Dandadan burst onto the anime scene in the latter half of 2024 and demanded the attention of viewers around the world. Based on the original manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, the anime encapsulates the intensity, dramatics, and creative freedom that has come to define the new-era shōnen action series. Though fans of Tatsu’s original work will be quick to claim that they expected Dandadan‘s massive success, the average anime-viewer could not have been ready for the show’s meteoric rise in popularity.
With a highly anticipated second season set to premiere in July 2025, it seems the series has no intention of slowing its momentum, allowing fans only a quick breather before returning to screens. Dandadan‘s impressive and instant success didn’t go unnoticed by industry executives, either. Yoichi Mushiaki, president of the broadcasting company, MBS, held a regular press conference this past week in which he discussed the series and its popularity.
Mushiaki expressed his satisfaction with the success of the Dandadan anime adaptation, before going on to state that the company has designated the series as “flagship content”. What is also notable about the company president’s comments is the focus he gave to the global success of the franchise, revealing that the anime actually performed quite a bit better outside of Japan. In the not too distant past, the anime industry’s largest companies never put much stress on global performance, though it seems the times may be changing.
Dandadan Has Become a Flagship Series in the Anime Industry
The Anime Has Established Itself as One of the Industry’s Most Popular
On paper, Dandadan isn’t exactly the sort of series an anime fan would expect to steal the spotlight from other, more established shōnen action franchises. At least, not in the near-instant manner in which it did. Leaving behind many of the tropes that define its genre, Dandadan‘s break-neck pacing and little interest in downtime draws in audiences and refuses to let them go. Placing one of the best-written female characters a shōnen series has seen in recent years into a prominent, leading role, the story cares not for demographics and instead places its belief in its own strong cast.
The paranormal adventures of protagonists Momo and Okarun captivated audiences during Dandadan‘s first season, as the two generally opposed characters learned to become just a bit more accepting of themselves and others. Sprinkling in some romance on top, the series’ unique winning formula shot it up the popularity charts of the world’s biggest streaming platforms and planted the anime at the center of online discussion.
MBS President Yoichi Mushiaki stated during his press conference, “It’s a common thing in anime, that broadcast ratings are not that high, but in the case of Dandadan, its reception is much higher overseas than in Japan.” The anime held a firm spot among Netflix’s top releases week to week, and peaked at #2 in the Top 10 Non-English Shows on the platform, including non-anime series. Despite its lower ratings in Japan, Yahoo News Group reported that MBS stressed how pleased they were with Dandadan‘s early success.
Dandadan Is the Latest Series to Benefit From a Growing Global Anime Market
As Mushiaki stated, it’s becoming more common for anime series to perform better in an international market than in Japan. Recent reports from Parrot Analytics, a company which measures and analyzes audience demand, have revealed that 2023 was a year that saw the anime industry generate record-breaking revenue. What is surprising, however, is that in many metrics, North America either matched or outperformed Asia’s earnings.
According to the president of MBS, Dandadan is just the latest anime series to benefit from anime’s ever-increasing global popularity. One potentially large reason for the anime’s success is due to its presence on Netflix. One of the world’s biggest streaming platforms, Netflix has stepped up its anime selection in recent years, and featured Dandadan as a simulcast series releasing new episodes at the same time as Japan.
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Anime’s increased presence on the platform has allowed the streaming giant to overtake Crunchyroll as America’s #1 anime streaming platform, delivering shows like Dandadan to audiences that otherwise would never have sought them out on their own. While the majority of support for the series came from within the anime-watching community, the importance of exposure to other viewers cannot be understated. The series’ second season, slated for a July release, is on the horizon, and will surely benefit greatly from international markets once more.
The Future Is Bright for Dandadan
The Anime’s Second Season Is One of 2025’s Most Anticipated Releases
Several of the most popular currently airing anime series often take lengthy breaks in between releases, but Dandadan has wasted no time in announcing its second season. Set to premiere in July 2025, the anime will continue where it left off by adapting one of the manga’s largest battles in terms of scale. The Evil Eye arc, which introduces Jiji to the series, began in Season One’s final episodes and will be adapted to completion during the franchise’s next entry.
Dandadan‘s anime adaptation from studio Science SARU was one of 2024’s most visually impressive and highly stylized series, and fans can expect a similar level of quality in its follow-up. The Evil Eye arc is arguably the original manga’s first highly ambitious outing, and Science SARU will certainly have their work cut out for them. However, based on a track record that includes works like Devilman Crybaby and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, alongside their incredible work on Dandadan‘s first season, fans should have full confidence in the studio to deliver once more.
Dandadan‘s incredible boom in popularity has established the series as a heavy-hitter both in the eyes of fans and industry executives. Gaining viewership and praise from audiences around the world, its upcoming second season is set to steal the spotlight once more in July 2025, delivering the excitement, action, and romance the series has become known for. Yukinobu Tatsu’s original manga is ongoing, and fans still have time to catch up before the anime’s return.
Source: Yahoo News Japan
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.
- Release Date
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September 13, 2024
- Creator(s)
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Yukinobu Tatsu
- Seasons
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1
- Studio
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Science Saru
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
