Why Dandadan Became Netflix's Most-Watched Anime Despite the Controversies

When Science SARU's Dandadan premiered in fall 2024, skeptics dismissed it as another overhyped anime destined to fade into obscurity. Fast forward to October 2025, and those doubters have been silenced—Dandadan claimed the crown as Netflix's most-watched anime between July and December 2024 with a staggering 96.5 million hours watched, dethroning giants like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen. But this triumph didn't come without baggage. From sexual content controversies to copyright disputes and race-swapping fan art drama, Dandadan has sparked as much debate as adoration. Yet somehow, this chaotic blend of aliens, yokai, romance, and jaw-dropping animation has captured global audiences in ways few anime achieve.

What Makes Dandadan Different From Every Other Shonen

Dandadan refuses to play by the rules, and that's precisely why it works. Created by Yukinobu Tatsu (former assistant to Chainsaw Man's Tatsuki Fujimoto), the series follows Momo Ayase, a high school girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens, and Ken "Okarun" Takakura, an occult-obsessed loner who believes the opposite. When both discover they're wrong after a bet gone horribly right, they're thrust into a supernatural world where Okarun loses his "golden balls" to alien invaders and must fight possessed spirits and extraterrestrial threats to get them back.

The premise sounds absurd because it is—but beneath the crude humor and body horror lies genuine emotional depth that elevates Dandadan beyond typical battle shonen. Unlike series where female leads get sidelined, Momo shares equal narrative weight with Okarun, frequently strategizing in battles and driving character development. Creator Tatsu revealed Momo is his favorite character, comparing her to Superman: "Her true strength lies in inspiring those around her to stand against injustice". This dedication to authentic character writing resonates throughout every arc.

The Genre-Bending Formula That Shouldn't Work (But Does)

Dandadan juggles horror, sci-fi, romance, comedy, and action without losing coherence—a feat most anime collapse attempting. One moment features body horror with possessed Okarun transforming into a demonic speedster; the next shows him and Momo awkwardly holding hands after battle. This tonal whiplash should feel jarring, but Tatsu's storytelling makes it natural, grounding even the wildest supernatural chaos in relatable teenage anxieties about identity, trauma, and first love.

Tatsu's philosophy shapes the series' emotional core: "It's pointless if you work hard and get nothing". Characters receive tangible rewards for their efforts—whether shared meals after battle, meaningful growth, or deepening relationships. This principle separates Dandadan from "random" comedies; absurdity always serves character development rather than existing for shock value alone.

Animation That Redefined Studio Standards

Science SARU proved to be Dandadan's perfect match, delivering animation that became the gold standard for manga adaptations. The studio's philosophy prioritizes "fluid motion over static perfection, character expression over rigid detail, and creative chaos over conventional beauty". This approach allows simple character designs to burst with personality while maintaining the kinetic energy supernatural battles demand.

Color as Character Expression

Director Fūga Yamashiro revealed the studio's innovative color palette technique: different hues reflect characters' emotional states and threat types. Reds dominate during Okarun's Turbo Granny possession, blues signal alien encounters, and black-and-white sequences heighten dramatic tension. Episode 9's underwater battle against the fused Serpo-Dover-Demon-Nessie creature showcased animation perfection through seamless 2D-CGI blending, dynamic choreography, and expressive facial work.

Critics consistently highlighted Science SARU's ability to make action sequences matter beyond spectacle. The Turbo Granny race established that outsmarting opponents trumps raw power, with Momo's strategic thinking proving essential. The Evil Eye confrontations showcased psychological manipulation when Okarun negotiates weekly fight appointments instead of constant combat—subverting battle shonen expectations through character-driven solutions.

The Episode That Destroyed Everyone

If one moment defines Dandadan's emotional power, it's Episode 7. YouTube reactors worldwide were "absolutely destroyed" by this masterclass in storytelling that pivoted from absurd comedy to devastating tragedy. The episode focused on Aira confronting the spirit of her deceased mother, who had been searching for her daughter as the "Acrobatic Silky" yokai. When Aira finally embraces her mother before she passes on, even seasoned anime fans were reduced to tears.

