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DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye is a movie version of the first three episodes of season two of the television series and not every theatre chain advertised this. Thankfully, I knew and it helps define what I knew is coming. Overall, it’s a welcome continuation for those craving that continuation following last episode’s cliffhanger. The wait was not long for me, as I just finished watching the home video release of season one from Shout! Studios.
Had this release targeted a theatrical run, I’m sure more effort would have gone into creating a better experience. Otherwise, what I knew from the broadcast version might have been amped up a lot more. Here, Momo Ayase (Shion Wakayama) continues to be the girl in charge as she and Ken “Okarun” Takakura (Natsuki Hanae) deal with aliens, ghosts, and other strange goings-on in town.
The city’s sordid legacy suggests a location near Kyoto because of the reputation of Aokigahara Forest. Technically, this anime can take place where the supernatural runs amok! While the former says life from outer space exists, and the latter is the opposite. This double act has its moments of hilarity, especially when they learn how to deal with their newfound powers.
The series is quite good once they get used to their abilities, and when Turbo Granny (Mayumi Tanaka) gets introduced, this welcome addition offers more hilarity much like when Stitch was introduced. I’m not talking about the live-action version, but the original when much of his vulgar and chaotic personality got to shine more. And when the overall story arc concerns saving Momo from being erased from history, to have an overarching narrative helps keep newcomers invested.
As for standout episodes, I have to rank the following episodes from season one as best:
Episode 1 : That’s How Love Starts, Ya know!
No list can be complete without mentioning the chapter that sets up everything. When I first heard of this series, I thought it might be like an older series I still adore, Sazan Eyes (3×3 Eyes in the American market). In some ways, the nuances are very similar! Both feature a strong, leading female protagonist and reveal a collision between the modern world with mysterious, otherworldly forces. Also, when a deep relationship is very likely to be forged between the two leading characters, Momo and Ken, the complexities are certainly there!
Episode 5 : Like, Where Are Your Balls?!
With an episode title about some individual’s balls to get everyone’s attention, maybe that’s because Momo and Okarun’s friendship may well turn into romance. This episode deals with their awkwardness to one another rather than deal with another threat. And when the latter has lost his “balls” (implied to be something physical, not courage) the humour goes in expected tones. It’s a laugh out loud episode because of the double entendres, but overall, what’s shown is not what everyone thinks.
Episode 10 : Have You Ever Seen a Cattle Mutilation?
When I’ve looked at a lot of films concerning UAPs, UFOs and various alien abductions, to deal with this subject here has to start somewhere. Here, Okarun wonders what the motives are from those alien invaders. But when another character may abduct a bovine, perhaps the reasons they happen are a lot more grounded than what one thinks.
Also, this episode is important as it introduces a new member to the crew. Jin “Jiji” Enjoji and is Momo’s first crush! In later episodes, after the shock subsides, he becomes part of the team.
Episode 12 : Let’s Go to the Cursed House
When Jiji reveals to his teammates that his family home is haunted, the team heads there to deal with those threats. But as Okarun and Jiji become rivals for Momo’s affection, anything which happens can easily be side-lined. That also includes discovering what lies underneath–a hidden room with items suggests that until this partnership cleans up their act, they can’t deal with the upcoming problems which lay ahead. With that recap in place, newcomers can look at what the movie compilation has to deal with as this prologue sets up a lot of things still to come as this series progresses!
Season two will air on the MBS/TBS “Super Animeism TURBO” programming block in Japan and online on Netflix and Crunchyroll, beginning July 3, 2025.
Dan Da Dan Promo Trailer
Sources: TVGuide, Japan Anime News
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