What follows is an attempt at a preliminary analysis of dango society based on a close reading of the lyrics of the song “Dango Daikazoku“. While many details are left unexplained by this song, it nonetheless provides a valuable introduction to the dangos and their world. True anthropological field-work is obviously impossible in the case of these dangos, so a study of the song lyrics is, thus far, our best way to acquire information about them.
Dango dango dango dango dango daikazokuThe useful repetition of the word “dango” five times helps support the concept that there are many dangos, even before the fact that it is a “big family” of them is revealed. In effect, it is like saying that it’s a REEEALLY big dango family. The use of the term
family indicates the close connection between the dangos. If they are indeed all related to each other, we can only hope that the family is big enough to provide sufficient genetic diversity to avoid the dangers of
inbreeding. The variety of colors that the many dangos display could certainly indicate a wide diversity in their gene pool.
Dango dango dango dango dango daikazokuThe word “dango” is again repeated, adding even more to the extreme emphasis on this family-grouping’s size, as discussed above.
Yancha na yaki dango yasashii an dangoTwo dangos of differing fillings and temperaments are described in this line. The physical differences in the substances of which they are composed seems potentially linked to their mental state. These lyrics are therefore of inestimable value in the understanding of dango psychology, as they clearly reveal that dangos have a wide spectrum of personality types, ranging from naughty, or mischievous, to kindly. How much
“affect display” they are capable of showing, beyond blushing, is still unclear.
Minna minna awasete hyakunin kazokuThe togetherness and close-knittedness of dango society is again emphasized, this time through the repetition of the word
minna. The use of the number of 100, referring to the dangos collectively, also gives us a better estimate of the size of their community, although it is uncertain if this is intended as a precise count or merely a generic way of implying a substantial number of dangos.
Akachan dango wa itsumo shiawase no naka deThis line gives us a great deal of insight into dango child-rearing practices. Although the process of dango reproduction remains a mystery, it is clear that once the dumpling offspring are born, the parents are very attentive to their infant’s happiness. Dango society is clearly utopian in nature: while most human cultures have their share of flawed parenting and even abused children, the smallest of dangos are
always kept happy. This provides a strong incentive for the further study of dango childhood development. For the present, though, most of the details, including the length of a dango childhood, and indeed the expected lifespan of a dango in general, are unknown.
Toshiyori dango wa me o hosometeruHere we have further valuable information regarding the dango life-cycle: aged dangos have narrowed eyes. While the physical structure of the dango eye has yet to be investigated (they appear only as solid black lines), older dangos have a pronounced squint, perhaps indicating a decrease in vision. This squinting may be inevitable, as no known usage of glasses by dangos has been documented (
at least in official sources).
Nakayoshi dango te o tsunagi ooki na marui wa ni naru yoIn this line we learn that dangos join hands to form a big circle. This is undoubtedly the most controversial and difficult statement to interpret in the entire song, mainly because dangos have no apparent hands, or any other appendages, for that matter. Perhaps the hands are only visible to other dangos? It is also conceivable that the lyrics are merely using a colloquial expression applicable to human norms as a way to describe an activity in dango culture for which there is no exact human equivalent. In that case, the ability of the dangos to form a circle implies, not only a high degree of sophisticated coordination, but the ability to maintain a recognizably circular form by simply connecting their sides together. This perhaps indicates a stickiness to dango external surfaces that could allow them to cling together as though glued. This also has implications for the study of dango reproduction, although additional analysis must await further investigation.
Machi o tsukuri dango hoshi no ue minna de warai au yoThe implications here are vast. Firstly, we learn that dangos construct towns, presumably to live in. This implies a settled, as opposed to a nomadic lifestyle. While the nature of dango-made structures is unknown, the fact that their town is on a dango planet could indicate either that all of the dangos originate on another planet (
like the Clangers), or that terrestrial dangos have the technological advancement to launch spacecraft and colonize other planets. The happiness of dango society is indicated by their laughing or smiling together, although their lack of obvious mouths makes this statement problematic, to say the least!
Usagi mo sora de te o futte miteru dekkai otsuki-samaThe dango planet is described as having a large moon, perhaps making it similar to the earth and it’s moon. The presence of a rabbit in the moon is a very interesting fact. While this rabbit is known to be the Japanese equivalent of the Western concept of the “Man in the Moon,” its importance in dango civilization has not yet been studied in detail.
