Introduction

Ask anyone about my thoughts on season 1 of Dandadan and you’ll get the same answer—I absolutely loved it. When I reviewed season 1 (review here) I gave it a rare 10/10. The animation was flawless, the style stood out, and the blend of sci-fi, supernatural, comedy, and romance felt unique. So when I heard Science Saru (known for Ping Pong The Animation and Devilman Crybaby) were releasing another season, I found myself refreshing Netflix daily waiting for season 2. Now that it’s come and gone, the question remains—was it as good as the first? Let’s grab our ghost and alien hunting gear and jump into my review of Dandadan season 2! I’ll avoid major spoilers for season 2—though some light season 1 spoilers are unavoidable.

Story

Dandadan follows Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura (Okarun), who gained supernatural powers after their encounters with aliens and spirits. Okarun still searches for his missing golden ball, but their problems have only grown since. Season 1 ended with a trip to a hot springs town to help their friend Jin (Jiji)—and things were far from normal.

Season 2 picks up directly from where season 1 left off. Originally planned as one continuous story, it wastes no time diving back into the action. This season introduced new threats and characters I thoroughly enjoyed. Momo and Okarun’s relationship develops further—there’s even a heartwarming scene of Momo playing with his hand in a car—but the finale may complicate their growing closeness.

The pacing was strong, with almost every episode pushing character arcs forward. A couple of episodes felt like filler, but overall, season 2 kept me engaged and entertained. The story wasn’t quite as jaw-dropping as season 1, but it was consistently strong.

Animation

Science Saru once again proved their skill. Season 2 looked even more stunning than the first. A standout sequence was Okarun’s fight against a possessed friend—easily one of his toughest battles yet. Another highlight was Okarun and Aira Shiratori teaming up to face a swarm of ghosts in a musical room, a breathtaking episode that showed off Science Saru’s artistry. If I had to choose, I’d give season 2 a slight edge over season 1 in visuals. Simply put, the animation was phenomenal.

Sound

The sound design for season 2 was flawless. I watched both the English and Japanese dubs, and both captured the characters’ emotions well. The soundtrack once again hit perfectly, especially during the wild episode featuring a rock group of exorcists. My only small gripe—season 2’s opening and ending themes didn’t reach the heights of season 1’s iconic tracks. They’re still great, but season 1’s music had that unforgettable punch. Still, that’s a personal nitpick and doesn’t detract from the overall score.

Characters

Dandadan thrives because of its characters. Momo’s love for Okarun shines more this season. Okarun grows tougher, even while staying quirky. Jiji becomes more fleshed out, and Aira remains both a rival and an important ally for Momo. The relationships are chaotic but endlessly charming.

Season 2 also introduced Kinta Sakata, a Gundam-obsessed oddball who initially rubbed me the wrong way. But by the finale, I could see why manga readers told me to give him a chance. His potential is undeniable, and I look forward to seeing how he develops in season 3.

Manga vs Anime

As someone who started with the anime, I’ve done my best to avoid reading too far ahead in the manga. From what I’ve seen, season 2 sticks extremely close to the source material with only minor changes—mainly in scene presentation. Fans won’t have trouble switching between the two, but the manga is much further along. I’m resisting the urge to spoil myself after that shocking season finale, but it’s tough!

Conclusion

Rating Dandadan season 2 was tough. My heart wanted to give it another 10, but realistically, I think a 9.5 is more fair. Season 1 left a bigger impression, but season 2 still delivered near perfection. If you loved the first season, this is a no-brainer to binge. The action, characters, and animation all shined, and I can’t wait for season 3. Thankfully, it’s officially confirmed—though the release date remains unknown. Until then, I’ll be rewatching both seasons and counting the days.

—Aaron