After seemingly escaping the grasp of the Mongolian Death Worm, Momo and Okarun needs Jiji’s help to save them.. from themselves!
Video Review
What Stands Out About This Episode?
Redeeming Jin Enjoji!
Yukinobu Tatsu loves introducing new characters in a negative light, so Jiji’s introduction was met with mixed reactions. Being this supposed “genius,” who just so happens to be tall, handsome and funny, is the perfect romantic foil to our underdog deuteragonist in Ken Takakura. However, just like Aira’s introduction, Jiji will absolutely be redeemed and this how Yukinobu Tatsu did it in this episode.
Both Momo and Okarun are affected by the Mongolian Death Worm’s psychic waves that is the main cause as to what almost killed his own parents. Now, these same psychic waves are forcing our main characters to commit “self-aliving.” Due to Jiji’s “genius,” meaning he has unusually high spiritual power, these waves have no effect on him. Thus the plot turns into Jiji becoming that hero. Otherwise, our MCs are dead and Dandadan is over.
Winning Fans
This is how Yukinobu Tatsu turns the table on the haters to turn them into fans. Jiji has no choice except become the hero not only for our MCs, but leave no doubt in the eyes of the audience as to what his character is all about. Aside from playing the permanent romantic interest, Jiji is without a shadow of a doubt your classic shonen MC archetype. Without any powers, he literally puts Okarun and Momo on his back to save them from the Tsuchinoko Worm Monster. Of course, with a little help from a lucky cat, Jiji ate shards of glass to the face, had a shard of glass impaled through his hand and even took one right through his arm to protect Momo.
Through stopping Momo and Okarun from YEETING themselves and courageously putting everyone on his back without hesitation, how can you hate the guy that saved our heroes? These actions showed a mental fortitude that someone like Okarun needed to build overtime with the help of Momo. This also plays into how outrageously strong Jiji is physically without knowing how to utilize his “ki” just yet. This is Jiji’s character, as he fits the bill as almost as perfect a character as you can get.
Gambling on Saving Evil Eye
While Jiji may have shown all the qualities you would love to see in a shonen character, “perfect” characters need character development too. This is where Evil Eye shows how kindness can be a detriment. Without diving deep into the backstory, Jiji connected with Evil Eye’s backstory, which include his previous life of being the child sacrifice by the Kito Family to the Tsuchinoko. The biggest aspect to take away from Evil Eye is the fact that he is JUST A LITTLE KID that turned dark because of the people that harmed him. This culminated into the entity we saw before Jiji merged into the Evil Eye, as the bowl haircut boy that Evil Eye tried to save was in his exact situation as a child sacrifice.
The “little kid” aspect of Evil Eye is the most important characteristic to note about him. This is Jiji’s kindness trying to save someone he clearly sees as a good person, but just currently misled. However, Evil Eye took over Jiji’s body and they have no clue how to control such a powerful entity just yet. This is where the combination of Jiji and Evil Eye’s character development may pay huge dividends down the line if they can save him. As of right now, Evil Eye is BLOODTHIRSTY with his eyes set on mass-murdering humans.
Although there is a path for Jiji and the story to give us a massive payoff down the line, we have to acknowledge that Evil Eye is currently quite.. EVIL!
Miscellaneous
This episode covers manga chapters 38–41
OTAKU SINH 