Dandadan episode 1 review: Is Science SARU's new anime a new Paradise for Shonen lovers?

Dandadan episode 1, titled That's How Love Starts, Ya Know!, is set to premiere on October 4, 2024, at 12:26 am JST. Dandadan is one of the most eagerly awaited debut series of this Fall Season, making its first episode one of the most talked-about topics in the community as it approaches its premiere.

As one of the most hyped new-generation Shonen series, fans are eager to see how the anime adaptation lives up to expectations. As such, this Dandadan episode 1 review will dive into the show's appeal.

It covers key aspects like production quality, animation, cast performances, narrative development, and other important elements to assess how Science SARU is handling the series' debut in the anime world.

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Dandadan episode 1 review: Science SARU's new Shonen anime could be a Game-Changer for the genre

As anime enthusiasts are already aware, the Fall 2024 debut series Dandadan is an action-comedy series centered around a supernatural theme. The anime adapts the successful manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu.

The anime's opening episode covers the first chapter of the manga. With that in mind, let's dive into how the premiere of the anime adaptation performed and whether fans should consider adding it to their watchlist.

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Dandadan episode 1 review: A narrative criticism

Dandadan largely stays true to the story from the source material in its debut episode, with Science SARU delivering a masterful narrative. The premiere successfully captures the essence of the manga, with the main characters Ayase Momo and Okarun being portrayed perfectly, reflecting their personalities as originally intended.

The narrative is engaging, blending supernatural elements like ghosts, spirits, and aliens, adding a unique twist to the story. The episode also concludes with an exciting twist, setting the stage for future plot development.

Ayase and Okarun's first encounter (Image via Science SARU)

While Dandadan episode 1 is both interesting and entertaining, it's important to note that Dandadan deals with mature themes, including potentially triggering content such as s*xual violence.

These aspects from the manga are also present in the anime's adaptation. However, it seems that some of these mature scenes were slightly toned down in their portrayal in the animated version compared to the manga.

Manga readers might notice these subtle changes, but anime-only viewers likely won't spot them, and since the differences are minimal and the adjustments don't impact the overall narrative in any way, they do not detract from the show's quality.

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Dandadan episode 1 review: Production, animation, soundtracks, and voice acting: A criticism

Okarun encounters Turbo Granny (Image via Science SARU)

Science SARU has delivered an engaging and captivating installment in Dandadan episode 1, showcasing masterful production under the direction of Fūga Yamashiro and Hiroshi Seko's scriptwriting. Naoyuki Onda handles the character designs, while Yoshimichi Kameda creates the alien and supernatural entities, bringing the unique world of Dandadan to life.

The episode offers a well-rounded introduction to the story, seamlessly weaving in elements of comedy, romance, and supernatural action. It provides a solid overview of the plot while keeping viewers captivated with engaging storytelling and fascinating narrative direction.

The animation quality is top-notch, which enhances this storytelling, ensuring that every scene feels dynamic and engaging. The voice cast also excels, with standout performances from Shion Wakayama as the main female lead, Ayase Momo, and Natsuki Hanae as the male protagonist, Okarun.

Shion, known for her role as Takina Inoue in Lycoris Recoil, perfectly embodies Ayase's bold and confident nature. On the other hand, Natsuki Hanae, a well-known voice actor behind roles such as Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul, and Tanjiro from Demon Slayer, skillfully portrays Okarun's socially awkward and nerdy character.

The music composition by Kensuke Ushio further elevates the overall experience of the episode. The opening theme, "Otonoke," by Japanese hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts, is a perfect fit for the tone of the series with its upbeat vibe, while the ending theme "TAIDADA" by Japanese music group Zutomayo is a catchy and memorable track that leaves a lasting impression.

All these elements make Dandadan episode 1 a standout debut, setting high expectations for the rest of the series.

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To sum up

Ayase and Okarun bickering (Image via Science SARU)

In summary, Dandadan episode 1 lays a solid foundation for what promises to be an exciting and unique addition to the Fall 2024 anime lineup. It makes a strong first impression, offering a compelling and immersive experience that offers a fresh take on the Shonen genre.

With its blend of supernatural action, rom-com elements, and high-quality production, Dandadan is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of these themes and has the potential to establish itself as one of the top new-gen Shonen series. Fans can catch its premiere on Crunchyroll, making it easily accessible to viewers worldwide.

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