Dan Da Dan: First Encounter (Japanese: ダンダダン：ファースト・エンカウンター, Hepburn: Dandadan: Fāsuto Enkauntā) is a 2024 Japanese animated science fiction action horror film,[2] consisting of the first three episodes of the anime television series adaptation of the manga series Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu. The film was directed by Fūga Yamashiro and written by Hiroshi Seko.
| Dan Da Dan: First Encounter | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Kanji | ダンダダン：ファースト・エンカウンター |
| Revised Hepburn | Dandadan: Fāsuto Enkauntā |
| Directed by | Fūga Yamashiro |
| Screenplay by | Hiroshi Seko |
| Based on | Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Kazuto Izumida |
| Edited by | Kiyoshi Hirose |
| Music by | Kensuke Ushio |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | MBS TV |
Release date |
|
Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
| Box office | $1.1 million[1] |
Dan Da Dan: First Encounter was released on August 31, 2024, in Asia, September 7 in Europe, and September 13 in North America. Mainichi Broadcasting System announced that the global theatrical release would be distributed in partnership with GKIDS in North America and Muse Communication in Southeast Asia. It received generally positive reviews and grossed over $1 million worldwide.
Plot
editMomo Ayase is a high school girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens, while her classmate Ken Takakura, whom Momo nicknames "Okarun", believes in aliens but not ghosts. In a bet to determine who is correct, the two decide to separately visit locations associated with both the occult and the supernatural—Momo visiting the former, and Okarun visiting the latter. Momo is abducted by a group of aliens who accidentally unblock her chakras, enabling latent psychic abilities. Meanwhile, Okarun is possessed by a spirit who takes over his body.
After rescuing each other, Momo uses her newly-awakened psychokinetic power to suppress Okarun's curse, which gives him a depressed demon form with Turbo Granny's powers.
Returning to the shrine she shares with her granny, Momo and Okarun battle the Flatwoods monster. After defeating it, Momo becomes unconscious due to the exhaustion of the battle causing Turbo Granny to possess Okarun and leaving her vulnerable.
When Momo's grandmother Seiko, aka disreputable spirit medium Santa Dodoria, returns and saves Momo from a possessed Okarun, she coaches the teens how to defeat Turbo Granny.
The movie ends with Momo and Okarun going to the abandoned tunnel where Turbo Granny is located to challenge her and free Okarun from the curse.
Voice cast
edit| Character | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Momo Ayase (綾瀬 桃, Ayase Momo) | Shion Wakayama | Abby Trott |
| Ken Takakura (高倉 健, Takakura Ken) | Natsuki Hanae | A.J. Beckles |
| Seiko Ayase (綾瀬 星子, Ayase Seiko) | Nana Mizuki | Kari Wahlgren |
| Aira Shiratori (白鳥 愛羅, Shiratori Aira) | Ayane Sakura | Lisa Reimold |
| Jin Enjoji (円城寺 仁, Enjoji Jin) | Kaito Ishikawa | Aleks Le |
Release
editTheatrical
editThe film was released theatrically in Asia on August 31, 2024, September 7, 2024, in Europe, and September 13, 2024, in North America. Mainichi Broadcasting System announced that the global theatrical release would be distributed in partnership with GKIDS in North America and Muse Communication in Southeast Asia.[3]
Reception
editBox office
editAs of October 4, 2024[update], Dan Da Dan: First Encounter has grossed $1.05 million in the United States from 613 theaters.[1][4]
The first episode premiered at Anime Expo in Los Angeles and Anime NYC in New York. GKIDS held special limited event screenings followed by the global theatrical rollout ahead of the show’s October streaming debut. It’s one of the first major new series to debut in cinemas globally. The film was released alongside Kneecap and The Critic and grossed $926 thousand in its opening weekend.[5]
Critical response
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 6 critics' reviews are positive.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Dan Da Dan: First Encounter (2024)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ ""Dan Da Dan" First Three Episodes To Be Released in Theaters Nationwide Friday, September 13". GKIDS. June 25, 2024. Archived from the original on September 29, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "MBS in Partnership with ADN, GKIDS, And MUSE, announce the Theatrical Global Premiere For Upcoming Anime Series, Dan Da Dan" (Press release). Mainichi Broadcasting System. June 24, 2024. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024 – via PR Newswire.
- ^ "DAN DA DAN: First Encounter Theatrical Screening Earns US$1,005,531 in U.S. Box Office". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (September 13, 2024). "Ian McKellen In 'The Critic', Aubrey Plaza-Starring 'My Old Ass', Anime Series 'Dan Da Dan: First Encounter' And More 'Kneecap' – Specialty Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "DAN DA DAN: First Encounter (2024)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
External links
edit- Official website (in Japanese)
- Official website (in English)
- Dan Da Dan: First Encounter (film) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Dan Da Dan: First Encounter at IMDb
- Dan Da Dan: First Encounter at Rotten Tomatoes
- Dan Da Dan: First Encounter at Box Office Mojo