Summary
- Dandadan’s unique blend of humor, emotion, and action has captured viewers’ attention.
- The show follows shonen anime conventions but stands out with a ridiculous yet engaging plot.
- With the potential for character and plot development, Dandadan may rise to become a top shonen anime.
Okarun and Momo’s hilarious story has made Dandadan a great success. Dandadan follows a ridiculous and chaotic journey while also being emotional and heart-touching. Due to its unusual yet entertaining plot, the show has caught many eyes. Will the anime continue to live up to its fame with a sequel in the works?
Shonen anime is known for its action-packed stories and iconic characters. Dandadan‘s first season proved that it is a solid anime. The supernatural setting paired with Okarun’s newly gained abilities to fight them caters to the large shonen audience. He is supported by a cast of unique characters like Momo, Aira, and Turbo Granny. Their synergy makes the show hilarious, while their sad backstories also help build a strong connection with the viewers. But is all of this enough to raise Dandadan as the next big shonen?
Related
Ghosts, Aliens, and Romance: How Dandadan Breaks Anime Genre Conventions
Dandadan pushes the boundaries of anime storytelling by refusing to conform to traditional genre expectations.
What Makes a Shonen Great?
The beauty of Shonen lives in its versatility. It’s a vast genre that covers almost every other sub-genre, plot, and theme. This allows it to easily appeal to many people. Over the years, Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach have been considered to be the three biggest shows in the genre. While their plots are largely different, they share various similarities. They are all set in their own unique vast worlds with a large cast of characters. Their stories are led by passionate protagonists who move largely based on their personal beliefs and emotions. Though these protagonists are not perfect, they continuously grow throughout the story because of loyal friendships and strong encounters.
Shonen anime is usually guided by a primary goal. For Naruto, it was becoming Hokage; for Luffy, it was finding One Piece. While for Ichigo, it was as simple as always protecting his family and friends. This not only structures the story but keeps the viewers invested as they watch the protagonist constantly reach closer to the known goal.
In recent years, shows like Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen are at the forefront of the genre. Similar to the Big Three, they share passionate protagonists who are actively walking towards their goals. But these shows have observed a great reduction in the total number of episodes. The plot moves much faster, is more complex, and has a more consistent timeline. Modern shonen also greatly values good animation. Often, shows with great plots have failed because of underwhelming animation.
What did Dandadan do Right?
Dandadan loosely follows the structure of popular shonen anime. We meet Okarun, who stands out from society and finds it impossible to make friends. But as the story progresses, and he starts making friends, we see how deeply he cares about them and fights to protect them. He also gains supernatural powers, which allow him to fight various yokai and aliens. To distinguish itself, Dandadan heavily relies on humor and unusualness.
Compared to other shonen, Okarun’s goal seems ridiculous. While someone like Tanjiro hopes to fight demons to heal his sister, Okarun simply wants to get his kintama back. This is not necessarily bad, since it allows the show to begin in a light-hearted tone. But as the anime has proceeded, we have seen it pick up pace. Action scenes have become more exciting, and the inclusion of backstories and strong emotions has made episodes more impactful. Stronger enemies have also started appearing, which has slowly increased the intensity of the show.
Will Dandadan Continue to Shine?
Dandadan is still in its early phases. We are still getting introduced to the various characters and how they impact the overall plot. At the moment, the main focus of the plot seems short-term, but it has the potential to build itself. Yokai and aliens are a constant threat and through the coming episodes, we might see Okarun understand the significance of constantly fighting them and protecting others.
It is also worth noting that existing popular anime like Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia are close to an end. They are close to their final arcs/seasons. This leaves room for Dandadan to soon take their place as the genre’s next big show.
Related
Dandadan Season 2 Releases First PV
Dandadan returns in 2025 with thrilling arcs, new battles, and rising stakes. Catch the latest updates on its second season and what to expect!
The first season has already seen a lot of success. Compared to other ongoing anime, Dandadan‘s amusing and strange setting makes it one of a kind. If the plot continues to grow along with its characters, it wouldn’t be surprising to find it at the top of the genre.
Dandadan is currently available to watch on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu.
