Like many individuals, I’ve been unbelievably hyped for the upcoming launch of the Dandadan anime adaptation.
The sequence is likely one of the strongest new sequence Shonen Leap has below its umbrella for the time being. Its mix of occult and sci-fi with teen romance and comedy is a novel one. And whereas it may not be the following Chainsaw Man, it actually has the potential to be one of many greatest Collection the publication has now that My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen have wrapped up.
Now, having seen the primary three episodes of the anime by way of the First Encounter early pre-screening occasion placed on by GKIDS Movies, I’m assured that it isn’t set to fill the gaps left by another sequence. As a substitute, the Dandadan anime is able to be its personal phenomenon.
It doesn’t waste any time pursuing this purpose both. The story follows Takakura Ken — aka Okarun — and Ayase Momo, two teenagers who’re into extraterrestrial phenomena and the supernatural respectively. After a dare gone flawed to show their respective hobbies are actual, Okarun is possessed by the malicious Turbo Granny whereas Momo is kidnapped by aliens and has her non secular powers woke up.
Whereas the 2 escape unhurt, Okarun is left with out his bundle and should retrieve it from the Turbo Granny with Momo’s assist; all whereas aliens pursue them with the intention to acquire some unknown powers. And to make issues worse, Momo realizes that Okarun is her excellent man.
It’s quite a bit to course of, however the Dandadan anime presents all of it masterfully. Every story beat is launched in a quick but efficient method, and the sequence flows effortlessly from one chaotic second or revelation to the following. I used to be truthfully shocked that it managed to breeze via the pilot chapter in just one episode, and that each main plot level was unveiled with the form of time and element different sequence might solely dream of.
That is one thing vital to deliver up: The Dandadan anime adaptation doesn’t add any pointless fluff in any respect. It focuses wholeheartedly on conveying the story from the manga, which very a lot works in its favor. At most, it modifications up sure scenes to work higher with its new medium, and the top outcome is a good compromise for telling the story as near the way in which that it was meant as attainable.
And naturally, there’s the animation offered by the workforce at Science Saru, which is a minimize above virtually each different present. Much like Jujutsu Kaisen or Chainsaw Man, it seems like a movie-level manufacturing break up up into customary episodes, full with common moments of Sakuga throughout battle scenes and comedy bits alike. Each battle is a spectacle to behold, and even probably the most mundane race to the restroom seems like a significant incidence due to how intently every body is animated.
Being a Science Saru joint although, it additionally options their trademark power and elasticity a la a reserved squash and stretch method. Characters transfer and bounce with simply sufficient cartoonish power to essentially promote the fantastical parts of the present, whereas additionally making comedic bits hit that rather more successfully. It may be a bit of unusual at first, however suits with the aesthetic of Dandadan so effectively that it finally ends up feeling pure earlier than lengthy.
Aiding all the affair is the coloring and shading. Science Saru has masterfully chosen every body’s shade palette, leading to scenes which completely convey every second’s feelings by way of vibrant hues or extra muted tones. It lends the entire sequence an elastic power which grips you each step of the way in which, and attracts you in so completely that you just received’t even notice you’ve bombed via three episodes in report time.
We’d even be remiss to not make point out of the audio. The Japanese dub was used for the Dandadan anime preview screening, and each voice actor completely killed it. Explicit kudos must be given to Hanae Natsuki and Wakayama Shion for Okarun and Momo respectively, as each lend an incredible vary of emotion and depth to their characters’ line deliveries.
And truthfully, the opposite voice actors gave some unimaginable performances. Turbo Granny seems like a suitably bonkers risk each time she utters her trademark line, and the Serpoians really feel correctly terrifying due to their stage and deadpan deliveries.
Supporting all of this additional is the sound design and OST. The sequence’ sound results subtly promote the variations between the aliens and Yokai with notable sound cues and vocal distortions, and those used throughout battles actually promote the influence and weight of every strike. The OST, in the meantime, is hyperactive and considerate in equal measure, with the opening theme Otonoke by Creepy Nuts being an ideal illustration of this.
I might preserve happening and on, however the message stays the identical: The Dandadan anime seems to be a masterpiece within the making. I can’t await the sequence to kick off correctly in October, and the broader group ought to put together for the arrival of a brand new Shonen heavy hitter when it does.