The anime "Dandadan," based on the popular manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, has captivated many viewers with its unique setting and unpredictable storyline.
Serialized on "Shonen Jump+" since 2021, this series masterfully blends the seemingly mismatched elements of the occult, battle action, and romantic comedy, creating a one-of-a-kind world. This article explores the inspirations and real-world locations featured in the series, diving deeper into the appeal of "Dandadan."
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The Story of Dandadan: A Strange Tale That Begins with "Do You Believe or Not?"
The story of "Dandadan" begins with a high school girl named Momo Ayase, who believes in ghosts, and her classmate Ken Takakura, nicknamed Okarun, who believes in aliens. Unwilling to back down from their respective beliefs, they each head alone to test them—Momo to an abandoned hospital known for UFO sightings and Okarun to a haunted tunnel. What they encounter there not only confirms their own beliefs but also introduces them to supernatural events far beyond their imagination.
Momo is attacked by Serpo aliens at the abandoned hospital, while Okarun encounters the Turbo Granny in the tunnel. Forced to acknowledge the existence of both ghosts and aliens, their story takes a sudden and dramatic turn.
Cursed by the Turbo Granny, Okarun gains the ability to transform and fight, while Momo, recalling the teachings of her grandmother, awakens her own psychic powers. Together, they face an array of supernatural entities that continue to appear before them.
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The Characters of Dandadan
In addition to its well-balanced mix of sci-fi, horror, and comedy, "Dandadan" is also loved for its cast of unique and engaging main characters.
Momo Ayase (CV: Shion Wakayama)
Nicknamed "Momo," she is a strong-willed and action-oriented high school girl. She has inherited her grandmother’s spiritual sensitivity and fearlessly faces supernatural beings. While she often acts tsundere toward Okarun, she deeply trusts him.
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Ken Takakura (CV: Natsuki Hanae)
Nicknamed "Okarun," he is a shy and nerdy high school boy. He firmly believes in the existence of aliens, and after being cursed by the Turbo Granny, he gains transformation abilities, which he uses to fight alongside Momo.
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Seiko (CV: Nana Mizuki)
Momo's grandmother. She has a youthful appearance and wears a signature sukajan jacket. She works as a medium under the name "Dodoria Santa" and possesses strong spiritual abilities. She provides Momo with valuable advice and plays a crucial role in the story.
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Aira Shiratori (CV: Ayane Sakura)
A classmate of Momo and Okarun, she is a popular beauty at school. After picking up a golden orb, she awakens her spiritual powers. Initially, she mistook Momo, who has psychic abilities, for a demon and saw her as an enemy, but she later joins their group and fights alongside them.
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Jin Enjoji (CV: Kaito Ishikawa)
Nicknamed "Jiji," he is Momo's childhood friend and first love. After encountering a supernatural entity in his new home, his parents attempted suicide and were hospitalized, prompting him to seek Seiko’s help. He has a hyperactive and cheerful personality and still has feelings for Momo.
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Urban Legends That Inspired Dandadan
Many of the supernatural beings in "Dandadan" are based on urban legends and ghost stories from various regions in Japan. These beings are not just enemies but are also deeply connected to the story’s background and the characters' pasts. Their eerie and mysterious nature adds to the captivating atmosphere of the "Dandadan" world.
Turbo Granny
A legendary old woman said to run alongside cars in tunnels. This story gained popularity in the late Showa era and has various regional versions, including "100km Granny," "Tricycle Granny," and "Hopping Granny."
In "Dandadan," she appears as a high-speed-moving old woman who attacks Okarun and his friends but is later sealed inside a beckoning cat figurine.
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Flatwoods Monster (Kofu Alien)
A mysterious creature (UMA) spotted in Flatwoods, West Virginia, USA, in 1952. It is said to be about 3 meters tall, with a spade-shaped head, glowing red eyes, and a metallic texture. Meanwhile, Japan’s "Kofu Incident" records a case where boys in Kofu City encountered a UFO with a metallic surface and a large-headed alien who touched their shoulders, causing them to lose consciousness.
Although the two cases have different details and various theories exist about their origins, the anime features a confrontation between Okarun and this entity in Episode 2.
Acrobatic Sarasara
Based on an urban legend from Fukushima Prefecture about the spirit of a woman who committed suicide by jumping from a building. This legend spread through posts on the anonymous online forum "2channel." She is described as having cuts on her left arm, hollow eye sockets without eyeballs, and an extremely agile body.
In the series, she appears as a ghost who mistakenly believes Aira is her abducted daughter and attacks her in an attempt to take her back.
