Blu-ray Review: Dan Da Dan

Mixing different genres together only works when it can be integrated into the storytelling rather than simply being a gimmick where the novelty becomes tiresome after repeat viewings.  Taking a major creative swing is Dan Da Dan writer and illustrator Yukinobu Tatsu, who previously worked as an assistant to Fujimoto Tatsuki on Fire Punch and Chainsaw Man and Yuuji Kaku on Jigokuraku as he devised a world where aliens and yōkai (evil spirits) co-exist.  The initial plan was to focus on a female character but an editorial decision was made that a male protagonist had to be introduced in order for the story to appeal to readers.  To his credit, Tatsu came up with clever compromise where romance got introduced into the recipe, which in turn serves as the grounding heartfelt emotional spine to the madcap wackiness that unfolds where the possession of a certain pair of testicles is the goal.  Fully embracing the mayhem is director Fuga Yamashiro and animation studio Science SARU, with great attention paid right down to the colour palette; there is a cinematic and thematic method behind the madness that captures the spirit of the source material while taking advantage of what anime has to offer.

The pilot episode is a high-octane introduction into the world of high schoolers Momo Ayase and Ken “Okarun” Takakura as the former has been ridiculed for her belief in ghosts enforced by her spiritual medium grandmother and the latter bullied for his fascination and desire to make an encounter of the third kind.  A dare results in the two of them being introduced and literally empowered by an otherworldly abduction and demonic possession which causes the duo to become familiar with a mysterious tormenting and exhilarating emotion known as love.  Whoever knew that the bawdy McGuffin, which could have easily become a one-note joke could be so much fun and could actually add to the narrative.   The supernatural moments have a heightened surreal quality while the everyday scenes have a retro naturalistic feel that emphasizes the drudgery of life.  Both the Japanese and English dub are offered though the vocal dynamic between the Natsuki Hanae as Okarun and Shion Wakayama as Momo is a manic roller coaster of ups and downs that is as captivating as the imagery and their chemistry is highlighted in the Commemorative Interviews.  The best bonus features are the Director Scene Breakdown as Fuga Yamashiro explains his meticulous creative choices and an Interview with Composer Kensuke Ushio who displays a thoughtfulness to his craft and to the show.

Dan Da Dan will be released on Blu-ray in the UK on June 10, 2025. A Collector’s Edition will also be available. Crunchyroll Store

Trevor Hogg is a freelance video editor and writer who currently resides in Canada; he can be found at LinkedIn.