Dandadan Stage Play Announced for August Premiere in Japan, Original Creator Reacts “Never Expected This”

Dandadan stage play has been officially announced, marking the first theatrical adaptation of the hit occult battle manga. The production will premiere in Tokyo and Osaka in August and September. The stage adaptation will be directed by Imagine Ito of the dance entertainment group Umebo, with the script written by Shinjiro Kameda and music composed by Ryo Konishi.

Creative Team Behind the Dandadan Stage Adaptation

The production will be helmed by Imagine Ito, known for his work on Mashle The Stage and the Touken Ranbu stage series. As the leader of Umebou, Ito is recognized for his distinctive style that seamlessly blends dialogue, music, and physical expression. His approach emphasizes emotional storytelling beyond words, creating immersive theatrical experiences.

The script will be written by Shinjiro Kameda, who has contributed to numerous successful 2.5 dimensional stage productions, including the MANKAI STAGE A3 series and Hypnosis Mic Division Rap Battle Rule the Stage. His adaptation aims to faithfully capture the essence of the original while enhancing it through dynamic stage composition and multidimensional character portrayal.

Music will be composed by Ryo Konishi, who served as music director for the opening ceremony of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. Known for his work across films, television dramas, and artist production, this marks his first involvement in a 2.5 dimensional stage production. He will bring a fresh musical approach to recreate the world of Dandadan.

About Dandadan

Dandadan is an occult themed battle manga currently serialized on Shonen Jump Plus by Shueisha. The story follows high school girl Momo Ayase, born into a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Ken Takakura, also known as Okarun, an occult enthusiast. Together, they confront various supernatural phenomena in a fast paced coming of age story.

The series has gained significant popularity for its unique blend of horror, action, and humor, surpassing 12 million copies in circulation. The first anime season aired from October to December 2024, followed by a second season from July to September 2025. A third season is scheduled for 2027.

Comments from Creator and Staff

■Yukinobu Tatsu, Original Creator
“I never imagined Dandadan would be adapted into a stage play. Thank you so much. This is all thanks to the support of our fans. The staff and cast involved are truly incredible. Please come and experience the live energy of Dandadan on stage.”

■Imagine Ito, Director
“It is both an honor and a great responsibility to bring a beloved work like Dandadan into a real theatrical space. The overwhelming intensity, speed, humor, fear, and emotion of the original must be translated into space, time, and physical expression. Together with Kameda and Konishi, we will take on this immense creative challenge with everything we have. We aim to deliver a fully immersive Dandadan experience that can only be felt in the theater.”

■Shinjiro Kameda, Scriptwriter
“I cannot believe I have the opportunity to write the script for a series I love so deeply. I look forward to it every week, and being part of this project is truly overwhelming. The characters are fascinating, the story is engaging, and the occult elements are genuinely eerie. I will do everything I can to bring its full charm to the stage. Please come see it in the theater.”

■Ryo Konishi, Composer
“From the moment I received this offer, I have been excited about how to recreate that unique world through sound and physical performance. It is a great honor to work on Dandadan. I will dedicate myself to creating a powerful experience that resonates with the audience on a sensory level. I am truly thrilled to compose music for this project.”

Source : ORICON NEWS