Dandadan

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Honestly, DanDaDan is one of the best series I have read this year. I was quickly absorbed in the story and I wasn't expecting how attached I would get to the main characters. It is a strange mix of genre's but it is very well crafted that you don't really notice how absurd everything is as you get sucked into the world and the story. The pacing is great and balances the different story arcs nicely.
The humor occasionally had me laughing aloud, but my main surprise was that the artwork is incredible (the author manages to create animation effect between pages at one point ... and it's very creative). I also love how the romance develops throughout the story alongside the craziness of the world and events around the main characters.

I highly recommend DanDaDan for pretty much everyone. Please do not be dissuaded by the first chapter as that is the worst of the shock value and it doesn't come up again in that manner. Give it a go through the first arc or two and you will likely enjoy the ride!

NOTE: As of writing this review I am on chapter 170 out of 170 currently released. The series is still ongoing.

Dandadan is a unique mix of supernatural, sci-fi, and comedy that follows two unlikely companions—a girl who believes in ghosts and a boy who believes in aliens. They make a bet to prove each other wrong, only to discover that both spirits and extraterrestrials exist, leading them on a wild adventure. The series presents itself as a blend of influences, borrowing elements from titles like Mob Psycho 100 and Chainsaw Man, but struggles to find its own voice at times.

Plot: 5/10
The story’s premise is engaging, with plenty of potential in its exploration of paranormal and alien phenomena. However, a heavy reliance on humor revolving around ... the male protagonist's genitalia overstays its welcome, detracting from what could have been a more immersive and engaging experience. While the plot offers moments of real insight—such as a clever commentary on gig workers—it’s often undercut by the excessive focus on toilet humor and ecchi themes that feel out of place.

Art: 7/10
The art in Dandadan is solid but lacks a defining visual signature that sets it apart from its contemporaries. Many character designs seem inspired by other popular manga, with one notable example being the male MC’s "turbo granny" form, which feels reminiscent of Toga from My Hero Academia. There’s nothing particularly wrong with the art, but it doesn't stand out as anything extraordinary, with most panels following standard action manga conventions.

Characters: 7/10
Character dynamics are one of the brighter points of the series. The relationship between the two protagonists shows potential for growth, with the male lead's innocent approach to friendship and the female lead’s slow realization of her changing feelings providing depth to their interactions. Unfortunately, other characters, like the female MC’s grandmother, feel underdeveloped and more like plot devices than full-fledged characters. The oversexualization of young characters, combined with ecchi humor, often feels forced and detracts from more meaningful character moments.

Enjoyment: 4/10
While Dandadan has moments of charm and a premise ripe with possibilities, the execution often falls short. The over-the-top humor may appeal to its target demographic, but the repetitive jokes and the unsettling ecchi elements make it difficult to stay fully invested in the story. Still, the series has some fun character interactions and a few intriguing narrative threads that keep the reader curious enough to see what happens next.

Overall: 6/10
Dandadan is a mixed bag. It has a lot of potential, with interesting character relationships and a unique supernatural-meets-sci-fi premise, but it is bogged down by humor that wears thin and uncomfortable ecchi elements. For those who can look past these aspects, there is an entertaining story underneath, but as a whole, it feels like it’s still trying to find its footing. At this point, it lands at a 6/10 and I struggle to think of it going any higher than this without a real change in the approach from the author.

I truly don't get anime fans and their craving for random shit. Dandadan is just random for the sake of being random, and this is what people see as a masterpiece? I can write a story like that as well, bruh.

This manga is the absurdity of Chainsaw Man coupled with the monsters and horniness of GantZ. It has toilet humor and a decent artstyle (not my personal cup of tea but I respect it). There my compliments end. I seriously don't understand what people find good about this manga. Yeah okay, it's funny I guess: haha his peepee is gone. "Gobble your schlong!". But story-wise? ... Random this random that oh look, another random quirky thing!

The only reason this is popular is because CSM's mangaka recommended it. But he also recommended MamaYuyu... and that got cancelled not long after; so not the best person to blindly take recommendations from. If you love toilet humor and are easily entertained by dumb shit: this manga is for you. But don't expect storytelling half as good as what your average battle shonen has.