Dandadan

I was skeptical at first with this anime, but seeing the art style and animation and then watching this first episode and loving every second of it i just binged it and cant wait for the next episode every week. Both the sub and dub for this anime come out at the same time which is a rarity and i love both. I was really routing for re:zero season3 to win this year(mostly because re:zero is one of my top 3 favorite anime) but after episode 7 its safe to say that this anime deserves anime of the year or at least give that single episode a reward. Like oh my god that was one of the most beautiful episodes I have ever seen.

Being a manga reader first, I was quite skeptical at first, because I adored the writing and art-style of the manga, and I thought an anime adaptation for a manga this ambitious and genre bending would be watered down in both art and animation, especially when I saw the first looks (very skeptical of their being less details on characters) but all those worries soon dissolved away when I finally heard it's Science SARU doing it, not to mention their recent line-up Scott pilgrim, Devilman crybaby and keep your hands off Eizouken all match the zaniness and vibe of DandaDan, also studio founder Masaaki Yuasa is one of my favorite anime directors/animators of all time, worked on shows such as Ping pong, Tatami Galaxy and again Devilman.

Ever since the first episode drop, I've been anticipating the next week after week, as it does not pale comparison to the manga, sometimes even better. I was mainly worried because this was the first anime I read first, but now I know Dandadan not only cemented itself as a phenomenal manga but also a great anime.

This is a bit different than the animes I am used to and like. Yet, somehow I enjoy it. The animation is quite good especially the coloring which is beautiful in fight scenes. The plot may seem absurd at first, the combination of aliens and ghosts, but the love factor helps it make sense. In fact, the drama of the show is very powerful, proof of which is the sensational episode 7.

The characters are likable and easy to connect with. They don't look shallow which makes me excited for their future reveals and developments. The voice actors are brilliant, as well.

Moreover, the comedy works really good because it doesn't happen all the time, the jokes or situations are actually funny, and nothing is forced. Overall, the show has a lot of potential, if it doesn't fall off the wagon. The pilot is neither slow nor too fast; it provides enough information and build up for a fight and then it delivers beautifully. Afterwards, the show doesn't bore you with irrelevant and uninteresting subplots. It just follows the main path with a smooth pacing. All in all, I believe Dandadan is so far the best anime of 2024 and may even go up against the greatest of all time in the upcoming years.

Yes,it's not perfect,but I like it personally. Id like to give it a high record. The animation effect is very impressive and also interesting. The voice actors worked very hard and created a very comfortable experience for me. It can be seen that the production team has invested a lot of funds and efforts. I'm actually willing to give it a perfect score, but the anime is not yet finished,and there are many elements of guilty pleasures in the plot,i dont like it too much. But after all it's a quite interesting work,with comedy,romance,action,and little horror elements. If someone wants to watch but is still hesitating,I would advise you watch it as soon as possible.

Hai zi men,zhe zhen de hen hao kan.

Dandadan can seem so unserious at first. What with its ridiculous foundations, its even weirder subplots, and its character dynamic, the range of the show feels so huge, which is why I haven't reviewed it before.

While I know the show can go so many more places so easily, I have to say I think by now I can conclude: this show would struggle to go wrong. It is incredibly good.

Both in source and adaptation, this anime is without many flaws. I had questions about the pacing of episodes 5 and 6, but I realised the slow build was for a high point at 7, which I think completely resolves the pacing issues I feared. The plot, as I mentioned, has such a range, bringing in supernatural horror and sci-fi horror into one light, comedic and compelling storyline. I have laughed at this show, but I'd say more impressively, I've cried at this show. This is the range of Dandadan.

As well as just the plot, the adaptation is amazing. Science Saru's animation is always exceptional, but it's those aspirational, absurd and weird choices they make in framing, angles and movements which make their shows feel so authentic. The voice acting performances, especially for the Japanese leads for Ayase and Okarun are genuinely incredible, with both having a really good range of performances. That's needed for a show that works on two levels, as both a slice of live and as a supernatural shonen action, and a drama on top of that.

Doing so much makes Dandadan so hard to categorise, but I'd say most watchers will love this show. It is fast becoming a favourite for me and I'm sure I won't be alone on that.

10/10. An Autumn must-watch.