# Dan Da Dan: First Encounter

Dan Da Dan: First Encounter is a 2024 Japanese animated science fiction action horror film, consisting of the first three episodes of the anime television series adaptation of the manga series Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu [ja]. The compilation film was directed by Fūga Yamashiro and written by Hiroshi Seko.
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

Momo Ayase is a high school girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens, while her friend 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

| 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
### Theatrical

The 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.

## Reception
### Box office

As of October 4, 2024, Dan Da Dan: First Encounter has grossed $1.05 million in the United States from 613 theaters.
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.