Dandadan Episode 12 Review: What A Frustrating End!!

The 12th episode of Dandadan was again something out of the ordinary because no ordinary man can think of these ideas. Let’s discover how this episode plays out.

Dandadan Episode 11 Recap

Things are starting to heat up for Okarun as a new rival emerges for Momo’s affection, Jiji, her charming and athletic childhood friend. Unlike Okarun, Jiji appears to be effortlessly gifted, both in looks and physical ability. Okarun’s mind races as he observes the dynamic between Momo and Jiji, especially after learning that Momo once harboured feelings for him.

However, Jiji’s personality doesn’t quite match his impressive appearance. The moment he speaks, he has a knack for blurting out ridiculous things that diminish his otherwise flawless first impression. In stark contrast to Okarun, Jiji is confident and openly flirty, often showering Momo with compliments. This boldness strikes a nerve with Okarun, fueling his jealousy and deepening his insecurities as the episode progresses.

Despite the romantic tension, the story isn’t solely focused on love. A peculiar new character is introduced, hinting at a potential role in the series’ future. Additionally, Jiji appears to be connected to something dark and mysterious, leading to a situation where he ends up living with Momo.

Dandadan Episode 12 Review

The episode starts with a new addition to the Ayase household, where Hana, the female anatomical model, gets welcomed by a very reluctant grandma. Apparently, Taro, the male model, did not have the ball Okarun was looking for, and one thing led to another, making Hana live with Momo for now. Amidst this bizarre development, Okarun becomes dejectedly aware of the chemistry between Jiji and Momo. He can see how these two effortlessly hold a conversation and even compliment each other in a way that he has never experienced before.

His discomfort is apparent, and it results in an unforeseeable confession from Okarun that too in front of Jiji. However, even though it is hard to digest, Okarun’s confession gets overshadowed by what happens towards the end. The first half was pretty normal for Dandadan‘s standard, where we see weird situations, but it was nothing out-of-the-box. But everything changes once Momo, Okarun and Jiji land in Jiii’s hometown.

From the outside, this place is a serene and laid-back hot spring village where Jiji and his family lived because his father was researching a volcano nearby. However, one look at the village residents and you will know they are as creepy as the Serpo men. With their unhinged smiles and dead stares, it becomes established that there is something they’re hiding here. Speaking of creepiness, the demon that haunts Jiji is also straight out of your sleep paralysis nightmare, and it is something that I would never wish to see ever again.

But that is not all. The events surrounding Momo are bound to stir some controversy, not just due to the unsettling atmosphere but also because of the abrupt and unexplained way the episode concluded, leaving me with more questions than answers. So, am I devastated right now because I’ll have to wait for almost half a year before knowing what will happen to Momo? Yes, I’m absolutely livid, but do I also think that this was the greatest anime of this year? Yes, I believe that as well.

Verdict

If, after reading all the Dandadan reviews, you are still not watching this, you are missing out. I have only rarely seen a show both so delightfully random and incredibly entertaining, all while delivering excellent character development with well-paced story progression.

Must Read: Explore all our Dandadan articles here!