Okarun's Missing Marbles (And Other Appendages)
Everything started with a dare between Momo and Okarun. Momo agreed to visit a local alien sighting spot, while Okarun went to a notorious haunted tunnel. Turns out, both of them were right in their own beliefs: Momo was abducted by aliens, while Okarun was possessed by a spirit who stole his "kintama" (testicles).
Initially, both Momo's psychic abilities and Okarun's Turbo Granny transformations are unpredictable and often uncontrollable, leading to hilarious and dangerous missteps against enemies. However, through practice, battles, and guidance from more experienced spiritualists like Seiko, Momo's grandmother, they slowly begin to master their unique capabilities.
The aliens aren't just curious visitors; many are hostile, experimenting on humans, or seeking to exploit Earth's resources and spiritual energy. Similarly, the yokai they encounter range from mischievous to genuinely malevolent, with some seeking to cause widespread destruction or even usher in apocalyptic events.
Their fight becomes more about safeguarding the very fabric of reality against interdimensional and extraterrestrial "havoc." However, these two have a greater fight within themselves because of their romantic feelings for one another.
Dandadan's Characters
Momo Ayase
A fiery high school girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens. She awakens psychic powers (Psychokinesis, Power of Words, Aura Detection) after her encounter with the Serpoians. She also has a not-so-subtle crush on Okarun.
Ken Takakura / Okarun
The timid, occult-loving high school boy who believes in aliens but not ghosts. He is possessed by Turbo Granny after their initial encounter, gaining superhuman strength, speed, and other spiritual abilities. He has feelings for Momo
Seiko Ayase
Momo's eccentric but incredibly powerful grandmother and a spirit medium (also known as Santa Dodoria). She's the primary source of knowledge and guidance for Momo and Okarun in the supernatural world.
Turbo Granny
The powerful yokai who possesses Okarun and the cause of his stolen "kintama." Her consciousness often resides in a lucky cat statue. While a curse, she is also Okarun's main source of power and often acts as a chaotic ally.
Aira Shiratori
A popular girl at their school who also develops feelings for Okarun.
Jin Enjoji / Jiji
Momo's childhood friend and first crush who has feelings for Momo.
Thoughts on Dandadan
On the positive side, Dandadan's weirdness is its superpower. It fearlessly mashes together genres that shouldn't work: supernatural horror, sci-fi action, quirky comedy, and romance, all with a distinctive tone that is borderline absurd. This creates a uniquely unpredictable narrative where anything can happen. The fluid, dynamic animation elevates these wild concepts, making even the most outlandish scenes entertaining to the point you scoff at your TV because you both can't and can believe what's happening right in front of you.
However, Dandadan's commitment to its unique brand of bizarre can occasionally push boundaries that might not resonate with everyone. This is because some themes are easy to misinterpret, especially when involving underage characters who deal with certain delicate subjects. Some of its humor, particularly surrounding Okarun's stolen "kintama" or certain situations Momo finds herself in, can be explicit or crude, venturing into territory that some might find uncomfortable or unnecessary. I feel like this same story could have been better and appealed to a greater audience with older characters.
Despite these moments of potentially divisive weirdness, its energy is infectious, its characters are surprisingly endearing (despite their odd predicaments), and the sheer audacity of its storytelling makes it stand out. It's an anime that doesn't try to appeal to everyone, but for those who embrace its unique brand of chaos, it's a thrilling experience that offers fun all around.
