Welcome to the Animeniac podcast and Newsletter— Today, we’re talking about Dandadan, the anime that throws ghosts, aliens, teenage awkwardness, and complete chaos into a blender and somehow makes it work. It’s got an 8.5/10 on IMDb, and a 9.4/10 on screen rant, people are losing their minds over it, but does it actually slap? Or are we all just nodding like we understand what’s happening? Let’s get into it.

What even is Dandadan?

Alright, picture this: a girl who believes in ghosts, a guy who believes in aliens, and both of them being 100% wrong. Naturally, they both get dragged into an all-out supernatural war featuring cursed objects and an alien heist involving the main character’s balls (yes, really). Our main guy Okarun literally has his golden ball stolen by aliens, and if that doesn’t scream “anime was a mistake,” I don’t know what does.

It’s weird, it’s chaotic, but somehow—it works.

How popular is Dandadan?

This isn’t just another anime season filler—it’s one of the most hyped anime of the year 2024, ranking #2 in overall anticipation. And it’s not just talk—. Now, a new report from Japanese media outlet MANTANWEB has revealed that the sales of Dandadan's original manga have doubled since the anime's premiere. So what’s the deal? Why is this anime popping off? Let’s break it down.  

Animation - Science SARU Doing Science SARU Things

Dandadan is brought to life by Science SARU, the same studio that gave us Devilman Crybaby and Ride Your Wave—which means, yeah, they’re not here to follow “normal” anime rules. The animation is slick, chaotic, and experimental, shifting between high-intensity action and goofy facial expressions in the blink of an eye. Some fans are obsessed. Others? Not so much.

One complaint is that certain scenes feel a little janky compared to the manga’s ridiculously detailed art. But let’s be real—translating that insane level of detail into fluid animation isn’t easy. Overall, though? It’s still a visual feast.