Dandadan episode 11: Jiji's first paranormal encounter helps Okarun realize his feelings for Momo

Following Jin “Jiji” Enjoji’s introduction at the end of the previous episode, Dandadan episode 11 was expected to focus primarily on the impact his presence would have. Officially released on Thursday, December 12, 2024, the installment did devote significant time to exploring the impacts of Jiji’s presence, but this wasn’t its sole focus.

Dandadan episode 11 instead introduced a new seemingly yokai-based plotline to end the season on, saving Jiji’s haunted house issue for the likely-to-come second season. However, this was done masterfully well, serving as a means of positively balancing the negative impact Jiji’s introduction has had on Momo Ayase and Ken “Okarun” Takakura’s relationship.

Disclaimer: This article contains canon typical mentions of sensitive topics. Readers’s discretion is advised.

Dandadan episode 11 sees Okarun realize the truth behind his feelings for Momo with some yokai help

Brief episode recap

Dandadan episode 11 opened up with Jin "Jiji" Enjoji's introduction playing out once again, this time focused on Okarun’s reaction to learning Jiji was Momo Ayase’s first love. However, Jiji then showed his true personality, which shocked Aira Shiratori and Ken "Okarun" Takakura. Momo’s comments also made it clear that Jiji’s personality and behavior bothered her too. Seiko Ayase then revealed that Jiji is moving into their home due to something going on with his family.

Aira then left, followed by Okarun, who was followed out by an angry Momo wanting him to say goodbye to her by saying he’d see her tomorrow. He said it, but the delivery was awkward, clearly leaving both of them slightly uncomfortable. Focus then shifted to Jiji, Momo, and Seiko, where it was revealed Jiji’s parents are in the hospital. It was then revealed that Jiji was the boy who made fun of Momo for doing her grandmother’s ritual, via him apologizing to her for it.

Dandadan episode 11 then saw Jiji reveal he can see ghosts now too, revealing that he got a weird sensation from everywhere in a new house he and his parents moved into. Scenes of Jiji meeting a ghost then appeared, which started his parents’ sickness. Five famous spirit mediums then tried to exorcise the house, but three of them ended up taking their own lives after. This led Jiji to Seiko, as the rumored only person who could actually help him and his family.

Dandadan episode 11 sees Momo's friends and classmates instantly smitten with Jiji (Image via Science SARU)

However, Seiko then revealed she can’t do anything since Jiji’s house is outside of Kamigoe City, it’s up to Momo and her friends to help. She offered to buy Momo and her friends uniforms for life if they helped out with this case. Focus then shifted to Jiji’s introduction at school the next day, where he immediately began flirting with some students. Jiji then sat next to Momo and her friends, immediately making a good impression on them by flirting.

Dandadan episode 11 saw him proclaim to the class that he and Momo were lovers, but her friends intervened to say she already had a boyfriend in Okarun. At the same time, Okarun was in class with his head on his desk, lamenting Jiji’s return into Momo’s life and the feelings she may have for him. He likewise wonders if they’ll have to stop being friends once she and Jiji start dating, clearly bothered by the idea of not seeing Momo anymore.

Okarun then used these feelings as motivation to train during lunch, where Momo found and snuck up on him so they could eat together. However, Jiji then arrived and interrupted them, which Momo was upset about at first but excused when Jiji had a drink Momo liked. Okarun was clearly dismayed by seeing this interaction between them, walking away to be by himself as a result while convincing himself it’s better for both of them if they stop talking.

Dandadan episode 11 then saw someone yell out that they’re not going to give up, which was revealed to be an anatomically accurate scientific model of a human. Momo tried to stop the model from running, but Jiji tackled and stopped her. However, this allowed Momo to see that the model had Okarun’s missing kintama, grabbing it with her powers to stop it. Unfortunately, this led to her and Jiji being dragged by the model at blistering speed.

Okarun then transformed into his Turbo Granny form to chase after them, successfully catching up to them. He successfully saved them, explaining to Jiji that this new monster was actually Okarun, their friend. The trio then combined their strength to successfully restrain the model, who tried fighting back against her psychic powers. He successfully escaped by disassembling and reassembling his plastic body, continuing to run afterwards.

Dandadan episode 11 saw the trio continue to give chase, but eventually lost him. However, Momo seemingly was able to find him by forcing him to scream every time she hit her fist. They eventually found him at a junkyard, where Momo revealed she grabbed his heart when he split himself apart, and hit it to locate him via his screams of pain. Momo then offered to give the model his heart back in exchange for a look at what she thought was Okarun’s missing kintama.

Dandadan episode 11 sees Momo and co's latest paranormal problem meet an unexpected end (Image via Science SARU)

A voice then called out to the model, calling him Taro. He responded by calling the voice Hana, which pleaded for him to give up on her while he said he never would. Taro began climbing the garbage pile in front of him as he said this, eventually pulling out a female anatomically accurate scientific model of a human. Taro then spoke about how his world was gray before meeting her and is now colorful, which helped Okarun to realize his true feelings for Momo.

Dandadan episode 11 saw Taro continue to say he was in love with Hana, and that he’d regret it for the rest of his life if he didn’t do anything about it. As he said this, a shot of Okarun appeared, showing him clearly inspired and resolute in his desire to share his feelings with Momo as the episode ended.

In summation

While episode 11 didn’t fully go in the direction fans were expecting it to, it nevertheless serves as a perfect penultimate installment for the first season. Momo and Okarun’s budding romance is rightfully a major focus as it deserves to be, while Jiji’s introduction is also given depth via his backstory and interactions with Momo. Although the season finale may be relatively mundane as a result, it nevertheless makes for a satisfying farewell (for now) to the smash-hit shonen.