Is Dandadan Worth the Hype?
If you've been anywhere near anime social media this season, you've heard the name Dandadan. It's exploded in popularity, and from the very first episode, it's easy to see why. With incredible animation from the legendary studio Science SARU and a story that is both wildly original and completely unhinged, Dandadan is a show that demands your attention.
But is it all just hype? Let's break down its vibe, storytelling, and characters to see if it's the right fit for you.
The Vibe: A Chaotic Fusion
Let's get this out of the way: Dandadan is weird. It's really, really freaking weird.
The best way to describe its initial feeling is a chaotic fusion of Chainsaw Man and Mob Psycho 100. It captures the chaotic, wacky energy of Mob Psycho and blends it with the grounded, messy, and sometimes uncomfortable vibe of Chainsaw Man. You can see this in the colorful spirit battles, the vulgar yet authentic characters, the distinct visual style, and the inclusion of uncomfortable sexual themes.
The Story: A Cinematic Rollercoaster
The premise is simple: two high school students are thrown into bizarre circumstances after discovering that both aliens and ghosts are real. Their budding friendship is the heart of the story, but beyond that simple setup, the plot goes completely off the rails—in the best way possible.
The pacing is super fast. Every episode flies by, packed with action, humor, and genuine heart. It has a cinematic quality that pulls you along for the ride. The trade-off for this breakneck pace is that there isn't a ton of deep world-building or a meticulously explained power system. But that's okay—Dandadan isn't trying to be that kind of show. It's a character-driven thrill ride first and foremost.
The Characters: Authentic and Crass
The characters themselves are great, but it's the relationships between them that truly shine. They are written with confidence and feel authentic; no one falls into a simple anime archetype. In this way, it again feels a lot like Chainsaw Man—the cast is crass, honest, and uniquely flawed.
While the core cast starts small, each new character introduced adds a fresh dynamic that keeps the story feeling exciting and new.
A Content Warning: It Gets Weird
This is a major aspect to consider. The violence isn't overly brutal or bloody compared to many other shows. However, the sexual content is a significant element and worth a warning for those sensitive to it.
There's no nudity, but the plot heavily revolves around perverted ghosts and… genitals. There are also threats of sexual violence. This is where it feels most like Chainsaw Man, but it's crucial to note: this is not fan service. The sexual content is portrayed more as a threat or an absurd joke than something titillating. It has a much lighter overall vibe, even when dealing with dark topics.
The Animation: A Visual Spectacle
While story and characters are always king, Dandadan’s animation is so good it demands a mention. Studio Science SARU has outdone themselves. The fight scenes are flashy, dynamic, and awesome. Even the most mundane moments are filled with expressive character animation and creative direction.
The art style is a bit weird, but it perfectly matches the show's unique vibe, never venturing so far into strangeness that it becomes off-putting. This incredible fluidity and creativity in the animation is the aspect that feels most like Mob Psycho.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
Dandadan is really great. While it may not have immense philosophical depth from the start (though that may develop as the main characters' friendship grows), its funny, edgy vibe combined with stellar storytelling and animation makes it an incredibly enjoyable watch.
Unless the sexual content and general weirdness are absolute deal-breakers for you, it is absolutely worth watching. Give the first episode a shot to see if its unique vibe clicks with you. You'll know within those first 20 minutes if you're along for the ride.
Looking for something much, much less weird? Check out our review of Trillion Game [here]!
What did you think of Dandadan? Let us know in the comments!
This review is based on the first few episodes of the anime.
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