Summary
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Dandadantook the internet by storm when it was first released in October 2024. A unique mix of aliens and ghosts, two of the most popular topics of conspiracy. Not only is the series a supernatural comedy, but its tongue-in-cheek humor and satire on society make it stand out from most other anime and manga.
From Aira having “main character syndrome”, to Jiji’s handsome but goofy personality, every episode and chapter isn’t afraid to delve into the nitty-gritty, or make full use of tropes and spin them on their head. Additionally, there’s also a commentary to be had on Japanese society as well.
Deconstruction and Reconstruction
From episode one, it’s already demonstrated that the characters ofDandadanare far more different than the average anime. Momo Ayase is a popular girl at school with a knack for fashion, but her fiery personality and genuine care show that she’s far from stuck up. Upon meeting Ken Takakura (Okarun), her inner nerd comes to the forefront, as both she and him are fans of the occult - albeit in different ways.
Moreover,Aira, their classmate, while introduced as stuck-up, secretly has an affinity for playing the “main character”. All the situations she ends up in, she equates them to her “destiny” as the “chosen one”. Plus, when she obtains Acro Silky’s powers, that only convinces her more that she’s special. Jiji, the handsome childhood friend of Momo, is far from aloof and is outgoing, friendly, and sometimes a bit air-headed.
Yet with all of these characters, their interactions work well together, as their quirks bounce off each other in their conversations, which makes it all feel natural. Thehumor inDandadanstems from character interactions and tongue-in-cheek vulgar humor to tell its story, as opposed to using classic tropes. For example, Okarun loses his genitalia at the beginning of the series. Eventually, he’s able to get some of it back, but hiskintama(金玉, “golden balls”) are still missing. This is a play on words, askintamais a slang term in Japanese. But the origin of the word itself implies a treasure. Moreover, in Shinto beliefs, tanuki (raccoon dogs) have largekintama, which hold treasure. Okarun, quite literally, lost his “golden treasure”.
Society is a Joke
Social and political commentary is an excellent addition to any comedy, if done correctly. In one arc, the aliens take over the school, moving Aira, Momo, and Okarun into an alternate dimension. Their purpose? Stealing Okarun’s genitalia. Working for them is a humanoid mantis shrimp (orThe Dover Demon), who the aliens frequently mistreat and scold for not meeting their expectations. After the battle, it’s revealed that his home planet is in turmoil, and they need a special liquid to survive. Said liquid is cow’s milk, which Momo’s grandmother offers to give him one of her cows, doubling down on the trope that aliens abduct cows. In order to provide for his family, he was extorted by the aliens in a similar fashion to how a black company (a business that exploits its employees) treats its workers in Japan.
Fictional Story, Real Problem
The overall narrative ofDandadanalso incorporates themes of cults. In Japan, there is areal problem involving cultsthroughout the country. So much so that infamous incidents such as theTokyo Subway Sarin Attackin 1995 were committed by cults. It’s also rumored that Tetsuya Yamagami himself is a cultist. In Jiji’s arc, the small town he lives in is superstitious and haunted by a yokai, Evil Eye, who was a child kept by a cult during his lifetime. While not portrayed in a humorous light, it sheds exposition on the unspoken issues of Japan. There are hundreds of reported incidents of attacks by cultists in rural Japan. The “Evil Eye” acts as a stand-in as well as commentary on how a child could be affected.
