Science Saru’s adaptation of the manga’s exorcism music led to the studio issuing a press release about its homage to X Japan.
Because the second season reaches its midpoint, Dan Da Dan studio Science Saru has been unapologetic about its ample references to popular culture and music because it adapts Yukunobi Tatsu’s manga, which can be fairly heavy-handed with comparable nods and homages. Nevertheless, the studio just lately issued an apology to the Japanese rock band, X Japan, following an homage featured in an episode centered round a energy metallic exorcism music that will have homaged too near the solar.
In a publish on its official X/Twitter web page, the Japanese Dan Da Dan account launched a press release about final week’s episode debuting a fictional rock group known as Hayasii. Impressed by conventional Japanese Hayashi musicians, Hayasii is a bunch of glam-metal exorcists employed by Momo’s grandmother, Seiko, to help her in trying to exorcise Jiji of the Evil Eye Yokai at present possessing him—therefore the aforementioned metallic exorcism music, “Looking Soul”.
TVアニメ「ダンダダン」における楽曲「Looking Soul」に関しまして pic.twitter.com/XtWQkbwZYu
— 「ダンダダン」TVアニメ公式 | 第2期は25年7月3日から放送開始 (@anime_dandadan) August 22, 2025
Within the assertion, the studio expressed their homage to the band out of respect, whereas acknowledging that it had didn’t let the band know they had been going to pay tribute to them in such an overt vogue, writing the next (which was translated by Japan Anime Information on Twitter):
We wish to specific our deepest apologies for the priority brought about relating to the music “Looking Soul” featured within the Dandadan TV anime.
This music was created with the intention of expressing, throughout the anime, the form of ardour embodied by Mr. Yoshiki and X Japan—whom our manufacturing crew holds within the highest regard. When it comes to musical course, it was additionally produced with the goal of matching the story and scenes of the Dandadan anime and enhancing the general high quality of the work.
Nevertheless, on this occasion, we failed to supply Mr. Yoshiki and X Japan with a proof prematurely. This was by no means our intention, and we sincerely apologize for the priority it has brought about. Relating to rights-related issues, we’re at present engaged in constructive discussions with the related events.
We’ve got already spoken immediately with Mr. Yoshiki about this matter, and we’re utilizing this chance to discover potential inventive collaborations for the longer term.
To Mr. Yoshiki, X Japan, all their followers, and to Dandadan followers and everybody concerned, we as soon as once more prolong our heartfelt apologies for the priority this has brought about. We kindly ask in your continued help and understanding for this sequence going ahead.
“Looking Soul” was written by Seiichi Nagai, and produced by Kensuke Ushio with vocals carried out by Kishō Taniyama, who was accompanied by guitarist Marty Friedman, with drums by Chargeeeeee and bass by Wakazaemon. Within the English dub of the sequence, Hayasii band chief and vocalist Toshiro was voiced by DragonForce lead singer Marc Hudson.
Earlier than the music’s launch, Taniyama supplied a press release to Comedian Natalie in regards to the music being a homage to well-known bands of the style.
“I assume you may say it’s a severe joke, however when the particular person doing an homage or parody does it in a flippant means, the viewers senses it and it places them off,” Taniyama advised Comics Natalie. “It’s as a result of we’re doing it critically that folks can giggle, so I believe we’re all proud that this music has turned out to be one thing that feels satisfying in step with our intentions, from the music manufacturing to the singing. For now, we’ve carried out every thing I can, so all that’s left is for everybody to get pleasure from it.”
Based on a screenshot on the X Japan subreddit, this controversy was spurred by a now-deleted tweet from Yoshiki responding to a guitarist, Marty Friedman, in regards to the music being a tribute out of respect for X Japan. Based on the screenshot, Yoshiki questioned if the band title Haysii was mimicking his final title or his father’s title, who he says dedicated suicide. Happily, issues appear to be water below the bridge. Based on the Japanese information website Oricon, Yoshiki held a press convention on August 22, addressing the controversy, stating that he and the producers of Dan Da Dan are on good phrases.
“I used to be stunned and perhaps not very cautious after I first posted, however afterwards I acquired a name from the producer and we had a really constructive dialog. It was an honor to have my work used, and it grew to become a helpful studying expertise,” Yoshiki mentioned.
All issues thought-about, Hayasii being X Japan in every thing however title solely is certainly one of many references Dan Da Dan has made to different popular culture touchstones, particularly within the case of Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga. Within the manga, Mr. Mantis Shrip’s spaceship initially closely homaged the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars, earlier than getting its design modified to a extra generic UFO for the anime. Most of the alien designs within the sequence draw parallels to kaiju designs from Ultraman and Godzilla, and there’s even been just a few selection JoJo’s Weird Journey references.
New key visible for #DANDADAN Season 2! 💚✨
A kaiju…? And a large robotic?! This occult sci-fi rom-com is breaking into an entire new dimension! Do not miss the climax— DAN DA DAN Season 2 is now streaming! 💥 pic.twitter.com/aCAmmbM4w8
— DAN DA DAN Anime EN (@animeDANDADANen) August 21, 2025
The anime’s upcoming arc, which received particular trailer therapy, will goal to go even additional into its references to kaiju cinema with newcomer characters Vamola and Kinta Sakata going full Ultraman and Tremendous Robotic with their upcoming battle—Vamola herself particularly is layered with homage, as her Japanese title, Bamora, in addition to the design of her big kaiju swimsuit, give nods to Ultraman‘s Gomora and Purple King.
Hopefully future efforts by Science Saru to adapt Tatsu’s ongoing manga won’t result in any extra moments of confusion when the topics of these references discover out they’ve been drawn into Dan Da Dan‘s expansive sci-fi meets yokai adventures.
Need extra io9 information? Try when to count on the newest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on movie and TV, and every thing it’s good to learn about the way forward for Physician Who.
