Dandadan Episode 1 Anime Review

If there’s one word to describe Dandadan’s debut episode, it’s "chaotic" in the best possible way. This series doesn’t ease you in. Instead, it throws ghosts, aliens, curses, body horror, and awkward teenage energy into a blender and hits max speed. The result? A first episode that’s equal parts creepy, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt.

We meet two very different high schoolers:

Momo Ayase, sharp-tongued, fearless, and firmly convinced that ghosts are real (thanks to her grandmother). But aliens? Nonsense.

Ken Takakura (aka “Okarun”), shy, UFO-obsessed, and absolutely certain aliens exist… while dismissing the idea of ghosts.

Naturally, the two butt heads. To settle the score, they make a bet: Momo visits a UFO hot spot, while Ken explores a supposedly haunted hospital. The twist? They both discover the other was right. Momo is abducted by aliens, Ken is cursed by a vengeful ghost, and everything spirals into mayhem.

Horror, sci-fi, comedy, romance. Episode 1 juggles them all without dropping the ball. Just when you think you know the vibe, it swerves into something new.

Momo and Ken aren’t just opposites, they complement each other. Their banter and the way they challenge one another’s beliefs makes their dynamic instantly fun to watch.

From grotesque aliens to the eerie “Turbo Granny” ghost, the designs are memorable and unsettling. The animation handles the tonal shifts smoothly, flipping between creepy, absurd, and heartfelt.

Beneath the madness, there’s real depth. Momo’s connection to her grandmother and Ken’s loneliness add heart to what could’ve just been shock-value chaos.

Dandadan Episode 1 is bold, bizarre, and absolutely memorable. It doesn’t just introduce a story, it throws you headfirst into a world where the supernatural is real, uncomfortable, and strangely funny. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re craving something unpredictable and full of energy, this premiere delivers.