Dandadan on Netflix: Why Everyone’s Watching This Wild Anime

It’s official: Dandadan has taken over Netflix. The supernatural, genre-defying anime that no one saw coming is now the most-watched anime on Netflix, beating out long-running fan favorites and high-profile newcomers alike. In this post, we’re diving into exactly what Dandadan is, why it’s suddenly everywhere, who the key characters are, and what unforgettable moments are driving the fandom wild.

What Is Dandadan?

At its core, Dandadan is a story about belief — or rather, the collision between belief in ghosts and belief in aliens. Based on the 2021 hit manga by Yukinobu Tatsu (a former assistant to Chainsaw Man's Tatsuki Fujimoto), Dandadan blends science fiction, supernatural horror, slapstick comedy, and tender teenage romance in ways no other anime does. It premiered as an anime in 2024, quickly becoming a sleeper hit across Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll. The plot follows Ayase Momo, a no-nonsense high school girl with psychic powers, and Ken Takakura, a shy classmate and UFO enthusiast who goes by the nickname Okarun. After daring each other to prove that their beliefs are real (ghosts vs. aliens), both wind up discovering that everything is real—and extremely dangerous. Cue the cursed genital thefts, dimension-hopping yokai, turbo transformations, and horny anatomical models. If this sounds insane, that’s because it is. But the true genius of Dandadan is that it balances all this madness with genuine heart, stunning animation, and lovable characters.

Official Trailer Video of Dandadan (1):

Official Trailer Video of Dandadan (2):

Meet the Main Characters:

You can’t have a breakout anime hit without iconic characters, and Dandadan delivers some of the best.

1.Ken Takakura (Okarun) 

A soft-spoken alien geek who unlocks his true potential after being possessed by a yokai. Ken’s awkward charm, loyalty to his friends, and insane power-ups make him a fan-favorite—and his slow-burn romance with Momo is pure gold.

2.Ayase Momo 

She’s tough, confident, and psychic—and not afraid to throw punches or insults. Momo is no damsel in distress; she’s the heart and soul of the team, grounding the show with her bravery and surprisingly emotional backstory.

3.Turbo Granny 

A once-villainous yokai who now lives inside a lucky cat doll and acts as a chaotic mentor figure. She’s crude, hilarious, and unpredictable—think Yoda, but if Yoda had a potty mouth and unresolved trauma.

Spotlight Moments That Made the Series Go Viral:

Dandadan doesn’t just lean into memorable moments — it lives in them. These scenes have gone viral for a reason.

⭐ Shiratori Aira’s Mother – Season 1’s Mysterious Power Player

Introduced subtly in Season 1, Aira’s mother is more than just a background character. Her cryptic demeanor and implied psychic knowledge set the stage for deeper lore to come. Fans are still theorizing about her true identity — is she a dormant medium? A former yokai hunter?

Watch her enigmatic entrance here.

⭐ Okarun vs. Evil Eye – Season 2’s Showstopper Battle:

Season 2 turns up the heat with the introduction of Evil Eye, a curse-infested spirit who pushes Okarun to his physical and emotional limits. This showdown is a turning point for the story and showcases Dandadan's signature animation style: kinetic, wild, and absolutely gorgeous.

See the intense fight here.

Why Is Dandadan the Most Watched Anime on Netflix?

There are tons of reasons why Dandadan is dominating Netflix’s anime rankings. Here’s what sets it apart:

✔️Genre Mashup Madness: Dandadan fuses sci-fi, horror, slice-of-life, supernatural, and romance into a single series. It’s unpredictable, constantly evolving, and never afraid to get weird.

✔️Top-Tier Animation: Studio Science SARU (Devilman Crybaby, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!) brings their A-game with fluid, high-speed action, mind-bending horror, and slick comedy cuts.

✔️Relatable Emotion & Romance: Under all the weirdness is a story about two awkward teens finding strength in each other. The romance between Momo and Okarun is awkwardly sweet and surprisingly realistic.

✔️Creepy but Funny: From haunted hot springs to body-snatching aliens, Dandadan is just scary enough to thrill—without ever losing its sense of fun.

✔️Word of Mouth & Social Buzz: The anime community can’t stop sharing clips, memes, and reactions. TikTok, Reddit, and Twitter/X are flooded with fan edits, theories, and GIFs.

What’s Next for Dandadan?

As of July 2025, Season 2 is airing weekly on Thursdays across Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu. The Dandadan: Evil Eye movie—which compiles the first three episodes into a feature-length viewing experience—is also showing in select theaters nationwide. The current season focuses on the “Cursed House” and “Evil Eye” arcs from the manga. But more insanity lies ahead—including time travel, yokai turf wars, and Momo finally getting serious about her feelings for Okarun. Visually, director Fūga Yamashiro introduced an oil‑painting‑style texture and revamped color palette to enhance thematic clarity and immersion—a bold stylistic shift that’s been widely praised. 

Final Thoughts: Should You Watch Dandadan?

Absolutely. Whether you're an anime veteran or totally new to the medium, Dandadan is a blast. It’s not just the most-watched anime on Netflix — it’s one of the most unique anime series in years. Wild, heartfelt, hilarious, and full of surprise, Dandadan is a genre-defying gem that continues to impress week after week.