Dandadan episode 9 review: A rollercoaster of entertainment that redefines shonen storytelling

Dandadan episode 9, titled Merge! Serpo Dover Demon Nessie!, premiered on Friday, November 29, 2024, at 12:26 am JST. The episode adapts the thrilling confrontation between Momo, Okarun, and Aira with the Serpoians, the shrimp-mantis alien, and Nessie.

The action-packed, humor-filled showdown culminates in a surprising and hilarious twist when Okarun and Momo find themselves in an awkward position in the school hallway after the dimension barrier vanishes following their victory.

This Dandadan episode 9 review delves into the anime's core elements, such as production quality, animation, voice acting, story progression, and more, and discusses how Science SARU is successfully bringing Yukinobu Tatsu's acclaimed manga to life with excellence.

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Dandadan episode 9 review: Science Saru delivers yet another unforgettable thrilling comedy

Dandadan episode 9 review: A brief synopsis and narrative criticism

Dandadan episode 9 adapts chapters 21 to 24 and parts of chapter 25 from the manga, beginning with Aira joining the battle using Acrobatic Silky's yokai abilities to protect Okarun. Despite her efforts, the Serpoians' psychic powers and the shrimp-mantis alien overwhelm her and Okarun.

The tide turns when Momo enters the battle, but the Serpoians force the alien to evolve, amplifying its strength. The chaos intensifies when Nessie appears, attacking everyone indiscriminately. Their encounter with the shrimp-mantis also grows intense as the alien grows exponentially stronger in the water.

After a brief retreat, Momo's group watches the last Serpo merge with Nessie and the shrimp-mantis alien in desperation. It creates a hybrid monster with combined abilities under the Serpo's control.

The creature initially overpowers Momo's team, but Momo's quick thinking allows her to exploit its attack recoil and destroy its arms. Then, with Aira's help, Okarun delivers a final full-throttle blow, defeating it.

Momo in Dandadan episode 9 (Image via Science SARU)

The alien dimension collapses, returning Momo and Okarun to the school hallway in an awkward embrace, wearing only their underwear. Their initial relief over the victory soon turns into an awkward encounter as they're caught by their fellow students. The episode ends humorously as the trio scrambles in embarrassment to escape their awkward predicament.

Science SARU's exceptional work delivers another faithful yet enhanced adaptation in the 9th installment of its debut season. The narrative stays true to the essence of the original manga while offering a heightened experience in its animated form.

The bizarre rom-com, alien paranormal setup that defines Dandadan remains intact, adding to the show's unique appeal. The episode skillfully adapts the intense face-off between Momo's group and the Serpoians, alongside the shrimp-mantis alien and Nessie.

Okarun and Momo running away from Nessie's attack (Image via Science SARU)

It strikes a perfect balance between thrilling action and comedic moments, providing a refreshing twist on the typical intense Shonen genre battles. This blend further enhances the distinct charm of Yukinobu Tatsu's masterpiece, bringing it to life in the anime medium with exceptional finesse.

While the narrative leans heavily on action, the consistent humor expertly balances the intensity, maintaining the show's distinctive charm. The characters' constant playful and goofy interactions during the battles provide a lighthearted contrast to the otherwise thrilling fight.

The hilarious and unexpected twist at the end, where Okarun and Momo emerge from the dimension in an awkwardly compromising position, much to the surprise of their fellow students, amplifies the comedy, wrapping up the episode on an amusing and easygoing note.

Overall, Dandadan episode 9 stands out with its well-rounded narrative, once again proving the show's charm as one of the most captivating entries in the genre.

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Dandadan episode 9 review: An overall criticism: Action and humor perfectly executed with Science SARU's best animation

Okarun and Aira in Dandadan episode 9 (Image via Science SARU)

Dandadan episode 9 continues to captivate audiences with its stellar production by Science SARU, marking another standout entry under Fūga Yamashiro's adept direction and Hiroshi Seko's expert scriptwriting. The studio's remarkable attention to detail is evident throughout, delivering a faithful adaptation that enhances the source material in every aspect.

The animation is a true visual delight, showcasing breathtaking attention to detail and intensity in the action sequences and perfectly capturing the thrill of the confrontation. The humor interwoven into the battle is executed with precision, amplifying the show's distinctive charm while maintaining a balance with the action-packed narrative.

Among the noteworthy animation sequences are the portrayal of Nessie, its fusion version with the aliens, and the intense final moments of Momo and group's showdown against this formidable foe.

The intricate work on these scenes reflects the animators' incredible skill and dedication, elevating the episode to new heights and delivering an unforgettable experience, sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

While Naoyuki Onda's character designs remain consistently impressive, Yoshimichi Kameda's supernatural and alien designs truly steal the spotlight in this episode, especially in the intricate rendering of Nessie and its fusion with the Serpoians, and the Mantis-shrimp alien.

The stellar voice acting adds depth to the characters, seamlessly enhancing the already captivating visuals, and the music composition further elevates the overall experience. All these elements blend seamlessly to make Dandadan episode 9 a memorable standout, ensuring fans are left excited for what lies ahead.

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Final thoughts

Momo's group looking at the merged monster (Image via Science SARU)

To sum up, Dandadan episode 9 is yet another spectacular installment that expands on the show's unique elements as Momo and co's confrontations with these otherworldly beings grow even more intense.

This episode highlights Science SARU's commitment to quality, with their detailed production bringing the acclaimed manga to life in an exceptional way, further fortifying Dandadan's place as one of the most noteworthy Fall 2024 anime.

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