Dandadan Season 1 Review: The Anime That Broke All the Rules in 2024

If you only watch one anime from 2024, make it Dandadan Season 1. This show arrived like a lightning bolt in the Fall 2024 lineup and refused to let go for all 12 episodes. Equal parts supernatural horror, rom-com chaos, and jaw-dropping animation, Dandadan Season 1 is the rare series that genuinely earns every bit of its hype.

I went in expecting a fun but forgettable action series. What I got was one of the most creative, emotionally resonant, and visually stunning anime in years. Here is my full breakdown of why Dandadan Season 1 deserves your time.

What Is Dandadan Season 1 About?

Dandadan Season 1 is based on the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. The story follows two high school students who could not be more different. Momo Ayase is a loud, confident gyaru who believes in ghosts and spirits. Ken Takakura, nicknamed Okarun, is a quiet otaku who is obsessed with aliens and UFOs.

Neither believes in what the other believes. So they dare each other to visit locations connected to their respective supernatural interests. Of course, everything goes completely sideways. Aliens are real. Ghosts are real. And now Momo and Okarun are suddenly thrown into a wild, dangerous, and hilarious world where they have to fight both.

That setup sounds simple, but the execution is anything but. Dandadan Season 1 uses this premise to tell a genuinely touching story about two lonely teenagers finding each other in the most chaotic way possible.

Dandadan Season 1 Characters: Why Momo and Okarun Work So Well

The heart of Dandadan Season 1 is the relationship between Momo and Okarun. On paper, they should be annoying. Momo can be bossy and hot-headed. Okarun starts the series as awkward and self-conscious to an almost painful degree. But together, they have a chemistry that makes every scene pop.

Their slow-burn romance is handled with a lot of care. The show never rushes it, and the awkward, sweet moments between them feel earned. There is genuine tension, real affection, and plenty of comedic misunderstandings that somehow never get old.

The supporting cast is equally strong. Acrobatic Silky, introduced later in the season, ends up being one of the most memorable side characters of the year. Her backstory, explored in episode 7, is genuinely moving and shows that Dandadan Season 1 is not just interested in action spectacle. It wants you to actually feel something.

Dandadan Season 1 Animation: Science SARU at Their Absolute Best

Let us talk about the animation, because Dandadan Season 1 is one of the most visually inventive anime productions in recent memory. Science SARU, the studio behind the series, has a reputation for pushing creative boundaries. Their previous work on Devilman Crybaby and Inu-Oh showed what they are capable of. With Dandadan Season 1, they took it even further.

Director Fuga Yamashiro uses every tool in the book. Aspect ratios shift mid-episode to emphasize scale. Color filters are used intelligently throughout the season: a red filter dominates the yokai battles, while a commanding neon green takes over during alien fights in episode 9. These are not just aesthetic choices. They are storytelling tools that help you understand what kind of threat the characters are facing before a single line of dialogue is spoken.

The show also plays brilliantly with drawing styles within the same episode. During comedic moments, characters are rendered in loose, goofy, simplified lines. The moment action kicks in, the lines sharpen, the detail explodes, and the screen becomes a kinetic painting in motion. It is a technique that constantly keeps you on your toes, and it works perfectly for Dandadan Season 1’s wild tonal shifts.

The opening theme, Otonoke by Creepy Nuts, became a viral sensation almost immediately after the show premiered. Creepy Nuts already had anime fans’ attention after their Bling-Bang-Bang-Born for Mashle Season 2, but Otonoke may be even better. The visuals in the OP alone are worth watching on repeat.

Dandadan Season 1 Episode Highlights You Cannot Miss

Dandadan Season 1 is consistently strong across all 12 episodes, but a few stand out as must-watch moments.

Episode 1: The Perfect Introduction

The premiere episode does an extraordinary amount of work in under 30 minutes. It introduces both leads, establishes the tone, delivers genuine horror, genuine comedy, and even a hint of romance. It adapts the entire first chapter of the manga, which runs to 68 pages, and makes it feel effortless. The production quality here signals immediately that this is not a standard anime adaptation.

Episode 7: The One That Will Break Your Heart

Episode 7 is the emotional peak of Dandadan Season 1. The backstory of Acrobatic Silky is revealed through quiet, beautifully animated sequences using soft borders and a gentle piano score. It recontextualizes the character completely and transforms what could have been a side villain into one of the most heartbreaking figures in the season. If you are not emotionally affected by this episode, I do not know what to tell you.

