Anime Thrived in 2024, showcasing remarkable titles such as Solo Leveling and Delicious in Dungeon, which made noteworthy debuts. Among the newcomers, Dandadan emerged as a standout, quickly earning the title of Netflix’s most-watched anime, despite launching during the competitive fall anime season. Animation Studio Science Saru adeptly translated the magic of Dandadan’s source material, presenting delightful visuals throughout its captivating 12-episode run.
The dedication and talent of the creators are palpable, resulting in a level of quality that is often rare in weekly anime. This commitment led to multiple nominations for Dandadan at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Perhaps the biggest surprise came shortly after its first season concluded when the announcement of a second season was made, just months later, raising hopes that the upcoming installment will elevate the series even further.
A Spellbinding First Season of Dandadan
An Unforgettable Experience Throughout the First Season
Dandadan sets a high-octane tone right from its inaugural episode, immersing viewers in an exhilarating and unpredictable adventure. The series artfully combines themes of alien invasions, supernatural possessions, and budding romance within a brisk 23-minute episode. Each subsequent episode maintains this energy, featuring encounters with new monsters and delivering breathtaking moments, particularly in episode #7, titled “To a Kinder World,”which showcases both writing and visual brilliance.
Despite its many triumphs, the season’s finale, episode #12, “Let’s Go to the Cursed House,”left a number of fans wanting more due to two significant cliffhangers—Momo is threatened by a group of men, while Okarun and Jiji stumble upon a sinister hidden room. This abrupt conclusion generated mixed feelings, yet news of an impending second season reassured audiences shortly after the finale.
The Evil Eye Arc Marks a Turning Point
Scheduled to premiere on July 3, 2025, the upcoming season promises to delve deeply into Dandadan’s Evil Eye arc, a storyline that unfolded with the entry of Jiji during the first season. While viewers were dazzled by the initial season’s fast-paced action, devoted fans of Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga know that the true spectacle has yet to fully unfold. The climactic conclusion of this arc introduces the series’ first expansive and visually stunning battle sequence.
The Evil Eye arc also introduces a continuous narrative structure, where a new character emerges, their supernatural issue gradually comes to light, and the established cast engages with this challenge. Throughout this process, the overarching mystery of Okarun’s missing reproductive organs progresses. This format was hinted at with Aira’s introduction, albeit within a more compressed timeline.
While season one laid the groundwork and showcased frenetic supernatural encounters, the Evil Eye arc solidifies Dandadan’s narrative framework, allowing viewers to better understand the broader storyline and its intentions. This arc also delivers an emotional impact, introducing memorable characters and some of the most exhilarating action sequences to date.
Anticipating the Coverage of Dandadan Season Two
Fans May See the Evil Eye Arc and Beyond
Given that the Evil Eye arc began in the latter part of Season One, the subsequent episodes will adapt this arc in its entirety. This section features one of Dandadan’s most intricate battles, suggesting it may consume several episodes to fully explore. Moreover, fans can expect adaptation of the next significant chapter as teased in the promotional material, which showcased various characters.
Notably, the teaser introduces a Kaiju figure lurking ominously, hinting that the upcoming season will also present the introduction of Vamola. However, the extent of her storyline integration remains uncertain. It is likely that her introduction will follow a pattern similar to Jiji’s, setting the stage for future conflicts as the season progresses towards its finale.
Dandadan Faces Fierce Competition for Anime of the Year
2025 Is Set to Be Another Exceptional Year for Anime
If Dandadan’s second season can replicate the success of its predecessor, it will likely secure its position as a front-runner for anime of the year in 2025. However, it faces considerable competition from other acclaimed series. The Apothecary Diaries is rapidly gaining popularity, while Solo Leveling set the winter anime season ablaze with record-breaking viewership. Additionally, Kaiju No. 8 is set to make a comeback for its second season in July, and the highly anticipated One Punch Man Season Three is also scheduled for release in 2025.
Dandadan will undoubtedly face challenges in surpassing its rivals, but if the new season can reflect the manga’s brilliance and maintain—or even elevate—the quality of the first season, it has the potential to exceed fan expectations. The anime community has much to look forward to this summer, with 2024’s premier series poised to lead the charge. Mark your calendar for June 6, when the first three episodes will debut in U.S. theaters—this is an event fans won’t want to miss.