Episode Highlights and Future Prospects
The latest installment of Dan Da Dan has made a striking impression with its ninth episode, featuring a riveting rematch between Okarun and Evil Eye. While the episode maintained a generally relaxed atmosphere, it cleverly laid the groundwork for the highly anticipated showdown that manga enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting.
The episode opened with a dynamic cold open showcasing the intense clash between Okarun and Evil Eye. Rather than delving into a detailed play-by-play, it suffices to say that the sequence captured the essence of manga creator Yukinobu Tatsu’s artistic style, particularly the depiction of an enraged Okarun pushing Evil Eye onto the defensive. This moment further solidified the series’ reputation for adeptly adapting its source material.
As the battle concluded, Okarun skillfully provoked Evil Eye into a peculiar agreement: the latter would refrain from threatening humanity and instead engage in weekly bouts. This unexpected twist saw Evil Eye relinquishing control of Jiji Enjoji’s body, leading the group to wrap up their spontaneous sleepover at Momo Ayase’s residence, which bore the scars of their earlier confrontation.
In a refreshing turn of events, Momo, Seiko, Turbo Granny, and Hana decided to set aside their troubles and indulge in a much-needed spa day, opting to use their remaining funds for a bit of self-care. Although Momo briefly entertained the idea of soliciting contributions from Jiji, Aira, and Okarun for the repairs, the group ultimately chose to forgo that notion.
Upon returning home, they were greeted by an unexpected sight: a blocky alien at their doorstep. Unlike the rest of the cast, animated in 2D, Ludris, the alien, boasts a 3D design reminiscent of a character from a popular video game. Fortunately, this homage to Mojang Studios did not require an apology, unlike a previous episode’s pop culture reference.
Contrary to initial assumptions, Ludris turned out to be an ally of their boxing companion, Peeny-Weeny. Through Peeny-Weeny, Ludris introduced the concept of nanoskin, a novel alien element that would aid in the restoration of the Ayase home. Much like how gamers utilize Minecraft blocks to bring their visions to life, nanoskin is an adaptable alloy that can transform based on the user’s imagination.
After experimenting with this innovative material, Okarun, Momo, and their friends successfully restored the Ayase house. The remainder of the episode followed Momo as she attempted to manage Evil Eye at school, striving to maintain a low profile amidst the chaos.
In a tantalizing after-credits scene, Dan Da Dan teased the arrival of a new member to their eclectic group, Kinta Sakata. Voiced by Daichi Fujiwara in Japanese and Bryce Papenbrook in English, Kinta has been the subject of much excitement on social media, with promotional trailers and artwork generating buzz among fans. While opinions on Kinta may be mixed, his introduction is pivotal, as he is linked to one of the most memorable double-page spreads in the manga, featuring an epic kaiju-mecha showdown.
With Kinta joining the ranks, he, like Okarun and the others, will harness his vivid imagination to construct a formidable robot for battle against a towering kaiju. This episode serves as a thoughtful exploration of lore mechanics, setting the stage for the action-packed sequences to come. As the series progresses, it appears poised to deliver a climactic battle that will resonate with viewers, especially after the cliffhanger that marked the end of its first season. Fans are hopeful that Science Saru will continue to elevate the manga’s fight scenes, transforming them into breathtaking animated spectacles.
New episodes of Dan Da Dan are available every Thursday on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu.
