Today, the official website and X account for Dandadan ~Occultic Stage~ shared the main visual for the upcoming stage adaptation. The artwork provides fans with an early look at how the chaotic supernatural elements of Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga will be brought to life on stage. Featured prominently in the visual are the production’s principal cast members, including Yuiri Murayama as Momo, Raimu Ninomiya as Okarun, Hiroki Hyakuna as Turbo Granny Okarun, Aoi Nakabeppu, and Riko Tanaka.
The new Dandadan ~Occultic Stage~ visual is the latest highlight in what has already been a major year for the popular manga and anime franchise. The stage play adaptation of Dandadan was announced on April 6, 2026, as part of the celebrations marking five years since the manga debuted on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ platform.
What the Dandadan Stage Play Covers and Where to Watch It
Dandadan ~Occultic Stage~ tells a story of Okarun, a high school boy who doesn’t believe in ghosts, and Momo Ayase, a high school girl who doesn’t believe in aliens, as the two confront various supernatural phenomena together. The production will follow manga’s opening arc, centering on the duo’s encounter with the fearsome spirit Turbo Granny, through which both protagonists acquire their respective paranormal abilities.
The stage play will premiere at Tokyo’s Nippon Seinenkan Hall on August 26 and run until September 3, before heading to Osaka’s Sky Theatre MBS for performances from September 11 to 13.
Along with the new main visual, the Dandadan stage play has announced several special events for attendees. Every performance will feature an “Occult Performance & Photo Session!” during the curtain call, allowing fans to take photos and videos. The production will also host rotating events throughout the run, including a special talk session with director Imagine Ito, scriptwriter Shinjiro Kameda, and composer Ryō Konishi, as well as exclusive cast video messages available only on select performance days.
The Cast: Two Actors for One Iconic Character
The Dandadan stage play takes a unique approach by having two actors play different versions of Okarun. Raimu Ninomiya will portray Ken Takakura in his normal human form, while Hiroki Hyakuna takes on the role of the transformed Okarun, the possessed, cursed version of the character that emerges after his encounter with Turbo Granny.
This approach helps the stage play clearly show Okarun’s two different forms, making the transformation easier to portray in a live performance. This also allows two actors to bring different sides of the character to life. Additionally, Yuiri Murayama, a former member of the popular idol group AKB48, will play Momo Ayase.
Supporting roles include Aoi Nakabeppu as Momo’s grandmother, Seiko, a mysterious and ageless spiritual medium; Riko Tanaka as the popular classmate Aira Shiratori; and Risa Yamazaki as the flowing-haired yokai Acrobatic Silky.
The Creative Team Behind the Dandadan Stage Play
The Dandadan stage play is being led by an experienced creative team. Imagine Ito as director, Shinjiro Kameda handling the script, and Ryō Konishi composing the music. Together, they are creating a full-scale theatrical production rather than a simple stage reading.
Kameda is known for his work on Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: Shining Theater Shinagawa Tokyo, while Ito has previously worked on Mashle The Stage and the Touken Ranbu stage series. Their experience with popular anime and manga adaptations suggests that the production will feature dynamic action, choreography, and supernatural scenes inspired by the original manga.
The stage play captures the manga’s unique blend of romance, supernatural mysteries, and action while incorporating dance into the live performance.
Why the Dandadan Stage Play Is a Major Milestone for the Franchise?
The release of the Dandadan stage play’s main visual comes at a major moment for the franchise. As of June 2026, the manga has surpassed 14 million copies in circulation and won the 71st Shogakukan Manga Award. The series also has more on the horizon, with Science SARU confirming at Jump Festa 2026 that Dandadan Season 3 is scheduled to premiere in 2027.
For fans hoping to see Dandadan brought to life on stage, the Tokyo and Osaka performances will offer audiences across Japan a chance to experience the series’ supernatural action and occult adventures live.
