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Can Dandadan become the next Jujutsu Kaisen? Take a look at the anime’s potential, manga’s popularity, Jump’s need for a successor, and more.
Once it exploded onto the anime and manga scene, Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen became a global phenomenon. The series completely took the animanga industry by storm. In fact, its impact was so widespread that it almost had the entire Internet in a chokehold with the release of its final arc of the manga—the Shinjuku Showdown.
However, now that the manga is officially over, both fans and Weekly Shonen Jump are looking for a new generation of manga to fill the void left by Jujutsu Kaisen. Among the up-and-coming generation of manga, Yukinobu Tatsu’s Dandadan series emerged as a promising contender for the top spot left by Gege Akutami’s magnum opus.
However, the question arises: Does Dandadan actually have the potential to be the next Jujutsu Kaisen? To answer this question in short—it’s unlikely in the immediate future, but it might just be able to do so in due time. That being said, follow this article to further explore Dandadan’s potential to claim Jujutsu Kaisen’s place at the top of the modern shonen animanga series.
Dandadan Anime’s Popularity
The announcement and subsequent release of the anime adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’s Dandadan manga sent shockwaves through the fandom. The series had already made waves as a manga, but anime is where real cultural phenomena are born. For instance, look at what MAPPA’s stunning and breathtaking animation did for Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen.
There’s no denying that the Dandadan anime experienced a meteoric rise in popularity since its release. In fact, it was one of the Fall 2024 season’s most well-received anime releases. What’s more, Studio Science SARU, the animation studio of the Dandadan anime, immediately greenlit a follow-up season for the anime shortly after the conclusion of its first season. This, alongside the anime’s strong performance on streaming platforms like Netflix, makes the success of the anime evident. In fact, it consistently ranked among Netflix’s most-watched titles throughout its run.
What sets Dandadan apart from other series is its unique vibe—its chaotic humor, heartfelt romance, and an unapologetically bizarre way of storytelling. The dynamic between the occult nerd Ken Takakura (aka Okarun) and Momo Ayase is nothing short of electric. Having this dynamic duo explore the bizarre world of the supernatural led to some of the most over-the-top moments in the animanga industry. As such, it’s easy to see why Dandadan rose to great heights in such a short span of time.
Dandadan Manga’s Popularity After the Anime
It’s an undeniable fact that anime adaptations can either make or break a manga’s popularity. For instance, before MAPPA took on Jujutsu Kaisen, its manga had a pretty respectable following. However, after the series got animated, the manga’s sales skyrocketed. In Dandadan’s case, there has been a significant surge in manga sales as well.
As per recent reports, the Dandadan manga series has surpassed 8 million copies in circulation. Before the anime aired, the manga had apparently sold around 4 million copies. This surge in manga sales can be credited to the recent release of the anime’s first season.
There’s no doubt that the series had a dedicated fanbase prior to the anime’s airing, especially due to the mangaka’s spectacular artwork. However, the anime’s engaging storytelling with vibrant visuals, catchy soundtracks, and phenomenal voice acting captivated a wider audience, drawing in viewers who are now seeking out the source material while awaiting the upcoming season 2, which is set to premiere in July 2025.
Why Shonen Jump Needs a Replacement for Jujutsu Kaisen
Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen surpassed all expectations and became the best-selling manga series of 2024. In fact, it sold over 7 million copies in 2024 alone, having a considerable gap of 2 million over the One Piece manga. This is certainly no ordinary feat, which can be attributed to the manga being in its final arc. Fans were undoubtedly desperate to see how the undisputed King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna, would be brought down by the Jujutsu sorcerers when even Satoru Gojo couldn’t defeat him.
There’s no denying that the worldwide success of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga has been a golden goose for Shonen Jump. However, now that the series is over, the magazine is in desperate need of another powerhouse to fill the void. It’s also worth mentioning that Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia manga also came to an end in 2024.
Given that Shonen Jump thrives on consistency and momentum, Dandadan has the potential to step up and deliver both. It has the opportunity to become Jujutsu Kaisen’s successor and claim the top spot left by the series. However, it may be a tough sell to the masses due to its absurd humor and often grotesque designs.
Can Dandadan Become As Big as Jujutsu Kaisen?
“Can Dandadan become as big as Jujutsu Kaisen?”—this is a million-dollar question. Dandadan certainly has a passionate fanbase and creative chops to back it up. However, becoming Jujutsu Kaisen-level big will certainly not be an easy path to follow.
There’s no denying that Dandadan’s anime adaptation was stellar and lived up to all expectations. However, it still has miles to go if it wants to catch up to the reach and hype that Jujutsu Kaisen’s first season had. All that remains to be seen is if Studio Science SARU can maintain the same level of quality in the anime’s second season as well. This is because a mediocre anime adaptation can sink even the best manga of all time (Tokyo Ghoul, for instance).
The series also requires a broader appeal, as its current popularity pales in comparison to Jujutsu Kaisen’s first season, albeit it is a bit too soon to judge. Dandadan is unapologetically yet hilariously weird, which could either work in its favor or against it. This depends on how audiences respond to it.
That being said, if Dandadan strives to fill Jujutsu Kaisen’s shoes, the most essential thing it requires is a character of the same magnitude as Satoru Gojo. It’s a known fact that the majority of Jujutsu Kaisen’s success can be attributed to the famous blindfolded sorcerer, who captured the hearts of the entire anime community once he got animated. In fact, the revelation of Gojo’s Six Eyes alongside his Domain Expansion saved the Jujutsu Kaisen manga from being axed from the Shonen Jump magazine in its early days.
However, that’s not to say that Dandadan wouldn’t reach great heights without having a character as influential as Satoru Gojo. Given that the series is still in its infancy, it’s safe to assume that its popularity and reach can only increase from this point onwards. While it may be too soon to predict if it will become as big as Jujutsu Kaisen or not, it currently seems unlikely that it will make waves nearly as impactful as those Jujutsu Kaisen made on the animanga community. This is also due to the fact that Dandadan is currently facing heavy competition from other ongoing popular manga series, such as Sakamoto Days and Kagurabachi.
Is Dandadan Similar to Jujutsu Kaisen?
In some ways, Dandadan is similar to Jujutsu Kaisen. Both series explore the supernatural, have intense battles, and feature a memorable cast of characters. They also share a knack for blending humor with darker themes.
However, their tones are wildly different. Jujutsu Kaisen leans more into horror elements and psychological drama. On the other hand, Dandadan thrives on its absurdity and eccentricity. That’s not to say one is better than the other—it depends entirely on your preference. If you like supernatural battles with existential dread and themes of loss, Jujutsu Kaisen is perfect for you. Conversely, if you like outrageous humor with a wilder ride, Dandadan would be more suited to your taste.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Yukinobu Tatsu’s Dandadan series certainly has a lot of potential. However, it is no guaranteed successor of Jujutsu Kaisen, at least for now.
Dandadan certainly is one of a kind. It doesn’t try to replicate the formula of its predecessors. Instead, it carves out its own bizarre and unique path. This resulted in the series gaining a diehard following, which certainly makes it destined for great success.
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