Episode Air Date
11-07-2025
Warning: The following contains minor spoilers for Dandadan, Episode 1, “That’s How Love Starts, Ya Know!”, now streaming onCrunchyroll.
The wait is finally over and Science Saru’s adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’sDandadanhas begun - and with one of the most frenetic, fun, and stylish season premieres in ages to boot. From the standout performances of its two leads to a methodical command of pacing,this eclectic blend of the supernatural and sci-fiwill be the easiest series to become addicted to all year.
Dandadanis an action-packed occult romantic comedy following the misadventures of a boy who believes in aliens but not ghosts and a girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens. When they realize that they’re both right, their lives change forever and supernatural encounters become commonplace as they become closer and discover the powers within themselves to fight back.
Dandadan Wastes Zero Time
It’s often said that the ending is paramount, but this can be just as true for the beginning. After all, the journey might be what’s truly important, but one has to be compelled to take the journey in the first place. Crafting a good season premiere is an art and there’s nooneright way to do it, butDandadancertainly nails it more than most, and it’s not just because of how much is crammed into it. Granted, thatisa part of it, but it’s more that the episode feels like a standalone short film.
It comes full circle in such a clever and charming way, all while telling the viewers everything they need to know about these characters. Before any of that, however, the opening theme, “Otonoke,” by Creepy Nuts kicks things into high gear with an aesthetic sampling platter of the insanity to come. There’s no time for cold opens around here - this show has little time to waste, and it will make use of every second to make you fall in love with this story.
Looking for Love in All the Wrong Faces
As quickly as the opening theme assaults the senses, the story just as briskly leaps to introduce Momo Ayase (Shion Wakayama), right as she’s getting dumped. Momo just wants a tough guy who reminds her of famed Japanese actor Ken Takakura, but as her friends are quick to remind her, that kind of guy is extinct. Her ex might have looked the part, but otherwise, he was a complete jerk, and nowMomo despairs her futile search for love.
Her sulking leads her to a boy being bullied, and after she helps him out, the boy (Natsuki Hanae) strikes up a conversation about aliens. This turns to bickering as their aforementioned disagreement about aliens versus ghosts escalates until they dare each other to visit opposing paranormal hot spots to prove the other wrong. The story moves quickly, and the banter never fails to keep up, but this rapid-fire intro merely paves the way for what truly makes the premiere so special.
It Started with a Dare
As discussed in our review ofthe theatrical screening of the first three episodes, there is a balance between chaos and calm that - if lacking - would probably make for a far less engaging story. The crazy action - of which the premiere’s climax certainly has plenty - is only so impactful because of the time spent getting to know Momo and the boy, nicknamed “Okarun” later in the story.
Momo is an immediately mesmerizing lead with a lot of dimension to her character apparent just by the five-minute mark. She’s ferocious and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind, but she’s also a romantic, and above all, there’s a kindness beneath her sometimes imposing exterior. Okarun is similarly dynamic, in that his shyness quickly evaporates the longer he spends time with Momo, revealing quite a manic personality and a propensity for being a little savage at times too.
Calling their chemistry “good” isn’t doing it justice. Just as they talk on the phone to keep each other from losing their nerves, the tension in their creepy surroundings is similarly defused. They talk about why they believe in ghosts/aliens and the anecdotes are charming and even a little sad. Kensuke Ushio’s score complements the sentimentality of this scene as beautifully as it does the action that follows.
When Spirits and Aliens Clash
It’s difficult to know where to begin an appraisal of the visuals outside of pointing to the trailers. Science Saru is no stranger to expressive and diverse animation, but their work with this adaptation has thus far exceeded expectations. Director Fuga Yamashiro might technically be making his debut as a main director here, but he’s been the assistant director tostudio founder Masaaki Yuasa for yearson many of the studio’s biggest projects.
As such,Dandadanis an expectedly beautiful series, especially in its camera work and character animation. The entire scene with Momo exploring the abandoned hospital is a great example of both working in tandem to enrich the vocal performances, build the atmosphere, or just create as many cool-looking shots as possible. It accomplishes all of this while preserving the manga’s style and dramatic pacing, which was a big priority according to Yamashiro.
Episode 1 Ends on a High Note
Even amid the chaos, there remains an earnestness to the character writing that makes Momo and Okarun feel so much closer by the end of just a single episode.
The climax of the premiere is pure perfection as Momo and Okarun’s unrelated brushes with the unknown converge in an outrageously colorful battle. The pace quickens once more and between the spirit that’s weirdly fixated on Okarun’s penisand the similarly perverted aliensinterested in Momo, the weird factor is at its peak. The more unsettling implications are cushioned by the humor, if not the breakneck speed at which it introduces so many variables.
Even amid the chaos, there remains an earnestness to the character writing that makes Momo and Okarun feel so much closer by the end of just a single episode. They’ve had their deepest-held beliefs challenged and simultaneously validated, new powers forcibly awoken, and a quest thrust upon them. Combined with one last hilarious curveball that brings the episode full circle, this is an awesome start to one of the most anticipated anime of 2024. So far,Dandadanwas worth the wait.
