After recovering one of Ken’s golden balls, Ken starts to act supremely shady around Momo..

Video Review

What Stands Out About This Episode?

Follow Your FEELINGS!

At this point, I might be running out of anything new to say about Dan Da Dan that makes it SO DAMN AMAZING. However, I might have a couple points of emphasis to show how Dan Da Dan maintains an interesting steady progression of its story. Bringing in supporting characters and having them be integral parts positively and negatively to the co-main characters in Momo and Ken seem to be what stands out the most this episode.

In the previous episode review, I talked about how the episode delivered a deep feeling of empathy with a visually stunning masterpiece from beginning to end—that it was close to convincing me, it might just be the best anime episode of 2024. What makes that episode stand out so much is the juxtaposition from that episode to the rest. So, this episode goes back to that original storytelling formula of Dan Da Dan. The first half of the episode is a romantic plot drama, with the 2nd half being.. a swallowing and spitting machine yokai or ALIEN DIDDIES!

With the consistent pacing of the episodes and the main formula of Dan Da Dan being recognized and repeated, what keeps us watching or reading in the story? The strongest recurring element in this story is the characters. With the four main characters so far in Momo, Ken, Ayase Baba and Turbo Baba, it’s hard to not love anything that involves them doing anything. With the introduction of Aira Shiratori, we are now fully realizing how different of a dynamic she brings to the story that continues to carry the plot that matters to us—and that is Ken and Momo’s relationship.

What matters the most is Ken and Momo’s relationship being tested and that can only really come from other characters that puts their relationship at odds. Anything Alien Diddy or ghost related is just to add the “spectacle” element to the story. Not only is Aira’s character a ridiculously obtuse one, but it’s the comedic factor that ironically brings serious issues to the Momo and Ken dynamic.. that is the “YOU CHEATING SON-of-a-BLEEP” dynamic. Where the strongest emotions take you in the story is what matters the most to the audience. That is where the Dan Da Dan super secret, but not so secret sauce lies. It is this progression of Ken and Momo’s relationship, along with all the various ways it gets tested.

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