Like many individuals, I’ve been unbelievably hyped for the upcoming launch of the Dandadan anime adaptation.
The sequence is among the strongest new sequence Shonen Bounce has beneath its umbrella in the intervening time. Its mix of occult and sci-fi with teen romance and comedy is a novel one. And whereas it may not be the subsequent Chainsaw Man, it definitely 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 every other sequence. As an alternative, the Dandadan anime is able to be its personal phenomenon.
It doesn’t waste any time pursuing this objective 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 a view to receive some unknown powers. And to make issues worse, Momo realizes that Okarun is her ideally suited man.
It’s loads to course of, however the Dandadan anime presents all of it masterfully. Every story beat is launched in a quick but efficient approach, and the sequence flows effortlessly from one chaotic second or revelation to the subsequent. I used to be actually 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 may solely dream of.
That is one thing essential to deliver up: The Dandadan anime adaptation doesn’t add any pointless fluff in anyway. It focuses wholeheartedly on conveying the story from the manga, which very a lot works in its favor. At most, it adjustments up sure scenes to work higher with its new medium, and the tip outcome is a superb compromise for telling the story as near the best way that it was meant as attainable.
And naturally, there’s the animation supplied by the crew at Science Saru, which is a minimize above virtually each different present. Just like Jujutsu Kaisen or Chainsaw Man, it looks like a movie-level manufacturing cut up up into commonplace episodes, full with common moments of Sakuga throughout battle scenes and comedy bits alike. Each battle is a spectacle to behold, and even essentially the most mundane race to the restroom looks like a significant prevalence because of how intently every body is animated.
Being a Science Saru joint although, it additionally options their trademark vitality and elasticity a la a reserved squash and stretch strategy. Characters transfer and bounce with simply sufficient cartoonish vitality to actually promote the fantastical components 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 properly that it finally ends up feeling pure earlier than lengthy.
Aiding the whole affair is the coloring and shading. Science Saru has masterfully chosen every body’s colour 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 vitality which grips you each step of the best way, and attracts you in so completely that you simply received’t even understand 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 needs to be given to Hanae Natsuki and Wakayama Shion for Okarun and Momo respectively, as each lend a tremendous vary of emotion and depth to their characters’ line deliveries.
And actually, the opposite voice actors gave some unimaginable performances. Turbo Granny looks like a suitably bonkers menace each time she utters her trademark line, and the Serpoians really feel correctly terrifying because of their degree 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 affect 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 may preserve happening and on, however the message stays the identical: The Dandadan anime appears to be a masterpiece within the making. I can’t look ahead to the sequence to kick off correctly in October, and the broader neighborhood ought to put together for the arrival of a brand new Shonen heavy hitter when it does.