Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Yukinobu Tatsu’sDandadanintroduces Japanese yokai and otherworldly occult science fiction monsters as part of its shonen romance adventure.Dandadanhas built up incredible hype over the past few months, becoming one of the most eagerly anticipated anime of the year.
Studio Science Saru delivers an unapologetically weird, stylish, and anarchic opener that marks it out as one of anime’s first must-watch shows in the Fall season, keeping fans anticipating more. Yukinobu Tatsu introduces viewers to two main lead characters, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, dealing with supernatural and alien threats.
While some may mistake Ken Takakura aka Okarun as the main protagonist, the creator designed Momo to be the story’s central character. To their surprise, the mangaka revealed he envisionedDandadanwith a female lead in mind, which eventually inspired Momo’s design.
WhyDandadan‘s Creator Was Determined to Feature a Female Protagonist
Anyone with their ear to the ground has likely heard the buzz aroundDandadan, an adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’s million-selling oddball manga. Unlike most anime that spend an episode or two explaining the backstory or its characters’ motivations,Dandadantakes a different approach with its brisk pace that prioritizes getting straight to the big moments.
The story revolves around high school classmates Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, aka Okarun. After a quick talk, eachrealizes they’re into slightly ‘out there’ interests. Momo believes in ghosts, while Okarun is mad at alien conspiracies. The anime is a treat for alien and occult fans, with much of its growing popularity driven by these enthusiasts.
You Cannot Unsee The Uncanny Similarity Dandadan Has With Seth Rogan’s $381 Million Underrated Masterpiece
While Okarun often steals the spotlight,Dandadanfocuses on Momo Ayase, as Yukinobu Tatsuhas expressed his intentto have a female lead from the start. In aninterview, the creator disclosed his interest in crafting a manga with a female protagonist. He said:
I had always wanted to draw a boys’ manga with a girl as the main character but it kept failing in serialization meetings, so I thought it would be better to have a boy next to her. I thought that there has never been a boys’ manga with a girl as the main character, and I thought that just by having a girl as the main character, the conflicts would change in many ways and patterns.
Tatsu also revealed that his lack of experience with female protagonists posed a challenge for him. Well, it seems the creator put a great deal of thought and effort into Momo’s character, as she’sbeen receiving plenty of praise and attention from fans.
Tatsu has also revealed that Okarun was a crucial character to enhance Momo’s likability, which was a clever choice as the duo has captured fans’ hearts.
Hideo Kojima’s Endorsement ofDandadan
With a career that stretches across nearly 40 years of game design, Hideo Kojima is one of the most experienced developers in the industry. Apart from being the mastermind behind theMetal GearandDeath Strandingfranchises, Kojima is well known forsharing his love for the anime and manga industry.
Interestingly, Kojima recently expressed his approval and shared howimpressed he was byDandadan‘s adaptation. Hideo Kojima praisedDandadanfor its unique animation style, stellar character designs, and voice acting on social media.
Dandadan’s Success May be the Latest Example of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man Effect
Hideo Kojima’s games are renowned for their artistic cinematics and surreal narratives, and given the eccentricity ofDandadanin its writing and animation, the story and presentation align perfectly with Hideo Kojima’s unique creative style.
Dandadanis available to stream on Netflix and Crunchyroll
Mehul Rolta
Articles Published :510
Mehul Rolta is a seasoned journalist with over 3 years in esports and soccer journalism. Transitioning to anime writing at Fandom Wire, Mehul shares his lifelong passion for anime about integrates professionalism. Dedicated to connecting the world of anime globally, Mehul shares thoughts and insights, communicating personal passion with professional insight.