Ureshii koto kanashii koto mo zenbu marumeteThe lyrics end with the most ambiguous statement yet. Rolling, or rounding, up happy and sad things could be a reference to how dangos are created, although whether the dangos, the moon, the rabbit, or some other third party is engaged in this activity is unknown. Could this relate to a dango creation myth? We have already seen that dangos, while presumably well brought up, can be either naughty or kind. It is possible, though, that the norm of dango behavior is a happy medium between these two extremes, in which case the good and bad things could be said to be rolled together. Or perhaps their entire society, or dango commune, encompasses and absorbs all extremes and they all gather as a single community of joined entities under the moon as symbol of their unity. They therefore represent an ideal of human civilization as well, making a study of their ways imperative. Whatever the meaning, the lyrics of this song, while providing tantalizing hints to many aspects of dango physiology, psycology and sociology, leave many unanswered questions awaiting further investigation. Perhaps Furukawa Nagisa can provide more in-depth information.
Loading ...
So the colours of the dango are racially-linked? Or are they sex-linked? Is the dango Y chromosome present? Considering there are male and female dangos, what are the genetic differences, is it the same as humans? If so, do male dangos get more genetic diseases? How do they reproduce?
I would also think that many rolling is also a way for dangos to figuratively and literally move past things, both physical and mental. We’ve seen that they can move by hopping, but I don’t think the dango are such beings that they can do the same things with how they feel inside.
Otherwise, this is awesome. :3
tj han >> As a science-minded person and someone with access to culinary resources, I think that you are well placed to undertake further research in this area. Please enlighten us!
TheBigN >> An astute analysis of the emotional complications of dangodom. I do not know what specialty you are considering pursuing in your medical studies, but perhaps you should consider psychiatry. Then you would be well placed to help the dangos work through their undoubtedly complex feelings. :3
The Dango Daikazoku looks more like a powerful sect to me, with lots of zealous members living in a closed community, and with enough funds to pay KyoAni to advertise them and recruit new members. Try not to dig too deep, it might be dangerous…
I humbly submit that, as the Lunar Rabbit of Japanese folklore is responsible for making mochi (the very thing that Dango are made of), he may very well be their god.
Sir, your lowest point was when you did that Dango humping scene.
> Dango society is clearly utopian in nature: while most human cultures have their share of flawed parenting and even abused children, the smallest of dangos are always kept happy.
Being hunted for food will do that.
As *shrug* has mentioned, it may very well be possible that the dangos see the Lunar Bunny as some sort of god. The mention of holding of ‘hands’ may be a reference to a religious dance, similar to say, the Japanese shrine dances. My take is that they form a circle around a representation of the Lunar Bunny, possibly as depicted, and move in an anti-clockwise or clockwise manner (Depending on the ceremony) as a tribute to the Lunar Bunny.
Additionally, the fact that the dangos are capable of forming a circle shows that they are capable of controlling the stickiness of external surfaces, or that only certain parts of their external surface is sticky. Additionally, with no known legs or other limbs to be able to adjust their angle of sticking, it could be noted that dangos may possibly have a greater focus and accuracy in regard to their hopping or rolling.
In our haste, we have looked over an important fact: Who created the source of this information? If it was by the dangos themselves, we would know that they are capable of understanding music and producing art, along with using a possible variety of instruments. Once again, how and why they are capable of doing such things is a mystery, and a deep one to boot.
Perhaps the scientific community would be well served by the creation of a dango genetic research laboratory. We have already observed that dango with varying genetic make-up (i.e. - different fillings) exhibit differing behavior and personality traits. What manner of behavior mechanisms would we observe in GMDs (Genetically Modified Dangos) who have been filled with chili, or ice cream, or dog food? The world needs to knows the answers to these questions!
I have found the responses to my modest inquiry into the nature of dangos to be provocative and thought-provoking. I believe that Orion’s suggestion has much merit, namely the creation of a dango genetic research lab. Perhaps the dangos could then be cloned some day (D[ang]olly?) However, I must say that a dog food-filled dango does not sound particularly appealing (Inu Yadangosha?)
Dangos may not be capable of sustaining life with certain fillings or flavorings, however some that DO work are eggs, red bean and green tea fillings. Findings outside of Dango Daikazoku have also discovered that they use sticky liquids, known as toppings, which are either sweetened syrup or soy sauce. This may be another method of reproduction, or simply a method of defense, much like how the clown fish has a layer of mucus on its body that enables it to hide in anemones.
Misquoted from Wikipedia.
You are a special kind of weird, sir.
Dango is a Dango but they have a feeling of creation and stickiness that can only be seen and felt by those who love Dango
This is an excellent in-depth explanation of the realm of the dangos. Recently, advanced lifeforms on other planets have not been confirmed, though it is estimated that there are other planetary systems that exist which may have advanced lifeforms upon them. As such, it is of scientific importance that we have an in-depth study of the life of dangos, their evolutionary systems, as well as their genetic makeup and how they differ from humans in the evolutionary tree. I propose that their surface stickiness could yield important results in the mechanical engineering sector. This is an ideal opportunity in creating our very own in vitro lifeforms. We must not allow this opportunity to pass!