Title DAN DA DAN Director Fuga Yamashiro Studio Science Saru Premiere 10/2024
With each new tease, DAN DA DAN appears to be the anime that everyone wants to see and, simultaneously, the one everyone invested in the anime market wants a piece of before it airs. Not only are Crunchyroll and Netflix both streaming it worldwide among other platforms, but GKIDS is even bringing the first three episodes of the show to North American theaters this fall.
Based on the hit manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, Dan Da Dan follows Ken "Okarun" Takakura, a boy who believes in aliens but doesn't believe in ghosts, and Momo Ayase, a girl who believes the exact opposite. When they agree to a test of courage to prove each other wrong, they realize - much to their dismay - that they are both right, and their lives become complete chaos.
Each Trailer Is Better than the Last
While past teasers were primarily focused on the main duo as well as showcasing the art style and a bit of the action, this newest trailer introduces more of the supporting cast. Momo's grandmother, Seiko (CV: Nana Mizuki), is an uncouth spirit medium who has instilled in Momo a belief in the supernatural. Additionally, the audience gets their first look at some of Momo and Takakura's classmates; Aira Shiratori (CV: Ayane Sakura) and Jin Enjoji (CV: Kaito Ishikawa).
Shiratori is a popular girl in school who becomes entangled in Okarun and Momo's adventures with the supernatural. Likewise, Enjoji - nicknamed Jiji - a former friend crush of Momo's, gets wrapped up in things when he enrolls in her school. Previously shown characters include the yokai Turbo-Granny (CV: Mayumi Tanaka) and the Alien Serpo (CV: Kazuya Nakai). As for the main leads, Okarun is voiced by Natsuki Hanae, while Momo is voiced by Shion Wakayama.
Already the Best-Looking Show of Fall 2024?
From the funky, eclectic blend of influences comprising the music to the ceaselessly energetic character acting, Dan Da Dan looks like Science Saru's answer to Mob Psycho 100. Perhaps, that's giving it too much credit too soon, but if any studio were capable of such a thing, it would be Science Saru. Fuga Yamashiro, a longtime assistant director to the studio's co-founder Masaaki Yuasa, has taken the director's chair for this adaptation, and things couldn't look more promising.
Comparison to Mob Psycho is not without merit and not just because of its frenetic visual style. Yoshimichi Kameda, a principal staff member throughout Mob Psycho's run, and a fairly legendary animator besides, serves as the designer for Dan Da Dan's aliens and paranormal creatures. As for the humans, Naoyuki Onda, known for his work in Berserk, Psycho-Pass, and Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, among others, is credited as the character designer.
Kensuke Ushio, the composer behind A Silent Voice, Devilman Crybaby, and Chainsaw Man, will score the soundtrack. It was also recently announced that Creepy Nuts will perform the opening theme, titled "Otonoke." They previously performed the viral theme "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" for Season 2 of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, this past Winter.
What’s the Earliest You Can Watch the Anime?
The same day the new trailer dropped, theatrical dates were announced for DAN DA DAN: First Encounter, a preview event of the first three episodes, as well as some bonuses. It will be in theaters on August 31 throughout Asia and September 7 in Europe, but GKIDS truly picked the best possible date of them all given this story's premise. This September, the event will hit theaters in North America beginning on Friday the 13th.
GKIDS revealed that this screening would include a video interview with series author Yukinobu Tatsu, editor Shihei Lin, director Fuga Yamashiro, as well as the voices of Momo and Okarun. The event will happen nationwide, though there's no word yet on how long First Encounter will be in theaters. However long that may be, it doesn't sound like a night fans will want to miss.
DAN DA DAN will be streaming this October on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Sources: DAN DA DAN official website, X (@GKIDSfilms), Anime News Network
