Warning: Contains spoilers for Dan Da Dan episode #4.Dan Da Dan is the latest anime from the Shonen Jump brand, and it’s easily one of the best Shonen Jump anime adaptations to date. Between the great action and writing and how it’s perfectly complemented by the gorgeous animation of Science Saru, Dan Da Dan has become an instant hit with fans and critics alike, and it’s already an easy contender for the best anime of 2024.
Regarding Dan Da Dan’s writing, a big part of what makes it so good is how it handles its female protagonist. For years, anime in and out of Shonen Jump have struggled with writing their female characters, with stories like Naruto, Bleach, My Hero Academia, and Jujutsu Kaisen being major offenders, but surprisingly, Dan Da Dan has done a perfect job of avoiding some of the biggest problems Shonen Jump anime have with their female characters. That writing has made Dan Da Dan a standout anime from its premiere, and it’s set to only get better with each passing episode.
Dan Da Dan Shows How Shonen Battle Anime Need To Write Their Female Heroes
Why Dan Da Dan's Heroine Is So Great
Thanks to shonen anime having boys as their primary demographic, the male characters typically get the most attention and involvement in the plot while the female characters typically only play supporting roles at best. Fortunately, though, Dan Da Dan avoids the issue of female protagonists in Shonen Jump anime not getting proper development by making Momo the main character from the very beginning, and that does a great job of establishing that she’s a major player as opposed to being stuck in a supporting role.
Dan Da Dan establishes Momo as a major player from its very first scene, and the rest of the story never fails to live up to that idea. Not only is Momo always driving the story with her comedy and assertive personality, but she always contributes to fights with her clever planning and overall power and is typically the one who has to end things. Dan Da Dan never fails to give Momo the kind of agency a main character in a Shonen Jump anime deserves, and she’s far better than the average female protagonist because of it.
Dan Da Dan Does A Great Job Of Making Its Heroes Stand As Equals
Momo & Okarun Are Coprotagonists
Another major point about Momo’s agency in Dan Da Dan is how she presents compared to Okarun. Both Momo and Okarun are the protagonists of Dan Da Dan, and while story arcs tend to center around Okarun’s problems more than they do Momo’s, Dan Da Dan always does a great job of portraying Momo and Okarun as equals by giving them equal involvement in the story, with their character development always happening in tandem so no one ever feels more developed than the other.
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Dan Da Dan Uses Demon Slayer's Greatest Trick To Prove The True Secret To A Successful Shonen Adaptation
Dan Da Dan is employing its stellar animation to expand and improve moments from the manga, something that made Demon Slayer a massive hit.
The way Momo and Okarun complement each other can be best seen in Dan Da Dan episode #4. Okarun’s physical abilities were the main reason why he and Momo could stand up to and eventually defeat Turbo Granny, but not only was Momo the one guiding Okarun on how best to use his powers, but when Okarun ran out of power, Momo didn’t hesitate to take over and finish things, once and for all. Dan Da Dan ’s fights are always decided by how well Momo and Okarun work together, and that’s something Shonen Jump anime rarely succeed at doing.
In many ways, Momo and Okarun’s dynamic is an inversion of the typical dynamic Shonen Jump pairings have. Unlike many male protagonists, Okarun is meek and reserved and fights best when following Momo’s plans; similarly, Momo, as previously stated, is driven and assertive, and her support of Okarun is framed as less because she’s a girl and more because she’s his partner. Dan Da Dan avoids the typical pitfalls of Shonen Jump anime through how much it revitalizes the male and female dynamic through Momo and Okarun, and it makes the writing for both characters as great as possible.
Dan Da Dan's Character Writing Helps Sell Its Romance Story
Dan Da Dan does a great job of making Momo and Okarun’s dynamic far better than what’s typically seen in a Shonen Jump anime, which does a lot to sell the romance aspect of the story. Dan Da Dan has made it clear that the romance between Momo and Okarun will be at the center of the story, but with Momo’s assertiveness and how active a part she has in the story, Dan Da Dan ’s romance is set up to be far better than the average Shonen Jump romance thanks to how much agency Momo has been given.
That idea can already be seen in the series, of course; Momo and Okarun always have great chemistry through their bickering and constant support, and that wouldn’t have worked as well if they were written more generically, especially not if Momo was more of a typical Shonen Jump heroine. The great writing for Dan Da Dan ’s romance subplot is another part of how it breaks the mold of Shonen Jump anime, and if Dan Da Dan keeps to that sort of writing, then Momo is sure to go down as one of the best Shonen Jump heroines of all time.
Dan Da Dan releases new episodes Thursdays on Crunchyroll.
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.
Cast Natsuki Hanae , Shion Wakayama , Nana Mizuki , Ayane Sakura , Kaito Ishikawa , Mayumi Tanaka , Kazuya Nakai , Kaori Maeda , Miyu Tomita , Ryûnosuke Watanuki , Hikaru Tanaka , Seitaro Taniguchi , Satomi Kobashi , Mayuko Kazama , Ryuuzaburou Ootomo
Character(s) Ken Okarun Takakura , Momo Ayase , Seiko , Aira Shiratori , Jin Jiji Enjōji , Turbo Granny , Serpoians , Miko , Muko , Momo's Boyfriend , Male Student A , Male Student B , Elementary School Boy , Flatwoods Monster
Release Date September 13, 2024
Seasons 1
English (US) ·