After a 6 month long hiatus, the alien diddy adjacent predators are back at attempting to kidnap our MC Gyaru!
Video Review
Momo, Okarun and Jiji visit Jiji’s rental house in his hometown to exorcise whatever spiritual presence that led his parents to be hospitalized. As Momo goes off to allow Okarun to become good friends with Jiji, Momo gets attacked by some disgusting old men. At the same time, Okarun and Jiji notice an entirely new room that spawned out of nowhere, only to find out that the legend of this town was completely UNHINGED!
What Stands Out About This Episode?
Action-Packed CHAOS!
Every arc has a defining theme and this one is clearly based on every horror flick you end up going to sleep with your eyes open with. What makes Dandadan quite different though is that you can’t help but laugh at the punchline after a bunch of half-naked middle-aged men attempt to pull an alien diddy. Good thing our MC Gyaru has some epic UNSEEN HANDS and can do the thing that no man would ever be proud of doing—blasting a kick to the groin..
The action in Dandadan stands out in several ways that another beloved anime like Solo Leveling doesn’t. Where one looks for peak aura farming, Dandadan plays with certain themes that sets up funny action punchlines. Think of Dandadan action scenes like a classic Jackie Chan scene. For those that made it to theaters to watch the first few episodes early, Co-Directors Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Gongora talked about using old Kung-fu movies as a way to animate the Kito Family fight scenes. While aura farming Jinwoo may have some of the best animated fight scenes, the unhinged and comedic nature of Dandadan rewards these scenes with a talking pussy cat that pops out of nowhere to save the day. All the while, still delivering iconic moves like Momo’s kick.
Horror and Comedy is a HIT!
One of the most impactful episodes of Dandadan Season 1 was Aira’s episode with Acrobatic Silky’s departure. The simple nature of a romantic comedy is all fun and games, but a story always needs something deep and fulfilling behind it. In this case, instead of a tragic and emotionally traumatizing backstory of Acrobatic Silky, the theme becomes HORROR! Dirty old men and decrepit old ladies that look like they light incense to bring in bad spirits, rather than get rid of it, is a different kind of horror. That is the Kito Family. A family that sacrifices their fellow hometown citizens to the great Tsuchinoko “phallic symbol!”
This is also where the co-directors talked about the change of vibe, that includes the darker color palettes of the series, playing into the “horror” theme. The character development with the Kito Family, the “compromised cop” of the Kito Family and their display of typical predator behavior is the perfect horror contrast to the comedic elements that include, but are not exclusive to, the wacky poses and punchlines. Having the kung-fu fighting Kito Family mom that has finishing attacks like “Jennifer Lopez” and dance like crazy cult members is a defining quality to the peak nature of Dandadan.
OTAKU SINH 
Excellent observation on S2 EP1 of Dan Da Dan! Yep, everything is all right in this return to form for a very fun dive in all things strange and mysterious. This thing seems to be heading for even better territory. The Kito Clan has to be the ugliest monsters yet. Smiling like the King’s Jester, these people have left unhinged in dust. Creepy beyond belief.
The story plot is very well known. In 1988, Ken Russell produced and directed and wrote “lair of the White Worm” which itself is adapted from Bram Stoker of Dracula fame. Virtually the same plot even to the Romance angle.
As Indiana Jones would say, “Snakes! It’s always Snakes. I hate Snakes”
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The depth to your knowledge is unmatched my friend! Can’t wait to see what everyone’s reaction will be with Jiji this next episode.
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