If you’ve been following the series, you know it’s been a wild mix of absurd comedy, supernatural action, and pure chaos. But this episode? It hit a completely different level.
Let’s start with some context for the uninitiated. Dandadan, adapted from Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga (serialized in Shonen Jump+ since April 2021), has been a standout title since its debut. The anime adaptation by Studio Science Saru was easily one of the most anticipated shows of Fall 2024.
Up until now, it’s leaned heavily into its bizarre humor and frenetic energy, which, while entertaining, hasn’t been universally appealing. But episode 7? That’s where the show decided to flex its emotional storytelling muscles—and it absolutely worked.
Episode 7: Aira’s Story
This episode focused on Acrobatic Silky, a yokai whose tragic backstory managed to overshadow the comedic absurdity the show is known for. In life, Silky was a dancer who, despite her struggles, found joy in her daughter.
But her life spiraled into tragedy when loan sharks sold her child and beat her to death. Posthumously, she became a yokai, driven by unresolved grief and an unfulfilled longing to protect her daughter.
Enter Aira, one of the show’s key characters, who mistakenly associated Silky with her own late mother as a child. This connection created an emotional tether between them, and Silky began to “haunt” Aira—not maliciously, but out of a desperate desire to be near someone who resembled her lost child.
Aira’s backstory also gets fleshed out in this episode, giving us insight into her emotionally detached demeanor. The absence of a maternal figure clearly shaped her personality, adding layers to her character.
The climax of the episode comes when Aira, who has gained spiritual abilities through Ken’s “golden ball” (don’t ask, Dandadan logic is what it is), is in mortal danger.
Silky sacrifices herself to save Aira, finally finding peace in the process. The episode ends with Aira tearfully calling Silky “mother,” in what is arguably the series’ most emotional moment to date.
Why Fans (Including Me) Are Calling It the Best Episode Yet
The emotional depth of this episode is unmatched by anything Dandadan has delivered so far. While the series is usually chaotic and zany, episode 7 proved it can handle serious storytelling just as well.
The writing brought out the humanity in a yokai—a creature often reduced to comedic or terrifying tropes in similar stories.
And it’s not just manga fans who think so. Check out the IMDb ratings—episode 7 has a significantly higher score than any of the previous episodes, and it’s not hard to see why. This kind of emotional payoff resonates universally.
Amusingly, this episode also raises questions about the genre of Dandadan. Is it a supernatural action-comedy? A horror story? A character-driven drama? It’s all of these and none of them at the same time. The genre-defying nature of the series is part of what makes it so unique, but it also makes it harder to categorize.
For those who dropped the anime early because they couldn’t vibe with its chaotic tone: this episode is your signal to come back. It proves that Dandadan isn’t just weird for the sake of being weird—it’s capable of delivering real, heartfelt moments that elevate the entire series.
