The second season of the popular anime Dan Da Dan is making waves, even before its official television debut. The theatrical screening of the first three episodes has proven to be a major success, captivating audiences and raking in impressive earnings in the United States. Let’s dive into the details of this paranormal phenomenon!
Opening Weekend Success
The theatrical premiere of Dan Da Dan Season 2 ranked at #8 at the U.S. box office during its opening weekend. The film, titled Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye, earned an estimated US$3,096,000 in its first weekend. It was screened across 1,085 theaters. The breakdown of the earnings is as follows:
- Friday: $1,508,000 (including $532,000 from Thursday previews)
- Saturday: $938,000
- Sunday: $650,000
Second Week Success
In its second week, the Dan Da Dan Season 2 screening maintained a strong performance, ranking at #13 in the U.S. box office. Despite a decrease in the number of theaters to 830, it added significantly to its total earnings. As of June 16, 2025, the theatrical release has grossed an estimated US$5,065,415. The earnings breakdown for the second weekend is:
- Friday: $192,294
- Saturday: $265,880
- Sunday: $215,000
Beating the Competition
Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye‘s strong performance allowed it to surpass other popular anime titles, including Solo Leveling: ReAwakening, which earned $3.35 million. Other anime films that Evil Eye outperformed include:
- Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom ($1.65 million)
- Blue Lock: Episode Nagi ($1.85 million)
Only a few anime films have stayed ahead, such as:
- Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! ($3.66 million)
- My Hero Academia: You’re Next ($5.04 million)
Considering that Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye only screens the first three episodes of Season 2, its box office performance is particularly remarkable.
First Season’s Theatrical Success
The Dan Da Dan anime series had previously experienced theatrical success with Dan Da Dan: First Encounter, which screened the first three episodes of Season 1. During its limited-time screening in the U.S. in September, it earned an estimated US$1,005,531.
What is ‘Dan Da Dan’ About?
Dan Da Dan is based on the manga series by Yukinobu Tatsu. The story revolves around:
- Momo Ayase, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums who believes in ghosts but not aliens.
- Ken Takakura (nicknamed Okarun), an occult fanatic who believes in aliens but not ghosts.
The two make a bet to determine who is correct, leading them to visit locations associated with the occult and the supernatural. Momo is abducted by aliens, unlocking her psychic abilities, while Okarun is possessed by a spirit. The series blends paranormal mystery, battle action, romantic comedy, and elements of adolescence, creating a unique and engaging narrative.
Production Details for Season 2
Several members of the production team from Season 1 have returned for Season 2:
- Directors: Fūga Yamashiro and Abel Góngora
- Series scripts: Hiroshi Seko
- Music: Kensuke Ushio
- Character Design: Naoyuki Onda
- Alien and Supernatural Entity Design: Yoshimichi Kameda
The opening theme song, “Kakumei Dōchū” (On the Way), is performed by Aina The End, while WurtS performs the ending theme song “Doukashiteru” (Something’s Wrong with Them).
Release Information
The theatrical premiere of Dan Da Dan Season 2’s first three episodes was screened in Asia outside of Japan starting May 30, in Europe starting June 7, and in North America starting June 6.
The second season of the anime is scheduled to debut on television on July 3 in Japan, airing on MBS and TBS in the “Super Animeism Turbo” programming block. Crunchyroll will stream the series as it airs.
Streaming Platforms
- Netflix: Streamed Season 1 worldwide starting October 3.
- Crunchyroll: Streamed Season 1 and will stream Season 2 as it airs.
The Impact
The success of Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye highlights the growing popularity of anime event movies outside Japan. Fans are eager to experience the series on the big screen, even knowing the episodes will eventually be available on streaming platforms. The film serves as an enticing preview of Season 2, leaving viewers craving more of the story’s thrilling scenes and battles.
Final Thoughts
Dan Da Dan Season 2’s theatrical success is a testament to the series’ strong fanbase and engaging storyline. As the anime prepares for its television debut, anticipation is high for another exciting chapter in the paranormal adventures of Momo and Okarun. Be sure to catch the series on Crunchyroll this July!
