Storyboard and episode direction: Moco-chan
Assistant episode director: Takuya Fujikura
After enduring the torturous train ride, it's finally time for Momo and Okarun to confront Turbo Granny and the earth spirit she's teamed with. How that plays out results in a very interesting episode, while also showing the limits of the show's stylistic color choices.
Although I have previously been somewhat indifferent to the comedy of DAN DA DAN, I found myself appreciating the combination and smooth transitions between humor, action, and poignancy in this episode. Momo and Okarun's adventure into the tunnel where Turbo Granny is hiding begins with banter that no doubt stems from their fear—I chuckled at the almost pitch-black wide shot of the two arguing about their formation, with the brief scuffle that followed causing their flashlights to glow and frantically wave their hands. It then proceeds to deliver surprise after surprise about how the first moments of their meeting play out. I certainly didn't expect Okarun to jump into Turbo Granny's chest as part of a desperate game, and all of this happened in the first five minutes.
Momo and Okarun's plan is to engage Turbo Granny in a race to get her out of her current location, Shono City. They are partially successful after various complications (like Turbo Granny's pointless countdown method), but their escape becomes more complicated as they have to flee not only from Turbo Granny but also from the spirit on earth, looks like a giant crab. This leads to a lengthy chase that includes a first-person shot of Momo riding Okarun, tactical use of a hot spring, and a few minutes in which the duo row through nightscapes while the show plays a version of techno by Jacques Offenbach. “Hell Galop.” It's music often associated with can-can dancing, and as good as the animation is throughout this entire chase, the combination of the music's familiar orchestral strings with techno beats is what really elevates it. sequence to “What the hell am I going through”. ?” territory.
With Turbo Granny as the central supernatural character in this episode, we get to see a lot of red dye. I'm a big fan of series director Fuga Yamashiro's decision to assign specific colors to specific characters in the other world, but the constant exposure to red in this volume—as opposed to conflict— between red and blue in Volume 1 or black and white. combat in Episode 2-insightfully highlights that approach and how strict adherence to it can lead to a rigid and limited experience. There are interesting photos related to that color red-human silhouettes contrasting against a red background; a low-angle shot captures Seiko confidently awaiting the arrival of Turbo Granny under a horrifying crimson sky, with the train Momo and Okarun are fleeing framed between her legs—but for the most part, I really the tiredness of seeing that color of blood.
So I felt great relief when Okarun and Momo finally defeated Turbo Granny by luring her into a railway trap set by Seiko. Even after the big chase ends, there are still some thrilling scenes. Detailed, melancholy backgrounds draw attention when Seiko reveals that personifies Turbo Granny and when Momo eats crab meat for dinner—even when they encounter the earth spirit, Momo's crab cravings do not It doesn't matter—she's portrayed with one of the silliest expressions I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing.
However, the best part of the episode has to be the ending. Momo and Okarun say goodbye but don't know how to choose the words: sayonara or goodbye. It took them a while to figure it out, but eventually they did. As Okarun's small, lone figure stopped at the outside entrance of the Ayase family home, he heard Momo calling him and slowly turned around. We then cut to Momo beaming, “See you tomorrow!” Okarun responds with a resounding affirmative. Even in such an action-packed episode, DAN DA DAN's performance of heart was one of the best.
DAN DA DAN is streaming on Crunchyroll, Muse Asia and Bilibili.