Move over Jujutsu Kaisen—Dandadan is here, and it’s coming for the crown. The first episode dropped, and it’s clear that this anime is not playing around. From the first beat of the opening track to the jaw-dropping final scene, Dandadan has already cemented itself as a contender for best new-gen anime. Here’s how it reached peak status in just one episode:
#1 Dandadan Fire Opening
Creepy Nuts absolutely understood the assignment. “Otonoke” is the chaotic, high-energy track we didn’t know we needed but now can’t live without. It perfectly matches the energy of Dandadan’s wild, weird world. And that title sequence? Stunning. It’s an explosion of color, chaos, and vibes, giving us a visual spectacle that screams, “Welcome to the madness!”
#2 Character Design That Slays
Dandadan’s characters are walking fashion statements. No, seriously, they look like they strolled straight off a runway and into the chaos of this anime. The attention to detail in the designs makes each character feel larger than life, like they’re too cool for this world (or any world, really). They’re not just characters—they’re icons.
#3 Instantly Loveable Heroes
How is it that within minutes, we already want to be best friends with Momo? She’s fierce, takes no nonsense from anyone, and defends both herself and Okarun from bullies like an absolute boss. And let’s talk about Okarun—our nerdy boy who’s ready to protect Momo from aliens with everything he’s got. By the end of the episode, you’re rooting for these two so hard, it’s like they’ve been your favorites for years. The chemistry is off the charts, and we’re just getting started.
#4 Backstory Speedrun? No Problem.
In less than 20 minutes, we get hit with the backstories of our two leads, and it’s done so well that it feels natural. Momo’s been through a lot—her tough childhood, standing up for her grandma—it all explains why she’s such a force of nature. And Okarun? His belief in aliens is the product of a lonely childhood, where he thought they were his only chance for friends. They’ve both got their baggage, but it just makes them more relatable.
#5 Character Growth on Overdrive
Not only do we get their backstories, but we also see legit character development right out of the gate. Momo goes from brushing off her grandma’s psychic teachings to unlocking her own powers by the end of the episode. Meanwhile, Okarun evolves from a loner obsessed with aliens to a guy who risks it all to save Momo from those very aliens. All this in the first episode? What kind of sorcery is this?!
#6 Not Too Vulgar, Just Right
Yes, Dandadan is chaotic, and yes, it’s got its fair share of R-rated jokes, but here’s the thing: they work. The humor feels natural, not forced or cringy. It’s like what actual teenagers would say, instead of throwing random fanservice at the screen for no reason. Plus, kudos to the English dub and Malay subtitles for keeping that same raw energy intact. They’ve done the impossible—making the humor hit just as hard in translation.
Bonus: That EPIC Ending
Oh, and did you catch that added explosion scene where the UFO goes up in flames behind Momo as she learns Okarun’s name? Yeah, that’s not in the manga! The anime took a small moment and made it epic, perfectly capturing Momo’s emotions at that moment. We’re not just getting an adaptation—we’re getting something more.
Conclusion
It’s official: Dandadan is already a masterpiece. The first episode has everything you could want—sick character designs, lightning-fast backstories, incredible growth, and humor that lands every time. If this is the starting line, then Dandadan is about to leave every other anime in the dust. This first episode? Solid 10 out of 10.
