After a much-deserved break from ghosts and cryptids, it’s back to ball hunting. A new adversary appears along with an unlikely ally. The next fight is gearing up to be a titan-sized confrontation.
Spoiler Warning for Episode 10
Rated 16+ for Sexual Violence, Smoking, Suggestive Dialogue, Suicide, Violence
What a Spicy Guy
One of DanDaDan’s strengths is its layered characterization—case in point, Kinta Sakata, the Gundam-obsessed otaku and newest addition to the cast. At first, he comes across as a stereotypical cringey nerd, desperate for attention. The first fourth of the episode essentially equates to his self-insert fanfic dating back to season 1 episode 5. Yet the more he interacts with the other characters, the more we, the audience, come to realize that he’s in the same position Okarun and Momo were in at the start of the series. His fixation is seen as niche and unappealing, so when the opportunity comes to truly connect with other people, he jumps at the chance. It’s just buried under a myriad of assumptions, and he has the social skills of a goldfish.
I Spy with My Little Eye
Momo and Okarun investigate rumors about a floating gold ball at a nearby apartment complex. Kinta tags along and all three get caught up in a fight against an invisible enemy. Despite the singular locale, every clash takes full advantage of the setting, from falling off the roof to running up staircases, to crashing through rooms, to zooming on the straightaways. The action and camera work keep up the pace while the dark green coloration establishes an otherworldly vibe. It did feel a little underwhelming compared to the fight scenes that came before, but this is just a taste of what’s to come. The trio manages to subdue their adversary, but before they can investigate further, it grows to a gigantic size. Can’t have a kaiju fight without the king of monsters, now can we?
Final Thoughts
Introducing a new main character this late in the series is a risky move. Without proper setup and foreshadowing, their inclusion can be jarring at best and pointless at worst. As of right now, though, adding Kinta Sakata did enough to shake up the group dynamic while still feeling like a complete character. He matches the same eccentric energy as the rest of the cast and even has some sympathetic moments.
The apartment fight scene, although not particularly flashy or intense, was still enjoyable to watch. It felt like there was more emphasis on the comedic aspects of the fight. The sequence with Kinta sprinting through room after room, Momo swinging around, and Okarun politely ringing the doorbell was the best. As it stands, it was an enjoyable fight scene, but the real fight is only just beginning, and it’s going exactly where you think it’s going.
Scorecard
Art and Animation: 3/5
- Two thumbs up for recreating the kiss scene from season 1 episode 5
- Some entertaining character action and expressions
- The way the kaiju morphed at the end was excellent
Story and Character: 2/5
- Kinta was very well-integrated despite his late introduction
- Gearing up for the next big encounter
- Not much in terms of character progression
Sound and Presentation: 2/5
- The musical references to Gundam and Godzilla are on point
- New occult enemy, new coloration
- Standard and serviceable
Occult Corner: Optical Camouflage with Retro-reflective Projection
It’s one of the most-used tools in any science fiction story: invisibility suits. In this case, it’s less about becoming invisible and more about using a projected image to erase one’s silhouette. The viewer sees a projection of the scenery behind the subject on a reflective surface that the subject is wearing. In a perfect world, the viewer would see uninterrupted scenery from their perspective. Several real-life experiments have been done with retro-reflective projection, but limitations come from the subject’s refractive index, how well light bounces off the material, and the need for stationary equipment. Multiple viewer perspectives, as Kinta’s strategy relied on, would be another hurdle to overcome.
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