Dandadan (Series)

Dandadan is a Japanese anime television series adapted from the manga of the same name written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu and produced by Science SARU studio. The series is directed by Fuga Yamashiro, with screenplay supervision and series composition by Hiroshi Seko. Human character designs were created by Naoyuki Onda, while alien and supernatural creature (yokai) designs were handled by Yoshimichi Kameda. The music for the series was composed by Kensuke Ushio.

The series blends elements of the supernatural, science fiction, action, and romantic comedy. Its central plot revolves around a high school student who believes in ghosts but rejects the existence of aliens, and his classmate who believes in aliens but denies ghosts—until they simultaneously discover that both phenomena are real in the real world.

Dandadan is the television anime adaptation of the manga series created by Yukinobu Tatsu and published digitally on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ platform since April 2021. The animation production was handled by Science SARU studio.

The television broadcast of the series premiered in Japan on 4 October 2024 as part of MBS and TBS’s “Super Animeism TURBO” programming block. Globally, digital streaming rights were licensed by platforms such as Crunchyroll and Netflix. The production was made available worldwide simultaneously with its Japanese broadcast, offering multiple subtitle and dubbing options.

Dandadan is set in contemporary Japan and constructs its narrative around the coexistence of two distinct supernatural phenomena within the same reality: traditional Japanese folklore-based supernatural entities (ghosts, yokai, spirits) and science fiction-inspired extraterrestrial beings (aliens, cryptids).

The extraterrestrial beings in the universe—for example, the Serpo aliens—are typically equipped with advanced technology and seek to study, copy, or steal human biology, particularly reproductive organs. In contrast, ghosts and yokai—such as Turbo Nine—manifest as spiritual energies tied to specific locations or urban legends, with goals often centered on regional domination or cursing.

The series’ power system is based on ordinary humans gaining supernatural or psychic abilities after physical contact with either of these two anomalies. Alien interference triggers latent potential in the human brain, awakening psychic powers such as telekinesis and aura manipulation. Meanwhile, yokai curses induce physical transformations in the cursed individual, granting them access to the yokai’s traits—for example, extreme speed. The plot centers on characters engaging in physical combat against both extraterrestrial threats and supernatural entities to survive and recover body parts stolen by yokai.

^{Momo Ayase and Okarun} (IMDb)

The story centers on Momo Ayase, a high school student raised by her medium grandmother who believes only in ghosts, and her classmate Ken Takakura (nicknamed “Okarun” by Momo), who believes in aliens but denies ghosts. The two enter a bet to prove whose belief is correct: Momo visits a supposedly haunted abandoned hospital where aliens have been sighted, while Okarun enters a tunnel rumored to be haunted.

During their investigations, both discover they were wrong in their skepticism and simultaneously realize that both aliens and ghosts are real. As a result of their encounters, Momo awakens hidden psychic abilities—such as telekinesis and aura manipulation—after being captured by the Serpo aliens; Okarun undergoes a physical transformation after being cursed by a yokai named “Turbo Nine,” gaining its speed and physical strength. Together, they use these newfound powers to fight both extraterrestrial threats and supernatural entities to survive and recover the body parts stolen from Okarun by the yokai.

• Momo Ayase: A high school student raised by her medium grandmother. Initially believes only in ghosts. Her psychic abilities—enabling her to move objects and manipulate auras—are awakened during her capture by the Serpo aliens.
• • Voice Actor: Shion Wakayama
• Ken Takakura (Okarun): Momo’s classmate. Deeply interested in aliens and occult phenomena but denies ghosts. After being cursed by the yokai “Turbo Nine,” he gains the ability to transform physically and access its speed and strength. The nickname “Okarun” was given to him by Momo.
• • Voice Actor: Natsuki Hanae
• Seiko Ayase: Momo’s medium grandmother. Despite her youthful appearance, she possesses immense spiritual power. She can expel spirits from her territory and create barriers that prevent aliens or malevolent entities from entering.
• • Voice Actor: Nana Mizuki
• Turbo Nine (Turbo Granny): A yokai rooted in urban legends, said to wander highways and tunnels. After cursing Okarun and stealing part of his body, she is defeated by Momo and Okarun. She loses most of her power and becomes trapped inside a “maneki-neko” (lucky cat) figurine, from which she begins guiding them.
• • Voice Actor: Mayumi Tanaka
• Aira Shiratori: A student at Momo and Okarun’s high school. After gaining the powers and agility of a yokai called Acro-Silky, she joins the supernatural battles.
• • Voice Actor: Ayane Sakura
• Jin Enjoji (Jiji): Momo’s childhood friend. He is taken over by a dangerous and powerful yokai called “Nazar” (Evil Eye) due to the cursed nature of his family’s former home.
• • Voice Actor: Kaito Ishikawa
• Serpo Aliens: An advanced alien race composed entirely of males. To reproduce, they use cloning and target humans to steal reproductive organs.
• • Voice Actor: Kazuya Nakai

^{Momo Ayase and Turbo Nine} (IMDb)

The series merges occult beliefs with science fiction elements, while exploring themes of adolescence, romance, friendship, and personal growth beneath its supernatural and alien invasion plots. Its narrative style combines horror, science fiction, and comedy, featuring visually dynamic action sequences, varied camera angles, and intricate creature designs.

• Season 1: Consists of 12 episodes. It premiered in Japan on 4 October 2024 and concluded on 20 December 2024.
• Season 2: Also consists of 12 episodes. The television broadcast began on 4 July 2025 (available on digital platforms from 3 July 2025) and ended on 19 September 2025. It adapts the “Cursed House” and “Evil Eye” arcs from the original manga.
• Season 3: Announced on 21 December 2025, following the finale of Season 2. Production is underway, with a planned release in 2027.

• Dan Da Dan: First Encounter (2024): A special theatrical compilation of the first episodes of Season 1. It premiered in Japan on 31 August 2024.
• Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye (2025): A theatrical release featuring the first three episodes of Season 2. It premiered in international cinemas on 30 May 2025 in Asia, 6 June 2025 in the United States, and 7 June 2025 in Europe.

^{Momo Ayase and Okarun} (IMDb)

Dandadan has received numerous awards and nominations from leading industry organizations in both manga and anime formats. The original manga ranked second in the Web Manga category of the 7th Next Manga Awards in 2021, placed seventh in the 2022 15th Manga Taisho (Grand Manga Award) voting, and was among the winners of the prestigious 71st Shogakukan Manga Award in 2026.

The television anime adaptation received a total of 22 nominations at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, earning the title of the most nominated production of the year. It won awards in several categories including “Best Character Design” (Naoyuki Onda), “Best Opening Sequence,” and “Best Anime Song” (“Otonoke” by Creepy Nuts). Additionally, the series was honored with the “Japan Anime Trend Award” at the 2024 Abema Anime Trend Awards.