Understanding Dandadan: An In-Depth Explanation of the Flatwoods Monster

Main Insights

Dandadan creatively merges horror, humor, and action, focusing on two teenagers as they delve into the realm of the supernatural.
Episode 2 features the Flatwood Monster, a character rooted in a real alien sighting from 1952 in West Virginia.
In Dandadan, the Flatwood Monster is depicted with great strength, the ability to emit a toxic mist, and unwavering loyalty to the Serpo Aliens.

Yukinobu Tatsu’s brilliant skill in combining the paranormal and extraterrestrial elements to craft enthralling narratives is prominently displayed in his standout work, Dandadan. This series effortlessly fuses horror with humor while delivering action-packed, otherworldly adventures featuring two teens as they navigate the supernatural.

In the second episode, “That’s a Space Alien, Ain’t It?!”, viewers are introduced to the Flatwood Monster, an alien operating under the direction of the Serpo Aliens. While this towering figure may seem like a product of Yukinobu’s vivid and remarkable creativity, it actually finds its roots in a notorious extraterrestrial encounter from the early 1950s. This article delves into the origins of the Flatwood Monster and examines its impact on Yukinobu’s storytelling.

The Myth Behind the Flatwood Monster

Was it a Meteor or a Real Alien Encounter?

On September 12, 1952, residents of Flatwoods, West Virginia observed a radiant object soaring through the night sky. When they ventured closer to investigate, they reported encountering a pulsating red light that captivated their interest. Determined to discover more, they approached the hill where the light was first seen. As they got nearer, they encountered a 10-foot-tall humanoid figure with a spade-shaped head, a round crimson face, and talon-like hands.

In due time, local law enforcement, including a sheriff and a deputy, conducted their inquiries but found nothing remarkable at the location. Nevertheless, the tale gained traction and became a national sensation, attracting reporters eager to form their own conclusions. Despite several decades passing, no definitive evidence has surfaced to substantiate the eyewitness accounts. The most recognized explanation comes from Joe Nickell of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, who posits that the witnesses likely misidentified a meteor, as numerous meteor sightings were documented across the U.S. on the same night.

Joe further speculated that the witnesses may have encountered a barn owl, which they mistakenly perceived as an extraterrestrial figure. The owl’s shadow likely made it appear larger, compounded by the witnesses’ heightened anxiety. Despite numerous investigations yielding no evidence of alien life, the persistence of theories has helped the myth of the Flatwood Monster to endure long after the initial event.

The Flatwood Monster in Dandadan

The Series Draws Heavily From Eyewitness Accounts of the 1952 Event

Dandadan, crafted by Yukinobu Tatsu, draws inspiration from real-world tales of aliens and cryptids, including the Flatwood Monster. Much like its counterpart from West Virginia, the series’ Flatwood Monster stands at 10 feet tall and was first sighted in the same Flatwoods town in Braxton County. Over time, reports of similar sightings have emerged from Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture. In the anime, this creature has a muscular physique akin to a sumo wrestler. Its mouth is rectangular and appears to move in a mechanical fashion, while its head is enshrouded by a mysterious hood. The Flatwood Monster’s considerable height and build suggest it could weigh several tons.

Remarkably, within the series, the Flatwood Monster is subordinate to the Serpos and shares their alien origins. Its colossal stature and sumo wrestler-like form enable it to exhibit incredible power through sumo-style stomping, which can be lethal to anyone in proximity.

However, the creature’s impressive strength becomes a disadvantage as its body disintegrates upon making contact with the ground, leaving it vulnerable. It seems as though the monster can only battle effectively in an upright pose. Yet, it possesses a unique ability to regenerate its legs when necessary, enabling it to stabilize itself.

In the original 1952 incident, eyewitnesses reported feeling nauseated and detected a foul mist soon after their encounter with the 10-foot humanoid. Yukinobu appears to have taken this element to imbue the Flatwood Monster in his anime with the ability to release a noxious black mist that induces nosebleeds. This toxic gas is used to attack Okarun and Momo, compelling them to leave their hiding spot.

Despite its formidable power, the Flatwood Monster remains dutifully obedient to the Serpo Aliens. When it encounters Okarun and Momo, its prime objective is to capture their banana organs. The alien nearly overcomes the quirky duo using its supernatural abilities. However, quick-thinking Momo enables them to place a talisman that incinerates the monster, leading to its demise.

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