, it takes an unexpectedly hilarious turn when it's revealed that his race's blood is equivalent to cow's milk. The absurdity of this revelation sets the stage for comedy gold, especially since the solution to the Devor Demon's predicament turns out to be as simple as getting some good old-fashioned cow's milk, an answer brilliantly provided by Seiko.
The humor reaches its peak when Seiko offers to give the Demon Devor a cow to solve his problem. In one movement straight out of classic science fiction parodies, the demon immediately kidnaps the cow with his spaceship in a hilarious style reminiscent of stereotypical alien cow nap scenes. This moment, at once absurd and self-aware, perfectly captures Dandadan talent for mixing heartfelt stories with outrageous comedy, becoming a standout joke in an already unforgettable episode.
6
Science Saru converted a controversial scene into a funny moment
Episode #9, "Merge! Serpo Dover Demon Nessie!"
Episode #9 of Dandadan It may be controversial, but Science Saru handled it intelligently, turning controversial moments into comical ones. Watching Okarun frantically try to keep his private parts covered throughout the episode is undeniably funny, but the chaos only increases when he and Momo escape the Serpo aliens' traps. The two meet in the school hallway, in the same state as before.
This particular scene, already considered controversial in Dandadan manga, has the same weight in the anime. However, Science Saru skillfully uses a cartoonish art style to tone down the controversyturning it into a humorous and more palatable experience for viewers.
5
Okarun realizes he still misses his family jewels
Episode 5, "Like, Where Are Your Balls?"
Okarun lost his private parts due to the curse inflicted on him by Turbo Granny. After defeating the villain, he was relieved to believe that he had finally regained what he had lost. However, it was only the next day, while casually peeing in the school bathroom, that Okarun realized that he had not actually retrieved his family jewels from Turbo Granny.
THE the sheer absurdity of not realizing he was still missing such a vital part of himself is a hilarious twist. What makes this moment even funnier is how it sets the stage for one of the most unconventional missions in a shonen series: DandadanThe main plot for now revolves around your protagonist searching for his missing private parts.
4
Aira confessing her feelings to Okarun
Episode 8, "I've Got a Funny Feeling"
Although Shiratori Aira has clear and funny heroic goals, she cannot help but express her feelings for Okarun, stemming from his heroic acts of saving her twice. While love confessions are typically heartfelt and romantic, this sequel turns the trope on its head with a dose of hilarity. The mood reaches its peak when Momo trips Okarun and Aira in what appears to be an intimate moment, appearing, to his horror, as if they were kissing.
However, a flashback reveals the truth: Okarun is actually trying to push Aira away, and the entire scene is a big misunderstanding. The comic brilliance lies not just in the misunderstanding itself, but in the layers of absurdity. Aira, hilariously clueless about how to confess her feelings, relies on advice taken from a book, which only adds to the awkwardness. The combination of misunderstandings, Aira's naivety, and Momo's reaction make this moment an unforgettable comedic highlight.
3
Okarun retrieving one of his family's jewels
Episode #8, "I've Got a Funny Feeling"
Episode #8 of Dandadan stands out as one of the funniest in the series, seamlessly shifting into comedy after Acrobatic Silky's heartwarming story. With Momo and Okarun having recovered one of their lost jewels, the next step is to return it. While the idea of Okarun replacing his “private” already seems hilarious, nothing could prepare viewers for the absurd way this plays out.
Okarun is restrained by Momo in a chair, with his legs spread wide, while Turbo Granny prepares to throw her family jewel like a baseball.and Seiko is ready as a scout to hit it. The entire sequence is outrageously funny, especially as Okarun panics about what might happen if Seiko actually makes contact with her jewel – a well-timed afterthought that elevates the scene to another level of hilarity.
2
Catching the talking mannequin because it might contain Okarun's family jewels
Episode #11, "First Love"
Dandadan has a bizarre vibe that naturally leads to hilarious moments, with the funniest often emerging from the most unexpected situations. When Okarun thinks about breaking up with Mom now that Jin, his first love, has arrived on the scene, a strange talking mannequin suddenly attacks him, shouting, "I won't give up!" The dummy overtakes Okarun and jumps over Jin and Momo, which leads Momo to realize that the dummy may have Okarun's missing family jewel.
That triggers a chaotic chase, with Okarun transforming into his Turbo Granny way to chase the dummy. The scene is, of course, elevated by the perfect comedic touch of the final act of William Tell's opening playing as the soundtrack, just as the series has done previously. Filled with additional laugh-out-loud moments, episode 11 of Dandadan stands out as the funniest episode of the series so far, with the mannequin chase stealing the show thanks to the extraordinary attention to detail that enhances the humor.
1
Turbo Granny requesting the capture of Ken Takakura's private parts
Episode #1, "That's how love begins, you know!"
Ken Takakura and Momo Ayase's bet portrayed in the first episode turns into one of the most bizarre side adventures of all time, full of hilarious and unexpected moments. Among them, the funniest is when Ken is ambushed by the ghost Turbo Granny. The setup for Ken's encounters plays out like any horror setup and while fans are ready to be scared, Turbo Granny surprises viewers with the most hilarious and unexpected phrase, turning the tense moment into a comedic highlight.
What makes this scene even funnier in the Japanese dub is the fact that Turbo Granny is voiced by Mayumi Tanaka, the iconic voice behind Luffy from One Piece. Knowing this only amplifies the absurdity of the scene, adding a layer of humor for those familiar with Tanaka's work. So, this moment of Dandadan Season 1 stands out as the funniest scene ever, setting the tone that the series will mix adventure and humor in a way that surpasses the typical Shōnen anime formula.