Dandadan episode 8: Momo and Okarun's friendship strained as Aira's powers awaken

Dandadan episode 8 was expected to focus on the fallout of Aira Shiratori’s eventful introduction to Ken “Okarun” Takakura and Momo Ayase. Officially released on Thursday, November 21, 2024, the series did give focus to the consequences of their meeting but also created new, dramatic plotlines as a result of her introduction.

Dandadan episode 8 also saw trouble return for Momo and Okarun in the form of the Serpoians, who had some new powerful allies with them in this latest conflict. Excitingly, however, Momo and Okarun get a new ally of their own by the eighth installment’s end.

Dandadan episode 8 sees Aira awaken powers of her own as more trouble comes around

Brief episode recap

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Dandadan episode 8 began with Okarun, Momo, Seiko Ayase, Turbo Granny, and Aira Shiratori all eating dinner together following the day’s strange events. Momo then apologized to Aira for dropping the tub on her head, also demanding she apologize to Okarun for making fun of him.

However, Aira said her problem wasn’t the tub, but the fact that she suspected Momo and Okarun to be demons for their powers, as well as Seiko looking too young to be a grandma.

The two argued with each other while eating, with Aira eventually saying she had been chosen to protect world peace from Momo and her “followers” before leaving. She thanked Seiko for having her and feeding her on her way out, while Momo yelled after her. Aira then came back in to thank Okarun for saving her several times despite being a demon, also asking why.

Dandadan episode 8 saw Momo assert it’s because they weren’t demons, while Okarun said it’s normal to help someone who needs help. Aira took this as Okarun still having a human heart and needing to be liberated from Momo’s control. As Aira left and focus stuck with her, it became clear that she had developed romantic feelings for Okarun as a result of his response. With Aira gone, Turbo Granny set up a game to give Okarun his kintama back.

The first of Okarun's two kintama are returned to him in Dandadan episode 8 (Image via Science SARU)

In reality, this was just Turbo Granny pitching it like a baseball for Seiko, who swung at it with her baseball bat. She missed it, but Okarun got the first of his two kintama back. Okarun and Momo then discussed how to find his other kintama at school the next day, where Okarun told Momo he couldn’t eat lunch or spend time with her because he was busy.

Dandadan episode 8 saw Momo say she understood, joining her friends from class for lunch instead. However, she was clearly bothered, saying it was suspicious since he looked like he was hiding something. Momo’s friends suggested that he was with another woman, which Momo initially said wasn’t like him before thinking of Aira. She then went to go get some drinks for herself and her friends, thinking how she feels uneasy about the Okarun situation on her way.

She then ran into Okarun and Aira together, the two of them being in a romantically implicit position. As Momo reacted in shock, the focus shifted to before this scene, showing Okarun physically training outside so he could become stronger for the fights to come. He specifically wanted to avoid putting Momo in danger. However, he was interrupted by Aira, who confessed her feelings for him while attempting to kiss him.

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Dandadan episode 8 saw Okarun stop Aira, prompting her to say that confessions of love come with a kiss, and it’s the boy’s duty to receive both. Okarun argued with her on this while asking how she’s so amateurish in relationships despite her personality. The two locked hands and argued with each other before Aira tripped Okarun, leading to her falling with her back to the ground and looking up at Okarun, who was looking back.

This was the exact moment that Momo walked up on them, prompting him to try to explain the situation to her. She began walking away, prompting Okarun to chase after her and try to explain everything. However, she made it clear that she wanted space, returning to class and thinking about the situation while clearly being upset. Okarun, meanwhile, recognized that it was pointless to make excuses, thinking about this while working out even in the middle of class.

Suddenly, Dandadan episode 8 saw him transported into Empty Space, with the ground being slightly flooded with water. Okarun heard someone scream, revealed to be Aira who suspected that Momo did this. Okarun then went to look for Momo after being reminded of her, but didn’t find her in her classroom. She instead was looking for a window to climb out of, while also wondering if Okarun was okay.

Aira enter Empty Space for the first time in Dandadan episode 8 (Image via Science SARU)

Momo then heard something approaching her from the hallway, revealed to be a dinosaur-like creature. Momo shifted slightly in the water, which sent out a ripple that seemingly activated something on the monster’s body. The monster then turned its attention to her, seemingly using ripples in the water which hit her to find where she was. The monster then let out an energy beam-like attack which destroyed that section of the hallway.

Dandadan episode 8 also saw the parts on its body activated by Momo’s ripple close up after firing the attack. However, Momo was fine, prompting a shift in focus to Okarun and Aira who heard the blast. Okarun then explained what he thought was happening, but was interrupted by an alien who had boxing gloves on. Okarun went into his Turbo Granny form while dodging, telling Aira to run since he couldn’t protect her.

However, Okarun was then restrained by three Serpoians who showed up, prompting him to return to base form while telling Aira to run once again. However, they began attacking her before she ran, sending her flying down the hallway. The Serpoians then revealed Okarun specifically was their target this time. However, the episode ended with Aira transforming into a Silky-like appearance, overpowering the Serpoians and saving Okarun just in time.

In summation

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Dandadan episode 8 does a great job of ironing out Aira’s role in both Okarun and Momo’s personal relationships and lives, as well as the larger narrative overall. Likewise, the choice to give her Silky’s powers is incredibly fitting given how impactful Silky’s own backstory was. Hopefully, Aira can quickly master these new abilities in order to deal with the enemies that now surround them.