7 Must-Watch Science SARU Animes in Preparation for Dandadan Anime

The announcement of the Dandadan anime series from Science SARU studios has sparked excitement among fans of Yukinobu Tatsu's original manga. Anime enthusiasts who are familiar with Tatsu's work are eagerly researching the studio, while those new to the series are also showing great anticipation for what the anime adaptation could bring.

Although there are not many Science SARU anime properties to compare, the studio's existing series such as Devilman Crybaby and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off are highly praised and serve as a promising indication of what to expect from the Dandadan anime.

Science SARU anime’s young history is full of rich, high-quality titles

1) Ping Pong the Animation

Ping Pong the Animation is a unique entry on this list, as it is a short television anime adaptation by Science SARU of the original manga by Taiyo Matsumoto. The series revolves around high school boys Peco and Smile, who have been friends since childhood and are both talented members of Katase High School’s table tennis club.

However, Peco's crushing defeat to a Chinese student leaves him so devastated that he decides to quit the club and stop practicing the sport. Meanwhile, Smile struggles to beat Peco because of his personality. Coach Jo, their instructor, soon recognizes Smile's potential and encourages him to overcome his psychological barrier, especially with Peco seemingly out of the club.

2) Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

The latest and one of the most widely recognized complete Science SARU anime productions is none other than the Scott Pilgrim Takes Off anime on Netflix. The alternate version of the original graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley received critical acclaim and public praise when it debuted in mid-November 2023.

The series sticks with the titular character, his love interest Ramona Flowers, and the other central cast fans of the live-action film and other adaptations are familiar with. However, the series follows a completely different narrative trajectory, removing Scott from the picture mostly in order to focus on the heroine Ramona instead.

3) Tatami Time Machine Blues

The Tatami Time Machine Blues anime by Science SARU is an adaptation of the 2020 sequel novel to author Tomihiko Morimi’s original The Tatami Galaxy varsity novel. The sequel series combines the characters from the original novel with the plot of Makoto Ueda’s play and film Summer Time Machine Blues.

The series follows protagonist Ozu, who accidentally gets the student apartments’ only air conditioner remote control wet, rendering it useless on a scorching hot midsummer day. As the students brainstorm a plan for the rest of the summer, a rather unfashionable male student from 25 years in the future suddenly appears in a time machine. This prompts Ozu to travel back in time to retrieve the remote control before it is damaged, leading to a cascade of problems and unforeseen events.

4) Yurei Deco

Referred to as You 0 Deco, the Yurei Deco anime series by Science SARU is an entirely original creation by the studio. While there is a webtoon based on the anime, it is not the source material for the series. This is also the most well-known anime-original property created by Science SARU so far.

5) The Heike Story

The story unfolds on Tom Sawyer Island, where the inhabitants rely on the Deco augmented reality system and a digital currency called Love. Berry, a regular girl with a malfunctioning Deco that grants her unique visions, crosses paths with the spirited tomboy Hack. Through Hack's Yurei Detective Club, Berry embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about the enigmatic Phantom ZERO and unravel the secrets of the island.

The Heike Story has been hailed as one of Science SARU's most overlooked anime series (Image via Science SARU)

The Heike Story stands out among Science SARU's anime series due to its adaptation of unique source material. The 2021 anime is based on Hideo Furukawa's 2016 translation of The Tale of the Heike, a 13th-century historical epic that chronicles the rise and fall of the Taira clan. The series is set against the backdrop of the Genpei War, a destructive civil conflict that tore Japan apart.

Protagonist Biwa, a young girl and traveling biwa minstrel, has a fateful encounter with Taira no Shigemori, the heir of the Taira clan, after the passing of her father. Shigemori, who possesses the ability to see the spirits of those who perished in the war, comes to understand his clan’s involvement in the death of Biwa’s father. Upon hearing Biwa repeat a prophecy foretelling the downfall of the Taira clan, Shigemori urges her to live with him, recognizing that she may share the same supernatural powers as him.

6) Japan Sinks: 2020

Similar to The Heike Story, Japan Sinks: 2020 stands out as a particularly unique addition in comparison to other Science SARU properties on this list. Once again, this distinctiveness arises from its source material, a 1973 disaster novel by Japanese author Sakyo Komatsu. While the novel has been adapted into various other mediums and forms, Science SARU’s anime adaptation is arguably the most internationally renowned.

The anime follows Mutou siblings Ayumu and her younger brother Gou as they navigate the aftermath of a major Japanese earthquake shortly after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The two attempt to escape the city with their family and friends, but find it complicated by the sinking island nation at every turn. Through their utmost effort and blind faith, the two struggle to survive the extreme conditions before them.

7) Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

Science SARU's beloved entry into the anime-about-anime collection is Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (Image via Science SARU)

Adapting author and illustrator Sumito Owara’s original manga, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! represents a return to more traditional television anime adaptations for Science SARU. The still-ongoing manga has been regularly serialized since July 2016, but the announcement of the 2020 anime adaptation's second season is still pending.

8) Devilman Crybaby

The narrative centers around Midori Asakusa, a freshman in high school and a devoted anime enthusiast who firmly believes that "concept is everything" in the world of anime. Despite her passion for the art form, she has yet to embark on the journey of creating her own anime series, as she recognizes that she cannot do it alone. To her delight, her money-savvy best friend Sayaka Kaanmori and their classmate Tsubame Mizusaki come to her aid, establishing an animation club with the goal of bringing to life the "ultimate world" that resides within their imaginations.

Undoubtedly, Netflix's Devilman Crybaby anime is the most well-known and violent of the Science SARU anime offerings. The series is infamous for its brutal reimagining of author and illustrator Go Nagani's original Devilman manga, putting a seinen spin on the original Shonen series. Throughout the series, various adult themes and levels of violence and gore are implemented for both shock value and legitimate narrative purposes.

High schooler Akira Fudo lives with his only friend and longtime crush, Miki Makimura, and her family. After defending Miki from a gang, Akira reunites with childhood friend Ryo Asuka, who claims that demons exist and wants to expose them. Akira's involvement in this effort leads to him undergoing a transformation, beginning the series' intense and emotional storyline.

Stay updated on all anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2023 unfolds.

Editor's P/S

Science SARU has quickly become one of the most acclaimed anime studios in the industry, and for good reason. Their anime are consistently high-quality, with stunning animation, compelling stories, and memorable characters.

From the thrilling Ping Pong the Animation to the mesmerizing Devilman Crybaby, Science SARU has shown that they are capable of producing a wide range of genres and styles. I am eagerly anticipating the release of their upcoming anime, Dandadan, which is sure to be another hit.