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One rarely comes across a stellar masterpiece such asDandadan. Be it the manga or the anime, the series is all the rage and for the right reasons. In terms of its enthralling plotline and visuals, it’s a complete banger.
But that is not all considering its wholesomeness. It isn’t a bog-standard, run-of-the-mill shonen series. It subverts stereotypes in more ways than one. Even the Director would vouch for it being an avant-garde gem in the shonen genre.
In a recent interview, Fuga Yamashiro, the animator behind the series, opened up about the conception and production. From the characters to the concepts, it was entirely theatrical.
And while the series is lauded for its vibrant hues and quirks, there’s a greater meaning and profundity within the themes. This is especially true with the idea of aliens and alienation along with extended families.
The Diversity of Elements inDandadan
Be it occult, action, or comedy, nobody does it better thanDandadan. The series’ enmeshing of these elements is what makes it different from most shonen series in the genre. It is wholesome in its manner of balancing the elements well.
It has romance, but it isn’t laden with cliche tropes. Likewise, it has action and occult but it is the quirk that makes it stand out. But most importantly, it perfectly carries out the supernatural tropes in its unique way. But that is not the end of it all.
Yukinobu Tatsu is redefining and reinventing the genre through his writing of occult stories. His blend of urban myths and legends, along with conspiracy theories, gives it a modern flair. His charting of the complexities within individuals outlines his brilliance.
The series is truly unconventional in its characterization. From Momo to Okarun to Turbo Granny, Tatsu leftno stone unturnedin highlighting diversity in his manga. This is something that even the Director would vouch for.
Dandadan: Unexpected Popularity of Two Anime Characters Might Influence Yukinobu Tatsu to Make Some Serious Changes in the Manga
In an interview withMyAnimeList, the Director Fuga Yamashiro opened up about the diversity among the aliens. He quoted:
I put a lot of effort into giving each of the aliens and youkai their own visual personality. My goal was to create visual effects that made you feel like these creatures had different values, a different culture from us. They’re living authentically in their own ways, but to us, they look strange and mysterious. That’s what I aimed for in the direction.
The beings and entities each have their unique flair, be it the Serpoians or Mantis Shrimp. This also ties well with the Yokai who have their oddity among their humanness. This humanity is what makes it a visual and literal masterpiece in every sense.
The Alien and the Alienated
Barring the Serpoians, the manga highlights one of the key themes of the series. To be understood is something that Momo and Okarun strive for. This extends to the non-humans as well, especially the Yokai and the aliens.
From Turbo Granny’s protectiveness toAcrobatic Silky’s sacrifice, the anime humanized the yokai and the aliens. It is attributed to Yukinobu Tatsu’s brilliant writing, which showcases the need for a community. The alien and the alienated are one of the central tropes of the series.
To render human traits to Yokai and Aliens is a remarkable feat in itself. AndDandadandoes it beautifullywith its tragic backstories and fleshed-out characters. By doing so, it doesn’t strip the characters of their quirkiness.
With Okarun’s loneliness and Momo’s strong girl persona, the mangaka highlights the inner conflicts within the characters. Along with Turbo Granny and Acrobatic Silky, Mr. Mantis Shrimp resounds the idea of parenthood and family.
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The series highlights the importance of extended family and friendships. Amidst the supernatural chaos, Yukinobu Tatsu’s mapping of relationships and camaraderie makes it stand out as a masterpiece.
Dandadanis available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Viz Media.
Himanshi Jeswani
Anime Writer
Articles Published :993
Himanshi Jeswani is an anime writer at Fandomwire, with her work spanning over 900 articles. Her articles cover shojo, shonen, seinen, and all things beyond. Her interests, however, aren’t limited to simply anime. She has a penchant for exploring different genres of manga, be it horror, yanki, music, and food. She brings out her specialization and expertise in the performing arts through her articles. As a writer, she strives to bridge the gap between the viewers and the medium itself. To her, anime is a revolutionary medium that is capable of creating communities and stories after all.
