Dan Da Dan Season 3: Can the Anime Finally Let Momo Punch Back (Figuratively, or Literally)?
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Jeff dives into the buzz around *Dan Da Dan* season 3, acknowledging the excitement for more cosmic chaos but expressing concern over the anime's recurring portrayal of protagonist Momo in vulnerable, assault-like situations at the start of each season. He advocates for Science Saru to adapt the manga in a way that truly empowers Momo, reflecting the series' themes of agency and allowing her to showcase her strength from the outset.
Right, so apparently, the cosmic chaos of *Dan Da Dan* isn't just confined to aliens and yokai anymore – it's spilling into the discourse around its character portrayals. You know that feeling when you're hyped for a new season, but there's this one niggling detail that makes you wonder if the creators are trying to cast a 'Frustration' spell on the audience? That's precisely the vibe with the *Dan Da Dan* season 3 announcement.
The word from Crunchyroll and Science Saru is official: we're getting more high-octane, paranormal high school shenanigans with *Dan Da Dan* season 3. Fresh off the season 2 finale in Japan, the anime is gearing up to dive headfirst into the massive 'Space Globalists Arc,' a meaty chunk of the manga spanning six volumes. For context, that's more content than seasons one and two combined, which covered a mere five volumes between them. So, big things are on the horizon, narrative-wise. More bizarre creatures, more psychic powers, more awkward teen romance – all the good stuff we've come to expect from this wild ride.
But here's the rub, and it’s a bit of a sore point for many, myself included. A recent piece over at Polygon, penned by Isaac Rouse, really hit the nail on the head, articulating a shared sentiment: the repetitive and, frankly, gratuitous way the series protagonist, Momo Ayase, has been treated in the opening moments of both seasons thus far. And if the anime sticks rigidly to the manga, season 3 might just follow suit.
Fair dinkum, let's just lay it out. Season one kicks off with Momo being physically assaulted by a scummy ex-boyfriend. She tries to defend herself, but he floors her. Later in that same episode, she’s abducted by aliens, stripped, and threatened with *probing* before being rescued. Then, season two rolls around, and what's the grand opening? Momo is once again in a vulnerable, harassing situation with older creeps at a bathhouse. It’s a pattern, isn't it? And not the fun, 'oh look, a recurring gag' kind of pattern, but the kind that makes you do a double-take and wonder if the creative wizards behind the curtain are really thinking this through.
Now, I'm all for narrative tension and showing a character's vulnerability, mate, but there's a fine line between that and what feels like an almost ritualistic degradation that serves very little lasting purpose. Rouse points out that these assaults don't seem to have any explored, long-term psychological impact on Momo. They're just… there. A quick shock, a momentary plot device, before we're off to the next paranormal skirmish. And that, my friends, is where my gently skeptical wizard senses start tingling. If it doesn't contribute meaningfully to character development or plot progression, what's the 'why' behind it? Is it just for shock value? Does it exist solely to provide Okarun a moment to be a hero? If so, we can do better, surely.
It’s especially jarring when you consider what the English voice actor for Okarun, AJ Beckles, said about the heart of *Dan Da Dan*. He reckons the show has 'a lot of really deep stuff about agency and what it means in society, but at its heart, it’s just about kids.' And he’s spot on! The theme of agency – taking control of one's own narrative, one's own body, one's own destiny – absolutely resonates with a series about teenagers battling supernatural forces and finding their place in a world turned upside down. But how does consistently putting your female lead in situations where her agency is stripped away, only to be 'rescued,' fit that bill? It feels a bit like trying to cast a powerful spell with half the incantation missing, doesn't it?
Momo has shown immense strength and agency already. Remember that initial dismissal of her first boyfriend? She shut him down decisively, setting a clear boundary. That’s the Momo we know, the one who deserves to face her challenges with that same inner fire, not constantly start off as a victim waiting for a saviour. We're talking about a character who literally wields psychic powers, battles aliens, and deals with all sorts of bizarre entities. She's a force! So, why is the narrative so keen on repeatedly taking her power away in these specific, uncomfortable ways?
This isn't about censorship or sanitising a story's edgy elements; it's about smart adaptation. Anime studios, especially one as inventive as Science Saru, have the opportunity to interpret and evolve their source material. They can take the spirit of the manga and infuse it with choices that strengthen the overall themes and character arcs. What if, instead of starting with another assault, season 3 opens with Momo demonstrating her growth, perhaps fending off a threat *herself* or immediately asserting her boundaries with fierce confidence? Imagine the power of *that* opening scene, a testament to her agency, rather than a regression.
It's a chance for the anime to elevate its storytelling, to show that a protagonist can face immense challenges without constantly being reduced to a state of vulnerability that feels more exploitative than character-building. I'm optimistically chaotic enough to believe that Science Saru can pull this off. They've shown brilliant creativity so far, and tweaking these specific opening moments could genuinely make an already fantastic series even better. Let's hope *Dan Da Dan* season 3 gives Momo the stage to truly take control, because honestly, seeing her kick some serious supernatural butt from the get-go? That's a spell I'd definitely want to see cast.
**Source:** *This analysis draws inspiration from Isaac Rouse's article on Polygon, which highlighted this crucial point for Dan Da Dan season 3.*
Tags: Anime Adaptation, Character Development, Storytelling, Anime News, Dan Da Dan
Original article: Polygon