Dandadan Episode 7 Review: A Journey of Redemption

The sixth episode of Dandadan was just great as it left us with anticipation. Let’s discover how this episode plays out.

Dandadan Episode 6 Recap

Although Aira comes across as an unbearable “pick-me” type who might get on your nerves, there’s a good chance she’ll become a unique addition to the already strong ensemble. She is also the girl who flirted with Okarun only to badmouth him behind his back in the previous episode.

She carries herself with an air of superiority, convinced that her attractiveness makes her special. She doesn’t do good deeds out of genuine kindness; rather, she expects praise in return, acting as if she’s doing a favour by acknowledging others. However, Momo sees through this façade and exposes her, leading Aira to retaliate by spreading spiteful rumours in this episode.

Fortunately, Okarun steps up when it matters most, standing up to the other boys and showing them what they’re in for if they dare speak ill of his first friend. Yet, the true highlight of the episode isn’t Aira’s troublesome behaviour. Instead, it’s the surprising twist: Aira ends up in possession of Okarun’s balls. This unexpected turn of events also attracts a very persistent ghost towards her as well.

Dandadan Episode 7 Review

We already knew that this anime has the tendency to go in a completely opposite direction to what you expect. In this episode, the makers again achieved the same feat but in a very emotional and riveting way. Acrobatic Silky is shown to be obsessed with Aira and with being recognised as her mother. In the beginning, we did not put much thought into this because of the humorous manner of the situation and our lack of interest in her background.

But, in this episode, we get a deeply stirring and very moving account of what happened to Acrobatic Silky to transform her into this. Her attachment to Aira is so deep that she is even willing to go to drastic lengths, knowing full well that she will not gain anything in return. So why bother pursuing someone to the point of wishing to devour her so that they can be a part of you forever?

Behind the ghost’s urge to reconnect with Aira lies a sorrowful and depressing story of a mother who tried her best to give her daughter a proper life. Acrobatic Silky must have been a promising ballerina who, due to circumstances, resorted to odd jobs and prostitution to get by. However, even after facing harsh situations every day, her daughter’s smile lifted her spirits and gave her a reason to continue her miserable life. But everything came crashing down one day when her joy was snatched away, sending her on a path to becoming a monster.

The way the emotional segments were animated and showcased was nothing short of beautiful. It moves your heart to not only feel sorry for the very entity you were cursing in the previous episode but also be livid about society. The background music brilliantly changes from the usual upbeat mode to a more melancholic and mesmerising piano tune. The conclusion, on the other hand, was a bittersweet experience that does provide salvation but at the cost of loss.

Verdict

This episode was one of the best of this season. The makers delivered an emotional segment masterfully and managed to seamlessly transition from action comedy to a mournful tone within minutes. You connect with the characters even though you don’t even know their name and feel sorry for them for the things they went through.

For me, the most powerful scene will have to be Acrobatic Silky dancing her heart out while being bruised, painting a hauntingly beautiful picture.

Must Read: Explore all our Dandadan articles here!