by The second season of the TV anime “Dandadan ” is coming to a close. Since the announcement of the second season in December 2024, at a breakneck pace following the first season’s broadcast in October 2024, many fans have been eagerly awaiting the sequel.
The original work, serialized in “Shonen Jump+,” has sold over 8 million copies. Proving its popularity, this occult battle and coming-of-age story begins with the meeting of two people with polar opposite beliefs: Momo, who believes in ghosts but not aliens, and Okarun, who believes in aliens but not ghosts. In the second season, the story delves beyond mere catchphrases and explores the core of the narrative.
The opening chapter of the story centers on Momo’s childhood friend, Jiji, and his battle against the evil eye, a mysterious being possessing him. Jiji is Momo’s first love and Okarun’s rival. However, as the story progresses, they learn of each other’s weaknesses and wounds, and their friendship blossoms.
The Evil Eye, a tragic presence born out of Jiji’s first love, makes the battle more than a simple contest of strength; it becomes a richer story, informed by past events and emotions. The story depicts a tragic situation that transcends the boundaries between friend and foe, and this experience has transformed Okarun and Jiji from romantic rivals into unique friends.
The second season also marked a significant leap in visual expression. Science SARU’s animation surpassed the dynamism of the original, creating several uniquely visual impacts. The battle with the space monster, with its extensive use of slow motion in the city destruction scenes, achieved a scale reminiscent of a monster movie.
The moment the optical camouflage dissipates to reveal the monster’s proper form, as well as the meticulous camerawork, further enhances the intensity of the original work. In addition, the original story elements surrounding Kinta are cleverly incorporated to lay the groundwork for future events rather than merely reinforce the story, demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship that expands upon the original without destroying it.
Kinta’s appearance adds unexpected depth to the story. Initially portrayed as a dull classmate seeking Okarun’s advice in an attempt to be popular, he eventually emerges as a key member of the group during the battle against the space monsters. His perspective casts a spotlight on Okarun and Momo as “ordinary high school students” amid the supernatural, broadening the entire series into a coming-of-age ensemble drama. Is it an exaggeration to say that Kinta in Season 2 proves that youth is not just about romance; it’s shaped by the clashes and support of friends? Still, this should provide a solid clue for viewing “Dandadan,” a series rife with supernatural battles, as a more universal coming-of-age story.
The climactic battle against the space monster depicted in Episode 11 of Season 2 marks the culmination of this story. Momo’s telekinesis, Okarun’s cursed power, Aira’s hair, Jiji’s evil eye – each of their abilities works together, and the group begins to move in unison.
The robots used to defeat the monsters aren’t as cool as you might imagine, but the moment when these separate entities awaken as a “team” was heartwarming. From here on, just like in the original, a girl named Bamora appears from within a space monster, and she becomes a character who will shake up the story. With her unique values of marrying the strong, the shocking scene in which she kisses Okarun pushes the love triangle with Momo and Aira to a new level in one fell swoop, and it will be exciting to see how things develop from here.
The core of “Dandadan” lies in the supernatural phenomena and cosmic-scale battles depicted, which is that, at its core, it is driven by youthful energy. Momo and Okarun’s awkward love, the bond between Jiji and Aira, and Kinta’s awakening as a teammate all intersect, bringing laughter, conflict, and even tears. These sparkling emotions elevate a world filled with mysteries and battles into a vibrant coming-of-age drama. Season 2 further defined the contours of youth.
The heartache seen in the battle against the Evil Eye, the strength of the comrades shown in the all-out fight against the space monsters, and the small thrills of love that live in everyday life all heightened expectations for the next story. As Season 2 comes to an end, what remains in our hearts is not just the memory of the decisive battles; it is the certainty that the awkward yet endearing trajectory of youth is still in progress. In Season 3, with the arrival of Bamora, love and friendship will unfold even more complexly and richly.
