Summary
- Characters in Dandadan hide personal struggles under a facade of happiness, revealing deeper issues.
- Each character, like Okarun, Aira, and Jiji, copes with inner turmoil while projecting a cheerful front.
- Despite comedic and chaotic moments, the series delves into darker themes, showcasing characters’ true selves.
Dandadan is filled with characters who have a penchant for trouble. And while many of the characters are hearty and full of life, many are facing some type of problem in their lives, contrary to their happy exterior.
While the anime is filled with joyful and chaotic moments, it’s easy to see when the characters break for tear-jerking or serious moments, revealing their serious side beneath the happy facade many display. Is there more to the character than their dramatic display of emotions, or are they troubled by something in their personal lives?
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How the Characters Portray Themselves
Dramatic Personalities Are Filled With Charisma That Does Not Give Away How They Really Feel
Dandadan is a comedic anime with charismatic, eccentric characters with memorable personalities. On the surface of the series, the characters are boisterous and full of life, bringing laughter to every scene with their dramatic personalities. However, once the moment has ended, their true personalities shine through.
Throughout the series, each time we see the characters, they are most likely involved in a battle or laughing and interacting with one another, providing comedic relief along the way, as we see in Chapter 1. However, although this chapter is filled with Momo and Okarun’s first meeting and their connection over the paranormal, it’s clear that Okarun has previously faced bullying from his classmates.
I don’t have any friends… so I thought aliens might wanna become my friend!!
Although Okarun has faced this mistreatment, as he has a dorky appearance and has a love for the occult, he never said anything or stood up for himself, allowing himself to become a doormat for his classmate’s continued harassment. On the surface, Okarun became more confident in himself thanks to Momo’s interference and his wish to make more friends; however, inwardly, Okarun struggles with his self-confidence as he feels unworthy of being Momo’s friend.
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Some of Dandadan’s dangerous and weirdest aliens in this series have an equally fascinating real-life counterpart.
While the series features numerous laughs and questionable events, it occasionally delves into darker themes, revealing the characters’ true personalities as the cheerful exterior momentarily slips away.
How the Characters Hide Behind Happy Facades
Each Character Deals With Their Problems and Does Not Wish to Burden Others With It
|
Arc |
Curse House |
|---|---|
|
Chapters |
28 – 50 |
|
Episodes |
11 – 12 |
Several instances show how the characters’ happy facades crumble. The first is, as mentioned above, with Takakura Ken or Okarun. Although Okarun is introverted, he tries hard to be cheerful, especially around Momo, as his feelings deepen and he seeks to become more confident.
Although Turbo Granny isn’t exactly known for her happy facade—she speaks crudely and lacks interest in others—she could be seen as neutral. However, there are several instances in which Turbo Granny participates in the shenanigans created by the others. Chapter 8 revealed that Turbo Granny has a softer side as she wanders about visiting the spirits of girls who have died unimaginable deaths, showcasing that she’s not as crude and nonchalant as she may seem.
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Dandadan: Every Yokai With A Real-Life Counterpart, Explained
The Yokai in Dandadan aren’t just creative ideas from the mind of the series’ creator, they’re almost all based on real-life myths and stories.
The same can be observed with Aira; she exudes confidence in her appearance, often claiming she is beautiful and can do as she pleases. Yet, beneath this confidence lies a hint of insecurity. Aira is frequently perceived as beautiful and popular, indicating her willingness to take drastic measures to maintain that attention, as seen when she spread rumors about Ayase Momo.
However, this backfires on Aira. As she grows closer to Momo and Okarun, she discloses that she initiated the rumor, leading to her social isolation and a decline in popularity. Even though Aira enjoys her friendship with Momo, Okarun, and Jiji, revealing the truth to her classmates deeply affects her, as evident in Chapter 51 when all her classmates disregard her presence. Despite Aira’s usual antics, this does bother her as a tear could be seen falling from her eye, although she quickly covers it up by being her normal self with Momo and Okarun, stating that her problems are none of their concern.
Cut the act… come with us.
One character that especially stands out is Enjoji Jiji, Ayase Momo’s childhood friend and first crush. When first introduced to Jiji to Okarun, he displayed himself as a cool, athletic character; however, upon speaking to the characters, his dramatic personality initially seemed annoying. At first, Jiji seemed like an eccentric character haunted by spirits in his home. However, we soon learn that he experiences horrifying nightmares that leave him unable to sleep, breaking the happy facade he displays to Momo and Okarun.
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Although Jiji presents himself as overly dramatic and eccentric, there are instances in which he becomes serious, such as when speaking to Okarun about Momo. Although Jiji displays a happy demeanor, it’s not as overly dramatic as the one he uses when around Momo, as it’s likely he only does this to get a rise out of her and make her smile.
- Okarun constantly battles his lack of confidence; however, he puts on a brave face and takes the podium when necessary.
- Aira is troubled by her new social standing, which took some time to accomplish. However, she plays it off as being unbothered.
- Despite Jiji’s eccentric personality, he is a caring and serious individual beneath the facade.
Throughout the series, it’s clear that many characters have personal problems they choose to cover up with a happy facade. However, when alone and not in the company of others, they quickly revert to their usual self, lamenting their issues before returning to their usual shenanigans with their friends. Overall, while many of their problems can be resolved, it does not take away from the fact that they hide behind happy facades to hide the issues they are currently facing.
Dandadan is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Based on Yukinobu Tatsu’s popular manga that debuted in 2021 on Shonen Jump+, Dandadan blends action, comedy, romance, and supernatural thrills to create a unique and satisfying adventure. Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura believe in the extraordinary, although the former believes in ghosts and the latter believes in aliens. Determined to confirm their side’s existence, they set out to find their proof.
- Seasons
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1
- Number of Episodes
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12