The world of Dandadan is getting louder, weirder, and more electrifying than ever. The anime adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’s supernatural action-comedy officially returns with Season 2 on July 3, 2025 in Japan—and fans worldwide won’t have to wait long to jump in thanks to global streaming and early theatrical previews. From bizarre body transformations in the manga to a jam-packed anime season with fan-favorite arcs, here’s a deep dive into everything Dandadan has in store.
Anime Season 2 – What’s Coming
Produced by Science SARU, known for visually inventive projects like Devilman Crybaby and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken, the second season of Dandadan is shaping up to be one of 2025’s wildest anime rides. The new season will adapt the “Haunted House” and “Evil Eye” arcs, some of the manga’s most high-octane and emotionally charged storylines.
Key Anime Highlights:
- Premiere Date: July 3, 2025 (Japan)
- Streaming: Available on Netflix and Crunchyroll worldwide starting premiere day
- New Trailer: Released April 26, it teases the jaw-dropping fight between Okarun and the cursed entity known as Evil Eye
- Directorial Update: This season brings on Abel Gongora as co-director alongside Fuga Yamashiro
- Returning Staff: The acclaimed team returns—Kensuke Ushio (music) and Hiroshi Seko (series composition) reprise their roles
- New Cast: Veteran voice actress Masako Isobe joins as Naki Kito, the eerie voice behind Evil Eye
Theatrical Preview Details:
Before the TV release, Dandadan: Evil Eye—a theatrical cut of the first three episodes—will premiere globally:
- Asia: May 30, 2025
- North America: June 6, 2025
- Europe: June 7, 2025
These screenings will include exclusive content like an interview with the co-directors and behind-the-scenes insight into animating the show’s psychedelic fight scenes and explosive yokai encounters.
Manga Update – Where the Story Is Now
The Dandadan manga remains a pulse-pounding ride, combining rom-com awkwardness, supernatural combat, and pure chaos in equal parts. Serialized in Shonen Jump+, the series reached Chapter 192 on April 28, 2025, with the next installment dropping May 5 on platforms like VIZ and Manga Plus.
Earlier this year, the manga went on a one-month hiatus following Chapter 182 (released January 20), and resumed on February 25 with Chapter 183. The current storyline has taken a surreal turn as Momo is transformed into a miniature version of herself, causing ripple effects across the team’s battles and dynamics. This arc is rich in emotional development and body-horror twists—a signature blend that defines Dandadan’s appeal.
Upcoming Events and Extras
- Official Manga Exhibition: From June 20 to July 6, 2025, an immersive Dandadan exhibition will be held at Ikebukuro Sunshine City in Tokyo. Expect artwork, creator commentary, life-size character models, and early merchandise drops for the anime’s second season.
- Merch & Collectibles: Leading up to the anime premiere, limited-edition figures, key visuals, and apparel featuring characters like Okarun, Momo, and Turbo Granny are set to launch across Japanese retailers and online storefronts.
Why Season 2 Could Be Dandadan’s Breakout Moment
Season 1 introduced the chaos—Season 2 aims to unleash it. With the explosive arrival of Evil Eye and deeper exploration into Okarun’s origins, this season is poised to offer both kinetic battles and emotional revelations. The unique genre mashup (think Mob Psycho 100 meets Jujutsu Kaisen with a paranormal rom-com twist) gives Dandadan its cult appeal—but this new wave of exposure via Netflix and Crunchyroll could launch it into mainstream anime stardom.
Fans of the manga already know how wild things are about to get—and anime-only viewers are in for an unpredictable ride filled with alien conspiracies, ancient curses, and heartfelt character growth. Whether you’re catching the early screening in theaters or queuing it up at home this July, Dandadan Season 2 promises to be one of the boldest anime experiences of the year.
Main Characters Overview
Dandadan has captured the hearts of anime fans with its unique blend of supernatural elements and teenage romance. The series follows Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura (nicknamed Okarun) as they navigate encounters with yokai and aliens while developing their own special powers. Season 2 of the anime is expected to introduce several new characters from the manga, including Kinta Sakata, who possesses the power of imagination, and mysterious figures like Rin Sawaki and The Evil Eye.
Fans are particularly excited about Jin Enjoji (also known as “Jiji”), who appears to be in a situation similar to Okarun due to his contact with a powerful yokai. Other characters likely to make their debut include Manjiro, who serves as Seiko Ayase’s apprentice, and Ludris, whose role remains intriguing to manga readers. The dynamic between these new characters and the established cast promises to deepen the supernatural mysteries at the heart of Dandadan.
The series continues to balance horror elements with comedy and romance, making it stand out in the shonen genre. New character developments have kept readers engaged, with recent manga chapters featuring characters displaying significant growth, such as one female character whose pupil returned to normal after confronting a threatening situation, suggesting an important emotional breakthrough.
