Did Yukinobu Tatsu explain why the series is called Dandadan? Explained

Yukinobu Tatsu's Dandadan has quickly become a major hit in the animanga community. The unique story complete with impressively-written characters and bizzare scenarios makes it an unmissable experience. With about 192 chapters released, fans have begun wondering one thing - Did the author explain why the series is called Dandadan?

To put it plainly, the series hasn't offered an explicit explanation as to why it has been named so. But that could change very soon as Count Saint-Germain revealed his grand scheme of desiring to acquire the Dandadan. He didn't state what exactly that is or even where or how it could be acquired, but recent events suggest that Momo Ayase may be key in obtaining it.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's opinion.

Tatsu hasn't yet elucidated the reasoning behind Dandadan's name

Count Saint-Germain (Image via Viz Media)

To answer the question once again, mangaka Yukinobu Tatsu has offered no explanation yet as to why he called his series Dandadan. However, with the introduction of the enigmatic Count Saint-Germain, that could change soon. The Count was introduced as a collector of anything that was related to supernatural. It was him who first used the term, his main goal being the Dandadan's acquisition.

This came about towards the end of the Danmanra Arc, when Count Saint-Germain cornered the Fairy-Tale Card. Defeated and powerless, the former was aware that the Yokai had no means of escape. Thus, he compelled it to accept defeat and went on to mention his ultimate goal of adding the Dandadan to his collection. However, he mentioned nothing further about it.

Now as per series lore, there is very little clarity on what it entails. As hinted by the Count, it is associated with the paranormal and definitely possesses unique powers or abilities, which is what is likely driving him to chase after it. Chapter 163 of the manga affords a glimpse of what it is but in a sort of cryptic manner, insufficient to truly understand it.

It appears as a series of mandalas showcasing the Center Eight Petal Hall usually known to be connected to the Womb Realm. The Womb Realm or the Mandala of the Two Realms is a concept found in East Asian Esoteric Buddhism representing the enlightened cosmos' distinct yet non-dual dimensions centering on the universal Buddha Mahavairocana.

In simpler terms, it is linked to Buddhism, or at the minimum, the Center Eight Petal Hall Buddhas. Delving deeper, the term can be viewed as a play on the Sanskrit word "Danda", which means different things. In Hinduism, the terms symbolizes discipline, or a tool for maintaining order. In Buddhism, it may tie into the concept of "Danda-Rata," meaning "tale of the end/punishment".

So it wouldn't be wrong to posit that this particular object may be the very thing maintaining the world's order/balance. As such, it would be beyond powerful when wielded and enable the wielder the freedom to control this balance. Popular beliefs also place the object as something akin to a seal, likely related to the Danmanra card, used to seal Yokai away and here, it may be a larger seal on the earth itself.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, while Yukinobu Tatsu hasn't furnished an appropriate explanation for his series' title, recent happenings tease that the mystery is slowly unraveling. Count Saint-Germain's introduction and his obsession with acquiring the "Dandadan" hints at its potentially immense significance within the story's supernatural setting.

Symbolically, the mandalas and references to Buddhist concepts (Center Eight Petal Hall) suggest a deeper, spiritual layer - possibly connecting the object to cosmic balance or discipline. Again, linguistic roots in Sanskrit which point to ideas of punishment or control reiterate the theory that the object might be a seal dictating the world’s order.

With time, the Dandadan's true nature will come to light and likely reshape the series' central conflict. Till, the mystery is as compelling as ever and adds to the manga's rich and fascinating world.

Also read:

About the author

Casey has been an anime writer at Sportskeeda since almost a year. Being drawn into the world of animanga after watching the Dragon Ball series almost a decade ago, Casey's interest in the genre, along with his love of crafting plot theories influenced his writerly endeavors. Presently pursuing a Master's degree in International Business, Casey worked for Uneake and FootballExpress for 1.3 years before joining Sportskeeda.

Casey's writings reflect his commitment to producing the most reliable content, evidenced by his flair for in-depth reporting. He places a high value on meticulous research and complete factual accuracy.

Although it was legendary Akira Toriyama’s magnum opus that influenced his love of animanga, Casey soon branched out and explored other titles. The unique ways in which mangakas express ideas, as well as their far-reaching effects, have inspired Casey in his creative pursuits.

When not busy writing, Casey enjoys working out, listening to music, strumming the guitar, and playing football.

Know More

Edited by Casey Mendez