Dandadan chapter 178: Seiko and co defeat the Iron Bull as Count Saint-Germain's involvement is teased

Modified Dec 23, 2024 16:30 GMT

Dandadan chapter 178: Seiko and co defeat the Iron Bull as Count Saint-Germain's involvement is teased (Image via Science SARU)

Dandadan chapter 178 was expected to focus on concluding Seiko Ayase, Payase, and Kashimoto’s fight against the Iron Bull and his jiangshi accomplices. Officially released on Monday, December 23, 2024, the latest issue did indeed see the trio emerge victorious against their latest assailants.

Dandadan chapter 178 also offered further setup for Kashimoto and Payase becoming Momo Ayase and Ken “Okarun” Takakura’s mentors, respectively, via showcasing their powers. Likewise, with the Iron Bull and jiangshi defeated, the trio will likely set their sights on reuniting with Momo and co’s group, to take on their newfound enemies with a united front.

Dandadan chapter 178 sees Iron Bull all but confirm Count Saint-Germain’s involvement in its attack on Seiko

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Dandadan chapter 178 begins with Payase and Kashimoto asking Seiko Ayase if she’s okay, which she confirms before informing them of the Iron Bull’s abilities. Meanwhile, the Iron Bull is excited to now be confronted by three different people with powerful abilities, sending the jiangshi at them while it watches from afar. Seiko says she’s going to get her bag while asking Payase and Kashimoto to handle the Iron Bull and the jiangshi.

Kashimoto says he has “no choice but to exploit a guardian spirit” to do so, causing the bird-like apparition seen in 177’s final moments to reappear here. His attack takes out a large chunk of jiangshi, while Seiko and Payase take care of the others. Payase’s powers involve cloaking himself in darkness, and then manipulating the shadows of others to attack them. He says his body is like “kodoku curse poison,” a reference to Japanese folklore.

Dandadan chapter 178 sees Payase try to attack the Iron Bull’s groin, but finds it just as tough as every other spot on its body. The Iron Bull then grabs Payase, still in shadow form, and throws him with such force that his body is separated from his powers. Kashimoto rushes the Iron Bull, using his guardian spirit to land a few big hits which clearly affect it. However, the Iron Bull quickly turns the tables by slamming Kashimoto into a wall.

Kashimoto's powers appear very similar to Momo Ayase's in Dandadan chapter 178 (Image via Science SARU)

Payase calls out for his ally, but Seiko reminds him not to stop dealing with the jiangshi as she spots and races towards her bag. Just as she’s about to reach it, the Iron Bull knocks her aside, commenting on how it sensed the bag was dangerous. Kashimoto rushes it from behind once more, but is easily sent flying by a counterattack. Payase tries to steal the bag from the shadows, but is also easily dealt with by the Iron Bull.

Dandadan chapter 178 sees Seiko rush for her bag as it goes flying, but the Iron Bull catches her once more. It implores her to admit defeat before it must brutally crush her to death, but Seiko instead tells Kashimoto to keep attacking. Even after realizing she’ll get hurt as well, she tells him not to stop, prompting him to keep slamming the Iron Bull with attacks. This sets up Payase for a massive blow from his two giant fists, which sever the Iron Bull’s arms.

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The Iron Bull questions how this can be, while Kashimoto explains that pain is a sensation meant to tell someone their body is reaching its limits. Likewise, since the Iron Bull doesn’t feel pain, it didn’t realize how damaged its body was. Kashimoto also adds that his guardian spirit’s flames can reach absolute zero, hence his name of “Ice Flame” for it. He furthers that when iron’s temperature decreases, it can more easily crack and shatter.

Dandadan chapter 178 sees Seiko approach the Iron Bull with a talisman in hand, placing it on its head while commenting on how it wanted to fight a tough opponent. The Iron Bull tries to entice Seiko with information of who’s truly after her, but she doesn’t fall for it, the issue ending with her landing an apparent killing blow on the Iron Bull.

In summation

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Overall, Dandadan chapter 178 seems to serve two primary functions. The first is to establish that Kashimoto and Payase both have powers which are similar to those of Momo and Okarun, teasing them as the protagonistic pair’s future mentors. The second is to all but confirm that Count Saint-Germain is also targeting Seiko, made obvious by the Iron Bull’s final words in this issue and the knife he was wielding in the prior.