Since its debut, Dandadan has pulled no punches, kicking off with one of the wildest and most chaotic first episodes ever seen in anime. It wasn’t long before fans began drawing comparisons to series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, particularly for its intense pace and outrageous plot elements. While most of the reception has been positive, the anime has also stirred some controversy.
Some viewers have criticized Dandadan for including excessive fan service. In today’s anime landscape, where fans are more vocal about issues like representation and sexualization, the repeated scenes of characters in their underwear and the alien plotline targeting Momo for reproduction have raised concerns. Many have started questioning whether the series is relying too much on these elements without offering enough substance in return.
What Dandadan Gets Right & Why Fan Service Criticism Misses the Mark
Dandadan Isn’t Really About Fan Service
From the very beginning, Dandadan makes its tone and intentions clear—it’s bold, chaotic, and unapologetically wild. Rather than playing it safe, this shonen anime embraces its unique identity and pushes creative boundaries. While many anime fall into the trap of objectifying female characters or using them solely for visual appeal, Dandadan deliberately avoids that pitfall.
Context is everything when assessing media, and Dandadan handles its more provocative moments with purpose and clarity. For example, in Episode 1, when the alien beings (Serpos) target Momo for reproduction, the series does not present the scene as humorous or romanticized. Instead, it portrays the situation as threatening and deeply unsettling, highlighting the danger and discomfort. It’s designed to disturb, not excite—and that’s a testament to Yukinobu Tatsu’s thoughtful storytelling.
At its core, Dandadan is a coming-of-age narrative wrapped in a mix of genres—action, supernatural, comedy—that together create something fresh and distinctive. Its absurdity isn’t just for entertainment; it serves as a metaphor for the unpredictable journey of adolescence. Through Momo and Okarun’s strange and often surreal experiences, the series explores deeper themes like emotional growth, romantic tension, and the confusion of puberty.
Tatsu uses slapstick humor and exaggerated scenarios not as tools for fan service, but to reflect the awkwardness and intensity of teenage life. That’s what sets Dandadan apart from many other anime: the chaos has a point. While some viewers may still see elements that resemble traditional fan service, it’s crucial to view those moments within the full narrative context. The story doesn’t stray from its vision—it simply presents growing up in the wildest way possible.
Fan Service in Anime Often Undermines Characters
Shows Like Fire Force and Mushoku Tensei Are Prime Offenders
While Dandadan has faced criticism for its supposed fan service, it’s important to recognize how the series handles vulnerability and nudity in a more balanced way. Both male and female characters—especially Momo and Okarun—are placed in equally awkward or exposed situations. Okarun, for instance, is seen without clothes for nearly two full episodes. These moments aren’t one-sided or driven by the typical male gaze; in fact, aside from the villainous Serpos, no male characters objectify the female leads. On the contrary, we see characters like Aira openly declaring her interest in Okarun, and even his dignity is taken from him early on in the story—played not for fantasy, but absurdist comedy.
Yes, Dandadan does include moments that may be triggering or uncomfortable for some viewers. However, these moments are never at the expense of the characters’ integrity or the story’s purpose. That cannot be said for certain other anime. In Fire Force, Tamaki—despite having potential as a strong and capable character—is reduced to a running gag where she loses her clothes due to a nonsensical “lucky lecher lure” quirk. It serves no narrative function and instead diminishes her presence as a serious character. Similarly, Mushoku Tensei is known for its overt and often unnecessary sexualization, which repeatedly undermines its female characters.
By contrast, Dandadan integrates its more uncomfortable or cringeworthy moments as part of a broader thematic purpose. These scenes aren’t random—they reflect the chaotic, messy, and often confusing process of growing up. The supernatural elements act as metaphors for real adolescent experiences, especially those tied to identity, sexuality, and emotion.
Importantly, Dandadan uplifts its female characters. Momo consistently steps up as a protector and leads the charge to save Okarun. Aira’s arc, as manga readers already know, includes meaningful character growth. These women are not just side characters—they drive the plot and evolve within it.
As the anime community becomes more diverse and connected through social media, fan voices carry more weight than ever before. But it’s essential that criticism is rooted in thoughtful context. Reducing Dandadan to “just fan service” without considering its narrative intentions and character treatment does a disservice—not to the anime, but to the conversation itself.
Is the Fan Service Too Much – Or Is Dandadan Just Being Dandadan?
In the End, It’s Up to the Anime Community to Decide
There’s far more to Dandadan than what some of its critics give it credit for. The anime masterfully balances between brilliance and immaturity—and that contrast is exactly what makes it stand out in the crowded shonen genre. Some fans see its so-called “fan service” as an intentional part of its identity: a symbolic expression of adolescence, sci-fi absurdity, and the chaotic energy of teenage life. Others, however, interpret it as excessive and unwarranted, dismissing it as little more than superficial pandering.
What’s clear is that Yukinobu Tatsu has never strayed from his vision. In a time when fan backlash can easily derail a series, his commitment to telling Dandadan’s story as he intended is admirable. It’s a bold stance in an era where creators are often pressured to change their work to appease loud criticism.
As anime and manga continue to grow in global influence, the conversation around representation, tone, and intent becomes increasingly complex. Is more skin automatically less substance? Or do context, narrative framing, and creative intent matter more than some are willing to acknowledge?
In the end, it comes down to the viewers. Anime fans are more diverse, more thoughtful, and more engaged than ever before. Whether Dandadan resonates or not is ultimately a personal judgment—and one each fan gets to make for themselves.