I have one very specific issue with this title: it plays sexual assault for laughs. Is there something ridiculous about a yokai named Turbo Granny stealing a boy's penis? Sure, I might give you that. But there's nothing funny about how upset he is about that or about aliens attempting to rape a teenage girl with their robo-dongs, no matter how silly they look. Nothing <i>actually</i> happens, but it left a bad taste in my mouth, although in all fairness, the content label does mention "horny aliens," so if you read those (and you should, largely because Viz has a lot of fun with theirs), you can't say that you weren't warned.

That distasteful (and recurring) element aside, this is a pretty standard goofy shounen caper. Momo and Okarun set out to convince each other that their favorite paranormal thing is real only to succeed far too well, and now they have to fight evil randy aliens and Okarun is possessed by Turbo Granny. Momo's young-looking grandma's around to sort of help, and things just keep escalating, both in text and art. If the aforementioned jokes don't bother you, you'll probably find plenty to like here.

This manga was pretty buck wild. High schooler Momo Ayase believes in spirits and Okarun believes in extraterrestrials and the two challenge each other to seek both out. This proves to be quite dangerous for the two of them, as Okarun gets possessed and Momo gets abducted by aliens. Both now have to team up and work together to try to boost Momo's spiritual powers in order to get Okarun unpossessed. The story was interesting, but a little too lewd for my tastes.

I had limited expectations with this title because the premise, while intriguing, had the potential to not grab me due to factors like fan-service or gross out humor. I am pleased to report that while parts of this series fall into those categories, they aren't the focus and it was pretty split down the middle between the two leads. This turned out to be a fun, folklore-inspired romp with fun monster designs and a grandma who looks like she stepped out of a Bayonetta game. Color me pleasantly surprised I ended up for rooting for these nerds.

Dandadan is a whole lot of manga packed into each chapter and I'm not sure how to explain it without giving away some of the best surprises I experienced when reading the chapters in volume 1. I had to view this ARC on a bigger screen because viewing it on my phone felt like I was doing it a disservice. The art is like a workout for the eyes, in the best way. The storyline is also a mix of scifi and supernatural local urban legends mashed together, also in the best way. Those looking for a relaxing uplifting read should probably look elsewhere, but if you need an action packed read, Dandadan. Do mind the content warnings and rating --- I wouldn't put this in the children's section. (I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)

I normally love weird stuff, but parts of this manga were just too much for me. That being said, I totally understand the appeal and will definitely recommend it to those who might be into it. My biases are definitely at play here, I think there are plenty of people who will enjoy this, the style of action and humor just isn’t for me.

Dandadan, Vol. 1 Ch. 1 contains a sexual assault scene. Please use caution if you choose to pick up this book. I'm glad VIZ included an explicit content warning on this book as it's definitely not for everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dandadan, Vol. 1 by Yukinobu Tatsu collects chapters 1 through 5 of the weekly simulpub available on the Shonen Jump App/VIZ web site. This print edition includes fully replaced sound effects and asides by letterer Sara Linsley and extras and color pages that were also included in the Japanese print edition of this book.

Vol. 1 follows two high schoolers, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura (a.k.a. Okarun), who hold opposite views about the existence of aliens and the paranormal. Although their initial disagreement is fairly low-stakes, things get serious as they're swept into a series of increasingly unusual alien and paranormal events that threaten them and the people around them! Forced to work together, they set aside their differences...and even find themselves falling in love!

This first installment in the Dandadan series is fairly fast-paced since it has to set up the supernatural world and the characters who inhabit it. It's a fun story that promises and delivers hijinks with wacky aliens and paranormal beings. The sexual assault in the first chapter is quite jarring, so please be warned about that, but I am glad that there are in-world consequences for the attackers.

Story and Art: Yukinobu Tatsu
Translation: Kumar Sivasubramanian
English Adaptation: Jennifer LeBlanc
Touch-Up Art and Lettering: Sara Linsley
Design: Julian JR Robinson
Original English Logo Concept: Sara Linsley
Editor: Jennifer LeBlanc

Personally, this sort of story is not for me, I don't care for the type of humor and the amount of completely unnecessary sexual scenes. However, I do think the plot itself is very cool, there's not many series out there that deal with aliens and the paranormal in the same setting. The art is good, and the character design is mostly interesting. The story moves pretty quickly so it can set things up, and while I do think it moved too fast in parts, the scene with them both coming face to face with aliens/the cursed figure at the same time was really funny. Overall, not something i'd be comfortable recommending, but I see the potential and am sure there are a lot of readers out there who will be excited to read this story.

The art of Dandadan is fantastic. The first volume opens with tough girl, Ayase, protecting nerd, Takakura. He challenges her beliefs in spirits, as she challenges his belief in aliens. The vibe is akin to Mob Psycho including a bowl-cut haircut sporting main character along with a mixture of antics, humor, and ghosts. However, this is Mob Psycho's raunchy cousin. There is a scene that looks to be a dire one for our heroine; however, worlds clashed and she is saved (and the scene is humorous as well with an elderly ghost begging to "gobble one's schlong" and aliens bent on taking one's "banana organ.") There are vulnerable moments as well, revealing Ayase's childhood trauma. Perhaps amid the chaos of controlling a curse (and the ghosts and aliens,) romance could be in the air too.