Taiwan’s Muse Acquires Anime ‘Dan Da Dan’ for Asia Distribution, Crunchyroll to Simulcast Internationally

Naman Ramachandran
·3 min read

Taiwan-based anime distribution and licensing company Muse Communication has acquired Asian distribution rights for anime “Dan Da Dan,” it was revealed at Hong Kong rights market FilMart on Monday.

Written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu, Japanese manga series “Dan Da Dan” was serialized in Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ app and website from 2021. The anime series based on it is directed by Fuga Yamashiro (“Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!”) from a script by Hiroshi Seko (“Attack on Titan Final Season”). The series is from Science SARU, the animation studio behind “Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!” and “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.”

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The Japanese voice cast includes Shion Wakayama (“Lycoris Recoil”), Natsuki Hanae (“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba”), Mayumi Tanaka (“One Piece”) and Kazuya Nakai (“One Piece”).

The series follows Momo, a high school girl who comes from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult fanatic. After Momo rescues Okarun from being bullied, they begin talking. However, an argument ensues between them since Momo believes in ghosts but denies aliens exist, and Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts exist. To prove to each other what they believe in is real, Momo goes to an abandoned hospital where a UFO has been spotted and Okarun goes to a tunnel rumored to be haunted. To their surprise, they each encounter overwhelming paranormal activities that transcend comprehension.

“Dan Da Dan” is due to bow in October across Asian platforms. It will be simulcast from Japan on Crunchyroll worldwide, excluding Asia, with new episodes every week.

Muse recently picked up J.C. Staff-produced anime series “Chillin’ in Another World With Level 2 Super Cheat Powers,” based on the Japanese light novel series written by Miya Kinojo and illustrated by Katagiri; and Studio Deen-produced anime series “Re:Monster,” based on a Japanese light novel series written by Kogitsune Kanekiru and illustrated by Yamaada. Both series are due to air across various platforms in April.

On the film distribution front, Muse recently distributed anime movie “Spy x Family Code: White” in Taiwan, which collected some $4 million in the territory. Muse also distributed “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba — To the Hashira Training” in Taiwan and Hong Kong and collaborated with distribution partners in the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, achieving $3 million box office.

At the end of 2023, Muse set up Muse (Shanghai) Cultural Media Co., “aimed at supporting foreign animated movies from importation, and distribution to merchandise development, providing a complete range of services for foreign animated films entering the mainland China market,” the company said.

Other titles represented by Muse at FilMart include “Wind Breaker,” “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” Season 3 and “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” part 2 of Season 2.

Muse will host the 2024 New Anime IP Showcase on March 12 at FilMart, focusing on anime with significant market potential for 2024.

Established in 1992, Muse Communication manages anime IPs, representing and distributing works from more than 60 rights holders. Its video distribution spans international and local platforms across 40 territories in Asia.

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