Dan Da Dan: First Encounter Review

Date: 2024 September 12 19:29

Posted by Joe

Dan Da Dan hits streaming services this October 2024. Ever since the anime adaption has been announced fans have been eagerly looking forward to it, not just because the manga is popular, but also because of the studio behind it - Science SARU who have released such amazing titles as Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Tatami Galaxy and Tatami Time Machine Blues. Science SARU are one those studios with cult appeal to anime fans, so the hype engine for this title was racing. Bunched together as a special preview the first 3 episodes will hit cinemas across the UK and Ireland on Friday 13th September 2024 under the title Dan Da Dan: First Encounter. We were lucky enough to get avoid getting abducted by strange beings and gained access to a special review screener. So let's find out is it actually any good?

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The story follows the misadventures of an unlikely teenage duo, brash gyaru girl Momo Ayase who believes in ghosts and spirits and such and nerdy loser boy Okarun who believes in UFOs and extraterrestrial beings. While Momo believes in ghosts she doesn't think aliens exist, while Okarun doesn't think ghosts exist. So to settle the argument Momo goes to an abandoned hospital where a UFO has been spotted and Okarun goes to a tunnel rumoured to be haunted. Of course being a paranormal anime both do exist, and both have out of this world encounters. Hilarity and slightly vulgar humour then ensues.


©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee

What we really enjoyed about the show is the pacing. In the pre-feature staff interview it mentions they were keen to keep the tempo of the manga. The series just takes off running straight away rather than build up and then action it sets the scene and then goes running with it.


©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee

The first thing that grabbed us is that it's very well directed. At times it feels like you're watching a movie. They take advantage of animations ability to easily switch angles. There's also some very clever and subtle budget saving measures as well. Most people wouldn't notice as it's not in your face, the cost saving is well hidden, unlike other shows that have static image of characters doing stuff in a montage.


©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee

Dan Da Dan is fast paced and as it's comedy action anime it's totally unpredictable. It's very silly and highly enjoyable. In the three episodes we watched it was perfectly balanced, there was just enough character development, plenty of action and lots of laughs. The third episode gives us more room to breathe and is used to explain more of the Dan Da Dan world and it's rules.


©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee

At times it feels like a shonen parody, it's playing with well known troupes and scenarios but putting it's own silly spin on it. We're really looking forward to where this show is going and believe it will live up to the hype. Science SARU have brought us anime's answer to the X-Files!

The series opens up the possibility of romance between Momo and Okarun, but knowing it's comedy roots we wouldn't take this for granted. It's clearly a series where anything could and will happen and that's the thing that makes it so great. Already three episodes in Dan Da Dan is a strong contender for anime of season, if not the year!

In anticipation for the release of the series they're be a special cinema screening around the UK and Ireland on Friday 13th September 2024. Dan Da Dan hits streaming services Crunchyroll and Netflix in October 2024.