‘Dandadan’ series review: The brazen brilliance of the bizarre

Adapted from Yukinobu Tatsu’s unabashedly unhinged breakout manga, the latest fall anime sensation flirts recklessly with the freakish and the fantastic. What follows is a frenzied ballet of paranormal pandemonium, driven by Science Saru’s trademark animation, which switches gears between hyper-stylized mayhem and breathtaking elegance. Dandadan Creator: Fūga Yamashiro Cast: Shion Wakayama, Natsuki Hanae, Nana Mizuki, Mayumi Tanaka, Ayane Sakura Episodes: 12 Runtime: 25 minutes Storyline: Two teenagers with supernatural powers fighting yokai and aliens with help from multiple allies It would be easy to dismiss Dandadan as a fast-paced fever dream, but that would be doing it a disservice. The sheer elasticity of tone is a feat in itself, proof that Science Saru’s ability to juggle pathos and absurdity without ever dropping the ball is second to none.