’Dandadan’ review: “That’s A Space Alien, Ain’t It?”

Dandadan episode 2 sells the best part of its premise as it puts Momo and the newly christened Okarun on-screen together for an entire episode. In “That’s A Space Alien, Ain’t It?” Dandadan makes an even stronger case for being your next hyperfixation than the premiere’s more unsavory and rushed elements. Once again, it makes perfect sense why the theatrical premiere paired the two together along with next week’s. 

How can you not love these two?

“That’s A Space Alien, Ain’t It?” picks up right after Momo learns the true name of her new companion, Ken Takakura. Naturally Momo has a lot of emotions about this, quickly renaming him to Okarun as she controls his curse all the way back to town. However, it’s morning now, so they have to lay low until they can challenge Turbo Granny. That gives Dandadan episode 2 important breathing room to let the audience get to know Momo and Okarun as they are together. It’s so important because not only is this relationship the core of Dandadan, these two are so adorable. 

Outside of the moments the Turbo Granny curse sneaks out, no one could blame you for mistaking Dandadan for a romance anime. Okarun and Momo go through the familiar motions, enhanced by their already well defined personalities. Many will call Dandadan the next big thing, a Chainsaw Man or Demon Slayer, and they’re right. But for myself, it is these moments that reveal what Dandadan really is: a new era of the kind of manga and anime that creators like Rumiko Takahashi pioneered — but now they can say “dick.” 

The part where it does in fact get better

This chemistry between Momo and Okarun also rebalances the ecchi element. Episode 1’s extended abduction scene caught quite a bit of fire in the community, and reasonably so. Episode 2 corrects the course. Yes, there’s still the genre trademarks like Okarun accidentally walking in on Momo mid-change, but such scenes have different framing. The camera can’t be accused of lecherously staring at Momo in this example at all. In fact, it’s right at home next to a compilation of Urusei Yatsura shenanigans. So yes, it does in fact get better even as I understand if episode 1 is a deal breaker for some. 

Science Saru continues to cook an eyeball feast even in these smaller character moments. Momo’s playful teasing of Okarun’s realization of how Turbo Granny cursed him is full of energy. This also, notably, helps rebalance the power dynamic in the ecchi conversation. It isn’t surprising at all to see this focus, given director duties are shared between Fûga Yamashiro (The Tatami Time Machine Blues) and Abel Gongora (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off), two directors who know well how to make a bunch of teens or young adults talking to each other compelling. 

A simple but strong action scene caps off a stellar episode

Gongora in particular also knows how to easily transition those conversations into action, which “That’s A Space Alien, Ain’t It?” segues right into. This combat scene is much more straightforward, which is necessary to establish the dynamic between Okarun and Momo sharing parts of the fight. Revealing that the battle is actually a sumo match is a funny gag that some may find eye-rolling, but especially as that ends up making things harder at first for the two, I think it’s a gag that works. 

Overall, Dandadan episode 2 is an even better introduction to what makes this story special. It prioritizes the heart and soul of the series, begins to explain its power system, and is enhanced by the adaptation. This episode is exactly the quality manga readers were hoping to see and will easily be what wins everyone else over. Plenty of more episodes to go but probably best to earmark Dandadan for anime of the year contention now. 

Dandadan airs weekly on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

Featured image ©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committe