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Science SARU creates something murderous and magical with its coming of age supernatural rom-com that mixes aliens, ghosts, and supernatural phenomena.

“Do only scum live in this world?”

There is an endless amount of supernatural horror anime that get under the audience’s skin, but none of them are quite like DAN DA DAN, a delirious mash-up of different paranormal phenomena that coalesce together into something truly surreal and special. DAN DA DAN: First Encounter, based on the popular manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, tells a poetic, enlightening, and frightening story about faith, friendship, and conquering demons – whether they’re figurative or literal. I haven’t been this impressed and surprised by an anime in a long time and DAN DA DAN is a series that’s destined to be one of the biggest anime of the year – and potentially even the decade – if it maintains this momentum, mystique, and rich character development.

DAN DA DAN: First Encounter, which is a theatrical compilation of the upcoming anime’s first three episodes, tells a remarkable story of self-discovery that focuses on Momo Ayase – a spirit medium – and her classmate Okarun – an alien-loving occult outcast. An argument between these two outsiders over their respective supernatural fascinations puts them in each other’s orbits and opens their eyes to their respective interests. There’s something beautifully simple about Momo’s belief in spirits and Okarun’s interest in extraterrestrials, yet their skepticism over the opposite. They’re compelling protagonists who are incredibly open-minded, but it’s not until they’re both put in impossible situations that they become true believers. Momo and Okarun face unbelievable horrors, but they emerge from the other side with awakened abilities that are able to competently challenge these dark disturbances.

DAN DA DAN showcases incredible body language for both Momo and Okarun that helps provide such a strong understanding of who they are, what they represent, and how they live their lives. DAN DA DAN explores why Momo and Okarun both have their particular sets of superstitious beliefs and what’s led them to simultaneously be believers and skeptics. Both characters are successfully introduced in such economical ways, especially Momo. She’s such a fully-formed individual who hits the screen like a bolt of lighting. It’s hard not to immediately fall in love with her. There’s also effective, palpable chemistry between both of these characters as they provoke and protect one another. DAN DA DAN gets into sprawling, apocalyptic material, but the series is just as entertaining when it has subdued fun with these two individuals while they goof off and act like teens, rather than terrified victims. These two aren’t just friends; they bring out the best in one another and they need each other. Momo and Okarun both develop special abilities as DAN DA DAN progresses, but their friendship is their strongest superpower. 

DAN DA DAN really taps into something powerful with its character-driven stories. That being said, it really does excellent work with how it deconstructs and reimagines monsters and tropes from traditional Japanese horror stories to frightening effect. The monster and spirit designs are truly on another level and DAN DA DAN features some of the most creative creatures this side of Junji Ito and Evil. These horrifying beasts are simply a marvel to look at, even before the world descends into chaos. It’s genuinely terrifying once DAN DA DAN’s supernatural elements kick in, whether it’s Turbo Granny and the multitude of occult spirits or the Serpo aliens who are just a little too fascinated in human biology. It’s honestly the scariest and most disturbing depiction of aliens and prodding, probing abductions that I’ve seen in years – in animation or otherwise. DAN DA DAN absolutely nails the isolating, helpless feeling of being vulnerable and violated.

These episodes cultivate a real sprawling sense of adventure and danger that hits the ground running and only grows more intense. It’s appreciated that DAN DA DAN’s premiere episode gives the audience a brief taste of normalcy and mundanity before they’re forced to acclimate to rampant occult chaos. It’s a much more successful approach than beginning in a place where Momo and Okarun are used to being on the run from monsters. This juxtaposition between calm and chaotic is necessary in order to fully appreciate how Momo and Okarun’s existence has been shattered. This approach also helps DAN DA DAN elegantly subvert expectations by setting up its audience to believe that this is going to be a quirky slice-of-life rom-com – which it still is – only for the bottom of reality to fall out and for all hell to break loose. Despite the constant occult threats that lurk around every corner, DAN DA DAN is also truly hilarious and absolutely lands its zany character-based comedy. It’s an anime that’s often as funny as it is frightening.

DAN DA DAN, in addition to being narratively taught and entertaining, is a true visual spectacle. The animation is gorgeous and it’s one of Science SARU’s (Inu-Oh, Devilman Crybaby, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) most stunning projects. DAN DA DAN’s passionate, bewildering opening credit sequence alone is enough to turn any skeptic into a die-hard fan. DAN DA DAN is a masterpiece when it comes to storytelling, horror, and suspense, but its action sequences can hold their own with any of the medium’s biggest battle shonen series. There’s really incredible stuff going on here that needs to be seen to be believed. DAN DA DAN establishes a striking color palette and indulges in beautiful, kaleidoscopic visuals. All this translates into adrenaline-pumping fights that move at a delirious pace and never let up. There are such creative, stylized visual choices in scene compositions and transitions where even a simple two-person dialogue scene can hit like a ton of bricks and be aesthetically dazzling. The music by kensuke ushio of Chainsaw Man fame also provides a bombastic beat that complements every scene’s occult carnage and cathartic character work. It’s an anime that never stops trying and every scene is meticulously constructed and feels special, albeit in a way that never feels ostentatious. 

“Sorry, that was a bit much,” is an errant confession from Momo to Okarun early on in DAN DA DAN’s first episode, but this also feels like Science SARU’s philosophy during the anime’s production. Every DAN DA DAN episode bombards the audience with endless ideas, obstacles, and exaggerated visuals that solidify its status as a true anime classic. DAN DA DAN will appeal to horror, science fiction, and romantic comedy fans, whether they’re seasoned anime aficionados or curious newcomers. There’s such enthusiasm, innovation, and ambition that fills every frame. DAN DA DAN: First Encounter is a beautiful introduction to this rich anime world that’s the perfect aperitif for its ongoing occult mayhem.  

‘DAN DA DAN: First Encounter’ is playing in select theaters on September 13 and ‘DAN DA DAN’ begins its streaming premiere in October on Netflix and Crunchyroll. ‘First Encounter’ is also hitting UK and Ireland theaters on September 13.