"Even if I'm not normal... even if I'm weak... I'll protect what's important to me." — Okarun
There's something strangely comforting about hearing Okarun yell those words while mid-air—pants missing, face bloodied, determination blazing. That blend of heart, chaos, and awkward earnestness is exactly why Dandadan hits so hard. Season 1 didn't just deliver on the manga's promise—it launched us into a whirlwind of aliens, yokai, and raw, emotional stakes that never once took themselves too seriously. Yet somehow, we cared. Deeply.
Reflecting on Dandadan Season 1: A Beautiful Fever Dream
From the very first episode, Dandadan dared to be different. The story kicked off with Momo Ayase—a tough, no-nonsense high school girl—and Okarun (Ken Takakura), a socially awkward occult nerd. Their unlikely friendship begins with a bet: Momo believes in ghosts but not aliens, while Okarun believes in aliens but not ghosts. So naturally, they both prove each other wrong in the most over-the-top, terrifying, and hilarious ways possible.
And just like that, we were hooked.
The real brilliance of Season 1 lies in its seamless blend of tones. One moment you're laughing at Turbo-Granny chasing a pantsless Okarun down the hallway, and the next, you're watching him stand up to a cosmic threat, declaring his love for life—and maybe something more—for Momo. These swings never feel forced. They just work.
Let's take a magnifying glass to the most important moments from Dandadan Season 1—the turning points that defined character arcs, revealed crucial lore, and set the tone for the series going forward. These moments weren't just entertaining; they were foundational to understanding what Dandadan is really about—chaos, heart, and the unknown colliding at full speed.
1. The Bet That Started It All (Episode 1)
"You believe in ghosts but not aliens? That's so dumb!"
"Says the guy who believes in aliens but not ghosts!"
It all begins with a school hallway argument that spirals into a supernatural investigation. Momo, a ghost believer, visits an alleged alien hotspot (an abandoned hospital) to prove extraterrestrials don't exist. Okarun, an alien believer, visits a supposedly haunted tunnel to prove ghosts aren't real. They both get their beliefs shattered—hard.
Momo is abducted by grotesque, serpentine aliens from Serpo, while Okarun is chased by Turbo-Granny, an aging yokai with disturbing speed and... even more disturbing intentions. This scene doesn't just introduce the supernatural—it establishes the rules: The paranormal is real. It's everywhere. It doesn't play fair. It's our first look at how Dandadan blends urban legends and alien conspiracies, setting up the duality that drives the plot. It also solidifies Momo and Okarun's dynamic—bickering but bonded by the bizarre.
2. Okarun's Possession by Turbo-Granny
When Turbo-Granny catches Okarun, she doesn't kill him—instead, she possesses him, leaving him with a curse that manifests in sudden transformations, granting him speed and strength but at the cost of his dignity (he literally loses his private parts).
The first transformation scene is equal parts terrifying and hilarious. His body contorts, his hair spikes up, and he fights with explosive martial arts skills he never had before.
This is Okarun's first brush with real power, and it's also his first trauma. The possession becomes a constant tension in his life. Will he lose control again? Will Turbo-Granny's influence consume him? It also introduces one of the major themes: the body as a battleground for the supernatural.
3. Momo Awakens Her Psychic Powers
After being abducted, Momo is pinned to an alien operating table—helpless. But in a surge of raw emotion, she unleashes a telekinetic blast that annihilates her captors. It's instinctual, furious, and powerful.
Later, she refines these abilities during battles with other yokai, using them to lift objects, launch herself into combat, and shield others.
This is Momo's coming-of-age moment. Her powers aren't trained—they're felt. They're an extension of her rage, compassion, and defiance. This raw talent puts her on the radar of powerful spirits and aliens.
We also get a glimpse of how far she's willing to go to protect Okarun—even if it means embracing the supernatural she once denied.
4. The Seiko Ayase Reveal
Seiko, Momo's eccentric grandma, seems like comic relief at first. But when yokai attack their home, she busts out paper talismans, spiritual techniques, and a terrifying amount of knowledge.
There's a moment when she sits calmly in a room surrounded by talismans, sipping tea while a demonic force bangs on the door. She doesn't flinch. Then she casually exorcises the thing through the floor.
Seiko anchors the spiritual world of Dandadan. Her experience suggests a longer history with these forces—and that Momo and Okarun are just stepping into a war that's been going on for generations.
She's also a grounding figure. In a show where teens fight interdimensional freaks, it's comforting to have a no-nonsense adult who knows what she's doing (and who might've once dated a tengu—just a theory).
