This is it, the last weekly episode review of Dan Da Dan for 2024. Dan Da Dan episode 12 transitions to the next big arc of the series with a cliffhanger that’s as chilling as it is mysterious. The good news is that Dan Da Dan will return for another run starting July 2025. For now, we follow our heroes to Jiji’s mountain home.
"Dan Da Dan" Episode 12 Recap
Dan Da Dan episode 12 opens with Momo, Okarun, and Jiji pleading with Granny Seiko to let the female anatomical model “Hana” stay at the Ayase’s while her partner “Taro” returns to the school. Then Momo reveals that the ball she saw on Taro was actually just a Christmas ornament. She and Jiji start setting the table, laughing and joking. Seeing this, Okarun is reminded of Taro and Hana’s heartfelt proclamation of love in the junkyard and he braces himself to be true to his feelings.
He starts trying to compete with Jiji’s natural charisma, even declaring his determination through song, specifically the first ending song of the anime Slam Dunk. Jiji doesn’t miss a beat and joins in with the first opening song. They even dance around like they’re blocking in basketball. Granny Seiko’s yelling serves as the time out whistle. It’s such a random little moment, but given how many references there are to other franchises, it doesn’t feel out of place at all.
Then, we get a comedic little detour where Taro spooks some school kids as he races to Momo’s house to see Hana. Nothing can stop his passionate love. He speeds through down with little regard for anything else, but gets hit by a truck and bursts into pieces. Meanwhile, Hana and Momo wait into the early hours, but Taro doesn’t come. Just as the sun touches the distant hills, and Hana begins to doubt Taro’s promise, he finally appears, embraces her from behind, and the loving couple are reunited. It’s such a silly sequence, made all the more absurd because of the models’ unmoving faces. Also, the music had such perfect comedic timing, one can’t help but laugh.
Friendships and Rivalries
The next day, the trio takes a train to the mountains. Jiji and Momo are getting along better than ever, and Okarun starts to feel jealous and left out. After a well timed “nut” joke, Okarun starts a lecture on cryptids in an attempt to get Momo’s attention. To his surprise, Jiji is also interested and responds to Okarun’s fixation with positivity. There’s even a moment when Jiji calls him a friend, which complicates Okarun’s feelings even more.
They finally arrive in Jiji’s home town, famous for its natural hot springs. As they make the long trek up to Jiji’s house, several townsfolk look on with unsettling grins. Momo inspects the premises only to declare that the evil spirit is hiding, so there’s not much they can do until night time. She takes the opportunity to visit a hot spring. Ultimately, this gives Okarun and Jiji a chance to hang out.
The two boys start competing over who likes Momo more and what they like about her. In a more romance-centered story, this might have been the moment when they declare their rivalry, but the comedic approach and overall childish atmosphere downplays the romantic subplot. More than anything, this moment serves to establish the friendship between Okarun and Jiji, building on their conversation from the train. While they may seem like polar opposites, there is a sense of connection over their friendship with Momo. The fun and games soon end, however, when Okarun points out an odd part of Jiji’s house.
What's Truly Going on?
Meanwhile, Momo has gotten in some hot water, literally and figuratively, with the locals. She was just enjoying a soak in the hot springs, when a group of middle aged men entered the pool. Their unsettling smiles and predatory behavior are very uncomfortable and brings to mind the Serpoians from episode 1. Momo tries to use her powers, but the heat makes her head dizzy. Then, one of the men forces her under the water. Back at the house, Okarun and Jiji have discovered that the room they saw from outside is blocked by a wall. When they break it down, they see a large dark corridor covered in talismans.
Overall Thoughts on "Dan Da Dan" Episode 12
Episode 12 was a nice blend of everything Dan Da Dan excels at. It dove deeper into the relationship between Okarun, Jiji, and Momo, establishing genuine connections before complicating them with romance. The humor is still absurd and wacky. Jiji carries a lot of the comedic energy, but there’s still room for other laughs to be had, like with Taro and Hana’s feel-good romance movie scene.
Oddly enough, while the supernatural element has certainly kept the story going, it feels like some of that horror essence has dwindled. The grinning locals who seem to be watching everything were creepy, but the bath scene kind of cheapened their presence. The scene relied mostly on shock factor and probably could have been written differently. Regardless, Dan Da Dan is still the standout anime of the season. Its unique blend of genres, cinematic presentation, and lovable, goofy characters delivers an absurd departure from typical story tropes. Stay tuned for more weekly reviews in 2025!
Occult Corner
The Tsuchinoko: This reptilian cryptid is known throughout Japan, with sightings reported from all over. Its appearance resembles a typical snake, with fangs and venom similar to a viper. Its defining feature is its inflated middle section, several times wider than its head and tail. Legends and rumors say it enjoys sake, can leap up to 3 meters with a mid-air jump, and bites its own tail to roll around like a wheel. The “tsuchinoko” craze got its start in the 1980’s with a wave of reported sightings from all over Japan. One village in Nara prefecture even launched a “Tsuchinoko Expedition” promising a 1 million yen reward for a live departure 300,000 yen reward for a skin sample. Even though the expedition was a failure, some cities still offer a reward for physical proof of its existence.
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