Dan Da Dan Uses Demon Slayer's Greatest Trick To Prove The True Secret To A Successful Shonen Adaptation

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Okarun looks gloomy as Tanjiro is excited in the background

Warning: Spoilers for Dan Da Dan episode #4Dan Da Dan's anime adaptation by Science Saru is becoming one of the most stellar anime of the year. With new episodes released every Thursday, the anime is rapidly gaining popularity, and it has become clear that being a faithful anime adaptation of the series, over everything else the anime has to offer, is among the reasons for its success. However, Dan Da Dan is also showing that it's not afraid to expand and improve the source material.

The latest episode takes things up a notch, expanding a scene to make it even more captivating. The moment where Okarun sprints to escape danger while carrying Momo spans barely two pages in the manga, but it becomes an incredibly captivating sequence in the anime, underscoring Science Saru's craft at adapting a scene. Science Saru may be employing the same strategy as Ufotable, the studio behind the adaptation of Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: delivering a stellar anime adaptation that outshines even the source material itself.

Dan Da Dan’s Animation Will Outshine Everything Else, Much Like Demon Slayer’s

If Not the Narrative, Dan Da Dan’s Animation Will Continue to Captivate Its Viewers

In Dan Da Dan Episode #4, titled "Kicking Turbo Granny's Ass", Okarun and Momo come up with a strategy to drag the Turbo Granny out of her territory to weaken her significantly, allowing Momo's grandmother, Seiko, to deliver the final blow. However, executing the plan proves far more challenging, with both Okarun and Momo narrowly escaping death. It’s only when Okarun taps into Turbo Granny's power for a full-throttle sprint that they manage to avoid a disastrous outcome. This episode emphasizes this pivotal moment far more than the manga ever did.

While the original manga presents this scene in just a few panels, the anime extends it into a multi-minute sequence. Given the importance of this moment, Science Saru’s decision to expand it feels deliberate, and the use of the William Tell Overture’s final act as the score of this scene elevates it further, maintaining the anime’s funky tone even in life-threatening situations. Similarly, Ufotable has made comparable creative decisions in Demon Slayer’s adaptation, extending brief narrative moments with stunning animation, moments that some fans believe should have been included in the manga from the start, as seen in the Hashira Training season. A small but notable detail from the extended scene in the latest Dan Da Dan episode further supports this comparison.

The Extended Running Scene In Dan Da Dan #Episode 4 Heavily Involves Momo

Science Saru Continues To Break the Stereotype of the Shōnen Genre by Involving the Female Lead More

The extended running scene in the latest Dan Da Dan episode not only depicts Okarun sprinting and evading a mob of ghost-controlled people, but it also heavily involves Momo. While running away from the Crab monster and other spirits, Okarun sprints so fast that it makes it difficult for him to maneuver his trajectory. This is where Momo steps in—using her psychic powers to manifest large hands, she helps steer Okarun’s trajectory and keeps the monsters at bay, preventing collisions and ensuring a safer escape.

Okarun facing forward and looking serious in his Turbo form.

Dan Da Dan: Okarun’s Turbo Granny Powers Explained

Okarun inherits Turbo Granny's powers in Episode #2 of Dan Da Dan, giving him a boost in strength and speed, but also coming with drawbacks.

Additionally, as they plunge toward the ground after leaping off a building, Momo conjures even larger hands to slow their descent and motivates Okarun to transform a third time, despite his earlier warning that after this full-throttle sprint, he wouldn’t be able to move. This addition highlights how Science Saru is giving Dan Da Dan’s female lead moments to shine that weren't even present in the manga, that already stands out for the important role given to its female lead.

These expanded scenes raise the argument that they should have been included in the manga, a sentiment similar to what fans expressed about Demon Slayer’s latest season. Ufotable stretched a ten-chapter arc into a full season, allowing characters, especially the Hashiras, to shine emotionally, adding depth the manga didn’t provide. However, what the two shows really have in common is the quality of animation, which outshines other aspects of the series. From this latest episode, it seems that Science Saru’s key to making Dan Da Dan a standout shōnen adaptation will be its animation, a tactic that also contributed to Demon Slayer’s massive success.

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

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