Dandadan did with Shonen anime's most worn-out concept what Kishimoto never could

Despite being a debut series, Dandadan has quickly become one of the most talked-about and highly anticipated shows among anime fans due to its bizarre yet captivating storyline, which uniquely combines the theme of aliens with supernatural elements.

Yukinobu Tatsu's acclaimed manga offers a fresh twist to typical Shonen themes, weaving a distinctive blend of aliens and the paranormal into its plot. Although Masashi Kishimoto previously explored the concept of aliens in the Shonen context, his approach didn't resonate with fans as strongly as Tatsu's innovative and engaging take in Dandadan.

---

Yukinobu Tatsu's Dandadan nails the Alien concept in Shonen where Kishimoto fell short

Yukinobu Tatsu masterfully weaves the theme of aliens into a paranormal setting in Dandadan, while also keeping romance as a central thread throughout. This Shonen series uniquely blends rom-com with paranormal action, featuring spirits, ghosts, and aliens—a sci-fi and supernatural fusion unlike anything seen before.

Although both sci-fi and paranormal themes have long existed, they've never coexisted in a single series. Tatsu sensei's seamless integration of them creates an entirely fresh experience, capturing fans' attention with a wildly creative approach.

That said, the concept of aliens in Shonen is not entirely new—acclaimed mangaka Masashi Kishimoto previously explored it twice, first in Naruto and later in Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru.

Naruto achieved great success and made its place among the Big Three series, yet Samurai 8 struggled to resonate with fans and was eventually discontinued. In both series, Kishimoto incorporated aliens as a central element, but Dandadan delivers the theme with a distinct style and execution.

Okarun and Momo fight an alien spirit in Dandadan (Image via Science SARU)

In Naruto, the entire chakra system and jutsu abilities in the ninja world stem from the involvement of the Otsutsuki clan, who are extraterrestrial beings originating from an unknown planet beyond Earth. While Kishimoto's Otsutsuki clan does represent "aliens," they differ from the usual sci-fi portrayal of aliens equipped with advanced technology.

Instead, the Otsutsukis wield powers that defy Earth-based knowledge, but the typical sci-fi aspect is missing in this shinobi x alien fusion. Even the actual appearance of the Otsutsuki only surfaces toward the end of the series with Kaguya's introduction.

Boruto expands this alien lore further by diving deeper into the Otsutsuki's origins and history and involving more Otsutsuki characters. However, despite Boruto's increasing addition of scientific elements, a traditional alien portrayal remains absent.

Samurai 8, on the other hand, takes a different approach by blending the samurai theme with a sci-fi alien setting. The concept of space samurai, though familiar, didn't quite bring a groundbreaking twist to the genre.

Samurai 8 poster with Naruto (Image via Shueisha)

While Samurai 8 began with a promising and extensive lore and a compelling premise, it lacked a unique spin to stand out among strong competitors, ultimately leading to its cancellation.

Be it Naruto, Boruto, or Samurai 8, Kishimoto sensei's portrayal of aliens follows a unique but somewhat consistent approach. While he introduces a creative twist on the alien concept, stepping away from the typical sci-fi tech-driven alien archetype, a deeper exploration of the core alien theme is left wanting.

By contrast, Dandadan merges aliens with a paranormal twist, incorporating ghosts and spirits while retaining the classic alien motif. This blend not only sustains the essence of what fans expect from an aliens-themed plotline but also crafts a fresh, immersive narrative, bringing an inventive experience to the Shonen genre.

---

Final thoughts

Yukinobu Tatsu's Dandadan dives deeper into this unique blend of paranormal and alien themes, offering an experience that Kishimoto's series didn't quite achieve. While each series has its own charm, the Fall 2024 debut series stands out by combining romance, comedy, paranormal, and sci-fi elements, presenting a fresh and dynamic twist to the Shonen genre.

This unusual mix brings a lively, immersive narrative that's both fun and entertaining, offering the fandom a distinct experience in a genre that can sometimes feel overdone.

---