English Dub Review: Dandadan “That’s How Love Starts, Ya Know!”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

High schooler Momo believes in ghosts but not aliens.  One day, she argues with a UFO-obsessed classmate who is skeptical of spirits. 

Our Take:

Well, it’s that time of year again, ladies and gentlemen!  The leaves are changing colors, the weather’s getting colder, and the new horror-esque content is dropping like flies.  Today’s giving us plenty of new horror options to watch at home, but the option I’m looking at today is the latest anime from Science Saru.  One that provides elements from sci-fi, romance, and supernatural horror and mashed them all into one unorthodox package.  Considering my enjoyment of the three genres, how could I not be interested?  However, the question I should be asking is whether this combination makes for a worthy recommendation for anime fans.

Dandadan introduces us to one of the show’s protagonists, Momo Ayase, who recently got dumped by her boyfriend and is obsessed with the supernatural.  However, her beliefs come into conflict with her nerdy classmate, Ken Takakura, when he states he doesn’t believe in ghosts but has an intense fascination with aliens.  So, what’s the best solution to handle this debate?  Why, by visiting the most dangerous places to prove which one’s right, of course, because nothing can go wrong from heading into unknown territory.  Well, that’s when these distinct classmates were wrong.  Their bet immediately transformed into the adventure of their lifetimes when Takakura became cursed by a spirit called Turbo Granny, and Momo got abducted by some horny aliens wanting to bang her.  However, in the process, Momo gained psychic abilities from her unlocked chakras, which she’ll definitely need to keep Turbo Granny’s curse under control.  Oh, by the way, Turbo Granny stole Takakura’s genitals, and the two have to get them back.

There has been a lot of solid word of mouth surrounding Dandadan.  Many people who saw the first three episodes early due to Dan Da Dan: First Encounter has been singing praises like it’s the next big anime of 2024.  Based on my experience with the first episode, I’m starting to feel convinced that I should get on this hype train.  Not only did it offer a unique and compelling approach to the sci-fi horror genre, but it’s also remarkably stylized thanks to Science Saru, the same company behind another stellar anime-influenced series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.  The main protagonists also provided an opportunity to be another anime couple worth watching, thanks to their characteristics and vocal performances by Abby Trott and A.J. Beckles.  Of course, this is the beginning of this unorthodox journey, so we’ll see if this is really another anime hit worth watching.