Dandadan Season 1

While Dawfydd's review took us to episode 7, Dandadan's bravura first season has now come to a close, and undoubtedly it finishes its run as the anime of the season - literally everyone I know is either talking about or recommending the show at every opportunity. It's not hard to see why either, it's the perfect mix of supernatural thrills, comedic gold and effortless style, it feels very much on the edge of the anime zeitgeist. 

Following a strong opening, the series continues to create situations both spiritual and other-worldly for our mismatched modern-day Scooby gang to investigate and arguably this works so well because every character is somehow both dialled up to 11 and full of nuance. It's wonderful writing - characters like the latterly-introduced childhood bestie of Momo, Jin Enjoji, should by all rights be fiercely annoying. He's hyperactive, loud and seems unable to respect personal space, but somehow he's likeable. He's never cruel, his overconfidence is strangely endearing and despite often talking like a child, he has charm beyond his innate good looks. It's adorable watching him connect with the usually down to earth Momo, making her giggle uncontrollably and completely let her guard down. It's really no wonder that Okarun is jealous, but the writers have the presence of mind to make him self-aware enough to hate his overreactions without being able to help them, a sure sign he's head over heels with his classmate. It's even more enjoyable than Momo's petulant tantrums when Aira is hitting on Okarun. Put all four together and it's a delight.

The show adopts 2-3 episode arcs, just long enough to build tension and create cliffhangers, but smartly adding resolution and progression into the mix too. It's anime that feels like it's going somewhere, the flush of youthful enthusiasm leading to character growth, watched over at all times by Momo's youthful, world-weary Granny and her sparring partner, Turbo Granny. 

The series is augmented by a fashionable sense of style too, from outfits to character designs, it all feels quite edgy and almost punk rock in sensibility. Aliens and spirits don't just provide danger, but a creepy factor as well due to the downright alarming designs the series comes up with. Despite the oddness, some of them are even massively sympathetic, with menaces like the dancing silkie and even the alien henchmen all having heart-wrenching motivations that make them both repellent and appealing in equal measure. It's quite the balancing act, but pulls it all together with an assuredness and flair that would be obnoxious if it didn't land every beat perfectly.

The series does end on a cliffhanger, something that makes the 7 month wait for season 2 all the more galling, but if you're going to capture lightning in a bottle then I suppose waiting less than a year isn't all bad.

In all, if you haven't seen the show yet, you've got a wonderful time ahead of you, whether you binge the show or take your time. As a water-cooler anime it's been a pleasure to chat about week-to-week, while also doing what I thought might be impossible, and that's making a Ranma remake only the second most exciting thing in anime for me this year.