5. Okarun's Internal Struggle with Turbo-Granny
This multi-episode arc is where Dandadan first truly shows its teeth in terms of animation and emotional depth, centered around Okarun's ongoing battle with Turbo-Granny's possession. He must face her not just as an external threat but as a part of himself, constantly wrestling for control over his own body and power.
He gets pushed to his limits, physically and emotionally, even questioning if he's still human as her monstrous influence threatens to consume him. It's during this time that his connection with Momo strengthens; she's the one who consistently refuses to leave him behind, finding ways to help him regain his self and control.
This is a true turning point for Okarun. His begrudging acceptance of Turbo-Granny's power—and the gradual, often painful, process of learning to wield it on his terms—sets the tone for his journey as a hybrid being. It also hints that yokai aren't just enemies; some, like Turbo-Granny herself (once bound to a lucky cat doll), might be coerced into becoming unlikely partners, too.
6. The Battle with the Kaiju Yokai (Aira's Introduction)
In one of the wildest fights of the season, Momo and Okarun face off against a towering yokai with grotesque features straight out of a fever dream. Just when things get dire, a new player enters: Aira Shiratori, a spirit medium from a rival lineage.
Aira's flashy, powerful, and wildly competitive—especially with Momo. Her spirit-fighting style is stylish and efficient, and she's not afraid to call Okarun a loser to his face (though we all know she's projecting).
This introduces more players to the supernatural game and suggests a whole network of spirit users with differing techniques and agendas. Aira will likely be a key ally—or rival—in Season 2.
It also emphasizes that Momo and Okarun aren't alone. There's a whole world of exorcists and spiritual families, and not all of them play nice.
7. The Heartbeat Moment in the Ruins
After a chaotic encounter with a yokai nest, Okarun is wounded and unconscious. Momo kneels beside him, her psychic aura flickering with emotion. When he wakes up, they have a simple, quiet exchange—no big declarations, just genuine care.
Okarun thanks her for believing in him. Momo mutters something about him being an idiot but can't hide her relief. It's the closest we get to a love confession—wrapped in sarcasm and sincerity.
This cements their bond. It's not just about shared survival anymore—it's about choosing each other, even when the world goes full supernatural soap opera. Their relationship isn't rushed. It breathes, and that makes it real.
Season 2 will likely push their emotional dynamic further, especially under pressure.
8. Final Episode Tease – A Glimpse of the Bigger Threat
In the final minutes of the season, two distinct cliffhangers unfold, hinting at escalating dangers. Momo finds herself in immediate peril at a hot spring, ambushed by a group of unsettling men, leaving her fate uncertain. Simultaneously, Okarun and Jiji uncover a hidden room filled with mysterious talismans within Jiji's deeply cursed house, suggesting a deeper, more ancient threat is at play.
While the show doesn't reveal a single "yokai king" or "alien/yokai hybrid force" just yet, these unresolved events make one thing clear: the supernatural world of Dandadan is far more expansive and perilous than initially presented. The series is undeniably building towards larger conflicts and revelations, confirming that Season 1 was merely the warm-up act.
What to Expect in Dandadan Season 2: Plot Predictions, New Yokai, and More Chaos Incoming
"This world's way weirder than I thought... and I kinda love it." — Okarun
With Dandadan Season 1 ending on a note that felt like both a victory lap and a subtle warning, fans like us are buzzing with questions: Who's watching Momo and Okarun from the shadows? What are the aliens planning next? When do we get more butt-naked yokai fights??
Okay, maybe not that last one. (Actually—yes, definitely that last one.)
Here's everything we know—and everything we're wildly speculating—about Dandadan Season 2.
When Is the Dandadan Season 2 Release Date?
Great news, Danda-fans! As of now, there is an official Dandadan Season 2 release date! The anime will begin airing weekly on July 3, 2025, with a special theatrical premiere of its first three episodes, titled "Dandadan: Evil Eye", on June 6, 2025 (in North America). This is much sooner than many fans initially predicted!
Dandadan Season 1 premiered in Fall 2024 to a strong reception, high streaming numbers, and a devoted fanbase that only grew louder as the season progressed. Studio Science SARU has been tight-lipped, but the quick turnaround speaks volumes:
- Season 1 covered roughly chapters 1–33/34 of the manga.
- There's ample manga content left to adapt—over 120 chapters currently.
- The production quality was consistently high, suggesting SARU is maintaining that standard with this prompt follow-up.
This immediate greenlight and rapid production cycle confirm that Dandadan's hype is very real!
What's Next for Momo and Okarun? (Okarun and Momo Relationship in Season 2)
Now that both Momo and Okarun have accepted their powers—and, in their own awkward way, each other—we can expect deeper emotional development in Dandadan Season 2. No, I don't think we're getting a confession just yet (this isn't a romcom, it's a romchaos), but we'll see:
- Increased teamwork during battles, especially with more psychic/spirit fusion techniques.
