Nessie in Dandadan: The Cryptid Terror of the Serpo Arc

The legend of Nessie, also known as the Loch Ness Monster, has captivated imaginations for nearly a century. In Dandadan, this mythic aquatic beast takes on a terrifying new form. Reimagined as a UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal), Nessie becomes a powerful antagonist during the Serpo Arc, unleashing chaos with its destructive aquatic powers.

Nessie’s Appearance: A Kaiju-Like Water Monster

In Dandadan, Nessie is depicted as a massive, aquatic reptilian creature resembling a plesiosaur. With a long neck, stout body, powerful flippers, and an elongated tail, Nessie cuts an imposing figure. Its ridged reptilian head houses sharp, jagged teeth and a forked tongue. Along both flanks of its patterned body are unusually long gills, which stretch from the head to the tail—an anatomical feature that powers its signature high-compression water attacks.

This design pays homage to classic kaiju aesthetics, with clear visual nods to monsters like Shin Godzilla and Ultraman’s Jirahs, blending nostalgia with cosmic horror.

Nessie’s Personality: A Wild, Rampaging Cryptid

Unlike other UMAs or yokai in Dandadan, Nessie is completely animalistic and driven by instinct. Despite being aligned with the Serpos, Nessie lacks the intelligence or discipline to follow their commands. It attacks indiscriminately, including its own allies when provoked or agitated.

This mindless aggression makes Nessie unpredictable and dangerous—a true force of nature that cannot be reasoned with.

Nessie’s Real-World Origins: The Loch Ness Monster Legend

In the real world, Nessie is one of the most famous cryptids. First allegedly sighted in 700 AD, the creature gained widespread fame in 1934 with the publication of the infamous “Surgeon’s Photograph” taken at Loch Ness, Scotland. Though later debunked by many as a hoax, the image ignited global fascination with the Loch Ness Monster.

Over the decades, countless expeditions have attempted to prove Nessie’s existence. Recent studies, including DNA analysis of Loch Ness waters, have pointed to large eels as a plausible explanation—an idea Dandadan cleverly weaves into its interpretation of Nessie as a giant, eel-like UMA.

Nessie in the Dandadan Storyline: The Serpo Arc

Nessie’s Role in the Kintama Hunt Saga

In the Serpo Arc of the Kintama Hunt Saga, aliens known as the Serpos target Okarun for his powers. To aid in his capture, they deploy Nessie and the Dover Demon. Nessie makes a dramatic entrance, terrorizing a school building and nearly obliterating Momo with a water blast.

Later, Nessie returns to the scene of battle where it unexpectedly turns on its Serpo allies, causing chaos. In a desperate move, a surviving Serpo merges with Nessie and the Dover Demon to create a horrifying hybrid: Serpo Dover Demon Nessie. However, this fusion proves unsuccessful, as Okarun defeats the creature—resulting in Nessie’s death.

Nessie’s Abilities and Powers in Dandadan

Flood Creation

Nessie possesses the terrifying ability to summon floods at will. This power turns entire battlefields into aquatic zones, giving Nessie an overwhelming home-field advantage. The creature uses the flood not only for mobility but to disorient and isolate its enemies.

High-Compression Water Blast

By absorbing water through its elongated gills, Nessie can unleash a devastating high-compression water blast from its mouth. These blasts are powerful enough to obliterate entire rooms or even split enemies in half, as shown when a Serpo is bisected by one.

Despite its destructive capabilities, the attack requires recharging time, limiting its spamming potential and adding a tactical edge to Nessie’s usage in combat.

Trivia: Nessie’s Tokusatsu Roots and Cultural References

• Nessie is heavily inspired by tokusatsu monsters and kaiju, including:
  • Shin Godzilla’s fourth evolution form.
  • Jirahs and Zaurs from Ultraman and Fight! Mighty Jack!
• Its high-compression water beam mirrors Godzilla’s atomic breath, further cementing its kaiju status.
• In Dandadan, Nessie is called “Kamissie” by Okarun, referencing its initial appearance in Kamigoe City.
• The eel theory used in the manga mirrors real-life studies suggesting that Loch Ness sightings may be attributed to giant eels.

Final Thoughts on Nessie in Dandadan

Nessie is more than just a monster-of-the-week in Dandadan. Its chaotic nature, mythological roots, and terrifying design add depth to the Serpo Arc. By blending real-world legend with high-stakes sci-fi action, Dandadan breathes new life into the age-old Loch Ness myth.

Whether you view it as a nod to classic monster films or a modern cryptid with a sci-fi twist, Nessie is a standout presence in the series’ ever-expanding cast of UMAs.