Dandadan: Yukinobu Tatsu Pays Homage to Gundam’s Immortal Legacy in Chapter 245

In the manga world, some creators don’t just tell great stories; they also bring their childhood passions into their work. Gundam has clearly been one of those passions for Dandadan creator Yukinobu Tatsu. His love for the legendary mecha franchise goes back years, long before Dandadan became a worldwide hit. Now, Chapter 245 gives fans another fun reminder of that connection.

The chapter introduces Kinta’s latest machine, the Great Kinta Freedom, and its design immediately reminds fans of a famous mobile suit from the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. With its large wings and sharp mecha-like shape, the machine feels like Tatsu is giving a playful nod to one of his favorite franchises. Here is everything that happened in the newest chapter.

Yukinobu Tatsu’s Gundam Obsession Finally Shines in Dandadan

Chapter 245 begins with Rokuro, Kinta, Bamora, Mantisian, and Chiquitita arriving on the battlefield in Kinta’s newest creation, the Kinta Top Cannon. Kinta explains that he borrowed extra nanoskin from the Ayase house because he expected another battle.

And he was right. When Hase attacks, Kinta separates the cannon from the vehicle and uses what he learned from their previous fight to create something new. The result is the Great Kinta Freedom, an aerial version of Great Kinta.

This is easily one of the coolest moments in the chapter. The machine has a large six-wing design that looks strikingly similar to the Freedom Gundam, one of the most famous mobile suits from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Tatsu does not simply copy the machine, but the similarities in the wings and overall shape make the reference hard to miss.

The moment becomes even better because Tatsu has been a huge Gundam fan for years. Before creating Dandadan, Tatsu reportedly drew a 100-page Gundam fan manga to improve his skills (via Abema TV). His passion for detailed mechanical designs and action scenes eventually became part of his career as a manga artist.

Tatsu later worked as an assistant to major creators including Tatsuki Fujimoto and Yuji Kaku. His experience helped him develop the detailed backgrounds, strong perspective, and fast-moving action that have become a major part of Dandadan.

That makes the Great Kinta Freedom more than just another ridiculous Kinta invention. It also feels like a small tribute to the series that inspired Tatsu long before he became a famous manga creator.

Dandadan Chapter 245 Ends With a Shocking Okarun Twist

While the Great Kinta Freedom steals the spotlight, Chapter 245 keeps almost every major fight moving. Kinta takes Hase into the sky, while Rokuro continues trying to sell his oden in the middle of the chaos. When the porcupine Dragon Knight attacks, Mantisian jumps in and protects Rokuro. He then introduces himself as a tough dairy farmer who is completely against violence, creating another hilarious moment in an already chaotic battle.

Momo and Okarun from Dandadan Chapter 245. | Credit: Shueisha

Bamora also notices the giant chimera dinosaur and realizes that she can help her friends deal with it. Meanwhile, Yatagarasu is surrounded by a huge group of Dragon Knights. He uses a giant scissor to fight through them, but an octopus-like Dragon Knight eventually forces him to lose his weapon. Just when things look worse, Unji and the jiangshi arrive to help.

The chapter finally returns to Momo and Okarun. Momo finds Okarun badly injured and starts preparing medical supplies to treat him. However, before she can do much, Okarun wakes up. The final panel reveals a mysterious horn growing from Okarun’s forehead, leaving the chapter on another major cliffhanger while teasing his possible new oni transformation.

All in all, from a Gundam-inspired mecha to Okarun’s mysterious new horn, Chapter 245 has plenty for fans to talk about. Now the big question: What did you think of Tatsu’s Great Kinta Freedom tribute to Gundam? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Dandadan manga is currently available to read on Manga Plus by Shueisha, while the anime’s Season 1 and Season 2 are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll and Netflix.