Few manga series manage to be as absurdly wild and wildly entertaining as Dandadan, Vol. 1 by Yukinobu Tatsu. Blending supernatural horror, sci-fi chaos, and slapstick comedy, this debut volume throws readers headfirst into a world where horny aliens, mischievous spirits, and awkward teenage emotions collide in explosive fashion. It’s fast, ridiculous, and strangely heartfelt a manga that shouldn’t work, yet somehow absolutely does.
At the center of the story are two high schoolers with wildly different beliefs. Momo Ayase believes in ghosts but scoffs at the idea of aliens. Her classmate, whom she nicknames Okarun, believes the exact opposite. To settle their argument, they challenge each other: Momo will investigate a UFO hotspot, while Okarun explores a haunted tunnel. What begins as a silly bet quickly spirals into an all-out war between spirits and extraterrestrials and a surprising spark between two awkward teenagers who discover they might just be perfect for each other.
The premise alone is chaotic enough, but what truly defines Dandadan is Tatsu’s manic energy and stunning artwork. Every page bursts with dynamic paneling, high-speed action, and a perfect rhythm that mirrors the adrenaline rush of reading it. As reviewer Dr. Cat in the Brain observed, it feels like “a death metal drummer turning his double bass into soup” a wild tempo of comedy, horror, and heartfelt emotion that never loses its beat.
Momo and Okarun are instantly likable leads, their chemistry balancing sweetness and absurdity. The humor is genuinely funny, sometimes even touching, but it’s also deeply bizarre. Tatsu combines the surreal humor of Urusei Yatsura with the frenzied tone of Chainsaw Man and it makes perfect sense once you learn that Tatsu actually worked as an assistant to Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto.
However, it’s impossible to talk about Dandadan without addressing the controversial elements. Several readers, including Rebecca and James DeSantis, pointed out that the manga includes sexualized moments and assault-related humor that may make some readers uncomfortable. While these scenes are exaggerated and over-the-top in the style of old-school shonen absurdity, they can still leave a bad taste. It’s fair to say Dandadan walks a fine line between outrageous comedy and questionable content.
That said, the series never stops being imaginative. Aliens, yokai, cursed objects, psychic powers it’s all here, thrown together in a way that somehow feels cohesive. The contrast between Momo’s spiritual powers and Okarun’s cursed possession creates both hilarious and thrilling moments. As Andrea wrote, “Everything is ridiculous, but very fun,” and that sums up the experience perfectly.
In short, Dandadan, Vol. 1 is pure chaos on paper. It’s weird, often crass, but also filled with heart, humor, and some of the best action art in recent manga. Fans of Chainsaw Man, Mob Psycho 100, or Parasyte will find themselves instantly hooked on its frantic storytelling and eccentric charm.
If you’re looking for a manga that breaks every rule of genre and taste while keeping you laughing and gasping the whole way through, Dandadan is the wild ride you’ve been waiting for.
You can grab your copy of Dandadan, Vol. 1 here: Buy the book.
