An impulsive act of kindness by Momo Ayase kickstarts a friendship that, in turn, 'arouses' all manner of excitable and dangerous paranormal entities.
How's that for an elevator pitch?
When I try and take a moment to gather my thoughts to write this review, I just start chuckling. I also roll my eyes. Because that is the overall effect this first volume of Dan Da Dan, or Dandadan, had on me. I chuckled, rolled my eyes, and enjoyed the hell out of most of it.
I also need to admit that I struggled with both the sophomoric sexual humor and almost lackadaisical approach to sexual violation and/or assault displayed in the opening chapter(s). That did not sit well with me, at all.
But as the story progressed, the Victoria's Secret level imagery combined with some otherworldly phenomena that managed too illicit some genuine chills. Then there was all that cute and combative banter between Momo and the friend she calls Okarun (for a reason best left unspoiled for those that have yet to read Dan Da Dan).
Perhaps, maybe, this is all meant to dramatize, or satirize, the tumultuous nature of youthful attraction to somebody that seems, at first glance, to be so-not-your type. Yet attracted you are and, no matter how hard you try to stop it, that attraction just wants to grow stronger.
On the less heavy-handed side of my critical read, there was enough prurient naughtiness, spooky creepiness, and meet-cute sweetness to make me want to read the next volume. Just to see what the hell happens next...
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