Dandadan’s main characters are exceptional individuals caught between the worlds of the occult and aliens. Each brings unique powers and backgrounds to their supernatural battles.
Momo Ayase
Momo Ayase stands as the core protagonist of Dandadan. She comes from a family of spirit mediums and possesses extraordinary psychic abilities. These powers allow her to see and interact with supernatural entities that most people cannot perceive.
Momo’s character design features her distinctive blonde hair and school uniform. She maintains a tough exterior but shows deep compassion for those she cares about.
Throughout the series, Momo balances her responsibilities as a spirit medium with her growing feelings for Okarun. Her strength in occult battles makes her a formidable ally against supernatural threats.
Despite her young age, Momo demonstrates remarkable courage and resilience when facing dangerous entities. Her development centers on accepting both her powers and emotions.
Ken Takakura
Ken Takakura, commonly known as Okarun, begins as a skeptic of the supernatural while believing firmly in aliens. After a fateful encounter with Turbo Granny, he gains the ability to transform into a powerful yokai-human hybrid.
Okarun’s character design evolves throughout the series, reflecting his growing connection to supernatural powers. His transformation abilities make him uniquely equipped for occult battles.
Though initially portrayed as somewhat timid, Okarun shows tremendous growth and bravery when protecting others. His relationship with Momo develops from initial skepticism to mutual respect and affection.
Unlike Momo, Okarun’s powers came to him through possession rather than heredity. This different origin creates interesting dynamics during their supernatural encounters as they complement each other’s abilities.
Anime Adaptation Insights
The Dandadan anime adaptation has been widely praised for its faithful representation of the manga’s unique style and characters. The animation perfectly captures Momo Ayase, Okarun (Ken Takakura), and other characters as they battle supernatural entities and aliens.
Production by Science SARU
Science SARU handles the animation production for Dandadan, bringing their distinctive visual flair to the supernatural comedy series. The studio has maintained remarkable fidelity to the manga’s art style, with characters like Momo Ayase, Okarun, and Seiko Ayase looking identical to their manga counterparts.
The animation quality has been particularly praised for fluid action sequences involving the supernatural elements and alien encounters. Science SARU’s attention to detail extends to the bizarre creatures featured in the series, including Turbo Granny and Alien Serpo, who retain their menacing yet oddly comical appearances.
The color palette and lighting effects enhance the show’s atmosphere, shifting between everyday school life and eerie supernatural encounters with expert precision.
Voice Actors and Their Roles
The voice cast for Dandadan has been perfectly assembled to capture the characters’ personalities. Ayumu Murase, known for his role as Shōyo Hinata, voices the character Kazushige Sanda, bringing his characteristic energy to the performance.
For the two main protagonists, the voice actors effectively convey the dynamic between Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura (Okarun) as they face supernatural and alien threats together. Their performances highlight both the comedic moments and emotional depth of these high school students caught in extraordinary circumstances.
Hiroki Tochi, recognized for his work in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, has also joined the cast, adding veteran talent to the production. The voice actors’ chemistry contributes significantly to making the characters relatable despite the bizarre situations they encounter.
Music and Theme Songs
Kensuke Ushio serves as the composer for Dandadan, creating a soundtrack that perfectly complements the show’s blend of horror, comedy, and teenage drama. His musical compositions enhance key moments, from intense battle scenes to quieter character interactions.
The opening theme captures the frenetic energy of the series, with visuals that showcase the main cast and the supernatural elements they encounter. The animation sequence features stylized versions of Momo and Okarun confronting various threats.
The ending theme offers a more contemplative tone, often highlighting the friendship and developing relationship between the two main protagonists. Both songs have become popular among fans, with streaming numbers rising since the anime’s debut.
Key Storylines and Plot Developments
Dandadan’s narrative combines supernatural elements with teenage drama, creating a unique blend of horror, comedy, and romance. The series follows Momo and Okarun as they navigate both paranormal threats and their budding feelings for each other.
Occult Battles and Challenges
The heart of Dandadan revolves around the ongoing occult battles faced by Momo and Okarun. Their first major confrontation with Turbo Granny resulted in Okarun losing his “thingy,” a plot point that continues to affect character development. Recent episodes showed Turbo Granny’s defeat, setting up a slower pace for plot development in subsequent episodes.
According to recent news, the upcoming Cursed House Arc will introduce more supernatural challenges. This arc, expected to premiere in July 2025 as part of season two, will test the characters’ abilities and resilience in new ways.
The series balances these battles with character growth, as each encounter with aliens or ghosts forces the protagonists to confront their fears and limitations.
Love Interests Dynamics
The romantic tension between Momo and Okarun forms a central pillar of the storyline. Their relationship develops organically through shared supernatural experiences, creating a bond forged through danger and mutual support.
