Every year there is an anime that manages to sweep the general public. Sometimes there is more than one, but there is always at least one that manages to break out of the anime-consuming audience. A series that stands out, generally because it has spectacular animation and a very dynamic pace, managing to captivate a much larger audience. This year we have not yet had any series of that kind, surprisingly, but that does not mean there haven’t been any in other years.
In fact, the anime that took the world by storm last year is now returning with a second season. And it promises to double down on everything that made it popular and a bit controversial as well. Because DanDaDan is back to prove that, if necessary, it will be the one to dominate for two consecutive years.
An explosive mix for a successful series
DanDaDan is a series about Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, two high school boys. Momo believes in ghosts, but not in aliens; Ken believes in aliens, but not in ghosts. To determine who is right, they both decide to undertake their own tests of courage to prove that they are right and the other is wrong. The result is that, in fact, both are right and both are wrong. Ghosts exist. And aliens do too. And for some reason, they seem to be working together.
Due to this discovery, both begin to have successive encounters with the supernatural. This leads to the key to the series’ success: a mix of romantic comedy, action, drama, and spectacular animation.
Because the great success of DanDaDan lies in how it manages to combine all its elements. The romantic tension between Momo and Ken is palpable, but it simmers slowly. The action scenes are dynamic and spectacular. The moments of drama are heartfelt and brutal, although not without certain issues. And all the supernatural elements skillfully balance comedy and horror with enough grace. If we add to that an excellent soundtrack by Kensuke Ushio, probably the most sought-after composer in anime today, the result is a perfectly conceived work that is sure to captivate the audience.
A second season that will reinforce everything that has made it popular
In fact, this second season aims to reinforce this. To begin with, the direction is handled by Abel Góngora, a Spaniard who already directed the spectacular Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and who promises to elevate the direction of the series even further. Moreover, it has been confirmed that this second season will adapt two specific arcs from the manga: Mal de Ojo and Casa Maldita.
Mal de Ojo is an arc where they will have to face a particularly powerful specter, all while a childhood friend of Momo joins them. In Casa Maldita, they will confront giant apparitions for the first time, raising the stakes and the action to a new level, but also leading to greater emotional development of the characters. Therefore, fans of the series, whether they prefer the romantic comedy aspect, character development, or action, should greatly enjoy this new season, as it will continue to hammer on those particular aspects.
The first season of DanDaDan is now available on Netflix and the second season premiered today, July 3rd, simultaneously on Crunchyroll and Netflix. So if you are a fan of Momo and Ken, you shouldn’t miss it, and if you’re not yet a fan, what are you waiting for to discover why it’s a hit among the audience?
