Dandadan is on the cusp of its season finale with episode #12 set to air soon. The preceding episode (#11) served as an excellent transition, showcasing the series’ knack for blending humor and heartfelt moments, even if it wasn’t packed with high-stakes action as seen in earlier installments.
In episode #11, the narrative picks up where episode #10 concluded, introducing Jiji, Momo’s childhood acquaintance and former crush. As Okarun becomes apprehensive about Jiji potentially hindering his bond with Momo, he starts to pull away. However, the complex dynamics among Momo, Okarun, and Jiji take an unexpected turn due to the emergence of a quirky, sentient anatomical model. This bizarre yet touching episode exemplified Dandadan’s signature style very well as it approached the finale.
Release Time for Dandadan Episode 12
Following its usual schedule, Dandadan streams episodes weekly on major platforms such as Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix. Assuming there are no unexpected delays, Dandadan episode #12 is anticipated to debut on Crunchyroll on Thursday, December 19 at 8:00 AM PST, 11:00 AM EST, and 4:00 PM GMT.
Recap of Dandadan Episode 11
Production Details: Science Saru; Direction By Tooru Hasuya
The installment titled “First Love”resumes with the surprising entrance of Jiji, who reveals he’s moving in with Momo. This revelation triggers Okarun’s insecurities about his relationship with Momo, leading both Okarun and Aira to exit awkwardly. Jiji’s true intention soon becomes apparent: he is seeking assistance from Seiko to exorcise an evil spirit haunting his home. Seiko, however, delegates the task to Momo, who agrees under the condition of receiving a new school uniform from Seiko.
At school, Jiji quickly charms Momo’s peers, despite his peculiarities. While Momo feels uneasy about their bond, it creates friction with Okarun. Just as tensions peak, a sentient anatomical model named Taro intervenes—believed to be in possession of one of Okarun’s testicles. As Momo attempts to use her abilities to control Taro, she and Jiji are unexpectedly swept along as Taro races through town.
Okarun manages to catch up to Taro and rescues Momo and Jiji; however, the moment of calm is short-lived. Taro arrives at the dump where his affection, another anatomical model named Hana, lies. In a heartwarming scene, Taro professes his love for Hana. This poignant moment prompts Okarun to realize that his jealousy stems from his deeper feelings for Momo.
Avoiding Romance Tropes in Dandadan
Dandadan has consistently excelled at circumventing common clichés associated with love triangles, particularly highlighted in episode #11. Jiji’s eccentric personality quickly neutralizes any threat he might pose to Momo and Okarun’s relationship. Furthermore, when peers poke fun at Momo and Jiji’s friendship, a friend staunchly defends Momo’s relationship with Okarun. This trend showcases how Dandadan masterfully sidesteps conventional love triangle tropes by focusing on character development and the primary relationship dynamics.
A Flawless Penultimate Episode by Dandadan
As the penultimate episode, episode #11 stands as a remarkable chapter in the series. Although it maintained a less frantic pace compared to previous episodes, it still showcased stunning visuals throughout—the chase scene involving Taro was particularly engaging. The storyboard artist for this episode, Shinsaku Sasaki, is a seasoned veteran with a rich history in animation, having worked on acclaimed Studio Ghibli films such as Only Yesterday, Porco Rosso, and Princess Mononoke.
Beyond its stunning animation, the episode adeptly balanced humor and emotional depth. With comic relief provided by Jiji and Taro, combined with the evolving relationship between Momo and Okarun—culminating in Okarun’s self-discovery of his feelings for Momo—episode #11 shines in its storytelling prowess, achieving a level of narrative balance that has elevated Dandadan to new heights. As the series progresses, it remains to be seen how the finale will build upon this exceptional groundwork.
Mark your calendars for the much-anticipated airing of Dandadan episode #12 on Thursday, December 19.
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