Warning: Contains spoilers for Dandadan episode #12.
This article contains a discussion of intense sexual themes.
Dandadanhas just completed its first season, and it was a truly legendary run. The gorgeous and creative animation and overall direction of the film did wonders to make the already incredible story even better to go through, and it’s easily a contender for the best anime of the fall 2024 anime season, if not 2024, as a whole.
Dandadanis easily one of the biggest anime of 2024, but that doesn’t mean it’s been without its criticisms. People having problems with the story and the writing is one thing, but more than that,Dandadan’s season 1 finale has been at the center of controversy for its continued use of the anime’s most divisive element. That controversy, however, is a big part of whyDandadanis such a great series, and with how important it is in the grand scheme of things, there’s plenty of merit in breaking it all down.
The Controversy Behind Dandadan’s Season 1 Finale Explained
Why So Many People Hate Dandadan’s Finale
The controversy surroundingDandadan’s season 1 finale stems from the final scene with Momo. In the finale, Momo decided to relax at a hot spring after she, Okarun, and Jiji failed to locate the spirit haunting Jiji’s house, and all of a sudden, a group of adult men known as the Kito family entered the hot spring, as well. The men looked and acted very creepily toward Momo from the moment they appeared, and sure enough,Dandadanseason 1 ended on an uncomfortable cliffhanger ofthe Kito family trying to rape Momo.
Ending on a cliffhanger with that sort of subject matter is bad enough, but the specific way it was formatted makes it even worse. Not only does it drag the moment out more than the manga did, but it ended like that with season 2 not premiering until July 2025, meaningDandadanended with Momo about to be raped knowing that it wouldn’t resolve anything for over half a year with season 2. The scene is one thing, but to many people, that aspect makes it even worse, and it’s drawn in an incredible amount of criticism because of it.
Dandadan’s Season Finale Continues The Anime’s Biggest Criticism
Dandadan’s Problems Started Way Before The Season 1 Finale
Dandadan’s season 1 finale was always going to be controversial, but it’s made even worse by how it continues a common criticism of the series. As high a note asDandadanstarted on, one problem people have had with it is how explicit the sexual content was with things like Momo’s first scene being her ex-boyfriend propositioning her for oral sex, Turbo Granny constantly talking about breasts and penises, and the Serpoians very explicitly trying to rape Momo.Dandadanwas a hit from the start, but unfortunately,Dandadanhas faced criticism for its explicit sexual content since it first premiered.
Unfortunately, the rest of season 1 didn’t do a great job alleviating those complaints. Momo and Aira were both the victims of fanservice-heavy moments, most notably inDandadanepisode #9 gradually seeing them get stripped down to their underwear, and while Okarun was subjected to similar content, it received far less attention from the camera and was largely played for laughs whenever it came up.The sexual content ofDandadanis both constant and given more attention to the female characters than the male ones, and that’s hardly gone unnoticed by fans and critics alike.
It’s one thing for the season to end with Momo about to be the victim of sexual assault, but with so many similar moments preceding it,the sexual assault presented inDandadan’s season 1 finale seemingly exemplifies the critique thatDandadanis an anime that uses sexual assault as a driving force for its story far more than necessary. Fanservice, even of an uncomfortable nature, is common in anime and manga, butDandadangives the impression of doing far more than the average series, and that’s created far too negative an impression for some.
Dandadan’s Most Controversial Element Is Part Of What Makes It Great
What Everyone Gets Wrong About Dandadan’s Biggest Controversy
The controversy surroundingDandadan’s sexual content is plenty warranted, but at the same time, it does miss an important detail.Dandadan, like manyshonenanime, is at least partly a coming-of-age story centered around the ups and downs people go through as they grow up, and a common part of that is the confusing and often terrible sexual experiences people go through when they’re young. As such,Dandadan’s constant use of aggressive sexual content works because it ties into the coming-of-age elements of the story, giving it far more depth than regular fanservice.
Dandadan’s fanservice works even better with how it’s contrasted withMomo and Okarun’s relationship. As early as the first episode, whenever Momo has a bad sexual experience, Okarun is always there to bring Momo back to a state of normalcy and remind her and the audience that things are better than they seem, soDandadan’s aggressive sexual content also works because it highlights how people sometimes have to struggle with relationships before finding a good one like Momo and Okarun’s. There’s an argument to be had that it still goes too far with it, but even that doesn’t change why it works so well.
Will Dandadan Remain So Controversial In Season 2?
Can Dandadan Season 2 Avoid Season 1’s Controversy?
There’s plenty to discuss aboutDandadan’s use of fanservice, and a big one is whether that level of fanservice will remain inDandadanseason 2. Not only will season 2 immediately have to pick up from season 1’s intense cliffhanger, but Jiji is going to gain a new form that forces him to fight in his underwear, something the show is bound to play for comedy. Add in how much the series has revolved around that type of humor so far, andDandadanis bound to continue using sexual content for comedy and drama for season 2 and beyond.
Even if that is the case, of course, that shouldn’t be treated as a shortcoming of the series. Not only isDandadanstill fun to watch, but with how often its sexual content has a point to it beyond fanservice,Dandadanis one of the few anime that knows how to make otherwise tiresome fanservice work as a means of enhancing its story, and season 2 will likely have the same clever writing to it, as well. That doesn’t necessarily makeDandadan’s style above critique, but overall, it’s far from the issue some people have made it out to be.
Dandadan
Cast
Two high school students, embroiled in a wager to prove the existence of ghosts or aliens, encounter daunting paranormal threats, acquire superpowers, and possibly discover love. The series blends supernatural elements with personal dynamics as the protagonists navigate their newfound abilities and unexpected challenges.