What makes their dynamic compelling is their opposing beliefs at the start:
- Okarun believes in aliens but not ghosts
- Momo believes in ghosts but not aliens
This contradiction creates both conflict and attraction between them. Their romance isn’t just a subplot but intertwines with the main supernatural narrative. As they face various occult threats together, their feelings deepen.
Recent developments hint at new complexities in their relationship, particularly as they navigate the aftermath of previous battles and prepare for the challenges in the Cursed House Arc.
Integration of Paranormal Elements
Dandadan masterfully blends various supernatural elements into its world. The series doesn’t just feature ghosts or aliens separately—it creates a cohesive universe where different paranormal entities coexist and sometimes clash.
The Evil Eye power that Momo possesses plays a crucial role in their battles against supernatural threats. Meanwhile, the alien-related abilities that Okarun develops create a perfect balance of powers between the two main characters.
The current storyline focuses on getting Momo back to normal while exploring whether Okarun can regain his lost powers. This dual journey highlights how the paranormal elements in Dandadan aren’t just external threats but become integrated into the characters themselves.
The upcoming season two promises to expand this supernatural universe further, introducing new types of curses and occult phenomena that will challenge our heroes in unexpected ways.
Manga Composition and Art Style
Dandadan’s distinctive visual identity combines dynamic illustrations with innovative storytelling techniques. The manga has earned widespread acclaim for its unique aesthetic approach and narrative structure.
Illustration Techniques by Yukinobu Tatsu
Yukinobu Tatsu’s artistic style in Dandadan features bold linework and expressive character designs that breathe life into both mundane and supernatural scenes. His artwork seamlessly blends detailed backgrounds with simplified character moments, creating visual rhythm that guides readers through action sequences.
Tatsu employs the “Kanada-style” of animation influence in his static manga panels, giving movement and energy to fight scenes. This technique is particularly evident in the acrobatic Silky fight sequences and Kinta Sakata’s robot battles against alien Kaiju.
Character expressions are exaggerated yet emotionally resonant, using varied line weights to emphasize important story beats. Tatsu’s art uniquely balances horror elements with comedic timing through sharp transitions in panel composition.
Story Arcs in Shonen Jump Plus
Dandadan’s narrative structure on Shonen Jump Plus platform follows non-traditional story arc pacing that blends supernatural adventure with character development. Recent story developments have temporarily paused, with the manga announcing a month-long hiatus returning in late February.
The series structures its plot around character counterpoints, with supporting cast members serving as specific foils to protagonists Momo and others. This character composition technique drives romantic plot development while maintaining action-focused storytelling.
Each arc introduces new supernatural elements while building upon established lore. The manga’s digital-first release on Shonen Jump Plus allows for experimental panel layouts and page compositions not typically seen in print-first manga.
Release Information and Availability
Fans of Dandadan have several key dates to mark on their calendars. The anime adaptation has garnered significant attention with its unique blend of supernatural elements and high school drama.
Season 2 and Major Arcs
Dandadan Season 2 has officially been renewed by Netflix and is scheduled for release in July 2025. This announcement comes while the first season is still airing, showing strong confidence in the series’ popularity and reception.
The first season of Dandadan made its debut in October 2024, quickly becoming a fan favorite on streaming platforms. Before the full series launch, a special theatrical release on August 31, 2024 featured the first three episodes along with exclusive cast interviews.
Currently, Netflix serves as the primary streaming platform for the series. The extended wait until July 2025 for Season 2 suggests the production team is taking their time to ensure quality animation for upcoming story arcs.
While waiting for Season 2, fans can catch the complete first season on Netflix once it finishes its initial run.
Cultural Impact and Fandom
Dandadan has created significant waves in both anime and manga communities, spawning passionate fan engagement across social media platforms and conventions. The unique blend of supernatural elements with teenage romance has attracted diverse audiences worldwide.
Fan Theories and Discussions
Dandadan’s complex storyline involving aliens, curses, and supernatural creatures like the Turbo Granny, Flatwoods Monster, and Dover Demon has fueled endless fan theories online. Social media has become a battleground for fan interpretations, with some debates becoming controversial.
Recent fan art by artist @Lynn6Thorex reimagining Okarun and Momo as Black characters sparked heated discussions about representation. Some voice actors from the English dub publicly supported the race-swapped fan art, while others criticized it as “Japanese erasure.”
These debates highlight the tension between creative reinterpretation and cultural respect in anime fandoms. Many fans continue to analyze the deeper meanings behind the series’ supernatural elements and character development.
Merchandise and Collaborations
The popularity of Dandadan has resulted in a wave of official merchandise that fans eagerly collect. T-shirts, figurines, and posters featuring the main characters have become bestsellers in Japan and internationally.
Music collaborations have significantly boosted the series’ cultural footprint. The anime’s opening theme by Creepy Nuts and ending theme by Zutomayo have become streaming hits, introducing new audiences to the show.
