Warning: Spoilers for Dandadan Episode 12 and Chapter #34
Dandadanhas released the final episode of its first part, which, like the rest of the season, hasn’t been exempt from causing intense debate among viewers for its depiction of disturbing and graphic content. WhileDandadan’s season finale enters fully into the Cursed House Arc afterJiji’s introduction in episode 11with Momo and Okarun accompanying him into Daija Town, the episode presented its most controversial scene to date, ending on a cliffhanger featuring Momo in an upsetting situation, being assaulted by a gang of unknown men.
While the inclusion of delicate subjects is characteristic of some shōnen animes,Dandadanhas received criticism for the excessive use of sexual content during its short run. However, instead of toning down the polemics, a subtle change made by the anime adaptation proves that the production team seeks to highlight Momo’s assault inDandadan’s season finale to spark controversy.
DandadanMakes a Subtle Change to Highlight the Series’ Most Controversial Moment
Dandadan’s Cliffhanger Is the Most Anticlimactic Change of the Anime Adaptation
InDandadanseason 1’s ending, the adaptation introduces some changes to the order of events in the final minutes of episode 12 to include the controversial scene in the hot springs. While in the manga, Okarun and Jiji find the secret room inDandadan’s chapter 33,the next chapter follows up with a group of women arriving at the cursed house, members of the Kito family who were shown watching the protagonists entering Jiji’s home earlier in the episode, before the scene adapted in the anime of the men entering the hot springs bath and trying to subdue Momo.
The anime also includes an original scene of Momo drowning as she is held underwater, while in the manga one of the men just holds her arms over her head, and their altercation is fairly short because she is quickly freed thanks to Turbo Granny’s intervention. Although these changes are to create interest in the source material and anticipation for the next season, by choosing to endDandadan’s part 1 in the middle of the attack and not including the mysterious woman going after Okarun and Jiji, it makes unnecessarily more relevant an unsettling moment that could be interpreted as a sexual assault.
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Likewise,Dandadanhas included many changes that elevate the source material, but this direction angle creates a disturbing and anticlimactic ending as it switches the focus from a big conspiracy with more people involved from the village that seems to know the secret of the cursed house and divided into groups to go after Momo, Jiji, and Okarun, to Momo’s assault as a way to create a commotion among viewers, which is a tactic often used by production teams in adaptations without a confirmed sequel to guarantee the series gets renewed.
DandadanSeason Finale Could Have Taken a Different Direction and Still Generated the Same Impact
Dandadan’s Story Doesn’t Need Controversy To Stay Relevant
Dandadanhas been highly praised and recognized as one of thebest animes of 2024, and its increasing fanbase proves thatthe adaptation could have taken a different angle to create a more balanced endingand still have a similar effect on the audience without highlighting sensitive topics. The season could have ended with Jiji opening the door to the Kito family women, after the men are shown looking at Momo from behind the door, or even as they enter the bath, and still conveying an ominous feeling to the viewers and generating expectation.
Moreover, cutting some anime’s extended sequences, like Taro running, Okarun’s thoughts on the train, or the trio arriving at Daija Town, may have given enough time to end the episode after Momo is saved, and Turbo Granny reveals the nature of the Cursed House. This way,Dandadanwouldn’t perpetuate the belief that the series relies too much on sexual content. Because despite being used as a comedy element, like the protagonists running in their underwear or the banana and golden jewels running gags, others showcase triggering topics like the Serpoians assaulting Momo or the cause of death of the tunnel girls.
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The overuse of sequences like this as a shocking factor affects the perception of the public ofDandadan’s story, as this isn’t used for fanservice reasons but as a way of creating discomfort as it presents real-life issues and demonstrates the character’s evilness. Nevertheless, even if another angle could have worked withDandadan’s most controversial scene, the previous changes in the adaptation contributed to captivating new viewers and manga readers alike thanks to Science Saru’s marvelous animation, so fans of the series can’t wait forDandadan’s season 2 which will release next year to see what will come next in the story.
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.