The Moving Anatomical Model
Inspired by the "anatomical model in the science lab" urban legend. It is a well-known school ghost story across Japan, with common variations including "wandering around the school at night" and "asking 'What do you want?' only to demand 'Give me your organs.'"
In Dandadan, it is portrayed as a male anatomical model that suddenly comes to life, running through the city to rescue its discarded lover, "Hana," who is also an anatomical model.
Where Is Dandadan Set? Must-Visit Pilgrimage Spots
Many of the settings in Dandadan are modeled after real locations. Visiting these spots can bring the anime's scenes to life and deepen your immersion in the series.
Takushoku University First High School (Tokyo)
Believed to be the model for the school Okarun and Momo attend, with its building design closely matching that of the anime.
- Address: 4-64-5 Ōminami, Musashimurayama, Tokyo
- Access: 3-minute walk from Takudai Ikkōguchi Station on the Tama Monorail
Hannō Ginza Shopping Street (Saitama)
The location where Okarun and Momo arrive at dawn in Episode 2. This nostalgic shopping district retains a Showa-era atmosphere and has been used as a filming location for TV dramas (Saru Lock) and movies (Yatterman).
- Address: 6-7 Nakachō, Hannō, Saitama
- Access: 2-minute walk from Hannō Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line), 7-minute walk from Higashi-Hannō Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line, JR Hachikō Line)
Hata Tunnel (Saitama)
Believed to be the model for the tunnel where Turbo Granny appears. Located in Hannō City, this tunnel is a well-known local haunted spot but is currently closed to both pedestrians and vehicles due to aging infrastructure.
- Address: 768 Shimo-Hata, Hannō, Saitama
Kawagoe City (Saitama)
The map of "Kamigoe City" in Episode 3 closely resembles that of Kawagoe City, with only one character difference in the name. Kawagoe is easily accessible from Tokyo and takes about an hour by train. Stroll through its historic streets and immerse yourself in the Dandadan world.
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Kōtai Shrine (Fukuoka)
The torii gate featured in the anime’s opening sequence is modeled after this shrine. Its distinct split structure and eerie yet sacred atmosphere perfectly match Dandadan's aesthetic.
- Address: Nakagenji, Soeda-machi, Tagawa-gun, Fukuoka
Ikaho Onsen (Gunma)
Believed to be the model for "Orochi Onsen" in Episode 12. The anime features its famous stone steps, as well as souvenir shops and shooting galleries, capturing the nostalgic charm of this hot spring town.
- Address: Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa, Gunma
- Access:
(1) 30 minutes by bus from JR Shibukawa Station (Jōetsu Line, Agatsuma Line)
(2) 1 hour 10 minutes by bus from JR Takasaki Station (Gunma Bus to Ikaho Onsen)
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The Occult Elements & Messages Hidden in Dandadan's OP "Otonoke"
The opening theme, Otonoke, is produced by the popular hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts. The lyrics contain various occult references and homages to other Jump works.
Sadako & Kayako
A reference to two of Japan’s most famous horror characters—Sadako (from Ringu) and Kayako (from Ju-On), reinforcing the occult theme of the series.
4:44 AM
An eerie time often associated with supernatural events in Japanese ghost stories. The number "4" is pronounced the same as "death" in Japanese, making it an unlucky number.
"Haireta"
Derived from a mysterious entity called Yamanoke, which originated from an urban legend on 2channel's occult forum. Victims of Yamanoke reportedly mutter "Haireta" repeatedly, and if the entity is not exorcised within 49 days, the person will never regain their sanity.
Other Jump Series References in Dandadan
Dueling with Demons
When it comes to battling demons with a Japanese sword, many fans immediately think of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
The Lyrical Chainsaw Massacre
A direct translation of this phrase would be "a lyrical chainsaw massacre," which is strongly reminiscent of Chainsaw Man, a globally popular series.
Crossing the Vast Ocean
This phrase is believed to reference ONE PIECE, the flagship Jump series about pirates sailing the seas in pursuit of the title of "Pirate King."
If You Wish to Exorcise
This evokes the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, where sorcerers exorcise cursed spirits born from negative human emotions.
Dandadan Season 2 Premieres in July 2025!
The highly anticipated second season of Dandadan is set to air nationwide in the Super Animeism TURBO programming block starting in July 2025. Fans can look forward to new story developments and the introduction of fresh characters that were not covered in Season 1.
Throughout the first season, the relationship between the protagonists, Momo and Okarun, gradually evolved. Will Season 2 bring them even closer, or will new challenges arise between them? One of the highlights of Dandadan is its high-quality battle sequences, and the second season promises to take the action to an even greater level.
If you haven’t watched Season 1 yet, now is the perfect time to catch up and explore the real-world locations that inspired the series before Season 2 arrives.
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