Tatsu, Yukinobu. Dandadan Vol. 1. San Francisco, CA : VIZ Media, LLC, [2021].
Content Warning: Mature themes. Not intended for younger readers.
Two words: Turbo Granny.
Supernatural phenomena or aliens? Why not both? Yukinobu Tatsu combines both of the occult tropes in to a fun teen story of two opposing worlds. Momo Ayase, a stylish girl who just broke up with her loser boyfriend and is just looking for her Ken Takakura (the actor) and only believes in spirits. And Okarun (Occult-kun) who knows that aliens are real and wants to make contact so they’ll be his friends because no human will. Momo doesn’t believe in aliens and Okarun doesn’t believe in spirits. After Momo stops Okarun from being bullied the two challenge each other to witness a sighting each don’t believe in. And that night their lives to a take turn for the weird.
Yukinobu-san’s artwork and storytelling are super bright and dynamic as they are dark and familiar to long time manga readers. Extreme angles and terrifying frames keep you guessing with each page turn. This is Yukinobu-san’s 4th work as well as working under Fujimoto Tatsuki for Fire Ball and Chainsawman and the experience shows. His attention to detail from explosive fight scenes to comedic pacing and framing to emotional story beats that really fill out the characters is awe-inspiring and makes you wanting more by the end.
Also, Turbo Granny. Need I say more?
Ian Alcantar is a Circulation Assistant at North Park Library. He can be reached at ialcantar@alamancelibraries.org.