After a relatively short wait, Dandadan Season 2 Episode 1 is here to resolve last season’s creepy and uncomfortable cliffhanger. The anime doesn’t miss a beat getting back into gear as it fully introduces this arc’s antagonists and peeling back some of the supernatural elements of Jiji’s town. “Like, This Is The Legend Of The Giant Snake” acts as if Dandadan didn’t even take a break and it’s all the better for it.
What the OP tells us about this season of Dandadan
Before getting too into the details of the episode, a brief mention of the successor to one of the best OPs of last year. Using AiNA THE END’s “On The Way,” the new OP puts us directly behind Okarun’s lens so we can see what kind of impact Momo has on his life – both in what’s been seen and in what’s to come this season. The colors through his glasses versus monochrome elsewhere is a bit on the nose compared to the various Ultra Q/Ultraman symbolism of “Otonoke” but this OP gets to focus more on its characters than the OP that has to introduce the show.
In fact, this OP is closer to what we got for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, which isn’t a surprise. Its director and one of Science Saru’s secret weapons, Abel Góngora, gets promoted to co-series director alongside last season’s Yamashiro Fûga. The addition is yet another feather in Dandadan’s cap. The OP gets to push forward the relationship between Okarun and Momo (and their growing gang of friends) while even dropping some possible hints to things we’ll certainly see in season 3 – no spoilers for now!
Yet another discussion about crossing lines
As for the episode proper, we unfortunately have to start another Dandadan season with a discussion of the series trying to use assault to raise stakes. As I’ve gotten caught up with Dandadan in the manga, I’ve come to understand that Yukinobu Tatsu has strong opinions on the gross ways young women are perceived in society. It’s a recurring theme as the series goes on – even in the aftermath of this sequence there’s a strong sense that being accosted by men isn’t a rare occurrence for Momo.
Even so, there is a certain point where lampshading can’t cover the reality of the light being turned on. While I would not call this sequence in the bathhouse fanservice – especially compared to the first season premiere – I know this is still going to look like that to some people. That’s going to turn them off of Dandadan and while that’s a bummer I don’t think it’s unfair to draw that line. Losing some viewers is the consequence of pushing lines like this, even if I don’t think the series is exploiting Momo.
Body language still works in anime
If anything, Jiji and Okarun are just as uncomfortable being trapped in the house with the Kito women. Jiji’s animation betrays his anxiety as he tries to keep the clan from suspecting Okarun and Momo. He may not know what is going on, but just as with Momo at the bathhouse the fact that he doesn’t blink when the Kito’s Matriarch points a shotgun directly at his face speaks volumes.
All of this is briskly but fully explored before Dandadan Season 2 Episode 1 goes full Uzumaki in a good way. The Tsuchinoko of the town’s legend is revealed to be a UMA that the Kitos have been feeding people to for generations, and it has built a massive nest around itself out of homes in a spiral. Even with the clear inspirations, the “Great Serpent” is a menacing design that stands out amongst the various creatures and haunts of Dandadan to date. The episode doesn’t get to do anything with the creature; other than a single gag that reasserts tone and stakes while giving us some good reaction faces.
Everyone wants to be Demon Slayer
That’s due to the sort of production strangeness that keeps this from being a full on banger of a return. Ending last year barely dipping toes into the next arc already left a sort of strange cliffhanger to otherwise barn burner season. On top of that, like last season, the first three episodes were produced with the intent of being screened in theatres as a single experience.
Theatrical anime episodes aren’t a new concept, and at this point we have to get used to them. Even so, this move does hurt the individual episode for those unable to make a screening. Dandadan Season 2 Episode 1 does a fine enough job with its pacing, but it’s difficult to not see a version of this where the encounters with the Kitos that the kids have are an episode all to itself in order to be more holistic instead of moving right into revealing the Serpent.
Even so, while it make take a couple more episodes to get to top speed, Dandadan is clearly gearing up for another great season. I’m a big fan of putting Abel Góngora in the director chair alongside Yuga; who continues to lead this production with great energy. Once the show’s fulfilled the theatrical needs, I have very high hopes for where this anime is heading.
Dandadan airs weekly on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Featured image ©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee
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DANDADAN SEASON 2 - LIKE, THIS IS THE LEGEND OF THE GIANT SNAKE - 8/10
8/10
Travis Hymas is a freelance writer and self appointed Pokémon historian out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Known to be regularly obessive over pop culture topics, gaming discourse, and trading card games, he is a published critic featured on sites such as Uppercut and The Young Folks.
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