Review of Dandadan (Up to Chapter 176)

At the time of writing this review, I am up to date with Dandadan through chapter 175. The series gained initial fame, in part, due to its catchy anime opening theme and the notoriety of its creator, Yukinobu Tatsu, who was formerly an assistant to Fujimoto Tatsuki (Chainsaw Man). This background—alongside industry connections—helped the series find its footing. The manga’s rise coincided with the hiatus of Chainsaw Man, which allowed Dandadan to grow and nurture a fanbase. Its anime adaptation, bolstered by the viral popularity of its opening song, further propelled its visibility.

__The Premise
__
The story begins with an unusual friendship between Momo Ayase, a believer in spirits, and her classmate Ken Takakura, nicknamed “Okarun,” a UFO enthusiast. Their clashing beliefs prompt a playful challenge: Momo visits a UFO hotspot to prove aliens don’t exist, while Okarun ventures to a haunted tunnel to disprove the supernatural. What follows is a bizarre and chaotic tale blending young love, otherworldly encounters, and humor—infused with an overtly horny tone revolving around both spirits and aliens.

While the premise isn’t groundbreaking, it has potential if executed well. However, in my opinion, the execution is messy, and the narrative struggles to find coherence.

Strengths

The most undeniable strength of Dandadan lies in its artwork. Yukinobu Tatsu has delivered some of the most visually stunning panels in recent manga. The dynamic paneling, intricate designs, and vibrant depictions of yokai and aliens are truly eye-catching. The series oozes style, making it a visual treat. The character designs are appealing—almost to a fault—with the standout being a GILF-esque character who seems straight out of a crossover between Jujutsu Kaisen and Bayonetta. Tatsu has arguably surpassed Fujimoto in terms of pure artistry.

One notable arc, the Alien Invasion (chapters 97–120), exemplifies the series’ "rule of cool." It feels like a fusion of Gantz, Terra Formars, Eureka Seven, Tokusatsu, and Gainax productions, delivering an adrenaline-fueled, sugar-rush spectacle. Although the arc concludes with an anticlimactic ending, its chaotic energy is reminiscent of my teenage love for action-packed absurdity.

Weaknesses

Despite its artistic merits, the series falters in storytelling. While Momo and Ken are likable protagonists with potential, their development is often sidelined in favor of humor and shock value. The reliance on degeneracy (including rape and choking jokes), Reddit-style humor, and one-note character traits undermines any deeper narrative potential.

The plot becomes formulaic and repetitive: the protagonists embark on wacky adventures, absurd events ensue, transformations and cool monsters appear, rinse and repeat. The pacing suffers, particularly due to the Alien Invasion arc occurring too early in the story. This arc raises the stakes significantly, only for the narrative to return to lower-stakes adventures, creating a sense of de-escalation. Had this arc been placed near the end, it could have served as a proper climax rather than a mid-series spectacle.

In comparison to Chainsaw Man, which balances its chaos with moments of levity and character growth, Dandadan leans entirely into its craziness, leaving little room for meaningful development. The lack of variety in tone and its over-reliance on absurdity can make the story feel exhausting.

Final Thoughts

Dandadan is an enjoyable read if you approach it with a “turn-off-your-brain” mindset. It excels in style and visual appeal but lacks the depth and balance needed for a truly great story. For those seeking similar eccentric energy with more substance, I recommend exploring works like Soul Eater, Dorohedoro, or Tsutomu Nihei’s manga. Alternatively, No More Heroes or Takashi Miike films offer a comparable blend of style and madness.

Score: 5/10
While Dandadan has its moments, it doesn’t live up to the hype surrounding it.