Warning: contains spoilers for Dan Da Dan episode #6
WhileDan Da Dancomes across as just a goofy, quirky anime that gives viewers a good laugh with its multiple jokes aboutmissing family jewels, attentive fans might have already noticed that its characters' struggles go way beyond what they demonstrate on the surface. This became more apparent with the introduction ofthe new antagonist inDan Da Danepisode 6, who hinted at a bigger perspective about Yokai’s purpose in the series.
Just likeDan Da Dan’s protagonists started as the typical bickering duo but later prove to be more earnest and grounded, evolving into an endearing dynamic, the antagonists in the anime have also shown to have their own motivations.Dan Da Dan’s storyis about the contrast between humans and paranormal monsters, butthe yokais' nature was subtly revealed to be heartbreaking, especially the new enemy, Acrobatic Silky.
The Yokais in Dan Da Dan Represent Regrets and Unresolved Conflicts in Life
Acrobatic Silky Shows That Ghosts Who Can’t Rest in Peace Turn into Monsters
The introduction of Acrobatic Silky highlights the fact that not only the Earthbound spirit crab remained tied to the human world but thatall yokai turn into monstrous forms because they are unable to move on to the afterlife because of some kind of unresolved conflict, which is confirmed by the reason why Acrobatic Silky refers to Aira as her daughter. It was shown in a flashback that when she was a child, Aira mistook Acrobatic Silky for her mother when she still had her human appearance.
This was confirmed in aninterview by Mantan WebwithDan Da Dan’s author, where he shared thatyokai were originally humans that had regrets in lifeand weren’t meant to feel like villains.
Many of the elements of monster stories are inspired by tragic events from the past, so I wanted to make it a bit more entertaining and fun. Even when listening to various ghost stories, monsters and monsters were originally human, and they didn’t become what they wanted to be. So they don’t feel like villains. I think they are people who are struggling with their own conflicts.- Yukinobu Tatsu
Additionally, it was demonstrated by how she wanted to be called Mom by Momo as well, thatAcrobatic Silky is not attached to Aira for a real familiar bondbut because she is the spirit of a mother who wanders in search of a child, choosing Aira just because she acknowledged her existence. Yet, despite being turned into a monster, she still craves giving motherly love to someone.
Dan Da DanIs an Absurd Anime, but It Has Its Moments of Emotional Depth
Characters Like Turbo Granny Are More Than an Enemy and a Comic Relief
The monsters inDan Da Danappear at first as only a threat, but they have sad pasts and difficult circumstances underlying them. Despite being introduced as a pervy weenie thief enemy,Turbo Granny is a well-constructed characterwith more emotional depth than she shows, since it was confirmed her antics were due to her taking the role of a guardian of the spirits of deceased girls. Turbo Granny respected the spirits of the girls and attacked whoever wanted to mess with them, showing a layer of her humanity.
Dan Da Dan’s Most Controversial Scene Has an Heartbreaking Explanation
Momo’s assault scene in Dan Da Dan’s first episode is controversial, but the series has a good and heartbreaking explanation for it.
Also,Dandadan’s manga reveals in an extra in volume 1 Turbo Granny’s tragic backstory, which states that she was inspired by the myth that, during times when food was scarce, people abandoned old women deep in the mountains,which gives more context to why she detests people that don’t respect their elders. Likewise, the Earthbound Spirit crab was made up of girls’ spirits who were killed and later took that form after becoming a mass of resentment and hatred and losing their memory.
Furthermore,Okarun’s fascination with UAPs was born out of his loneliness, since he craved to have significant contact with someone after being constantly bullied and ignored. While these different characters show the dark undertones of the anime,Dan Da Dangives an optimistic resolution to them in the end, since they find their way, which proves the depth of the story, evoking many emotions and also showing the indomitable human nature even in monsters.
Dandadan
Cast
Two high school students, embroiled in a wager to prove the existence of ghosts or aliens, encounter daunting paranormal threats, acquire superpowers, and possibly discover love. The series blends supernatural elements with personal dynamics as the protagonists navigate their newfound abilities and unexpected challenges.
