This week’s episode of DANDADAN continued the exciting battle against Acrobatic Silky, mixed with plenty of hilarious moments from the school setting. It also introduced a fresh challenge for our main characters to face. Last week’s episode was arguably the best of the season so far—an absolute standout in terms of storytelling and direction. It felt like a masterpiece, not just for anime but for media in general.
| Directed by | Fūga Yamashiro |
| Written by | Hiroshi Seko |
| Music by | Kensuke Ushio |
| Studio | Science Saru |
The episode delved deeper into Acrobatic Silky’s past with an extended flashback, revealing their life as a human before becoming a yokai. The flashback was emotional and deeply moving, with a bittersweet ending that could bring anyone to tears. The combination of heartwarming and chilling moments struck a chord with viewers, even going viral for its incredible quality and emotional impact.
This week’s episode was enjoyable in its own way, though it didn’t quite hit the same high as last week’s. That’s not a bad thing, though—having two emotionally intense episodes back-to-back might have been too much. Plus, it’s unrealistic to expect every single part of the story to deliver a 10/10 experience.
The highlights of this episode felt similar to some of the earlier school-focused moments, with a tone and pace that reminded me of Episode 6. It had plenty of laughs, a few subtle hints of romance from multiple directions, and a brand-new threat to keep things exciting.
Romance & Misconceptions
The episode kicks off in a rather low-key way, especially considering the dramatic end of Episode 7, which adds a bit of humor right from the start. We find Momo, Okarun, Seiko, and Aira gathered at Momo and Seiko’s house, casually chatting while enjoying somen noodles. This meal scene feels like a signature DANDADAN move—wrapping up an arc or mini-arc with food that seamlessly transitions into the next storyline. The summery meal, paired with a shift in school uniforms, also subtly signals a passage of time, which was a nice touch for setting the scene.
As someone who hasn’t read much of the manga, the return to the Ayase household raised a lingering question for me: what’s the story with Okarun’s parents? They haven’t been mentioned at all, which feels odd considering even Aira’s parents got a bit of attention through a flashback. It’s surprising they’re okay with their kid being out every evening without a word.
On another note, the comedy shines through Aira’s stubborn refusal to accept the bizarre reality of Momo and her friends. She keeps insisting they’re demons, even though she clearly knows something about the situation—she refers to Acrobatic Silky by name instead of lumping them in with generic yokai. Still, it seems whatever explanation she got didn’t stick. One thing I can’t blame her for, though, is doubting that Seiko is as old as she claims!
Return of the Aliens
While the first half of the episode was lighthearted and packed with laughs, the second half took on a more serious tone and delivered some standout moments. The scene transitioned to the dark, eerie atmosphere filled with cool colors that have become a hallmark of alien appearances in DANDADAN.
The introduction of the CGI dinosaur-like creature, paired with the intense background music, created just the right amount of suspense and excitement. After watching fast-paced battles involving hair manipulation and agility, seeing something so different—a dinosaur blasting a laser from its mouth and completely destroying a building—was a refreshing change.
This stark contrast also highlighted the unique nature of the Chiquitita-muttering boxer monster. Its odd movements and design suggest it might not be an alien at all. In fact, its animation style bears a strong resemblance to Okarun’s transformed state, hinting at a possible connection.
The episode wraps up with the return of the Serpoians, who are back to try stealing Okarun’s powers through his body (seriously, this guy can’t catch a break). Using their advanced machinery and psychic abilities, they set their plan into motion.
What caught my attention was the use of yellow lighting during the scenes featuring both the Serpoians and the Chiquitita creature. Usually, I’d expect yellow tones to signify a ghost or yokai, while aliens stick with cooler shades like gray and blue. This choice felt unusual but intriguing.
The episode also delivered a thrilling moment with Aira’s reveal of her new powers, granted by Acrobatic Silky. Her transformation was strikingly similar to Okarun’s, even down to the slight change in her speech pattern. Both transformation scenes in this episode were really well done, and it’s exciting to know that we’ll get to see more of Acrobatic Silky’s unique fighting style in the future.
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