It is time to exorcise the Evil Eye out of Jiji, before he gets too powerful.
Video Review
What Stands Out About This Episode?
Going ALL OUT!
The most obvious part of this episode that stood out was clearly NOT GIVING US MOE MOE KIKOHOU! Just kidding. Kind of..
It’s the Hayashi Band! We basically got an entire performance and it was literally the promotional clip spread across the tubes. “Kishow” Taniyama has played some notable supporting roles as a voice actor like Wirbel off of Frieren, but musically, his talents shine as the vocalist and lyricist of the rock band GRANRODEO. The animation and performance of this part of the episode really continues a perfect adaptation of the manga.
One of the other slight changes the anime did was giving the band a name of “HAYASii.” In the manga, they were just referred to as the “Hayashi Band.” This gives the gag an extra layer to work with for its comedic elements. It’s also just great branding for the anime to create more culture and merch.
The Next Stage for the Main Characters
In season 1, there was a formula of half the episode being slice-of-life with the other half being about “action.” This episode carries on this balance of its storytelling formula of having the exorcism by HAYASii be otherworldly exciting with the back half pushing the characters to their next character arcs.
With everyone living at the Ayase household to try to help Jiji hone in on his power to control Evil Eye, that naturally leads to everyone eventually getting a power boost. In the ending credits, we can already see Okarun and Aira getting ready for that. However, in this episode it is clear that Jiji will start to gain control of his “genius talents” that Seiko and Turbo Babaa keep hyping up to be. Jiji choosing to try to save Evil Eye has always seemed to be the correct choice for Jiji’s character, since he made the promise to him to “play with him for as long as he wants.”
Our main four of Momo, Okarun, Aira and Jiji are now established in their roles in the story. Romantically, Aira and Jiji will continue to be the romantic foils for their interests in Okarun and Momo. Naturally, that leads to some push and pull from both sides of the “NTR,” but it’s episodes like these that remind us that Okarun and Momo have a special connection. And that connection, leads to some of the most hilarious and rewarding scenes. Muko and Miko play that lovable “besties” role for the MC to literally deliver Okarun to Momo’s new part-time job. Unfortunately, if you watched the trailer or read the manga, it’s not that big of a surprise. What was a surprise though, was the fact that THAT discovery ended up being the cliffhanger!
Remember to Stay Grounded
One last grounded moment the episode gave us was with the archetype I like to call “wisdom sensei.” Every story needs its older characters to provide the wisdom necessary to guide along our stupid, young, and brave. Seiko Ayase has proven to be that pillar time-and-time again to round up her “family” of teenage hormonal home wreckers.
Her scene with Okarun was a special one because we never get to see certain deeper aspects of her character or even Okarun to that extent. So Okarun, going out of his way to get himself a part-time job delivering newspapers to pay back Seiko was a special moment to show that our deuteragonist is the UNDERDOG we should continue to cheer for. At the same time, Seiko shows the power of passing on genuine kindness to Okarun, who should just pass that reciprocal act of kindness, back to someone else that needs help—like what Seiko and Momo did for him, when he turned into a horny spirit that lost his golden balls.
All in all, Dandadan continues to show a great balance of its wacky themes from exciting “performances,” and its ability to ground the characters. All the while, delivering us a maid Momo for us to provide both a comedic edge and wholesome slice-of-life.
Miscellaneous
This episode covers manga chapters 52 through most of 54 before “Moe Moe Kikohou!” 谷山 紀章 Kishow of Granrodeo sang the song “Hunter Soul” as Toshirou of HAYASii of the Hayashi Band for the exorcism. The Hayashi Band was inspired by an iconic heavy metal band in X Japan. Rin Sawaki is a future recurring character that finally made herself present on screen.
OTAKU SINH 
Dan Da Dan began for me as a wonderful and very fun watch in its naked lewdness and insane crazy, but as this work has smoldered on with ever increasing intensity, new horizons are beginning to pop up.
The wonderment is that it’s beginning to make sensei as it teaches forward. “we
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These are the kinds of episodes I enjoy a bit more with a balance of everything.. ala The “family” aspects with Seiko, Jiji development, Aira & Momo banter, Hayashi craziness, and of course the Momo x Okarun dynamic.
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We become family is family values cast in Gold. How this story redeems it’s characters whether it be Aira or Evil Eye, is beauty to behold. Some twit this past week reviewed this episode and complained about “Fan Service” which came down to putting Momo in a maid outfit, and having her work at a Maid Cafe. Puff and nonsense, wot cur kinda outgassing is that!!!
I thought it was a stupid comment to make in a work which pushes every line and every panic button which people still possess.
But Dan Da Dan is literally undefinable and yet it possesses more family values than anything I have seen in recent memory. DDD is emotionally resonant and a very deep dive into complex moral lessons. Aira and Momo fight like cats and dogs, but their fighting does not lead to breakup. Many on the internet push this relationship into Yuri territory. To stay in a family is like staying in one long fight, but not a fight that seeks to destroy, but rather to make contact and to build. As Aira and Momo fight they actually get closer to each other.
Maid Cafe’s are a staple of Anime. Every HS Culture festival seems to have one and these even put guys into Maid Costumes. “Fan Service” give me a break.
As The Sinh notes, Seiko is beginning to take center stage rather than backdrop comedic character. She halts the exorcism because Jiji wants to save and redeem Evil Eye, and so she adds a maid dog killer into the family. Good luck with that, but if anything, if any story can redeem it is DDD.
And to devote almost half of your episode budget to a Heavy Metal rock performance really deserves an entire essay on Hayasii and why is it here? Incredibly beautiful heavy metal. Shook me to my core values. Brought tears for no other reason than its beauty.
Momo in a maid costume has to be kawaii to the max. Something so pure in its perception of beauty begins with kawaii as a deep emotional response which leads to an even deeper stranglet partile of moe. And Momo’s two best friends drag Ocarun to see her in all her glory.
Those two are the very best sidekick wingmen in all anime and even story telling itself. Luv those two. But this is about true friendship and no truer friendship is on display than the support these two give to all our players and to Momo.
We even have our first confession when Ocarun confesses his friendship for Jiji and his intent to defend him even as the Evil Eye smacks back. This even causes Momo to blush in its naked honesty, and rips away all of the pseudo pretension currently in the marketplace of morality.
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The Dan Da Dan content space has gotten quite saturated with all types of oddballs, especially the unnecessary hate boners.. People may not realize this because it’s a “comedy,” but Momo working as a cafe maid is also a funny bit. Your comments are always rewarding to read and I appreciate your long time support!
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