While Netflix has delivered plenty of anime titles in recent years, only a few have managed to keep Indian OTT viewers glued to their screens like Dan Da Dan did back in late 2024. In fact, Dan Da Dan wasn’t just an amazing anime during that time in India; it was a sensation. And now, Season 2 has arrived, surely with the aim of outperforming the debut season.
Believe it or not, the first season of Dan Da Dan stayed on Netflix India’s Top 10 weekly shows list for over 11 weeks straight. No one knows when was the last time a licensed anime title performed so brilliantly on the platform for this long. It was also the only anime in the streamer’s Global Top 10 for most of November and December 2024.
Season 2 premiered on Netflix on July 4 and has swiftly entered both the platform’s global and India-specific Top 10 weekly shows lists in its opening week. Currently, it ranks seventh on Netflix India and fourth on the platform’s Non-English shows list.
Moreover, like its critically acclaimed predecessor, the sophomore entry has also scored a rare 100% “Fresh” critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite its many strengths, Dan Da Dan has also become a serious point of contention among anime fan bases across the globe, including in India. While it’s praised for its unique blend of action, sci-fi, horror, and romance, along with high-quality animation from Science Saru, there are several reasons why some viewers dislike it.
A very common complaint revolves around its explicit and often sexualized humour, particularly concerning private body parts. Many find this humour forced, immature, repetitive, and at times, genuinely uncomfortable or creepy.
Additionally, the anime often shifts drastically into more comedic, lighthearted, and romance-focused territory. This tonal inconsistency can leave some viewers feeling confused or disappointed.
There are also pacing issues and a lack of compelling, well-defined villains with clear motivations and understandable power levels. As a result, some action sequences, despite being well-animated, can feel hollow and less impactful.
Despite all its shortcomings, it seems that the majority of the anime fan base, including viewers in India, are hooked on watching Dan Da Dan on Netflix, a scenario that also points to the rising prominence of anime in the country. Stay tuned for more updates.
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