Dan Da Dan: First Encounter [Anime Movie] – Info, Plot, Main Characters

Dan Da Dan: First Encounter (Anime Movie)

_{Genre: Sci-Fi / Action Comedy / Horror}

Japanese Title: ダンダダン: ファーストエンカウンター (Dandadan: Fāsuto Enkauntā)

Year of Release: 2024

Origin: Japan

Runtime: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Director: Fūga Yamashiro

Production: Science SARU

Other Related Anime Movies: Dandadan: Evil Eye (2025)

TV: Dandadan Anime Series 2024 – 2026 (continues)

Manga: Dandadan Manga 2021 – 2026 (continues) (23 volumes)

Plot Summary

Dan Da Dan: First Encounter introduces us to the lives of two contrasting high school students, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, affectionately nicknamed “Okarun.” Their fundamental difference lies in their deeply held beliefs about the supernatural: Momo is a staunch believer in ghosts and the spectral realm, while simultaneously dismissing any notion of extraterrestrial life. Conversely, Okarun is a fervent believer in aliens and UFOs, yet remains thoroughly skeptical of ghosts. To definitively settle their ongoing debate and prove their respective viewpoints, they embark on a daring plan to visit locations famously associated with both the occult and extraterrestrial phenomena.

Their separate yet intertwined adventures lead to unexpected and reality-bending consequences:

Momo’s Encounter: Momo ventures to a site notorious for intense ghostly activity. Instead of encountering spirits, she is unexpectedly abducted by aliens. This harrowing experience, however, has an unforeseen side effect: it inadvertently awakens and unlocks latent psychic abilities within her.
Okarun’s Transformation: Meanwhile, Okarun explores a location steeped in UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters. During his investigation, he becomes possessed by a powerful and mischievous spirit, fundamentally altering his reality.

The narrative then unfolds as Momo and Okarun find themselves confronting a bizarre array of supernatural threats. Among these challenges is an antagonist known as Turbo Granny, a particularly formidable ghostly entity. As they navigate these escalating dangers, they must also grapple with their burgeoning friendship, the bewildering nature of their newfound, opposing powers, and the chaotic intersection of ghosts and aliens that now defines their lives.

Main Characters

Momo Ayase: A high school girl whose belief in ghosts is confirmed, albeit in an unexpected way. After her abduction by aliens, she discovers she possesses potent psychic powers, adding a new layer to her understanding of the supernatural.
Ken “Okarun” Takakura: Momo’s classmate, whose belief in aliens is seemingly validated. However, his exploration of an extraterrestrial hotspot leads to him becoming possessed by a spirit, forcing him to confront a different facet of the supernatural.
Turbo Granny: A terrifying and powerful ghostly antagonist who serves as a significant threat, testing the limits of Momo and Okarun’s combined abilities and forcing them to rely on each other.
Seiko Ayase: Momo’s grandmother, who is revealed to be a spirit medium. She offers guidance and assistance to the young protagonists, leveraging her own understanding of the spiritual world to help them in their battles.

The film masterfully blends elements of exhilarating action, sharp comedy, and genuine horror, showcasing the remarkable growth of its characters as they learn to navigate and confront the increasingly bizarre and dangerous supernatural challenges that arise from their intertwined beliefs.