The premiere’s key detail is that Momo and Okarun are sent to test the very beliefs they reject: Momo, who believes in ghosts but not aliens, visits a site associated with UFO sightings; Okarun, who believes in aliens but not ghosts, goes to a haunted tunnel. Their argument becomes the episode’s plot engine.
Why do Momo and Okarun go to different places?
Their destinations follow directly from their disagreement. The official episode synopsis describes Momo as someone who believes in ghosts but not aliens, and Okarun as an occult enthusiast who believes in aliens but not ghosts. To settle the dispute, Momo goes to an abandoned hospital known for UFO sightings, while Okarun heads to a haunted tunnel (official Episode 1 synopsis).
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Dandadan, Vol. 1 | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dandadan, Vol. 2 | $9.28 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Dandadan, Vol. 3 | $10.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Dandadan, Vol. 4 | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Dandadan, Vol. 5 | $8.53 | Buy on Amazon |
That parallel is the premise made physical: each character enters the kind of place that challenges the other person’s skepticism. This is a reading of the official setup, rather than a separately confirmed explanation from the creators. As the episode moves between the destinations, notice how the contrast lets it build two different kinds of paranormal unease at once.
Their first connection comes before the argument
The official synopsis says Momo first helps Okarun after classmates bully him. That moment matters: their introduction is not only a clash of beliefs. An act of empathy gives them a reason to engage before their debate sends them in opposite directions.
#1 Best Overall
The same synopsis identifies Momo as part of a medium family and Okarun as an occult enthusiast. Those details establish their different starting points without requiring the viewer to treat either character as a simple caricature: their disagreement is specific, and the episode turns it into action.
What the premiere establishes—and what is interpretation
The episode’s mirrored structure is supported by the official synopsis. Descriptions of its mood, pacing, framing, color, or the way it cuts between locations are observations about the released episode, not facts established by that synopsis. For a close rewatch, separate what is visible on screen from claims about why a filmmaker chose it.
Rank #2
Series director Fuga Yamashiro said the anime uses “playful and visually stunning techniques unique to video” and that viewers could enjoy it “in a slightly different way from the manga” (MBS announcement, June 24, 2024). His comment supports thinking about animation as an interpretation of the material, but it does not identify specific Episode 1 scenes as additions or changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which manga chapter does Episode 1 adapt?
Shueisha’s catalog lists Chapter 1, “That’s How Love Starts, Ya Know!”, in Dandadan Volume 1 (Shueisha Volume 1 catalog). That is a reliable starting point for reading the manga opening alongside the premiere.
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A precise anime-versus-manga comparison requires checking both versions scene by scene. Yamashiro’s general remark about video-specific techniques does not, by itself, establish that an event was added, removed, or reordered in the first episode.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Premiere details and historical context
- Japanese episode title: The official anime site gives “それって恋のはじまりじゃんよ”; ORICON renders the working English title as “Isn’t That the Beginning of Love” (ORICON preview, October 1, 2024).
- Original Japanese schedule: ORICON reported that Episode 1 was scheduled for October 3, 2024 at 24:26 in Japan, with streaming sequentially from 25:00 that day. These are historical schedule details, not current availability.
- Listed runtime: Apple TV India lists the episode at 23 minutes. That is metadata for that regional listing, not proof that every service or version has the same runtime (Apple TV India episode listing).
- Theatrical premiere context: MBS announced that the theatrical event DAN DA DAN: First Encounter would include the first three episodes (MBS announcement, June 24, 2024).
- Launch-era figures: The same June 24, 2024 MBS announcement reported 3.2 million copies in circulation and more than 370 million views. Those are figures reported at that time, not current totals.
