Anime fans once again prove their loyalty as DanDaDan: Evil Eye dominates theaters, offering a cinematic preview of Season 2 and smashing previous records.
The anime community has shown up in full force for DanDaDan: Evil Eye, a compilation film that sets the stage for the highly anticipated second season of DanDaDan. Premiering just last Friday, the movie has already made waves by grossing over $3 million in the U.S. during its opening weekend — tripling the performance of the franchise’s first film, DanDaDan: First Encounter.
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DanDaDan’s Rapid Growth and Streaming Success
The film’s early success highlights both the strength of the DanDaDan fandom and the increasing mainstream appeal of anime films. Back in December, Netflix ranked DanDaDan as its most-streamed non-English series during the second half of 2024 — a surprising achievement given that Season 1 only launched in October.
This surge in popularity is now being reflected at the box office. The record-breaking numbers for Evil Eye suggest that the franchise is rapidly evolving from cult favorite to global phenomenon.
What to Expect From DanDaDan: Evil Eye
While Evil Eye delivers an exciting theatrical experience, it is also a narrative bridge into Season 2. The film compiles the first three episodes of the upcoming season, giving audiences a taste of what’s to come ahead of the official return on July 3, 2025.
The story follows Okarun, Momo, and the ever-iconic Turbo Granny as they enter a perilous dimension to battle a new antagonist — the Avatar of Hatred, known as Evil Eye. Voiced by Mutsumi Tamura in Japanese and Anne Yatco in English, Evil Eye poses the most significant challenge yet to the trio’s survival and unity.
Season 2 Embraces Visual Innovation
According to co-director Abel Gongora, Season 2 will experiment with 3D animation techniques, blending them with traditional styles to enhance complex action scenes — particularly in the Evil Eye arc. The new season will also include pencil-cut animation for a grittier texture, showcasing the studio’s commitment to artistic innovation.
“We’re trying new things, like 3D characters and pencil cuts, to elevate the visual experience without compromising the original aesthetic,” Gongora told Collider.
Critics and Fans Alike Are Impressed
With a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, DanDaDan: Evil Eye is being hailed as a successful continuation of a series known for its stunning visuals and dynamic fusion of sci-fi and supernatural elements. Based on the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, the anime has been praised for faithfully capturing the source material’s energy and beauty.
