REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 2’ – “The Evil Eye”

There are two major, vital elements in DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 2 that speak directly to the success of the series. Based on the manga series of the same name by Yukinobu Tatsu, “The Evil Eye” shines a light on its greatest strengths. First, the inventive, hybrid-animation approach of its studio, Science Saru, amplifies the electric and textured style of its source material. And, secondly, the characters. Mainly, their kindness. Jiji (Kaito Ishikawa) demonstrates his compassion, a key component in what makes the main four teens so lovable and easy to root for. 

Momo (Shion Wakayama) and Okarun (Natsuki Hanae) might be our deserving leads. Still, it’s characters like Jiji that help expand the world, embarking on their own hero’s journey by showcasing what a little kindness can do. If there was any doubt about his character, DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 2 certifies Jiji as a character and his worth. 

He’s run through the gamut in “The Evil Eye,” both physically and psychologically. First, he must stop Okarun and Momo from killing themselves, the two affected by the death worm’s psychic powers. Director Yoshihiko Mori and storyboard artist Eisaku Kawanami do fantastic work throughout the entirety of the sequence.

The anime makes sure to heighten the horror of it, aided by the pulsing, horror-inspired score from composer Kensuke Ushio. The direction and composition are sequenced seamlessly, fluid in how the camera tracks everything from the moment Okarun’s yōkai form crawls towards Jiji to Jiji’s desperate flee with Momo over his shoulder, Okarun under his arm, and Turbo Granny (Mayumi Tanaka) carried between his teeth. It’s not just a race against time but a sprint of endurance. How much can he withstand before Okarun and Momo come to?

Jiji is put through the physical and emotional gamut. 

The answer is a lot as shards of glass bury themself in his arm as he runs, careening through underground pathways to keep his friends safe. Plunging further into the depths of the hollow made by the death worm, Okarun and Momo finally regain themselves, able to stand off against the worm, but this too comes at a cost. Because now, they have the Evil Eye to contend with, a spirit that Jiji makes direct eye contact with. 

Jiji’s descent continues, though now it’s through a mental link as the Evil Eye shares horrific visions of its past. DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 2 refuses to spare us the harsh reality, as we see a frail child, imprisoned and isolated. His use is to be a sacrifice, separated from other children until his violent, gruesome fate. The contrasting and bold colors of the series have always been one of the series’ most significant assets. But “The Evil Eye” outdoes itself. 

The backstory is genuinely grim and haunting as we watch this child face his terrible fate. The artistry displayed is potent in understanding how colors and the right texture of linework can make something beautiful yet garish. Because of the distinctive clash of colors, the deep, rich purples and abrasive oranges clash to create something otherworldly and nightmarish yet undoubtedly gorgeous. And, once the sacrifice is complete, and the next day breathes new life, life extinguished from this child, the dim lighting and subdued, smoke-swathed colors convey this cross between life and death. 

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 2 amplifies horror through artistry.

The greatest misery, however, comes in how the pain of his sacrifice refuses to relent. We learn that it wasn’t the Evil Eye that caused Jiji’s parents to attempt suicide. Instead, it’s always been the death worm while the Evil Eye has watched on as countless families have befallen the same cruel fate, with parents killing themselves due to the psychic waves, their children bearing witness to the gruesome aftermath. 

The cruelty of the Kito family is further highlighted, too, as we watch them sacrifice yet another young child to the death worm to maintain their “peace.” It’s a horrific moment, made more so by the swirling, dizzying linework that combines the pain of countless families and forfeited lives into a singular frame. 

It makes sense that, ultimately, Jiji would reach a compassionate hand out to the Evil Eye. The Evil Eye, who is swearing revenge against the entire Kito family. By promising to play with the Evil Eye to ease his suffering, Jiji makes himself a prime target, with the Evil Eye possessing him, immediately turning on Momo, only to be stopped, ultimately, by Okarun. 

The Evil Eye emerges and poses a significant threat. 

The character design for the Evil Eye is simplistic but effective, injecting Jiji’s usual appearance with just enough differences to make him stand apart. His threat is immense and felt immediately as Momo struggles to fight him despite her own capabilities. 

And once again, the episode delivers on kinetic action as Jiji’s form as the Evil Eye begins to distort, dissolving into restless, thrumming lines that showcase his immense power. The physicality is sinewy, all languid motion despite the inherent tension of the spirit and the rage it bottles. The final standoff between Evil Eye and Okarun makes for a powerful character beat, the latter of which is his dejected yōkai form, for once bothered by a threat, rather than apathetic towards it, due to the hits Momo has taken.  

Despite the severity of the story, DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 2 still manages to find time for levity and humor. Whether it’s the trio’s chibi forms as they react to a gross moment from the death worm or Tanaka’s hilarious voice acting as Turbo Granny, the series maintains its balance of light and dark. 

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 2 brilliantly introduces our next big foe with the now requisite heartbreaking backstory. Emboldened by breathtaking artistry, acrobatic direction, and characters whose kindness serves as a beacon for us to root for, the season refuses to hold back on its boundless strengths. 

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 2 is out now on Crunchyroll and Netflix. 

Previous Episode | Next Episode