Dandadan starts from an absurd-sounding question: which really exists, ghosts or aliens? Momo Ayase believes in ghosts but denies aliens, while Okarun holds the opposite view. To prove their positions, both dive into separate adventures, and both turn out to be right, in the worst way possible.
Yukinobu Tatsu's manga has run on Shonen Jump+ since April 6, 2021, reaching 25 volumes by September 2026.
Quick Facts
- Author: Yukinobu Tatsu
- Publisher: Shueisha, Shonen Jump+ (since April 6, 2021)
- Scale: 25 volumes as of September 2026; over 10 million copies by March 2025
- Awards: Second place in the 2021 Next Manga Award (web); 71st Shogakukan Manga Award (2026)
- Adaptations: Science SARU anime (two seasons, season 3 scheduled for 2027); stage play planned for 2026
Story
Two high schoolers, Momo Ayase and Ken "Okarun" Takakura, discover supernatural abilities while investigating ghosts and aliens. They fight yokai and extraterrestrial beings alongside allies while their feelings for each other gradually form.
Beneath the action, horror and comedy shell, Dandadan is really an awkward but sincere teen love story that develops naturally through each supernatural challenge.
Behind The Scenes
Yukinobu Tatsu worked as an assistant to Tatsuki Fujimoto on Fire Punch and Chainsaw Man, an experience that left a clear mark on how he designs monsters and stages action. The manga placed second in the 2021 Next Manga Award web category and won the 71st Shogakukan Manga Award in 2026.
The manga has consistently ranked in Circana BookScan's top 20 in North America since October 2022 and on The New York Times manga rankings since July 2025.
Experience
A genre-blending formula
What makes Dandadan stand out is its smooth tonal shifts: a scene can be both scary and absurdly funny within a few pages before turning into a sweet romantic moment. Tatsu handles this bold mix with precision, never letting one element overwhelm another.
Monster design and action
Working as Fujimoto's assistant left a mark on how Tatsu designs monsters and stages action: inventive, strange and sometimes haunting, but always balanced by the series' own comedic tone.
Momo and Okarun
The chemistry between the two leads is the series' heart. Their relationship develops naturally through each challenge, giving Dandadan an emotional depth beyond ordinary entertainment manga.
Strengths
- Smooth blend of comedy, horror, action and romance
- Inventive monster design
- Momo and Okarun's chemistry is the story's heart
- Recognized with the 2026 Shogakukan award
Weaknesses
- Constantly shifting tone may bother some readers
- Includes many bizarre scenes and mild violence
- Still ongoing, so no ending yet
What Critics Say
The manga placed second at the 2021 Next Manga Award web category and won the 71st Shogakukan Manga Award (2026), with over 10 million copies by March 2025. The series regularly appears on North American bestseller lists from Circana BookScan and The New York Times.
This reception extends to other formats with Science SARU's anime, season 3 scheduled for 2027, and a stage play announced for 2026.
Who Is It For
For readers who like comedy, horror and romance manga, especially those who enjoy tonal surprises. Those who like a single consistent tone may find it a bit chaotic. The manga is still running, so you need to keep up with the schedule.
OtaHub Score
Verdict
Dandadan is one of the most distinctive manga at the moment, strong in its genre-blending formula and characters. OtaHub scores it 9.1/10.
FAQ
How many volumes does Dandadan have?
25 volumes as of September 2026.
Where is it published?
Shueisha's Shonen Jump+, since April 6, 2021.
Is there an anime?
Yes, by Science SARU, with season 3 scheduled for 2027.