One 46-year-old father of three stated it "came out of left field with the way it hit so hard in the feels". This episode demonstrated Dandadan's unique ability to maintain narrative coherence while shifting emotional gears—a balance few anime achieve. It's proof that audiences crave stories willing to be weird, blend tones fearlessly, and treat characters with respect even amid chaos.

Music and Cultural Phenomenon

Creepy Nuts' opening theme "Otonoke" became a cultural juggernaut in its own right. The song topped Billboard Japan Hot 100 charts and spawned countless viral moments, including a fan-made live-action music video that garnered over 11 million views in two weeks with a reported $40,000 production budget. The opening's distinctive animation and catchy hip-hop beat made it instantly recognizable, sparking dance trends across TikTok and YouTube.

At the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, "Otonoke" won Best Anime Song, while Dandadan claimed Best Character Design and led all anime with 22 nominations across 19 categories. The series competed for Anime of the Year alongside Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Kaiju No. 8, Delicious in Dungeon, Solo Leveling, and The Apothecary Diaries.

Voice Acting That Brings Chaos to Life

The Japanese voice cast delivered performances that captured every emotional shift Dandadan demands. From Okarun's anxious stammering to Momo's fierce determination and Turbo Granny's chaotic energy, the voice actors balanced comedy and drama seamlessly. Turbo Granny emerged as a fan-favorite character, ranking #3 in the official popularity poll, with her catchphrase "let me gobble that weenie" becoming instant meme material.

The Ken Takakura name joke resonated deeply with Japanese audiences familiar with the legendary actor (1931-2014), while Western fans enjoyed discovering this cultural reference that bridges generations.

Streaming Numbers That Broke Records

Dandadan's success transcended critical acclaim into unprecedented commercial dominance. Season 2 shattered the series' own records, pulling 9.4 million cumulative views in its first two weeks compared to Season 1's 7.7 million—a 22% increase. Weekly viewership averaged 5.4 million views per week, significantly higher than Season 1's 1-3 million.

The series achieved #5 on Netflix's global non-English TV shows chart and became the #7 most-watched non-English show globally during its run. This international appeal led Mainstream Broadcasting System (MBS) to officially designate Dandadan a "flagship series" for the anime industry, with MBS President Yoichi Mushiaki noting: "Its reception is much higher overseas than in Japan".

Manga Sales Explosion

The anime adaptation triggered a manga sales phenomenon. Dandadan reached 10 million copies in circulation by March 2025, jumping from 3.2 million copies (Volume 11) in months following the anime premiere. By mid-2025, Dandadan secured the #2 spot in best-selling manga with approximately 2.54 million volumes sold, trailing only Jujutsu Kaisen and overtaking Boruto despite having fewer volumes.

The theatrical compilation movie Dandadan: Evil Eye broke anime box office records for a series premiere, earning $3.55 million in its opening weekend—surpassing Solo Leveling: ReAwakening and outperforming major Hollywood releases including A Minecraft Movie and the MCU's Thunderbolts in daily rankings.

The Controversies That Won't Go Away

Sexual Content Divides the Fandom

Dandadan faced significant backlash for explicit sexual content, particularly the controversial first episode. Critics pointed to Momo's near-assault by the Serpoians and voyeuristic camera angles as problematic, arguing the scene could convey horror without showing a restrained high school girl in underwear. Episode 9 reignited concerns when both Momo and Aira were gradually stripped during battle, with critics noting female characters received disproportionate fanservice treatment.

The Season 1 finale's cliffhanger—featuring another potential sexual assault scenario—became particularly divisive. Defenders argued the sexual content serves as coming-of-age metaphors for confusing and traumatic teenage sexual experiences, contrasting dark moments with Momo and Okarun's wholesome relationship to highlight how people struggle before finding healthy connections. Nevertheless, many felt the series went too far with teenage protagonists.

Race-Swapping Art Sparks International Incident

In December 2024, a 16-year-old Black artist posted fan art reimagining Momo and Okarun as Latina and African American respectively, sparking fierce debate. Japanese fans accused the artist of "blackwashing" characters, leading to harassment severe enough that the artist privatized their account.