- Jealousy dynamics as Aira gets closer to Okarun (her tsundere energy is off the charts).
- A deeper look at Momo's unresolved grief for her missing father—and how Okarun may become her emotional anchor.
- Possibly... a first date? Or a scene where Momo actually admits she likes him without calling him a "perv." (Stretch goal.)
Expect emotionally charged moments hidden inside ridiculous circumstances—like fleeing from a three-eyed naked ghost while having a heart-to-heart.
New Yokai in Dandadan Season 2
We've seen Turbo-Granny, Kaiju heads, cursed dolls, and alien reptiles. So what next?
Based on the manga and the official Season 2 title "Dandadan: Evil Eye", here are some of the new yokai we will see:
- Jin Enjoji, a terrifying yokai-possessed high schooler with psychic flames – who is the primary antagonist of the upcoming Evil Eye arc.
- The conclusion of the Jiji arc, which introduces Momo's childhood friend—and something horribly wrong living inside him.
- A yokai that manipulates reality inside mirrors, warping perception and creating impossible battle conditions. (It's giving Junji Ito meets Looney Tunes energy.)
- A monk-turned-spirit who guards a forbidden yokai graveyard. (Creepy. Wise. Possibly voiced by a veteran seiyuu.)
These encounters will push our heroes' limits—not just physically, but morally. Some yokai aren't inherently evil. Season 2 may finally ask: Can you exorcise something with feelings?
Power-Ups and Spirit Evolution
Dandadan doesn't do power-ups in a traditional shonen way—but you bet we'll see growth. I expect:
- Momo refining her telekinesis into pinpoint attacks—less raw rage, more Jedi finesse.
- Okarun merging more with the Evil Eye's influence, possibly gaining new forms—or hallucinating truths he's not ready for.
- Aira developing a spiritual technique that mirrors Momo's abilities, sparking rivalry and reluctant teamwork.
- New tech-based weapons introduced by alien factions. Yes, the show may go mecha-psychic soon.
There's also the matter of Seiko Ayase. Grandma clearly knows more than she lets on—and she might finally step in with her full power next season. I'm betting on a showdown where Seiko saves the kids with a casual:
"Didn't I tell you? Never mess with a woman who knows sutras and street fighting."
Expanding the Supernatural World
The supernatural world of Dandadan is still just cracking open.
Season 2 could reveal:
- An underground society of spirit users with different ideologies—some might want to control yokai, not destroy them.
- Alien politics—yes, apparently the Serpo aliens weren't the only visitors. A galactic faction war might be brewing.
- Momo's family history, especially her missing dad, who might've vanished because of a yokai pact.
The beauty of Dandadan is that it doesn't box itself into one lore system. Aliens, ghosts, Buddhist magic, urban legends—they all exist simultaneously, often in the same scene. It's anime logic at its finest:
"Sure, I'll accept that a haunted doll and a UFO cult are working together because why not?"
Dandadan Manga Adaptation: Which Chapters Might We See?
Since Season 2 picks up from around chapter 34 (continuing the Cursed House arc), we'll likely see:
- The conclusion of the Jiji/Cursed House arc (ch. 28-50).
- The pivotal Evil Eye arc (ch. 51–62) – Creepy, emotional, and explosively action-packed.
- Hints of the Kito Family arc and subsequent major events that take the supernatural hierarchy into full-on horror fantasy territory.
If Science SARU maintains 2–3 chapters per episode, we could see coverage well into the 60s or even 70s, which includes some of the series' most inventive battles and character drama yet.
Final Thought: The Madness We Can't Wait For
So, what can we expect in Dandadan Season 2?
Bigger threats. Wilder powers. Deeper feelings. More pants-less yokai sprinting into our hearts.
But more than that—we'll see a story about two teenagers growing into themselves through chaos, humor, and heart. And yeah, a few exploding heads along the way.
I first fell in love with Dandadan because it refused to be just one thing. It's not just about fights. Or laughs. Or love. It's about finding the beautiful in the bizarre. The way Momo protects Okarun like a grumpy bodyguard with a crush. The way Okarun learns to stop running from who he's becoming. The way Seiko drops spiritual knowledge and gossip in the same sentence.
Also, I once wrote "Okarun gets a power-boob" in my notes instead of "power-boost." (Thanks autocorrect.)
Season 2 promises to be even weirder, louder, and more emotional. And I, for one, am ready for whatever yokai, alien, or absurdity Dandadan throws next.
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