Saagar Kote
‘Dan Da Dan,’ streaming on Netflix, is an anime drama series that follows the life of Momo and Okarun as they explore the world of aliens, the occult, the supernatural, monsters, and their own growing connection. The series navigates the themes of friendship, adventure, and courage. The previous episode ended with the calming of the volcano’s lava by the combined efforts of Momo, Seiko, Taro, Chiquitita, Mantisian, and Manjiro. Following the handling of the danger, Momo reunites with Okarun and hugs him, after pulling him out of the worm goop. The two lead characters find themselves growing emotionally closer. However, Jiji continues to be possessed by Evil Eye, who had vowed to destroy humanity. SPOILERS AHEAD.
The Trials and Tribulations of Jiji
The episode begins with Seiko praying to the heavens near a sacred shrine to liberate Jiji from the possession of Evil Eye, within the confines of Taro’s body. However, despite the lady’s best efforts, the entity resists the prayers strongly. Later, the team of Momo, Okarun, Manjiro, Taro, Chiquitita, Mantisian, and Aira gather at Seiko’s house to dine. Aira argues with Momo about not including her in the volcano mission. Mantisian reveals that he is grateful for the cow they gave him, but he couldn’t get any milk from it, because his world (tckrl) is covered by a liquid substance called awawi, which makes the process difficult.
Manjiro and Seiko discuss bringing in “Hayashi” performers to free Jiji from Evil Eye’s hold by doing an exorcism. However, they conclude that the process may not work, and Jiji will have to stay the way he is for now due to the risks associated with it. Moments later, Jiji starts speaking from within Taro’s body, but Seiko throws cold water on him, causing him to take the form of Evil Eye. Momo deduces that hot water turns Taro’s body into Jiji, but cold water turns it into Evil Eye. This process allows Seiko and the others to talk to Jiji in a normal manner, despite being possessed by the entity and being stuck in Taro’s body.
The Story of Evil Eye
Seiko apologizes to her granddaughter, Okarun, and Jiji for sending them alone to the Kitos and the village. Turbo Granny (within the cat figurine) narrates the legend of Evil Eye, telling the group that the entity started as a Mountain Yokai, and that it only goes after humans like Jiji, who have great spiritual power. However, the version of Evil Eye possessing Jiji is still young, which is the only reason why it hasn’t killed everyone around yet, but it will grow deadlier as it gets older. Seiko realizes that the possessed boy must be closely watched. She warns everyone not to leave Kamigoe city till the exorcism is done.
Jiji is warned not to touch cold water at any cost, which will transform him into Evil Eye again. Mantisian and Chiquitita return to their alien ship and depart, only to hilariously land at a farm close by. Momo and Okarun grow closer to each other during the car ride to the hospital, where Jiji’s folks are. The possessed boy becomes emotional upon meeting his parents, and is helped to move by Taro. News reports on the hospital screens inform the group about the containment of the volcano at Daija and the subsequent arrest of the Kito family. However, Naki is still reported to be at large, with the police still looking for her.
A Hot and Cold Scenario
Naki wanders the woods, expressing anger about her predicament, and turns into a demonic creature, claiming to be a “subterranean” and vowing to hurt Momo. Okarun and Momo take a walk together and talk about Jiji’s situation and the Hayashi. She says that they will need people to play music for the exorcists. Later, the two walk to school with Miko accompanying them. At school, Aira thinks about how she said bad things about Momo, following which Momo surprisingly asks Okarun and Aira to stay with her for a few days, because she will feel safer around them if Evil Eye takes over Jiji again.
Aira and Okarun reluctantly agree to stay with her after being convinced. At the house, Seiko separates Jiji from Taro’s body and asks him to be more careful, especially since Taro’s barrier is no longer with him. Momo brings Okarun and Aira home, after which everyone dines together. When Seiko asks Okarun to pass the soy sauce, he accidentally drops a bit of it on Jiji’s hand, transforming him into Evil Eye. The entity begins to violently attack everyone around it.
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