Science SARU, the studio responsible for the DanDaDan anime, has demonstrated their expertise time and time again. From the cinematography to the pacing to the animation quality, they leverage their strengths to truly adapt the manga. This episode is no exception. It’s a wild ride, so let’s jump right in!
SPOILER WARNING for Episode 4 and moments from Season 1
Rated 16+ for Sexual Violence, Smoking, Suggestive Dialogue, Suicide, Violence
From Fire Fighting to Curse Fighting
The volcano’s eruption threatens to destroy the whole town. Momo gets the bright idea to use the worm’s corpse as a giant water hose, much to the Kito family’s annoyance. This opening scene is so goofy in concept, but for a chaotic show like DanDaDan, it fits right in.
The image of Momo running through the streets carrying the butt end of the worm while the half-naked Kito family gives chase is enough to make anyone chuckle. It’s made all the funnier when you hear the Doppler effect on Momo’s screaming as she zooms by the stationary camera.
The following scene is nothing short of a masterclass in animation. In the midst of trying to stop the lava flow, Momo is interrupted by Mother Kito, who is then interrupted by Manjiro, the unibrowed priest from episode 1, who is then interrupted by the revived Evil Eye.
The next fight makes wonderful use of slow motion. It maintains the clarity of movement while also adding a sense of weight and power. It adds tension to the scene, making it clear that one false move means death.
Suddenly, the mantis shrimp alien from season 1 episode 10 appears to lend a helping punch. He’s accompanied by his son who’s driving the spaceship, and Grandma Seiko riding Taro, the haunted anatomical model from season 1 episode 11. This is where the fast snappy fight choreography takes center stage.
Seiko and the mantis shrimp expertly hold the Evil Eye’s attention, while Taro lines up for the shot. Synced to the delightfully zany “William Hell’s Overture,” Taro uses his detachable body parts to seal the Evil Eye inside himself. Afterwards, Momo rescues Okarun and Turbo Granny from the worm’s nest with the help of the alien spaceship.
Final Thoughts
What an incredible episode to round out the Evil Eye arc! Hands down, the best one so far.
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the key differences between the manga and anime and how Science SARU fills in the gaps so expertly. The manga artist, Yukinobu Tatsu, has a gift for fitting a lot of detailed action into a single panel. To adapt those panels into animation, Science SARU makes bold choices, like slow motion and camera angles, to connect each moment to the next. Where this studio shines is the creative liberty they express to heighten the original material. Long story short, DanDaDan couldn’t be in better hands.
Scorecard
Art and Animation: 5/5
- Incredible fight scenes
- Great comedic timing
- Played to the studio’s strengths
Story and Characters: 4/5
- Great conclusion
- Kept previous characters relevant in the craziest way
- Heartwarming end scene with Momo and Okarun
Sound and Presentation: 5/5
- “William Hell’s Overture” returns with a vengeance
- Stellar impact sounds and sound effects
- Color theming still on point
Occult Corner: Talismans
Talismans are a very common sight in Japanese culture. “Ofuda” or “gofu” are usually issued by shrines and places of worship. Most are created with a certain purpose in mind like finding love, warding misfortune, or excellence in studies.
Tradition says that the talisman is blessed by the enshrined kami from which the talisman originates. Other times, as is the case with Buddhist temples, the talisman invokes the name and spirit of a specific priest.
In the anime, the talismans Grandma Seiko uses to ward away evil spirits depict a generic Japanese deity crushing demons. In the manga, however, her talismans reference Gazan Daishi, also known as Ryogen, a monk who assumed a devilish horned figure to scare away evil spirits.
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