Dan Da Dan anime rights and licensing: who owns and distributes the series
Dan Da Dan's breakout success relies on a production committee that splits theatrical, streaming, and merchandise rights across multiple territories.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: The Dan Da Dan anime is owned by the DANDADAN Production Committee, with the copyright listed as ©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee. Science SARU is the animation production studio. Crunchyroll simulcast the series worldwide excluding Asia starting in October 2024. For the theatrical premiere of the first three episodes, Muse Communication handled Asia, Animation Digital Network handled Europe and French-speaking Africa, and GKIDS handled North America, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Who owns the anime rights to Dan Da Dan?
The Dan Da Dan anime is owned by the DANDADAN Production Committee. The copyright notice, repeated on the official Science SARU works page and on Mediatoon Licensing's catalogue, reads ©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee.
Science SARU is the animation production studio. The studio's official works page for season one lists director Fuga Yamashiro, scriptwriter Hiroshi Seko, and animation production by Science SARU.
Who licenses Dan Da Dan in each territory?
Crunchyroll holds the global streaming rights outside Asia. Animation Magazine reported in March 2024 that Dan Da Dan would simulcast from Japan on Crunchyroll worldwide excluding Asia, with new episodes every week.
For the global theatrical premiere of the first three episodes, titled DAN DA DAN: First Encounter, Mainichi Broadcasting System announced partners by region: Muse Communication for Asia, Animation Digital Network for Europe and French-speaking Africa, and GKIDS for North America, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Verified Dan Da Dan rights holders and licensees by function or territory.| Role or territory | Company | Verified source |
|---|
| Rights holder | DANDADAN Production Committee | Copyright notice |
| Animation production | Science SARU | Science SARU works page |
| Global streaming (excluding Asia) | Crunchyroll | Animation Magazine |
| Asia theatrical premiere | Muse Communication | PR Newswire / MBS |
| Europe / French-speaking Africa theatrical | Animation Digital Network | PR Newswire / MBS |
| North America / Latin America / Australia / NZ theatrical | GKIDS | PR Newswire / MBS |
How Dan Da Dan performed globally
Mediatoon Licensing's catalogue for the series states that 22 manga volumes have been published in Japan, 3.2 million manga copies are in circulation worldwide since 2021, and the first season logged more than 37.1 million hours viewed on Netflix in the first half of 2025.
Variety reported in December 2024 that a second season would return on Crunchyroll in July 2025, and that GKIDS had acquired theatrical, video, and digital transactional rights, while Muse Communication had acquired Asian distribution rights.
What remains undisclosed
The copyright line confirms the DANDADAN Production Committee as the rights holder but does not name individual committee members. The exact revenue split between Shueisha, Science SARU, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Crunchyroll, and other partners is not public.
The status of music rights, home video rights, and merchandise sub-licenses in each country is also not fully documented in public sources.
Ownership uncertainty note: Public sources confirm the DANDADAN Production Committee as rights holder, Science SARU as animation producer, and Crunchyroll, GKIDS, Muse Communication, and Animation Digital Network as territorial partners. The full committee membership and contract terms are not published.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the anime rights to Dan Da Dan?
The DANDADAN Production Committee owns the anime rights, credited as ©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee.
Who licenses Dan Da Dan for streaming?
Crunchyroll simulcast Dan Da Dan worldwide excluding Asia starting in October 2024.
Which studio animates Dan Da Dan?
Science SARU animates Dan Da Dan, with Fuga Yamashiro directing and Hiroshi Seko writing the scripts.
Who licensed Dan Da Dan for theatrical release?
For the global theatrical premiere, Muse Communication handled Asia, Animation Digital Network handled Europe and French-speaking Africa, and GKIDS handled North America, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Sources and methodology
- DAN DA DAN Season 1 - WORKS, Science SARU. Lists animation production by Science SARU and copyright ©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee.
- DAN DA DAN, Mediatoon Licensing. Catalogue entry confirms copyright, manga circulation, and Netflix viewing hours for season one.
- Crunchyroll Conjures Science SARU's Supernatural Romance 'Dan Da Dan', Animation Magazine. Reports Crunchyroll will simulcast Dan Da Dan worldwide excluding Asia in October 2024.
- MBS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ADN, GKIDS, AND MUSE, ANNOUNCE THE THEATRICAL GLOBAL PREMIERE FOR UPCOMING ANIME SERIES, DAN DA DAN, PR Newswire / Mainichi Broadcasting System. Details theatrical partners by region and confirms MBS as a production partner.