Dandadan Author Required to Read 100 Romance Manga by Their Editor

The anime adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’s popular manga, Dandadan, has rapidly gained a reputation as one of the most highly awaited anime series. With a striking blend of romance intertwined with occult elements, the manga captivates audiences with its unexpected plot twists and compelling storytelling, leading to a passionate fan following.

This newly launched anime aims to extend this distinctive experience to a broader audience. So what makes Dandadan stand out from the crowd?

1. The Distinctive Romance in Dandadan

Debuting in 2021, Dandadan rapidly attracted attention for its imaginative premise and unpredictable narrative. One of its standout features is the poignant romance shared by lead characters, Momo Ayase and Okarun. In contrast to many Shonen titles where romantic plots are often overlooked or inadequately explored (shoutout to typical Shonen series like Naruto and Bleach), Dandadan places love at its core.

Momo and Okarun’s relationship develops at a natural, albeit slightly awkward pace, beginning from their very first encounter. Their bond deepens as they navigate through a surreal world filled with bizarre incidents, from eerie alien imitators to mischievous ghostly grandmothers.

This authenticity has struck a chord with fans, distinguishing it from the more conventional Shonen romances.

2. The Editor’s Role in Shaping Dandadan

Although Dandadan has captured widespread attention, its trajectory could have been markedly different without the pivotal guidance of its editor, Shihei Lin. Yukinobu Tatsu initially envisioned his manga as a rote battle shonen series. However, Lin, recognized for his talented editorial contributions to successful titles like Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, and Hell’s Paradise, nudged Tatsu towards incorporating romance into the narrative.

saw the first 3 episodes of dandadan in theater a couple of weeks ago and they also showed an interview with the author; he talked about how before he got serialized he kept pitching battle shounen stuff so his editor made him read 100 romance manga. dude literally hit him with pic.twitter.com/hdLU3iVKsy

— Lydia Litvyak (@vinuscule) October 6, 2024

This editorial direction led to a focus on the romance element that has now become a hallmark of Dandadan. Without Lin’s critical influence, the title might have dissolved into yet another standard battle shonen.

Thanks to Lin’s strategic insights and Tatsu’s adept storytelling, Dandadan now presents an experience that sets itself apart from existing anime offerings. Fans can anticipate more surprising developments, emotional moments, and supernatural escapades as the series progresses.

This isn’t the first time Shihei Lin has played a crucial role in enhancing a storyline. Similar creative interventions can be noted with Spy x Family’s writer. His expertise is indeed a boon to fans everywhere.

3. Momo and Okarun: An Extraordinary Pair

The essence of Dandadan lies in the remarkable relationship between Momo and Okarun (who is humorously referred to as ‘the name that cannot be spoken’). Their exchanges transcend typical romantic tropes found outside of dedicated romance narratives, infusing their bond with both humor and genuine emotion.

Their growing connection is apparent and unfolds gradually, characterized by witty banter and peculiar situations that constantly surround them. A notable aspect is the balanced dynamic they share.

In contrast to the typical Shonen formula, where the male lead typically saves the female counterpart, the partnership between Momo and Okarun offers a refreshing change in a genre often plagued by shallow or neglected romantic storylines.

4. Overview of Grooming

‘Dandadan’ is a Japanese manga series authored and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu. It has been serialized on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ platform since April 2021. An anime adaptation produced by Science Saru is scheduled for release in 2024.

The storyline centers around Momo Ayase, a high school student who harbors a belief in ghosts, while her classmate Okarun is convinced of the existence of aliens. To settle their differences, they make a wager and explore sites associated with both the supernatural and the extraterrestrial separately.

While Ayase investigates ghostly locations, Okarun examines sites linked to aliens. Upon visiting their respective areas, they soon realize that both beliefs hold some truth—aliens and ghosts coexist.

Source