DAN DA DAN Episode 1 Review

Since the first trailers for Science SARU’s anime adaptation of DAN DA DAN released, viewers unfamiliar with Yukinobu Tatsu’s source material were likely caught off-guard by just how crazy the whole thing appeared to be. With its bright colours, adult themes, and off-the-wall depictions of a world filled with ghosts and aliens, DAN DA DAN made a lasting impression with its trailers – and finally, the first episode has landed.

There’s a lot to talk about with this premiere episode, but we’ll be keeping the spoilers to a minimum, so you can read ahead if you’re on the fence about diving into DAN DA DAN or not. Be prepared for mayhem, because this show is just as, if not more, insane than the trailers implied. With that being said, let’s get into the review!

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The Review

Image by Science SARU

Each season, there’s usually a brand new anime on the season that catches the eye of seasonal viewers all across the anime scene. A new series, unburdened by the restrictions of being a follow-up season, or spin-off, and this Fall season, that anime is DAN DA DAN. The manga the series is based on has certainly garnered a fanbase in the years since its publication, but in many ways, this anime feels like a new kid on the block, ready to impress in all sorts of innovative ways.

And to say DAN DA DAN‘s first episode screams ‘innovation’ is an understatement. The premiere episode begins with our first look at the show’s opening, which gives viewers a taste of the anime’s enigmatic flare. The opening is bursting with colour, shows off the series’ impressive animation, and even the music lets you know that this isn’t going to be anything like a regular old anime. Points to the episode off the bat for letting us experience the opening from the jump.

For those unfamiliar with the basic plot of DAN DA DAN, the story focuses on a pair of teenagers, one who believes in aliens and not in ghosts, and one who believes in ghosts, but not aliens. The contrast of beliefs lays an incredibly clever foundation to the show, a plot where contrasting beliefs find absurdity in anyone else’s belief of what they themselves find absurd. In many ways, the preposterousness of each character’s values, while downplaying values aside from their own, is a reflection of real life, and the complexity of people’s reactions to ‘the ludicrous’.

Image by Science SARU

As you may expect, both aliens and ghosts do happen to exist in this world, and of course, our pair of protagonists encounter them straight away. Speaking of our protagonists, I’m on the fence about how much I enjoy them. Our female lead, Momo Ayase, is an enjoyable hero, brazen and committed to her ideology, with a hint of headstrongness to keep her human. Our male protagonist, whose name I can’t say for spoiler reasons, feels like the complete opposite so far, and though this may work in the show’s favour down the line, so far he feels like an annoying ‘scaredy-cat’ trope. 

The episode does treat us to backstories for each of these characters though. It’s nice to see that the show is committed to fleshing out these characters, and particularly in the case of our male lead, I’m hoping that this approach will let me enjoy them more down the line. Without giving anything away, the backstories are solid, and I think the cast may become a highlight of the anime in future episodes.

A word of warning though, for any viewer going into DAN DA DAN completely blind – the anime is quite adult, in a way I’ve rarely seen in any anime on this scale. Those who have seen the trailers will know this already, but the ghosts and aliens in this series are…somewhat lewd. Where many anime may make use of lowbrow fanservice to appeal to an adult audience, DAN DA DAN’s creatures are so blatantly vulgar, it’s almost disarming – though I would be lying if I said it wasn’t hilarious.

Image by Science SARU

In line with the adult language, the first episode borders on some extremely adult themes, and for the more prudish viewers out there, there’s a case to be made that these topics are mishandled. On the other hand, the comedic twist that the show puts on pretty serious topics give it a unique side, and may stand out as one of its strengths down the line. It does kind of make you think, though, ‘what am I watching’ – more than a few times.

To sum up the first episode, this show is going to be a lot. In every sense of the word. The show grabs you by each of your senses, and throws you into a world filled with some of the most colourful and enigmatic depictions of otherworldly creatures in anime, and when combined with its adult themes, DAN DA DAN carves out its own lane this season, and even, this year.

I do worry a little that, amidst all of the chaos, the anime may be plagued by some of the more common anime tropes and themes. If the show is going to be bewildering, I do hope it leans into the wildness, and doesn’t shy away from commitment by relying on anime trademarks. What did you think of the premiere episode of DAN DA DAN? Let us know in the comments!

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Where to Watch DAN DA DAN?

Image by Science SARU

DAN DA DAN releases on Crunchyroll every week on Thursdays. The English Dub is also releasing weekly alongside the Japanese original, so big news for Dub watchers, you don’t have to wait! Be sure to check out the show, and let us know your thoughts!

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