Anime has a unique talent for making food look incredibly appetizing, often far beyond how it appears in real life. A shining example is the renowned Studio Ghibli, which dedicates immense effort to crafting beautifully fluid food animations that seem to waft right off the screen and pull viewers in. However, the latest episode of Dan Da Dan takes a different approach by embracing live-action to showcase its culinary scenes.
In episode five of season two, titled “We Can All Stay There Together,” Okarun, Momo, and their gang celebrate a hard-fought victory in a manner reminiscent of One Piece. Their triumph comes after thwarting a devastating volcano that threatened a nearby village and taming Evil Eye, who occupies Jiji Enjoji’s body. Even with its laid-back tone, this episode introduces a fascinating twist: Jiji and Evil Eye exchange personalities when cold water affects him, a nod to Ranma 1/2, which is cleverly referenced by having Jiji sing the original anime’s theme song.
But enough about the plot; let’s focus on the food! This episode is bursting with enticing visuals, notably in both the opening and closing scenes. In one moment, viewers are treated to a lavish bowl of hot pot, which hilariously transforms into 2D animation when the characters dig in. The choice to use a real image of food rather than strictly animation was both amusing and captivating, showcasing Dan Da Dan’s commitment to creativity.
Even Yukinobu Tatsu, the manga creator, expressed his surprise through a live Twitter reaction to the episode. The showcase of live-action food continues in the episode’s finale, making it abundantly clear that this culinary approach was intentional and not a one-time gimmick.
THE REAL LIFE PIC OF THE MARINATED CHICKEN IS SO UNHINGED AND CREEPY WTH pic.twitter.com/KvpcoylUAn
— Hikaru Yoshiki (@hikayoshilover) July 12, 2025
Interestingly, Dan Da Dan isn’t the only Netflix anime to experiment with live-action food. The adaptation of the horror manga The Summer Hikaru Died also utilizes this format, though in a much darker context. Unlike the scrumptious meals of Dan Da Dan, the food representation in this anime serves as an element of shock, such as a startling shot of marinated raw chicken that emphasizes the eerie situation of a character confronting a demonic puppet.
ご視聴ありがとうございました！
2話の制作進行を担当させて頂きました！
大迫さんを中心的に最高なカットを沢山作ることが出来て、関わって頂いた方には感謝しきれません！個人的に実写撮影が初めてでしたので楽しく撮影出来ました！
※鶏肉のカットは唐揚げにしてスタッフで美味しく頂きました！ https://t.co/FRvrDXqfeD pic.twitter.com/WNhY1H0Hrk
— 土屋晶治 (@tsuchi31478044) July 12, 2025
While The Summer Hikaru Died utilizes live-action food as a means of horror, the production team confirmed that their marinated chicken was later turned into delicious chicken karaage, which the staff enjoyed after filming. One can only hope that the talented team at Science Saru enjoyed their culinary creation from episode five of Dan Da Dan as well.
New episodes of Dan Da Dan drop every Thursday on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu. So, if you’re eager for more thrilling culinary adventures and bizarre plot twists, make sure to catch up!
How can I watch Dan Da Dan online? You can stream it on platforms like Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu, which air new episodes every Thursday.
What is the main theme of Dan Da Dan? The anime blends supernatural battles with humor and culinary delights, creating an engaging narrative that balances action and lighthearted moments.
Who created Dan Da Dan? The series is based on the work of manga artist Yukinobu Tatsu, who is known for infusing unique storytelling and visuals in his creations.
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