Those with their ears close to the ground will have heard the rumblings of Dan Da Dan, an adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu's million-selling oddball manga.
Thankfully, the premiere episode of the new anime – heading to Crunchyroll and Netflix – doesn't disappoint, with studio Science Saru delivering an unapologetically weird, stylish, and anarchic opener that marks it out as one of anime's first must-watch shows in the Fall season.
Even a cursory glance at the premise alone should clue you in to just how bizarre Dan Da Dan is. After violently breaking up with her first boyfriend, hotheaded Momo encounters the bookish Okarun (his real name is a brilliant full-circle moment that acts as the premiere's best punchline) being bullied.
Inevitably, he mistakes the basest of interactions for true love and, after a quick talk, each realizes they're into slightly 'out there' interests. Momo believes in ghosts, while Okarun is mad for alien conspiracies. The kicker? They're both completely dismissive of the other's beliefs. That delicious setup, when coupled with the opening credits overflowing with color and energy, makes an immediate impression – and it only snowballs from there.
Close encounters
To prove themselves right, they set a challenge: Momo is sent to an abandoned hospital known for UFO abductions and Okarun heads to a dark tunnel, a supposed hotspot for paranormal activity.
In a great twist, Momo is abducted by aliens and Okarun comes face to face with a deprecit, lewd, and crude spirit by the name of Turbo Granny.
The worlds of ghosts and aliens invariably then collide in the premiere's standout scene, an animation tour-de-force that sees Okarun (who has been cursed by Turbo Granny) crashing into the ship's interior via the medium of smartphone.
The Serpoians (from the planet Serpo, naturally) holding Momo captive are then quickly dispatched. A good thing, too. Their creepy stretched smiles combined with their emotionless stares and unhealthy obsession – to put it mildly – for reproducing with women and extracting their 'banana' means these aren't the sort of happy-go-lucky characters you want to outstay their welcome.
They also offer a window into some of the episode's more unsavory elements, namely the uncomfortable sexual scenes. For such a fiery and layered character, (the schoolgirl-aged) Momo sure spends a lot of time trapped in chains and laying on her back in various states of undress. At least the conclusion means Momo gets her own back in satisfying fashion, as she escapes, awakening her latent telekinetic powers, and soundly defeats the Serpoians.
Dan Da Dan's opening episode then sets up the story to come, for those who may still be on the fence after this paradoxical premiere of gleefully immature, yet charming, action: Momo is the only one who can stop Okarun's powers from controlling him (a clever narrative trick to keep the pair bound together), while Okarun is heading back to lift the curse from Turbo Granny. Most intriguingly of all, there are seeds of a love story planted amid the chaos.
Yes, despite a premiere packed with ghouls and UFOs, it's the sweet chemistry between the two leads that will have you coming back for more. It's a small moment, but it's best evidenced by the fact Momo quite quickly chooses to open up to her newfound companion, sharing that she doesn't have parents, but she's instead looked after by her grandma, herself a superstitious spirit medium.
Deeply protective and unashamed of it, Momo stands out from the wave of more one-dimensional protagonists who are quick to anger and even quicker to lash out. If anything, it's a shame that the quieter moments are lost in a cacophony of sound and mayhem as the first episode hurtles towards its breakneck conclusion – and leaves me wondering whether Dan Da Dan has crammed a little too much in to ensure fans return next week.
With a relentless pace and the sort of LSD-infused imagery that demands to be watched on a big screen (indeed, Dan Da Dan first premiered in cinemas last month), Dan Da Dan is a joy from start to finish. While some of the medium's rougher edges in regards to sexuality and objectification still remain, this is a glittering debut that should prove to be a gateway drug for many into the weirder, wilder sides of anime.
Dan Da Dan is now streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix. For more, check out the Dan Da Dan release schedule and our guides on Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 and Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War part 3.
