"Dodge Danji" (tentative title, Honoo no Toukyuujo Dodge Danji), the sequel to Tetsuhiro Koshita's classic dodgeball manga "Dodge Danpei," kicked off its serialization in 2022. Focusing on Danpei's daughter, Danji, the series has already dropped five tankobon volumes.
But hold up! Yesterday (July 11), the official word dropped: "Dodge Danji" is getting a TV anime adaptation, slated to hit screens sometime in 2026. The internet, however, is collectively scratching its head. "Wait, are they serious?!" "An anime for THIS? I'm genuinely impressed!" The news has sparked a massive online debate.
Even the manga's official X (formerly Twitter) account playfully roasted itself, having declared the series "impossible to animate" when it first launched. Now that it's actually happening, the official account thanked fans for their support and announced that all manga chapters would be available for free reading.
So, what's got everyone in a twist? In the sequel, a character named "Chinko" (珍子), the daughter of Danpei's old pal Jin-nen Kofutsu, makes an appearance. The catch? Her name is pronounced exactly like "chinko" (ちんこ) in Japanese, which is a slang term for male genitalia. And yes, characters in the manga frequently yell her name.
Now, this kind of gag isn't exactly new territory for series serialized in magazines like CoroCoro Comic. But for many, an anime adaptation would have to faithfully reproduce these gags, which means voice actors would be constantly shouting "chinko." Talk about a tough gig!
This revelation sent netizens into a hilarious spiral: "Will entire TV episodes just be people screaming 'little wiener'?" "Can this actually air? Kids watching anime will just keep hearing 'chinko'!" "This anime is going to go down in history as the one with the most 'little wiener' mentions!" "There's no way this name can even be broadcast on terrestrial TV, right?"
But here's the kicker: it's a super iconic gag from the manga, and cutting it out would feel... wrong. The big question is, in this modern Reiwa era, can an anime really get away with something like this?
Especially since the characters are elementary school girls. Even if they cast adult voice actors, it'd still be pretty awkward. Many netizens feel it's an unfair ask for VAs. While there are VAs who specialize in such roles, the real question remains: can it actually air?
Of course, the anime production team has probably already prepped for these concerns. But it's totally normal for fans to worry, especially since it's the Reiwa era. Many suggestive gags from 80s and 90s works often get toned down or cut in modern remakes. However, with "Dodge Danji," there might not be much left to cut!
All things considered, the "Dodge Danji" sequel is actually a blast to read. If you're curious, definitely check it out – it's a wildly different vibe from the original "Dodge Danpei," and you can totally see the author's new "quirks" shining through!
via： togetter