2024's Most Underrated Anime Is a Gritty Reboot of a Manga Franchise No One Ever Expected

Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction was one of the standout anime releases of 2024. Based on the long-running manga by Inio Asano, this unusual apocalyptic tale was first adapted into a two-part film, later restructured into an 18-episode series for streaming. It left a strong impression with its blend of alien invasion and coming-of-age drama. And yet, less than a year later, it no longer has the buzz it once did. The similarly titled Dandadan, which explores comparable themes although with a wilder tone, became a breakout hit, stealing much of the attention in the realm of teen sci-fi and UFO storytelling.

But maybe it's time to give Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction another look,especially in light of its surprising thematic and visual connection to a classic manga and anime icon: Doraemon, the beloved time-traveling robot cat from the future created by the duo Fujiko F. Fujio. While the two series might seem worlds apart—one a whimsical children’s comedy, the other a dark meditation on adolescence and apocalypse—there are striking connections beneath the surface.

Teen Life and Sci-Fi Dread

Doraemon: The Blueprint for Sci-Fi and Youth

Created by Inio Asano, Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction began as a manga in Big Comic Spirits in 2014. Set in a Tokyo overshadowed by a massive, motionless alien ship, the story follows high school girls Kadode and Ontan as they stumble through everyday life against a backdrop of slow-burning catastrophe. Blending slice-of-life with political tension and subtle social critique, the manga was praised in Japan for its intricate artwork and subversive approach to science fiction. Beneath its bleak tone, the series carries a quiet echo of Japan’s long-standing sci-fi tradition—one that traces back to Doraemon.

Debuting in 1969, Doraemon was created by Fujiko F. Fujio. The series follows a boy named Nobita and his robotic cat from the 22nd century as they use whimsical gadgets to tackle everyday problems. Its charm lies not only in those fantastical tools, but in the gentle way it explores the trials of growing up. Over the decades, Doraemon became more than a children’s series—it helped shape how Japanese media imagines the future through the eyes of youth.

Dead Dead Demon Offers A Hidden Tribute In Name and Theme

Sci-Fi Worth a Second Look

At first glance, Dead Dead Demon and Doraemon seem like opposites. But both center on the intrusion of the extraordinary into everyday life—whether it’s a cheerful robot cat or a looming alien mothership. Fujiko F. Fujio’s playful sci-fi spirit is reimagined by Asano into something more ominous. Even the presence of strange gadgets—military drones, alien tech—feels like a darker mirror of Doraemon’s iconic tools.

Both stories follow young protagonists trying to understand a future beyond their control. Where Nobita stumbles toward growth with Doraemon’s help, Kadode and Ontan navigate a world where optimism is harder to find. In interviews, Asano has described the series as a reflection of teenage disillusionment and fear of the future, which is a thematic inversion of Doraemon’s hope-filled vision. And for those looking closely, even the names of the main characters—Kadode, Ontan, Oran, Ai, and Nakagawa—can be rearranged to spell “Dorae Mon,” a subtle tribute hiding in plain sight.

Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction Kadode & Ouran wearing sunglasses and looking at a bright flash of light.

Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction Episode 0 Review: Anime's Most Refreshing Apocalypse in Years is Here

Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction is a new apocalyptic anime adapted from an acclaimed manga, and fans of anime have reason to be excited.

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You don’t need to be a Doraemon expert to enjoy Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction—its mix of teenage malaise, eerie sci-fi, and sharp social commentary stands on its own. But knowing the legacy it quietly engages with adds a whole new layer. Beneath the alien ships and deadpan humor lies a surprising nod to one of Japan’s most iconic stories. In a year full of louder hits like Dandadan, maybe it’s time to give Dead Dead Demon another look.