Science SARU did a stellar job adapting Yukinobu Tatsu's Dandadan, delivering one of the best anime releases of last year. The anime's popularity skyrocketed, with the series comfortably holding top spots on streaming platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll. The story of Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, navigating various supernatural and alien encounters while keeping romance at the forefront, captivated fans more than any other anime last year.
While romantic encounters and bizarre comedy surrounded by horrifying experiences set this shonen anime apart, it also delivered an unexpected emotional depth that fans didn’t anticipate. With its seamless blend of diverse elements, Dandadan sured all expectations, making it no surprise that both the anime production team and the flagship magazine, Shonen Jump, serializing Dandadan on its digital imprint, felt compelled to commemorate its success.
A Top Editor at Shōnen Jump Reveals the True Success of Dandadan's Release
Apparently, the Sales of Dandadan's Original Manga Have Doubled
Shihei Lin, a top editor at Shōnen Jump magazine known for his work on Spy x Family and Chainsaw Man, took to X to share the successes of the flagship’s products. Among them, he proudly highlighted the achievements of the global sensation Dandadan during its airing in the fall of 2024. Lin emphasized that Dandadan secured top spots on various streaming platforms, attributing this profound success to detailed discussions and the meticulous effort poured into the project.
Moreover, Shihei Lin shared that the anime's success also led to a significant reprinting of the original manga. According to data recently revealed by Japanese media outlet MANTANWEB, manga sales have doubled since the anime’s premiere. The unexpected surge in sales of Yukinobu Tatsu's original manga highlights an outcome the team hadn’t anticipated, as Lin emphasized in his post on X. While the editors at Shōnen Jump are surprised by the results, the effort poured into the anime is a clear testament to how Dandadan was crafted to sur expectations.
Science SARU Adapted Dandadan With Various Thematic Choices
The Director of the Dandadan Anime Reveals the Brilliant Strategy Behind Crafting the Series
The immense success of Dandadan can clearly be attributed to the effort put in by Science SARU. Known for consistently producing high-quality animations, the studio took a unique approach with Dandadan that is hard to overlook once noticed. This subtle yet impactful detail lies in the color palette used to depict different types of characters in the anime, particularly the villains.
During the anime's premiere in the fall of 2024, an interview with the director, Fuga Yamashiro, published by Anime Corner, revealed a unique creative decision behind the series. Yamashiro explained that each villain in the anime is presented with a distinct color palette to enhance storytelling through visual representation. Ghosts and spirits are depicted using warm color tones, symbolizing their close connection to humans. In contrast, aliens are portrayed with cool color patterns, emphasizing their mysterious and unfamiliar nature to humanity.
All 12 Dandadan Episodes, Ranked From Worst To Best
From the action and animation to the dark humor, each episode of Dandadan was worth returning to every week.
Moreover, the deliberate use of 3D CGI elements to craft the aliens further emphasizes their disconnection from humans. This choice was well-received by fans, showcasing Science SARU 's talent in effectively utilizing a technique that automatically categorizes an anime as bad. While Science SARU ’s adaptation stands out as a highlight, the manga’s narrative itself is a standout among other Shonen Jump titles, making it a significant factor in the anime’s massive popularity.
Yukinobu Tatsu's Dandadan Was Already an Underrated Masterpiece
Most manga produced by Shonen Jump typically exhibit the conventional traits of a shōnen anime. While these classic traits are beloved, their repeated use can make new manga feel predictable and lacking uniqueness. This is where Dandadan excels, blending diverse elements into the traditional shōnen formula to create something truly standout. From the outset, Dandadan signals its appeal to a more mature audience with dark humor and a bizarre central quest involving Okarun searching for his missing private parts.
While a few other Shonen Jump titles, such as Chainsaw Man, feature similarly absurd main quests, Dandadan further stands out by seamlessly incorporating romantic elements into its core narrative. This highlights the brilliance of Tatsu's writing, where other Shonen Jump manga struggle to even make romance a secondary theme, Dandadan boldly places it at the forefront.
This approach adds a layer of unique storytelling, keeping the narrative fresh and steering clear of predictable patterns. While the team at Shonen Jump may have been surprised by Dandadan exceeding expectations, the foundation for its excellence was already laid, and Science SARU adapted the manga brilliantly.
Two high school students, embroiled in a wager to prove the existence of ghosts or aliens, encounter daunting paranormal threats, acquire superpowers, and possibly discover love. The series blends supernatural elements with personal dynamics as the protagonists navigate their newfound abilities and unexpected challenges.
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