Dan Da Dan Anime: New Trailer & Theatrical Release Date

Title DAN DA DAN Director Fuga Yamashiro Studio Science Saru Premiere 10/2024

With each new tease, DAN DA DAN appears to be the anime that everyone wants to see and, simultaneously, the one everyone invested in the anime market wants a piece of before it airs. Not only are Crunchyroll and Netflix both streaming it worldwide among other platforms, but GKIDS is even bringing the first three episodes of the show to North American theaters this fall.

Based on the hit manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, Dan Da Dan follows Ken "Okarun" Takakura, a boy who believes in aliens but doesn't believe in ghosts, and Momo Ayase, a girl who believes the exact opposite. When they agree to a test of courage to prove each other wrong, they realize - much to their dismay - that they are both right, and their lives become complete chaos.

Each Trailer Is Better than the Last

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While past teasers primarily focused on the main pair and showcased the art style and some action, this newest trailer introduces more supporting characters. Momo's grandmother, Seiko (CV: Nana Mizuki), is a blunt spirit medium who instilled in Momo a belief in the supernatural. Additionally, the audience sees Momo and Takakura's classmates: Aira Shiratori (CV: Ayane Sakura) and Jin Enjoji (CV: Kaito Ishikawa).

Shiratori is a popular student who becomes involved in Okarun and Momo's supernatural adventures. Similarly, Enjoji - nicknamed Jiji - a former friend and crush of Momo's, gets involved when he enrolls in her school. Previously shown characters include the yokai Turbo-Granny (CV: Mayumi Tanaka) and the Alien Serpo (CV: Kazuya Nakai). Okarun is voiced by Natsuki Hanae, and Momo by Shion Wakayama.

Already the Best-Looking Show of Fall 2024?

From the vibrant, eclectic mix of musical influences to the consistently energetic character animation, Dan Da Dan looks like Science Saru's take on Mob Psycho 100. Perhaps that's premature praise, but if any studio could achieve this, it would be Science Saru. Fuga Yamashiro, a longtime assistant director to the studio's co-founder Masaaki Yuasa, directs this adaptation, and it looks very promising.

The comparison to Mob Psycho is warranted, not just due to its frenetic visual style. Yoshimichi Kameda, a key staff member throughout Mob Psycho and a renowned animator, designed Dan Da Dan's aliens and paranormal beings. Naoyuki Onda, known for his work in Berserk, Psycho-Pass, and Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, designed the human characters.

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Kensuke Ushio, the composer behind A Silent Voice, Devilman Crybaby, and Chainsaw Man, will compose the soundtrack. It was also recently announced that Creepy Nuts will perform the opening theme, titled "Otonoke." They previously performed the viral theme "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" for Season 2 of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, this past Winter.

What’s the Earliest You Can Watch the Anime?

The same day the new trailer debuted, theatrical dates were announced for DAN DA DAN: First Encounter, a preview event of the first three episodes, along with some bonuses. It will be in theaters on August 31 throughout Asia and September 7 in Europe, but GKIDS wisely selected the best possible date given this story's premise. This September, the event will hit theaters in North America beginning on Friday the 13th.

GKIDS revealed that this screening will include a video interview with series author Yukinobu Tatsu, editor Shihei Lin, director Fuga Yamashiro, and the voice actors of Momo and Okarun. The event will occur nationwide, though there's no word yet on the duration of First Encounter's theatrical run. However long it may be, it doesn't sound like a night fans will want to miss.

DAN DA DAN will stream this October on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

Sources: DAN DA DAN official website, X (@GKIDSfilms), Anime News Network