Popular Anime "Dandadan" Heavily Censored for Chinese Audiences
26 October 2024

Popular Anime "Dandadan" Heavily Censored for Chinese Audiences

The highly anticipated anime adaptation of "Dandadan" has been making waves globally since its October 3, 2024 debut, but Chinese viewers are getting a markedly different version of Yukinobu Tatsu's popular manga series. The show's BiliBili release has sparked debate due to extensive visual censorship, particularly affecting key character designs.


Original vs. Censored: What's Changed?

The censorship became glaringly apparent in the series' third episode, with significant alterations to the character design of Seiko Ayase, protagonist Momo's grandmother. A spiritual medium with a distinctive visual presence in the original work, Seiko's character design has undergone substantial modifications for Chinese audiences:

Complete redesign of her wardrobe to feature more conservative clothing

Removal of smoking-related imagery

Altered body proportions and general appearance


About Dandadan: A Supernatural Success Story

"Dandadan" first captured readers' imagination when it debuted in Shonen Jump+ back in 2021. The series follows two teenagers, Momo and Okarun, as they navigate a world where supernatural entities and aliens coexist. Their journey of self-discovery and power development has resonated with audiences worldwide, earning the anime adaptation an impressive 8.6/10 rating on IMDb.


Global Distribution vs. Regional Restrictions

While Netflix and Crunchyroll handle the show's global distribution, maintaining the original artistic vision, BiliBili's version presents Chinese viewers with a heavily modified experience. This disparity has not gone unnoticed, with fans taking to social media to express their frustration over the censorship of content clearly marketed toward mature audiences.


Industry Impact and Fan Response

The censorship has sparked heated discussions within the anime community, raising questions about content localization and artistic integrity. Despite the modifications, the series continues to perform well globally, highlighting the growing divide between regional content standards.