Dandadan Anime Could Become Bigger than Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer

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As a seasoned cinephile with a soft spot for anime that hails from the era when VHS tapes were still king, I can’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation upon hearing about Dandadan. Having grown up on classics like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, I’ve witnessed firsthand how anime has evolved from a niche passion to a global phenomenon.

2024 might see the emergence of an unprecedentedly strange and exhilarating anime titled Dandadan, which some believe could become a global phenomenon, following in the footsteps of other international anime sensations. This prediction comes from a director at MBS TV, one of Japan’s leading anime television networks. Over the past few years, anime has gained immense mainstream popularity, transitioning from a niche interest to a widely accepted form of entertainment. Shows like DragonBall Z and One Piece helped pave the way for this acceptance, while contemporary hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba have further solidified anime’s place in the mainstream. With Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer being the standout shows of recent years, an industry expert posits that Dandadan could be the next groundbreaking addition to the world of anime.

I’m confident it will gain popularity as rapidly as Jujutsu Kaisen, Haikyuu!, and Demon Slayer do.

As a film enthusiast, I must say that the captivating series Dandadan transcends its Shounen anime classification. According to industry veteran Shinichi Tabuchi, this fresh anime is not just appealing to the young audience but also resonates with us older viewers. He describes it as a tale of dealing with unexpected situations while embracing each other’s uniqueness, making it an intriguing watch for all ages.

What Is Dandadan About?

As a film enthusiast, I find that Dandadan shares a similar vein with shows like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen, seamlessly blending action with supernatural elements. Created by Yukinobu Tatsu, this anime follows the adventures of Okarun, a young man who fervently believes in extraterrestrials, and Momo, a young woman who passionately believes in ghosts. In their quest to prove each other wrong, they uncover a shocking truth – both their beliefs are valid, and these entities are not only real but also extremely hostile. Throughout their journey, they’ll encounter, face off against, and occasionally team up with bizarre creatures inspired by Japanese Yokai (demons) and other popular spirits and urban legends. The official synopsis goes:

A tale unfolds about youthful romance and supernatural conflicts. As Momo and Okarun’s ideologies collide, they find themselves immersed in a realm filled with spirits, extraterrestrials, and dormant abilities that have been reawakened.

To achieve the status of “Demon Slayer” or “Jujutsu Kaisen”, Dandadan must captivate audiences beyond just manga fans. While it’s true that Dandadan is an extremely popular manga with a circulation of 3.2 million copies, its potential lies in appealing to individuals who may not have read manga before but are familiar with anime movies such as Studio Ghibli productions, “Akira”, or “Ghost in the Shell”. These audiences have likely encountered “Demon Slayer” or “Jujutsu Kaisen”. It’s a challenging feat to match their success, but given the unexpected popularity of series like Chainsaw Man, which revolves around a superpowered teenager with an unusual life mission, it’s not entirely out of reach.

Dandadan
streams on Netflix and Crunchyroll on October 6, 2024.

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2024-09-28 22:32