Dandadan episode 10: Momo and Okarun make a powerful ally as Jiji is finally introduced

Dandadan episode 10 was expected to continue focusing on Momo Ayase, Ken “Okarun” Takakura, and Aira Shiratori as they dealt with the fallout of their latest fight. Officially released on Thursday, December 5, 2024, the episode did focus on these consequences but presented them in a much different way than fans were expecting.

While Dandadan episode 10’s progression of Aira, Okarun, and Momo’s friendship was expected, what wasn’t expected was the ally they’d make in the process. Likewise, the installment’s conclusion was also unexpected, setting up a final character introduction arc to end the first season of the smash-hit anime series.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Dandadan episode 10 and reflects the author's opinions.

Dandadan episode 10 introduces Jiji as Okarun and Momo make their first alien ally

Brief episode recap

Dandadan episode 10 began with Momo Ayase, Ken “Okarun” Takakura, and Aira Shiratori being interrogated by the school nurse about what happened. The nurse, named Queen, refused to believe that their being naked wasn’t an act of bullying, promising she was on their side and hated bullying. They were then interrupted by a colleague who told Queen she had a call for her, leaving the trio alone in the nurse’s office.

Momo and Aira then panicked over the fact that people saw them in their underwear, while also lamenting being pursued by the aliens. Okarun said it seemed like they were after Turbo Granny’s powers, while Aira explained that her powers awakened for the first time during their latest battle. Okarun theorized that the aliens may pursue Aira as well likewise, prompting Momo to call it strange that they’re not attacking the yokai directly.

Dandadan episode 10 saw Okarun theorize that the yokai are too powerful for the aliens, and are likewise what keeps them from invading Earth. Thus, they attack people like Okarun and Aira to research the yokai powers and develop countermeasures. Okarun also theorized they may have his second kintama, with Momo and Aira quickly returning to freaking out over being seen in their underwear.

Momo's friends come to check up on her and Okarun in Dandadan episode 10 (Image via Science SARU)

Aira decided to blame Momo, arguing that it wasn’t a lie, and encouraged Okarun to do the same. Aira’s friends then appeared, immediately blaming Momo who didn’t care as they swept Aira out of the room.

Now alone, Momo asked Okarun what his excuse for the compromising position she saw him and Aira in was. He explained the full story, as well as his motivation to become stronger for Momo’s sake, which caused her to laugh and tease him.

However, Dandadan episode 10 saw Momo blush and clearly be romantically affected by this as he continued in a very genuine way. She teased him over this in response, leading him to say he’ll get going as well. Before he left, Momo called out to him, clearly embarrassed, and tried to say something, but was interrupted by her friends before doing so. Okarun and Momo were then interrogated about what happened by the latter’s friends.

They eventually concluded that a love triangle exists between Momo, Okarun, and Aira, with the three fighting for their respective loves. As Momo tried to argue against this, Aira was approached by everyone in her class, but she asked them to leave her alone. However, one of her friends argued that it was Momo’s fault, which Aira was seemingly concerned about despite her previous words to Momo.

Dandadan episode 10 saw her eventually speak out against this, even admitting to spreading the fake rumor about her. She even asked everyone not to speak badly of Momo before getting up and leaving the classroom. Aira cried as she walked the halls before going outside to sit at a table and lament the inevitable loss in her popularity for sticking up for Momo, who appeared at that moment.

The two began speaking with each other, with Momo eventually and accurately predicting that Aira didn’t blame her after all.

Aira tried disputing this, but they were interrupted by the Mantis Shrimp alien, which was seemingly bleeding white blood. Aira and Momo prepared for combat, but the alien passed out and fell over almost immediately. This prompted a flashback to the Mantis Shrimp alien leaving its child before it awoke in Momo and Seiko Ayase’s house bandaged up. The whole group was there, including Turbo Granny, as they debated about what to do with the Mantis Shrimp alien.

Dandadan episode 10 saw the Mantis Shrimp notice that they also made food for it, thanking them for this and patching it up while promising not to harm them ever again. They all then had another feast, which was as filled with fights as the last one. The alien explained that his son needed blood which kept leaving his body as he went to the bathroom, needing currency to get him the medicine he needed.

Dandadan episode 10 sees the Mantis Shrimp alien welcomed into the Ayase household (Image via Science SARU)

The Mantis Shrimp alien then explained its origins, coming from a world that is so poor that he needs to work off-world to earn currency. However, the only work he found was outlaw jobs which are full of danger. The Mantis Shrimp alien lamented letting its wife die and harming them, while Okarun asked what he could do to help. Momo and Aira also clearly wanted to help, but they couldn’t agree on a way to do so that made sense.

Dandadan episode 10 saw the Mantis Shrimp alien try to leave, but Seiko stopped him, saying that the smell of his blood was familiar. She realized that his blood was just milk, which he confirmed. Seiko revealed that she could get him a dairy co by calling in a favor, and casually wishing him good luck while walking away to make the call. However, the Mantis Shrimp alien was sobbing at her kindness, as the scene quickly shifted to his ship picking up a cow.

Before leaving, the Mantis Shrimp alien said it would help them whenever they needed it, promising to never forget their kindness. Momo, Okarun, and Aira then begged Seiko to buy them all new school uniforms, with Seiko agreeing to do so for everyone but Momo. Seiko told Momo to do an impression of the actor Hiroshi Abe. Momo did so and went to answer the door which rang while still doing the impression.

Dandadan episode 10 saw her open the door while doing the impression, calling the boy standing there Jiji. Seiko then greeted Jiji, saying she heard about everything from his mom. Okarun asked Seiko who Jiji was, prompting her to introduce him as her childhood friend and first love as the episode ended.

In summation

Dandadan episode 10 sees Momo, Okarun, and co get a powerful ally (Image via Science SARU)

Overall, episode 10 is an excellent outing, even by the series’ own high standards set earlier in the season. The latest fight is wrapped up in a satisfying way that clearly builds towards future developments on multiple fronts, while also allowing time to introduce Jiji. Fans can expect an exciting and action-packed end to the first season, which is heading into its final two episodes with great momentum.