From Nessie to the aliens, each of these monsters are rooted in real-life conspiracies.
Every anime fan who has ever been interested in the supernatural side of things may have had a field day when Dandadan Season 1 hit TV screens, but what about those who don’t know any of the creatures featured in the series? They may seem like the stereotypical monster designs in action anime, but did you know that they were actually inspired by real-life encounters?
Although Dandadan takes it up a notch–the series actually explains that every cryptid mentioned may actually be just aliens living amongst humans! But how did these stories come about, and is there some truth to every sighting? Much like with how we explained each spirit and yokai, here’s everything you need to know about the various cryptids and aliens in Dandadan Season 1:
The Serpo Aliens
These freaky, wiener-hunting aliens debuted in Episode 1 as major antagonists looking to expand their race, but did you know that they are based on a real life conspiracy? That’s right! The Serpo Aliens pull from the “Project Serpo” conspiracy theory–an alleged top-secret exchange program between the United States government and an alien planet called Serpo in the Zeta Reticuli star system. The conspiracy has been a mainstay in UFO (unidentified flying object) stories as far back as 1983.
According to the most common version of the conspiracy, an alien from the planet survived a crash near Roswell (yes, it’s the Roswell UFO incident), and was detained by American military forces. The alien was generally treated well, and was able to return to its home planet. The story also claims that 12 American military personnel visited the planet between 1965 to 1978, but have since passed away due to radiation sickness.
The Flatwoods Monster
The massive sumo wrestler-looking alien that featured in Episode 2, and is associated with the Serpos, is surmised by Okarun to be the cryptid The Flatwoods Monster. The Flatwoods Monster is a popular cryptid in West Virginia folklore, and is also known as the Braxton County monster, Braxie, or the Phantom of the Flatwoods.
Braxie was first sighted in September 1952, where a pair of brothers and their friend witnessed a bright object fall from the sky and into the land of a local farmer. Curious about this event, the trio, accompanied by an additional person, ventured into the property to get a look. Much to their horror, they found a glimpse of a “man-like figure with a round, red face, surrounded by a pointed, hood-like shape.” Other versions of the story purported that Braxie was over three metres tall.
Nessie
Making an appearance in Episode 8 when the Serpo Aliens make a return, this large, aquatic lifeform is inspired by arguably one of the most well-known cryptids in history: the Loch Ness Monster.
If you don’t already know, the Loch Ness Monster, also lovingly called Nessie, is a mythical creature that features in Scottish folklore. Nessie is said to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands, and is described as a large monster with a long neck and humps protruding from the water.
Reported sightings of Nessie have gone as far back as 7th century AD, but the monster has become incredibly popular in recent times. It was brought to worldwide attention in 1933, when an article in a Scottish newspaper reported a large “beast” or “whale-like fish”, which was later on followed by numerous reports of sightings and even grainy photographs.
It was 1934 when the most famous photo of Nessie was brought to attention. Known as the “Surgeon’s photograph”, the image clearly depicted a long-necked, humped monster resurfacing the waters of Loch Ness. To this day, conspiracy theorists believe in the authenticity of the image, although detractors have pointed out that it could be an elaborate hoax.
Mr. Mantis Shrimp
Mr. Mantis Shrimp also debuted in Episode 8 alongside Nessie, and although he was antagonistic at first, it was later on revealed that he was an alien who’s down on his luck, and taking a number of odd jobs to keep himself and his son, Chiquitita, afloat.
Besides bearing a clear reference to the popular Swedish pop group ABBA, Mr. Mantis Shrimp and Chiquitita are actually inspired by a lesser-known cryptid known as the “Dover Demon”.
The Dover Demon has had three reported sightings from 21 April to 22 April 1997 in the town of Dover, Massachusetts, hence being called the Dover Demon. According to the various accounts of the three teenagers who encountered this cryptid, the monster is described as a small, fast, and pale humanoid with either glowing green or orange eyes--a clear difference to Dandadan's design, which takes inspiration from mantis shrimps.
Not much is known about this cryptid, and not many cryptozoologists (people who study cryptids) seem to have an interest in this creature, with many believing the sightings to be just a prank.