The controversy exposed tensions around racial representation in anime. Critics of the backlash noted white-washed versions of anime characters rarely receive similar criticism, pointing to a double standard. The incident referenced earlier tensions when some fans claimed the Rihanna-inspired dance in Dandadan's opening meant "anime is only possible because of Black culture," which Japanese fans rejected as cultural appropriation.

Copyright Infringement and X Japan

Season 2's Episode 6 created controversy when it parodied the band X Japan without prior notification to musician Yoshiki. The fictional band "Hayashi" directly referenced Yoshiki's surname, and the musician's deleted posts expressing frustration sparked debate about parody and fair use. Celebrity lawyer Masaki Kito argued Japanese manga needs "global copyright standards" to expand internationally. Dandadan's production team issued a public apology.

Crunchyroll's Mysterious Marketing Pullback

Despite Dandadan's success, Crunchyroll suspiciously reduced promotional efforts during Season 1. Internal emails revealed senior vice president Markus Gerdemann instructed staff to limit promotion due to "ongoing acquisition discussions" stemming from Netflix and Crunchyroll simultaneously licensing the series. This marked a shift in Crunchyroll viewing Netflix as direct competition rather than a complementary platform.

Pacing and Story Structure That Keeps You Hooked

Dandadan's pacing strikes a delicate balance between breakneck action and character-building quiet moments. Each arc introduces new supernatural threats while deepening relationships and expanding the "found family" dynamics fans celebrate. The series avoids typical shonen pitfalls where training arcs drag or power scaling spirals out of control.

Season 2 maintained momentum by introducing compelling new characters like Jiji (Momo's childhood friend and former crush) and ending with a shocking cliffhanger revealing the kaiju pilot: Vimola, a mysterious alien girl of Sumerian origin and the last surviving daughter of her race. Forced to flee to Earth after a devastating invasion, Vimola's arrival sets up potential romantic tension that could force Momo to confront her feelings for Okarun directly.

Community and Meme Culture

The r/Dandadan subreddit became a hub for weekly episode discussions, fan theories, and artwork. Community members praised the series' "found family" dynamics and genuine chemistry between Momo and Okarun, celebrating how the series handles romance without falling into typical shonen tropes where both leads receive equal agency and development.

Character facial expressions, especially Momo's reactions, became widely shared reaction images across social media. Okarun's "golden balls" quest provided endless comedic material that balanced crude humor with genuine story progression. Fan theories about Okarun's potential alien ancestry, the meaning of "dandadan" as a plot-significant element, and speculation about tragic endings keep the community engaged between episodes.

What's Next: Season 3 and Beyond

Season 3 was officially confirmed immediately after the Season 2 finale on September 18, 2025. However, unlike previous installments where fans waited only half a year between seasons, all indications point to a longer wait this time. Science SARU is a small animation studio with three projects currently in production, making a late 2027 release most likely.

Co-director Abel Gongora revealed creator Yukinobu Tatsu "supervises everything" during the script stage and attends most recording sessions, providing ideas while remaining "super open" to the team's creative choices. This collaborative approach ensures the adaptation stays true to the manga's spirit while allowing anime-specific enhancements.

Manga readers estimate the series may be halfway through its story, with speculation pointing to approximately 345 chapters total based on narrative structure and pacing. Recent manga chapters revealed "dandadan" as a significant plot element tied to the series' endgame, though its full meaning remains mysterious.

The Verdict: A Flawed Masterpiece

Dandadan has earned its place as one of the defining anime of the 2020s through sheer audacity and heart. Its streaming numbers, manga sales, awards recognition, and cultural penetration speak to universal appeal that transcends demographic boundaries. While controversies around sexual content and cultural representation remain valid criticisms, the series' strengths—stunning animation, emotionally intelligent storytelling, genre-defying narrative structure, and genuine character chemistry—outweigh its flaws for most viewers.

What separates Dandadan from flavor-of-the-month anime is its understanding that audiences crave stories that dare to be weird while maintaining emotional authenticity. It's proof that anime's best stories often come from the most unexpected places—like a manga about teenagers fighting aliens and ghosts while navigating first love, one absurd battle at a time.

Will Season 3 maintain this momentum when it arrives in 2027? What do you think Dandadan needs to improve moving forward? And which controversial moment crossed the line for you—or do you believe the backlash is overblown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.