Two weeks ago at AniManGaki 2024, we had the pleasure of catching the premiere of DAN DA DAN Episode 1 for the first time in Asia, courtesy of Muse Asia! The highly anticipated anime adaptation premieres this October, which meant AniManGaki attendees were treated to an exclusive look months before the rest of the world.
There were two screenings throughout the weekend in the AniManGaki Panel Room. Fans were given an exclusive DAN DA DAN key visual card upon entry, and reminded not to capture any pictures or videos of the episode. The session started with a screening of the official anime trailer, which introduced the story, voice cast, and animation studio behind the series.
Then came the good stuff. We were treated to a screening of DAN DA DAN Episode 1 from start to finish. The only part that was exempted was the anime’s theme song, “Otonoke” performed by hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts, that was cut from the opening.
Written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu, DAN DA DAN follows the tale of Momo Ayase, a high school girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens, while her classmate Ken Takakura believes in aliens but not ghosts. In a bet to determine who is correct, the two decide to separately visit locations associated with both the occult and the supernatural.
In the process, Ayase is abducted by a group of aliens who accidentally unblock her chakras, enabling latent psychic abilities. Meanwhile, Takakura is possessed by a spirit who takes over his body. By using Ayase’s abilities and Takakura’s possessed form, they defeat the aliens together.
DAN DA DAN first began serialisation in Shonen Jump in April 2021, and has published 15 volumes as of July 2024. Its anime series adaptation is set to premiere in October 2024 and produced by Science SARU, best known for their work on Adventure Time, Star Wars: Visions, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and the upcoming The Colors Within film.
No-Spoilers First Impressions
If the first episode is any indication, DAN DA DAN is going to be the type of series that keeps its feet on the accelerator from start to finish. Episode 1 was a breakneck introduction to the premise of the series, covering most of the essential character introductions, motivations, and back stories within its short 20 to 25-minute run time.
If you’re here for a slow boil story, turn around right now. DAN DA DAN runs like a motor engine, hot and quick, with larger than life characters and plenty of raunchy humour to scandalize your mother. Shion Wakayama and Natsuki Hanae are absolutely dynamic as dual protagonists Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, providing riveting and hilarious voice-over performances that clearly define the tone of the series.
Pacing of the episode did feel a little disjointed, maybe a little too hot on the pedal at times, but its roughness around the edges largely lends itself to DAN DA DAN’s charm. It makes even more sense looking at Science SARU’s previous animated projects, from the trippy “Food Chain” episode of Adventure Time, to the anime reimagining of the cult classic Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
In fact, the studio reminds me of early Studio Trigger in the way they carved out a space for themselves in the industry with Kill la Kill, then took on projects like Promare and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners that truly defined their sense of style.
While most anime adaptations are a marriage between multiple parties, DAN DA DAN feels like one of those series where its animation will make or break its success. Still, the first episode leaves me feeling confident. The driver may be unhinged, and all the seatbelts may be broken, but I’m ready to be taken on a wild ride anyway.
Watch the official trailer here:
