The first three episodes of Dan Da Dan will play in theaters beginning Friday, September 13. The series premieres on Crunchyroll October 3.
Dan Da Dan is one of the most highly anticipated anime series of the fall season, and its spectacular first three episodes demonstrate why. We’re introduced to Ayase (Shion Wakayama), a tomboy with a good heart and a background in the occult, and Takakura, a.k.a. Okarun (Natsuki Hanae), a lonely introvert with an interest in the extraterrestrial. The premise is a recipe for wild shenanigans: Two protagonists arguing about the existence of ghosts and aliens are then thrust into a reality where they have to deal with both simultaneously. Boasting animation from Scott Pilgrim Takes Off studio Science Saru, Dan Da Dan is a delight so far and kept me glued to the screen as new and interesting layers were added to Ayase and Okarun’s mysterious world. Through stunning visuals, direction, and performances, Dan Da Dan is off to an exceptional start, achieving heart amid all the supernatural chaos.
Ayase and Okarun are the primary reason why I’m enjoying this series. Between their playful bickering and openness to confide in each other, the duo has struck the unlikeliest of bonds through a series of unfortunate events regarding otherworldly entities. They’re complete opposites in many ways, but the passion they share for the otherworldly drives a lot of the amusing back and forth between their encounters with ghosts and aliens. Part of their charm is how quickly they take to each other while searching for a way to lift the curse that’s been placed on Okarun. Ayase’s obsession with actor Ken Takakura and Okarun’s desperation for a friend are additional facets to the characters that keep me invested in the story to come. Their dysfunctional relationship is the backbone of Dan Da Dan, and it’s looking strong from the get-go.
Wakayama and Hanae do a great job in their lead roles. Wakayama’s portrayal of the rebellious but caring Ayase shines through to match Dan Da Dan’s over-the-top reactions and subtle moments. Hanae also plays Tanjiro on Demon Slayer, and at times it’s hard not to hear that character in his performance. But it’s also somewhat fitting with how wholesome Okarun can be, alongside his freakouts and bouts of gusto. As with many shonen anime, there are opportunities for the cast to flex their vocal ranges, and both Wakayama and Hanae take full advantage of this across the first three episodes.
Likewise, Science Saru has proven its versatility and artistry with the critically acclaimed likes of Scott Pilgrim and DEVILMAN Crybaby. Similar to these series, Dan Da Dan showcases clean action-packed scenes with a lot of motion, but also has moments where the focus is a shot of a scene or character that conveys so much emotion (and, sometimes, anticipation) while remaining entirely still. There are fairly subtle sequences like Ayase walking down a hallway or her private conversation with Okarun where the over-the-shoulder perspective seeing the dejected young boy makes us feel bad as though we were the ones insulting him. Light and color are used to build suspense and visually differentiate between particular characters or matters of the occult and alien. (Even during the action sequences, colors continue to play a large role in setting the atmosphere.) There’s also a scene where silence is used to ratchet up the tension during a heated discussion. It’s these kind of directions that really make a difference in how the story is presented and consumed; from the very first minutes of the very first episode – which are satisfyingly called back to in a great moment of character growth later in the episode – Dan Da Dan’s animation is outstanding.
What’s fun about Dan Da Dan is the simplicity of its storytelling. I had a pretty good sense of how the rest of the series is going to go from the first episode alone; after three episodes, I feel confident in understanding who Ayase and Okarun are as individuals, and what their alliance will be like as the series continues. The second and third episodes provide some further details about the stranger aspects of this world, but nothing too hugely convoluted. If anything, episodes 2 and 3 only got me excited to see more Dan Da Dan. Ghosts and aliens are quickly accepted a fact of Ayase and Okarun’s lives, without getting too deep into the weeds about why. It’s quite refreshing, all things considered. What looks like the potential for a huge amount of exposition, turns into a hilarious sequence of events that puts all the essential info I needed to know out in the open in a simple and clear manner. Dan Da Dan doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it makes these eventful episodes an enjoyable watch.