Dandadan’s success in the Shonen manga category has led to partnerships with popular brands and even themed cafés in Japan. Limited-edition items often sell out within hours of release.
Recent announcements suggest more collaborative projects are in development, despite the series taking a one-month break. This merchandise expansion demonstrates Dandadan’s growing influence beyond just manga and anime circles.
Creative Team and Development Insights
The creative minds behind “Dandadan” have built a unique world where the absurd meets the extraordinary. Their approach to character design and storytelling has created a distinct genre-blending experience that continues to captivate audiences.
Interviews With the Creators
Manga artist Yukinobu Tatsu has revealed interesting details about the protagonist balance in “Dandadan.” In a Switch interview, Tatsu confirmed that Momo is the core protagonist, while Okarun serves as more of a supporting character. This dynamic shapes how the story unfolds and explains the focus on Momo’s development as a spirit medium.
The creative process involves meticulous character design work. Tatsu has discussed blending traditional yokai elements with science fiction monsters to create the series’ unique aesthetic.
Ken Takakura, part of the production team, emphasized their commitment to maintaining the manga’s distinctive visual style in the anime adaptation. The team wanted to preserve the energy and zaniness that made the original work stand out.
Behind-the-Scenes Content
Recent behind-the-scenes footage showcased voice actors recording emotional scenes between Momo and Okarun. The chemistry between the voice talent brings depth to the eccentric protagonists’ friendship and budding romance.
Music plays a crucial role in setting “Dandadan’s” tone. The band Zutomayo contributed to the soundtrack, creating themes that match the series’ blend of action, comedy, and supernatural elements.
The teaser trailer production involved extensive work to capture the manga’s high-octane action sequences. Special attention was given to animating the supernatural creatures and yokai that appear throughout the story.
Character design documents revealed how Hana and Sanda’s appearances evolved during development, with several iterations before reaching their final forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Readers have been curious about recent developments in Dandadan and how they impact the manga’s beloved characters. These questions address the latest changes to the story, character growth, and shifting dynamics in this popular supernatural series.
What recent developments have occurred for the main characters in Dandadan?
Momo Ayase and Okarun have faced increasingly dangerous supernatural threats in recent chapters. Their powers have evolved as they’ve encountered more powerful spirits and aliens.
Momo has gained better control over her psychic abilities, allowing her to manipulate objects with greater precision. Okarun has learned to harness his Turbo Granny curse more effectively without losing control.
The duo’s relationship has deepened through these shared experiences, with subtle romantic developments that fans have been eagerly following.
Which male character has experienced significant changes in the latest Dandadan updates?
Jiji (Jin Enjoji) has undergone the most dramatic transformation among the male characters. His connection to evil spirits has intensified, giving him new abilities but also creating internal conflicts.
His relationship with Aira has become more complex as they navigate supernatural threats together. Jiji’s backstory has been expanded, revealing trauma that explains his initially standoffish personality.
These developments have made him a more three-dimensional character with his own distinct arc.
Are there any new main characters introduced in the recent Dandadan manga chapters?
Kinta Sakata has joined the main cast, bringing technological expertise to the group. His scientific approach to supernatural phenomena creates an interesting contrast with the more instinctual methods of Momo and Okarun.
A mysterious figure with connections to Momo’s grandmother has appeared, hinting at a deeper mythology behind the series. This character seems to possess knowledge about the origin of psychic powers.
These additions have expanded the cast while maintaining focus on the core group.
How has the anime adaptation of Dandadan affected its main characters?
The anime has brought more attention to nuances in character expressions and body language not fully captured in the manga. Voice acting has added new dimensions to characters like Momo and Okarun.
Some minor character moments have been expanded in the adaptation, giving secondary characters like Aira more screen time. The animation has emphasized the physical comedy aspects of Okarun’s transformations.
Fan reception has been positive, with praise for how faithfully the characters have been portrayed.
What are the latest power dynamics among the central figures in Dandadan?
Momo remains the most consistently powerful character, with her psychic abilities proving effective against both aliens and spirits. Okarun’s power fluctuates based on his control over the Turbo Granny curse.
Aira has developed her alien-related abilities, making her a more equal partner in supernatural battles. Jiji has shown surprising strength when protecting others, suggesting his potential exceeds what he’s shown so far.
The group has learned to combine their abilities tactically, creating powerful team attacks.
How do the latest plot points impact the relationships between main characters in Dandadan?
The shared dangers have strengthened the bond between Momo and Okarun, with moments of vulnerability revealing deeper feelings. Their growth as individuals has made their partnership more balanced.
Aira and Jiji have developed a tentative friendship built on mutual respect for each other’s strengths. Their dynamic adds complexity to the group’s interpersonal relationships.
Tensions occasionally arise when characters disagree about how to handle supernatural threats, creating meaningful conflict that tests their friendships.
