REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 5 – “We Can All Stay There Together!”

The energy levels out in the charming DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 5, which serves as a transitional installment. With the Evil Eye contained within Taro (Tomokazu Sugita), Seiko (Nana Mizuki), with the help of Manjiro (Hiroyuki Yoshino), must try to exorcize the ill-intended spirit. However, as has become customary in the series, it’s not that easy. While Jiji (Kaito Ishikawa) returns to himself by the end of “We Can All Stay There Together!” it’s not without a hitch and a new set of rules for Momo (Shion Wakayama), Okarun (Natsuki Hanae), and Aira to adhere to. 

What makes DanDaDan Season 2 Episode so winsome, even without the barrage of action, is the minute details demonstrating how much these characters have grown. This is evident in their first, post-fight family meal of the season as the group gathers around Seiko and Momo’s dining table. Not only does it continue what may be a new trend of cutting to a shot of real food following The Summer Hikaru Died, it also frames a chaotically wholesome picture. The direction offers a superb and unusual vantage point that keeps us at an off-kilter, observational vantage point as we watch them all engage with one another.

There isn’t a single scene that is devoid of movement. From Aira and Momo bickering as the former wonders why she wasn’t invited along to the fight, to Okarun and Turbo Granny (Mayumi Tanaka) in the background, and the general mischief of Evil Eye’s existence in Taro, the sequence is vibrant and pulsating with energy. It’s the perfect setting for the reveal of just what brings Jiji back and gives him control of his body – cold water. Or, really, any cold liquid. It’s very Ranma 1/2, but that’s part of the fun. 

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 5 highlights the developing bonds. 

But it’s this sequence of events, from the initial gathering to Jiji’s revelation and Seiko’s apology for sending Jiji, Momo, and Okarun into danger, that encapsulates so much of what makes the series worthwhile. There’s so much going on in any given frame in the foreground and background as the ensemble steadily expands.

And yet, at the end of the day, what matters to the story is the core group – this core four plus Seiko and Turbo Granny – which craft magic. Because it’s a group of unlikely individuals, both coming together for a shared goal but also as an oddly pieced-together found-family. 

There are three key scenes demonstrative of this strength in DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 5. Working backwards – in one instance, later in the episode, Momo asks both Okarun and Aira to sleep over at hers in order to watch after Jiji. They’ve learned that to combat the Evil Eye surfacing, they just need to splash hot water on him to combat the cold water. But it will take a lot more work than Momo was anticipating, meaning that Okarun and Aira are necessary. 

While Okarun’s reaction is to be expected, it’s Aira’s that offers some unexpected warmth. This is, in part, due to Momo having stood up for her, telling Aira that they don’t have to hang out if it’s making her school life harder. But it’s the fact that she’s so clearly pleased to have been asked and included that gives it a necessary punch. 

Okarun and Aira both get pivotal moments with Momo.

The second is the moment where Jiji is reunited with his parents, very much overwhelmed by his emotions. For a character who spends so much of DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 5 as pure comedic relief, it’s a necessary beat to remind us that, like our two leads, he’s a teenager simply doing the best he can. Yes, he’s an ideal vessel for a powerful entity due to his immense spiritual powers. But he’s also just a high schooler relieved to have his parents back with him. The shot of Momo and Okarun looking on from the background only sweetens the moment. 

But the real heart of “We Can All Stay There Together!” is, of course, due to our lovable little duo. Okarun and Momo and their ever-evolving relationship once again deliver a confectionary sweet moment as the two sit together on the way to the hospital where Jiji’s parents are. Their pinkies intertwine, momentarily, and while Okarun shies away, Momo is emboldened by the brief moment of privacy. 

The animation as her hand covers his is wonderfully done, subtle while conveying the character’s personality and emotions. These two characters are so lively and detailed, making even the most subtle interactions something emotionally monumental. To put it as plainly as possible, it’s really cute. They’ve faced down aliens and demonic yōkai, and yet it’s this moment that turns them bashful. 

While it’s been mentioned, it is always worth doubling down on how tremendous the voice acting for the series is, Momo and Okarun in particular. Wakayama and Hanae bring such an infectious energy to their roles, their specific cadence and deliveries offering up an abundance of bonus personality to the characters. It’s some of the best current work in the medium. 

Big laughs abound in DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 5. 

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 5 leaves off on a moment of uproarious hilarity. So much of the episode has played with moments of physical comedy – from exaggerated faces to Turbo Granny using their dinner as a means of leisurely comfort, plus any moment where Turbo Granny calls for someone and is succinctly ignored. Even the real name of Mr. Mantis Shrimp (Tomokazu Seki) garners laughs despite the low-brow humor of it (or perhaps, because of it.) 

But it’s the riotous end that truly marks how funny and abrupt the series can be, thanks to its misdirection. As Okarun passes Seiko soy sauce during yet another family-style meal, we wait with deliberate apprehension until, on the second chance, Okarun gets some on Jiji, forcing a transformation into the Evil Eye.

The moment is one of the funniest double-page spreads in the entire manga series, fully capturing the mayhem as all of the characters are blown away by the Evil Eye’s reappearance. And the animators successfully heighten it with playful, choppy editing and a shift in color. We’re back to its purple theme. 

While DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 5 lacks the action of the last few episodes, it makes up for it with some terrific character interactions and strong comedic beats. Even the most straightforward episodes have some visual trick or relationship development that makes them worthwhile.

And “We Can All Stay There Together!” even gives us the current status of Naki Kito, a major, shocking reveal about her true, alien form. With kinetic and clever direction that gives the most stationary scenes a sense of fluidity and movement, while it acts mainly to transition the story, it doesn’t lessen the abundance of charm or visual verve. 

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 5 is available now on Crunchyroll and Netflix. 

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