The conclusion of Dandadan’s first season left fans eager for more insight into its supernatural elements. While the Serpo Aliens emerged as key antagonists from the beginning, the story’s final yokai, hinted at in the second season’s closing moments, remains shrouded in mystery.
Their limited presence in Season 1 emphasizes their importance, leaving viewers eager to unravel their importance in the upcoming episodes.
The mystery deepens as Season 1 ends with a chilling look of a new yokai in Dandadan (Photo: New yokai in Dandadan/Science SARU)The Role of Yokai in Dandadan
From the very start, yokai are integral to the storyline of Dandadan. Following the possession of Ken Takakura by Turbo Granny’s spirit, the characters increasingly engage with the supernatural realm.
Together, Okarun and Momo Ayase confront various bizarre yokai, each possessing unique abilities and backgrounds that enrich Dandadan’s otherworldly atmosphere and hint at deeper spiritual narratives that are likely to play as the series progresses.
A Dangerous Mountain Yokai Terrorizes Jiji’s Family
Episodes 11 & 12
Teasers for the eagerly awaited second season of Dandadan suggest that the yokai introduced in the second-to-last episode of Season 1 poses a considerable threat in the continuation of the plot.
When Jiji visits the Ayase home in Episode 11 seeking assistance with an exorcism, he shares his chilling experiences involving a malevolent yokai in his family’s mountain residence with Momo. Through flashbacks, viewers witness the harrowing encounters Jiji has endured with this sinister spirit.
The yokai’s frightening presence is unsettling enough, but its history of inflicting harm deepens its menace. The tragic fate of three skilled spirit mediums, who succumbed to suicide following their interactions with the dark entity, leaves Granny Seiko as the last hope for Jiji’s increasingly ill parents.
After pinpointing the source of dark energy in Jiji’s house, both Okarun and Jiji are poised for a decisive confrontation with the yokai, eagerly anticipated as Season 2 picks up from this tense cliffhanger. For now, however, the unresolved nature of this yokai encounter places it at the bottom of Dandadan’s Season 1 ranking.
Taro the Anatomy Model Rivals Turbo Granny’s Speed
Episodes 11 & 12
Episode 11, titled “First Love,” features one of the most exhilarating chase scenes of Dandadan’s inaugural season when a sentient anatomy model unexpectedly appears at Momo and Okarun’s school.
Turbo Granny, known for her incredible speed, finds herself rivaled by Taro, the animated male anatomy model, who matches Okarun’s pace effortlessly. This leads to a comical chase culminating in a surprising discovery: Taro’s female counterpart, discarded in a junk pile.
The primary characters of Dandadan are not only powerful but also hilariously eccentric, and there is a clear hierarchy of strength among them. The trio of Momo, Okarun, and Jiji teams up for the first time, chasing Taro from their school to the junkyard where Hana, the female model, lies.
The lengthy pursuit entertains before concluding with an emotional reunion between the anatomy models, which reveals their romantic connection.
Although the source of their supernatural powers remains unclear, Taro and Hana’s resemblance to the beckoning cat containing Turbo Granny’s spirit suggests a possible yokai influence. Fans will need to tune into Season 2 for a full understanding of these peculiar beings.
Okarun Desperately Tries to Outrun Turbo Granny
Episode 1: That’s How Love Starts, Ya Know!
The inaugural episode of Dandadan sets the stage for one of its most memorable yokai encounters. It follows Momo and Okarun as they attempt to challenge each other’s beliefs in the supernatural, only to find themselves face-to-face with the very entities they seek to disprove.
As Momo defends herself against a trio of aliens, Okarun struggles to escape the lightning-fast Turbo Granny in her tunnel domain—a race that propels Okarun’s character arc forward. Turbo Granny introduces herself with an outrageous proposal, threatening to consume Okarun’s male organ, sealing his fate in the chase.
As the destinies of Momo and Okarun appear to be irrevocably intertwined, Turbo Granny seizes control of Okarun’s body, using his cell phone to combat her alien foes. This encounter showcases Turbo Granny’s immense power, which Okarun comes to harness as he embarks on a wild journey to reclaim his body parts.
Momo Ayase’s spiritual abilities also manifest during this thrilling sequence, enabling her to easily dispatch the aliens who previously threatened her. Without subsequent yokai encounters later in the season, this opening sequence would undoubtedly be considered the standout highlight of Dandadan.
The Earthbound Spirit Crab Meets Its Demise
Episode 4: Kicking Turbo Granny’s Ass
Dandadan’s first season covers a vast narrative scope, making it increasingly evident that Momo Ayase and Okarun share a deep bond. Their connection not only hints at burgeoning romance but also reveals their potential as formidable fighters, with their dynamic serving as the central thread throughout the series.
Dandadan goes through chilling encounters that leave a lasting impression (Photo: Dandadan /Science SARU)While the future of their relationship remains uncertain, their battle against the Earthbound Spirit Crab in Episode 4 serves as a powerful indicator of their destructive capabilities.
As one of the most popular recent shonen series, Dandadan offers a narrative that feels familiar yet fresh. In a scene reminiscent of high-octane action from series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura unleash their powers against the location-bound spirit that once amplified Turbo Granny’s strength.
Their struggle pushes both characters to their limits, finally culminating in a trap devised by Seiko, leading to the spirit’s exorcism. The exceptional action and the climax of Momo and Okarun’s initial arc rise this encounter as one of the finest yokai confrontations in the series.
Acrobat Silky Willingly Sacrifices Herself to Save Aira
Episodes 6 & 7
From the very first scenes of Dandadan, which depict Momo Ayase being rudely propositioned by her neglectful boyfriend, the series establishes a tone that embraces humor and absurdity. The first season maintains a comedic vibe, rarely deviating from its lighthearted approach.
Yet, woven throughout the humor and exaggerated action are moments of genuine emotional depth, with Acrobat Silky’s narrative arc with Aira standing out for its sensitivity and impact. Initially introduced in her terrifying yokai form, Acrobat Silky’s conflict with Okarun, Momo, and Aira eventually brings up a profoundly touching backstory.
As a human, Acrobat Silky was a diligent single mother grappling with escalating debt, which tragically culminated in a brutal assault that cost her not only her life but also the loss of her daughter, taken as a consequence of her financial struggles.
In a heart-wrenching finale, Acrobat Silky performs one last dance—her passion—before taking her own life. It is Aira who finally offers solace to the grieving mother’s spirit, achieving closure following her confrontation with the main characters of Dandadan.
While not central figures, Aira and Silky’s story arc demonstrates the transformative power of anime adaptations, capturing the aim of life’s most harrowing experiences in a way that resonates deeply with audiences. This emotional clash with Acrobat Silky earns the title of the most impactful yokai encounter in Dandadan’s remarkable first season.
