Recap of Episode 14: "The Evil Eye" in Dandadan
Episode 14, titled "The Evil Eye," aired and continued the intense storyline following the Season 2 premiere. The episode picked up right after Momo and her friends found themselves in a dangerous situation, attacked by the Kito family and trapped inside a cursed house. The tension escalated further when they encountered the Mongolian Death Worm, a massive centipede known as the "Great Serpent." This episode delves into the tragic backstory of the Evil Eye and explores the emotional depth of the characters.
The Truth Behind the Cursed House
This episode primarily focused on uncovering the truth behind the cursed house and the Evil Eye's tragic past. It was revealed that Jiji's house wasn't simply located on a steep hill but was built upon layers of buried houses from previous generations. The long staircase that Momo and Okarun struggled to climb was a clever foreshadowing of events to come.
The revelation of the Evil Eye's heartbreaking history left many viewers deeply moved. The episode portrayed the young Evil Eye confined in a hut as an offering to the great serpent, never having the chance to play with friends before being burned alive. This depiction resonated strongly with fans, who shared comments like, "I thought it was scary, but I had no idea there was such a sad backstory," and "It was so painful, I cried."
A figure resembling Naki Kito appeared multiple times in the memories of the young Evil Eye. According to the legend of the great serpent, there hasn't been an eruption for 200 years. However, the layers of houses extending deep into the earth suggest several hundred years have passed since the oldest structure where Evil Eye was imprisoned.
Naki Kito seems to have lived on for centuries without changing her appearance. Who exactly is she remains a mystery, adding another layer of intrigue to the story.
Jiji's Heroic Actions
In this episode, Jiji truly shines, revealing a strong and kind personality that goes beyond his usual playful character. He demonstrates his strength by desperately trying to stop Momo and Okarun from committing suicide while also protecting them from the Mongolian Death Worm. The scene where he shields them from the glass shards controlled by Momo's psychic powers is particularly moving.
Even in a hopeless situation with no one else to rely on, Jiji encourages himself with "Come on, me!" and strives to save everyone, including Turbo Granny. His actions showcase both his kindness and strength. Shihei Hayashi, the editor of the original manga, has also shown support for Jiji in a post on his X account, highlighting his determination to save everyone despite his wounds.
After learning about Evil Eye's tragic past, Jiji empathizes with the terrifying yokai. Although possession was its goal, Evil Eye must have been happy that Jiji came searching for it underground. When Evil Eye expresses a desire to play together, Jiji responds in his typical lighthearted manner, "Let's play hard!" This playful response now feels full of gentleness and affection towards Evil Eye.
Many viewers were captivated by Jiji's performance in this episode, with comments like "Jiji is such a good boy, trying to protect his friends even if he gets hurt, and being kind to Evil Eye..." and "Jiji was so cool, it made my heart skip a beat." Some even said, "I used to be a Momo fan, but now I'm Team Jiji!"
However, it's also true that his kindness led to him being possessed. With even his consciousness under Evil Eye's control, he attacks Momo, whom he cherished so much, without mercy. Will the strong and kind Jiji be able to return to his former self?
Original Scenes Added in the Anime Episode
Now, let's dive into the original scenes created specifically for the anime adaptation. Whether you noticed them or not, and even if you haven't read the manga, comparing these scenes with the original work can be insightful.
Okarin Losing His Mind and Transforming While the manga does depict Okarin losing his sanity, his physical transformation is unique to the anime. This scene really amplifies the sense of madness.
The Burnt and Scorched Evil Eye In the manga, we don't see Evil Eye's burned body after being offered as a sacrifice to the giant snake. It was heartbreaking to witness Evil Eye's tragic past, burning while simply wanting to play with others.
Scenes from Evil Eye's Time in Various Households As a ghost, Evil Eye witnessed the tragic fates of generations of families living in the same place. The anime portrays three different generations, while the manga only shows the most recent family.
Evil Eye's White Hair and Jiji's Entrapment In the manga, Evil Eye's corpse in the underground chamber is depicted without hair. However, the anime shows long white hair growing on the ghost. The gradual growth of Evil Eye's hair is also unique to the anime. The scene where Jiji becomes entangled in this white hair and possessed by Evil Eye is another anime-original addition.
What to Watch For in Episode 15
Episode 15, titled "You Won't Get Away with This!", promises to deliver more thrilling developments. Okarun rushes to save Momo, who finds herself in a pinch after being attacked by the Evil Eye. Social media is buzzing with comments like "That final scene was so intense!"
The next episode's highlight will be the battle between Okarun and Jiji, the Evil Eye. Viewers can expect an exhilarating fight scene with incredible pacing. Moreover, glimpses of the friendship between Okarun and Jiji are sure to tug at the heartstrings of viewers.
Additionally, the Mongolian Death Worms situation remains unresolved, and Momo and her friends are still trapped underground. How they'll overcome this dire situation is another point of interest. Episode 15 promises to deliver more exciting developments!
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