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Momo and Okarun head to Jin Enjoji’s house to exorcise the spirits he claims are haunting the location. As they pack their bags, catch a train, and arrive in Jin’s town, they discover the area is also famous for its hot springs. So, Momo cheers up, hoping for a relaxing mini-vacation on the sides, but it’s more likely to turn into a “vacation of horrors,” given the anime’s penchant for blending humor with supernatural terror.
Titled “Let’s Go to the Cursed House,” episode 12 of Dan Da Dan opens with a mildly amusing scene of Momo, Okarun, and Jin begging Seiko to let the odd lady mannequin from episode 11 stay at her place. The story then shifts its focus to Okarun’s confused feelings and jealousy over Momo’s growing friendship and closeness with Jin. As the trio travels to Jin’s town, Okarun’s feelings about the handsome newcomer become increasingly complicated, but in a humorous way.
Contrary to the title, this episode doesn’t feature much ghostly activity, though there’s definitely something unsettling about Jin’s entire town, not just his house. While the episode isn’t as high-energy or laugh-out-loud funny as earlier installments of the season, it benefits from a better pace and a less grating portrayal of Jin compared to his introduction. Jin also serves as a much-needed catalyst to fast-track the ambiguous romantic tension between Momo and Okarun. Viewing Jin as a potential rival, Okarun becomes more certain of his feelings for Momo, ready to fight, if necessary, for her affection.
The last few minutes of “Let’s Go to the Cursed House” take a stark tonal shift. What starts as lighthearted suddenly becomes unexpectedly dark. Can Momo and her friends truly handle the cursed spirits or malevolent forces lurking in Jin’s town? We’ll have to wait for answers.
You can stream Dan Da Dan on Netflix and Crunchyroll.
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