Dandadan Season 2 Review: Pure Chaos, Pure Heart

Rating: 10/10 ⭐️

Dandadan Season 2 cements why this series has become one of my all-time favorite anime. Science Saru has once again delivered a brilliant adaptation, capturing both the chaos and the heart that make this story so special. After the first season’s cliffhanger, I was desperate to know what would happen to Momo Ayase, so I caught up to Volume 5 of the manga. But I stopped there, choosing to wait for the anime so I could feel the thrill of surprise. It was absolutely worth it.

Season 2 kicks off with intensity. The new opening, “On The Way” by AiNA THE END, felt odd at first because I was still attached to Creepy Nuts’ “Otonoke” from Season 1. But after a few listens, it grew on me and now feels like the right fit for this arc... I've written a separate post about it here.  The anime starts off in full swing: Momo narrowly escapes danger at the hot spring while Jiji and Okarun encounter the unsettling Kito family, which leads them into the lair of the Mongolian Death Worm. Jiji’s immunity to the worm’s psychic death waves sets the stage for the introduction of the Evil Eye.

Evil Eye’s backstory is one of the most haunting and emotional parts of the season. Once a lonely boy locked away as a sacrifice to appease the worm and prevent disaster, he could only watch other children play through a tiny window until his cruel death. Even in death, he was forced to witness more sacrifices, and his grief twisted into vengeance, creating the yokai. Jiji, being pure-hearted, tries to befriend him, but Evil Eye seizes control and turns his rage on everyone. The fight between Evil Eye and Okarun is explosive, especially when Okarun unleashes his fury at the threat to Momo. Meanwhile, Momo lures out the Mongolian Death Worm and destroys it, though the effort leaves the town in flames.

From there, the chaos only escalates. Evil Eye turns his attention to Momo, but she isn’t alone—her grandmother Seiko Ayase, Manjiro, Taro, the mannequin, Mr. Mantis Shrimp, and his son Chiquitita all join the fight. The battle is pure spectacle, with Seiko stealing the spotlight through her dazzling entrance and incredible combat moves. Once Evil Eye is restrained with Taro’s help and the fire contained, the tension gives way to something more tender. Momo rushes to Okarun, fearing the worst, and their embrace is raw, heartfelt, showcasing their deepening bond.

The gang attempts to exorcise Evil Eye from Jiji, and in the process they discover that hot water brings forth Jiji while cold water awakens Evil Eye. This discovery leads to uneasy nights, with the group living in constant strain under the same roof. When Evil Eye nearly attacks Momo, Okarun decides to train harder, with Turbo Granny guiding him to push his speed and strength further. His rematch with Evil Eye is fought on equal footing, charged with raw emotion. Okarun doesn’t defeat him outright but earns his respect, forging a fragile truce.

After all this intensity, the gang shifts focus to rebuilding the destroyed Ayase home. With help from Mr. Mantis Shrimp and his nanoskin, alien building blocks that mold to imagination, the house begins to take shape. Just as things seem to settle, they face an enormous space Kaiju. The madness escalates once again when the team conjures a giant Buddha robot from nanoskin to take it down. It’s absurd, hilarious, and awesome in equal measure.

The season closes with a shocking twist. From the defeated Kaiju emerges a mysterious green-haired alien who kisses Okarun just as Momo arrives. The heartbreak on her face is framed in a mirrored callback to Season 1’s iconic shot, her hair snapping against the explosion behind her. It’s a bizarre, gut-punch cliffhanger that leaves the next chapter brimming with anticipation.

Dandadan Season 2 blends jaw-dropping battles, absurd humor, and genuine emotion into one unforgettable ride. It’s chaotic, heartfelt, and endlessly entertaining. With Season 3 already greenlit, I can’t wait to see where this wild ride goes next. Until then, I’ll be rewatching this season and diving back into the manga to catch a glimpse of what’s coming.