Episode 9: Maximum Chaos

Episode 9 is pure spectacle. The alien confrontation here showcases Science SARU’s ability to blend completely different animation styles within a single episode in a way that feels intentional and exciting rather than inconsistent. The neon green color filter returns in full force, and the action choreography is some of the best of the year.

Dandadan Season 1 Review: Should You Watch It If You Have Not Read the Manga?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, the Dandadan Season 1 anime is widely considered an upgrade over the manga in several respects. The animation adds layers of visual storytelling that the source material, impressive as it is, simply could not achieve on the page. The voice cast, particularly Shion Wakayama as Momo and Natsuki Hanae as Okarun, brings a warmth and energy to the characters that makes them even more endearing than their manga counterparts.

If you are completely new to the story, Dandadan Season 1 is an excellent entry point. The world-building is organic and never overwhelming. You do not need any prior knowledge of the manga to follow along and enjoy every moment.

If you are a manga reader coming to the anime, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. Some moments are executed better in animation than they were on the page, which is a genuine achievement for any adaptation.

What Are the Weaknesses of Dandadan Season 1?

No review of Dandadan Season 1 would be honest without addressing its rough edges.

The first episode contains content that some viewers may find uncomfortable, particularly around a scene involving a threat to Momo that has sexual undertones. The show handles it with more care than the manga did, and it is framed in a way that centers Momo’s agency and strength rather than her vulnerability. But it is worth knowing about before you dive in, especially if this kind of content is a dealbreaker for you.

The season also does not end in a traditional sense. There is no clean resolution. The story simply pauses rather than concludes. This is not a surprise given the show was always planned as a single 12-episode cour, and Season 2 has already been announced for summer 2025. But if you prefer your anime seasons to feel complete, you may want to wait until both seasons are available before starting.

Dandadan Season 2: What to Expect Next

Dandadan Season 2 is confirmed for the summer 2025 season. Based on the manga content yet to be adapted, fans can look forward to deeper development of the overarching supernatural mystery, more reveals about Okarun’s powers, and further exploration of the broader cast. The story gets bigger and stranger from here, and if Science SARU maintains the production quality from Season 1, Dandadan Season 2 could genuinely surpass its predecessor.

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Dandadan Season 1 Review: Final Verdict

Dandadan Season 1 is not just a great anime. It is a statement about what the medium is capable of when a talented studio, a brilliant source material, and a dedicated production team all align. It is funny, terrifying, moving, and visually spectacular, often all within the same episode.

This is the kind of series that reminds you why anime is unlike anything else in entertainment. The characters feel real, the world feels alive, and every episode left me immediately wanting more. Dandadan Season 1 is a near-flawless television achievement.

Give it at least three episodes before you decide. I am confident most of you will not stop there.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dandadan Season 1

Is Dandadan Season 1 worth watching?

Yes, Dandadan Season 1 is one of the best anime of 2024. It combines stunning animation from Science SARU with a genuinely funny and emotional story. Whether you enjoy action, romance, comedy, or horror, Dandadan Season 1 has something that will hook you.

How many episodes does Dandadan Season 1 have?

Dandadan Season 1 has 12 episodes. It aired during the Fall 2024 anime season and was simulcast on Crunchyroll.

Does Dandadan Season 1 have a proper ending?

Dandadan Season 1 does not have a conclusive ending. The story pauses at the 12-episode mark rather than wrapping up a major arc. Season 2 has been confirmed for summer 2025, so the story will continue.

Who made Dandadan Season 1?

Dandadan Season 1 was animated by Science SARU, directed by Fuga Yamashiro, with scripts by Hiroshi Seko. The series is based on the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, published in Weekly Shonen Jump.

Is Dandadan Season 1 better than the manga?

Many fans and critics consider the Dandadan anime an upgrade over the manga in terms of presentation. Science SARU adds dynamic color work, innovative cinematography, and exceptional voice performances that elevate the source material significantly.

Is Dandadan Season 1 suitable for younger viewers?

Dandadan Season 1 contains mature themes, horror elements, and content that is not suitable for young children. The first episode in particular carries a content warning. It is best enjoyed by teenage and adult audiences who are comfortable with seinen-adjacent content.

Where can I watch Dandadan Season 1?

You can watch anime online including Dandadan at 9anime-tv.pro, where a wide selection of current season and classic anime titles is available.