The battle against Turbo Granny turns into a mad dash across town in episode 4 of Dan Da Dan! We’ve got aerial stunts, we’ve got zombie hordes, we’ve got a giant enemy crab, all leading up to a fond farewell. Dan Da Dan is nothing if not filled with crazy action.
"Dan Da Dan" Episode 4 Starts with a Bang
Momo and Okarun arrive at the tunnel to challenge Turbo Granny and beat her. The goal is to lure her out of the prefecture she resides in so Momo’s grandmother can exorcise her. The tension of this scene was a little lacking, overshadowed by Momo and Okarun’s bickering. A little time dedicated to setting the atmosphere would have heightened the reveal of Turbo Granny’s giant head blocking both the entrance and the way forward.
As her disembodied heads surge forward, Momo goads her into agreeing to a game of tag. With a ten minute head start, the pair think they can gain enough distance, but Turbo Granny’s terrible counting leads to Mom’s capture. As she sets her sights on Okarun, he bites down on her teats, rendering her powerless. It’s interesting how quickly she exploits a loophole in Momo’s rules, yet she can’t disobey the rules of her own making. Maybe it’s a trend other evil spirits will follow going forward. Unable to touch Okarun because of the ceremonial garb he’s wearing, she possesses him once again, but this time, Momo uses her heightened senses to grab the curse and suppress it. Just when they think they’ve beaten Turbo Granny, she calls to the bound spirit of the tunnel, a giant crab carrying the souls of dead girls.
The Animation and Music Tie Everything Together
What follows in Dan Da Dan episode 4 is nothing short of the craziest chase sequences. The production team at Science Saru pulled out all the stops when animating this episode. The scale of the chase, going from remote roads, to a bathhouse, finally to on top of a train adds to the chaotic energy and absurdity of the situation. Sometimes it’s almost too much to take in. The red coloration surrounding the evil spirits is a nice touch. However, with all the chaotic motion it can be hard to make out details and follow lines of action. The giant crab, for example, is such a creatively disturbing amalgamation, it’s a shame there’s not more time to admire its design. There were also noticeable attempts to cut corners, which is understandable. Background characters are little more than silhouettes and the buildings lose a lot of detail as Okarun races through and around them. This isn’t a slight against the animators. The presentation more than makes up for momentary dips in quality.
What really takes the cake is the inclusion of the William Tell Overture. As a piece of music, it’s a wonderful composition with an infectious staccato beat that’s both rousing and somewhat comical. There is a bit of tonal whiplash trying to pair the classical music to the visuals. However, it strangely works. The galloping rhythm perfectly accentuates Okarun’s Turbo form. The crescendo heightens the stakes as the pair is chased by zombies and the crab. It was such an out-of-pocket choice of music, but given the tone of the series, there couldn’t have been a better choice.
Final Thoughts on "Dan Da Dan" Episode 4
Thanks to a passing train, Momo’s psychic powers, and Seiko’s barrier, Turbo Granny and the giant crab are put to rest. Over a montage of paying respects to the dead, we get a little more backstory about the tunnel. It turns out Turbo Granny may have been watching over the spirits of girls killed there in an attempt to give them some form of peace. It’s a bittersweet conclusion that’s immediately followed up by a comedic dinner scene.
Finally, as Okarun bids farewell, a long silence stretches between him and Momo, laden with doubt and emptiness. The camera pulls out to a super wide shot to imply a sense of solitude. Then Momo calls out, “See you tomorrow.” It is a promise to Okarun and the audience that their friendship is just beginning.
What a great conclusion to the Turbo Granny arc! The first four episodes are a testament to the author and the director’s ability to seamlessly juggle various genres. There is horror, comedy, sci-fi, tragedy, absurdity, and a little bit of romcom. The animation did not disappoint and it will be amazing to see what happens next!
Occult Corner
Earthbound Spirit Crab: According to the appendices in the manga, the spirits of dead girls who didn’t pass on peacefully fused to create the giant crab spirit in order to cross the Sanzu River. Similar to the River Styx in Greek mythology, souls must cross the Sanzu River to reach the afterlife. Depending on the soul’s offenses while alive, they could cross at a bridge, a ford, or snake-infested waters. As far as crabs go, there is a species native to Japan that’s connected to departed souls called the Heike Crab, or “samurai crab.” The carapace of this species resembles an angry samurai face and gave rise to the myth that they were reincarnations of samurai who fought in the Battle of Dan-no-ura as described in The Tale of the Heike.
Leave a Reply