Dandadan Receives First Stage Play Adaptation This Summer

A brand-new live-action project has been announced for the hit anime and manga series Dandadan.

Officially titled “Dandadan Stage Play,” the new theatrical project will bring the supernatural action of the original story to the stage for the very first time.

Dandadan is a massively popular manga created by Yukinobu Tatsu that is currently serialized on the Shonen Jump+ digital platform.

The series boasts a remarkable circulation of over twelve million copies and has easily surpassed one billion views on the digital app.

The plot follows a high school boy nicknamed Okarun who loves the occult but denies the existence of aliens.

He soon crosses paths with a girl named Momo who believes in extraterrestrials but firmly denies the existence of ghosts.

The two teenagers quickly find themselves working together to face off against a wide variety of terrifying otherworldly threats.

A television anime adaptation debuted in 2024 and garnered massive international attention, with a third season already confirmed for production.

This new theatrical adaptation features a highly talented production team with extensive experience in 2.5D live-action performances.

Imagine Ito, of the dance entertainment group Umebou, is officially attached to direct the project.

Ito previously worked on choreography and direction for the Mashle: Magic and Muscles and Touken Ranbu theatrical series.

Shinjiro Kameda is handling the script, bringing his experience from writing hit shows for the A3! and Hypnosis Mic franchises.

Ryo Konishi, who served as the musical director for the Expo 2025 opening ceremony, will compose the music for the play.

Original creator Yukinobu Tatsu released a public statement expressing his surprise and immense gratitude regarding the announcement.

He thanked readers for their continuous support and praised the incredible crew working to build the live theatrical experience.

Performances for the Dandadan stage play are scheduled to take place throughout August and September 2026.

The supernatural stage battles will unfold live at soon to be announced theater venues across Tokyo and Osaka, with further updates regarding casting and ticket distribution set to be made shortly.

“Dandadan,” written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu, is a hugely popular supernatural action-comedy series serialized on Shueisha’s “Shonen Jump+” app, with over 10 million copies in circulation.

The exhibition celebrates the manga’s unique blend of occult horror, sci-fi battles, and romantic comedy through a massive display of original artwork and immersive video productions.

This is the only exhibition where fans can get an up-close look at Tatsu’s dynamic and meticulously detailed original drawings.

The collection is extensive, featuring 94 original manuscript pages, 180 high-quality replicas, and 32 handwritten story drafts (“names”), offering a deep dive into the creative process.

In addition to the artwork, the exhibition includes life-sized figures of the main characters, Momo and Okarun, photo spots that allow visitors to step into famous scenes from the manga, and approximately 200 types of exclusive limited-edition merchandise.

Exhibition Areas

The venue is structured into six distinct areas, each dedicated to a different facet of the “Dandadan” world and visitors are greeted with a special video production that immediately draws visitors into the story.

Chapter 1: Character Introductions

A deep dive into the series’ vibrant characters, including Momo, Okarun, and Seiko.

Chapter 2: The Occult

Experience the bizarre world of ghosts, aliens, and strange phenomena unique to “Dandadan.”

Chapter 3: Making of Dandadan

An exploration of the manga’s creation, featuring an exclusive interview with author Yukinobu Tatsu and a public display of the original manuscript pages from the first three chapters.

Chapter 4: Occultic Battles

A thrilling collection of original art from the manga’s most intense battle scenes.

Chapter 5: Romantic Comedy

A showcase of the sweet and humorous moments that define the characters’ relationships.

Chapter 6: Emotion

Relive the heart-pounding and moving moments from the story’s climactic scenes.

New Venue Information

Fukuoka Exhibition
- Dates: Monday, December 29, 2025 – Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Venue: Fukuoka Mitsukoshi 9th Floor, Mitsukoshi Gallery
Osaka Exhibition
- Dates: Saturday, February 7, 2026 – Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Venue: Namba Parks Museum

Ticket information for the Fukuoka and Osaka venues will be announced at a later date via the exhibition’s official website and social media channels.