Dan Da Dan season 1 ending explained: How does it set up season 2?

As a long-time fan of anime, I must say that Dan Da Dan has quickly become one of my favorites. The unique blend of comedy and suspense keeps me on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting each new episode.

It’s hard to think of an anime that was wilder or more successful than Dan Da Dan this year.

Through the captivating narrative of Yukinobu Tatsu, we’ve ventured to some extraordinary realms in the course of season 1, following the tale of a psychic girl and her bond with a boy enamored by extraterrestrial life.

The initial eleven episodes span a wide range of topics, including tales about lost testicles, an affectionate relationship with a mannequin, encounters with the Loch Ness Monster, and a deeply moving ghost tale that will bring tears to your eyes.

What can we anticipate in the last episode (the 12th one) of season 1? Contrary to popular belief, “Let’s Go to the Cursed House” is not as wildly unsettling as it sounds. Instead, it delves deeper into the character growth and developments, rather than solely focusing on terrifying demonic or extraterrestrial threats.

But those are there too, of course, only coming to the fore at the end in a surprise cliffhanger that’s set to continue in the already-confirmed second season. Let’s see how it plays out.

Dan Da Dan season 1 ending explained

The story opens as Okarun and Momo Ayase petition Seiko Ayase, their grandmother, for permission to have Hana reside at the Ayase household.

Hana, surprisingly, is an anatomical model that has developed feelings for another possessed model named Taro. It turns out that Taro will continue his work in the chemistry lab as usual, but during the night he secretly meets up with Hana, whom we call the “Lover’s Lodge for animated anatomical models,” as Seiko playfully nicknames it.

As I stand by, I can’t help but notice an intriguing altercation unfolding between Turbo Granny and Momo’s friend Jiji in the periphery. You see, Turbo Granny isn’t just any ordinary granny; she’s a maneki-neko, a Japanese cat doll with a spirit of its own. And that spirit? It’s always on edge, making her quite irritable at times. So, it seems Jiji is now the latest victim of her restless disposition.

That’s when Momo reveals she’s planning to sleep over at Jiji’s house to help exorcise whatever evil entity has recently made his parents sick. The job might take a while, and his family home is in a mountain springs town some way away.

At this moment, Okarun feels an overwhelming surge of jealousy, yet surprisingly, Momo had planned to invite him along all along, as he confessed later: “I’m not sure I can pull it off without you.

Get the hint, Okarun. She’s keen!

Later, we shift focus to the school where four students secretly entered after dark for some fun with a Ouija board. However, unlike past scenes showing chaos at the school, these kids are taken aback as Taro charges towards them at full speed, eager to escape and reunite with Hana in the Ayase residence.

In a very energetic manner, Taro bursts through a window and sprints swiftly down the street, only to be struck by a vehicle, causing the toy to break apart into numerous smaller, yet conscious fragments.

Momo spends the night chatting with Hana outside, offering comfort while Hana waits for Taro. However, Momo dozes off before she can gather herself to join them indoors. The scene shifts to the following morning, where a tender moment unfolds between the two friends as they embrace, accompanied by soft, romantic music. Momo wipes away her sleepy drool from her face.

DAN DA DAN SEASON 2 JULY 2025

— Netflix (@netflix) December 19, 2024

Following an unexpected yet amusing introduction, the sequence unfolds, leading me to find Momo, Okarun, and Jiji engrossed in a game of Old Maid while aboard a train, waiting for their arrival at Jiji’s residence.

Jiji and Momo share a special moment reminiscing about the sweet treats they shared with an elderly woman as children, which only serves to exacerbate Okarun’s jealousy.

Focusing too much on his lost testicle doesn’t solve anything in the long run, so he decides to outsmart Jiji by discussing exotic topics like aliens and cryptids. However, things don’t go as planned when Jiji unexpectedly shows genuine interest in these subjects and even refers to Okarun as a friend. It’s challenging not to admire someone who’s so kind-hearted, he exclaims.

In a charming hot spring town, the eerie residents with their chilling grins from shadowy homes cast an unsettling vibe that our favorites seem to notice. However, the children remain oblivious as they are engrossed in figuring out how to manage not just one, but two seemingly endless sets of stairs. Jiji sprints up them with excitement, while Momo and Okarun struggle to ascend as much as they can.

Upon arriving at Jiji’s house, Momo finds nothing unusual or strange, contrary to what other mediums have described as “the most evil thing ever.” It seems the spirits may be keeping a low profile today, considering a spooky figure is now lurking among the trees, watching them closely.

Momo, feeling restless from the wait, decides to explore one of the nearby hot springs. This leaves the others an opportunity to connect without her, as she believes the spirits are more lively during twilight hours anyway.

Jiji motivates Okarun to try football, and as expected, he struggles with it. Yet, Jiji remains patient, comforting this clumsy boy that it’s alright to make mistakes. However, what makes Okarun uneasy is when Jiji unexpectedly poses a challenging question: “By any chance, do you have feelings for Momo?

Sure thing!

Momo isn’t cognizant of what’s happening around her, as she’s preoccupied with relaxing at the springs. Unbeknownst to her, nearby residents are observing her closely. After a while, Momo senses the water becoming too warm and decides to leave before it makes her feel woozy and faint.

At that moment, she realizes the walls surrounding the open-air hot spring are taller than usual, blocking the scenic vista. Could it be they’re intentionally concealing the activities within from the external world?

Suddenly, a door swings wide, revealing four peculiar gentlemen who stride towards the water, commenting among themselves about Momo being “incredibly adorable”.

Initially, she’s hesitant to depart because she’s uncomfortable around them, even though it’s a shared, co-ed sauna. However, Momo eventually discerns that these men are dangerous predators who intend to harm her. The glowing eyes serve as a warning sign that something is amiss as well.

The issue is that Momo is feeling dizzy due to the hot water, and with her weakened condition, she fears her psychic abilities may not be sufficient to fend off the men. Before she even has a chance to protect herself, the group’s leader seizes Momo, forcing her underwater in an attempt to drown our beloved psychic.

Meanwhile, the boys are engrossed in their dispute over Momo, oblivious to her situation. It isn’t until Okarun takes a closer look at Jiji’s house that he notices something peculiar – it appears smaller on the outside than what’s inside, much like the Doctor Who character TARDIS but reversed.

Jiji investigates with a hammer, knocking through a hollow wall which hides a secret room. The house is a rental, but he’s too worried about his parents being sick to care. Inside, layer upon layer of weird paper charms can be seen lining the entire room as a strange wind rustles them from within.

What does that ghostly cliffhanger mean for season 2?

Here’s my take on paraphrasing your sentence in a more conversational and first-person style:

In simpler terms, the ending doesn’t have a lot of dramatic build-up you might expect from finales. Instead, it focuses more on the emotional growth of characters Okarun and Jiji, as opposed to an exciting, action-packed finale we typically see in many episodes.

That’s not to say fans can’t expect big things from Dan Da Dan season 2, though.

Readers of Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga will discover that the Cursed House arc, teased as the most thrilling part of the narrative so far, is only getting started.

Delving deeper into the intriguing lore of the serpentine entity known as Tsuchinoko, I can’t help but feel a shiver run down my spine at the thought of how deeply entwined it is with the village’s history and destiny. This enigmatic figure seems to hold the key to both our past and future, and the chilling tales of human sacrifices hint at a path fraught with peril for our brave heroes as they navigate the labyrinthine mysteries that surround this ancient deity.

I’ve got some intriguing news: The next season, which is slated for July 2025, will be the return of our favorite show. If you can’t wait that long, you might as well delve into the manga ahead of time. But let me warn you, even knowing the story won’t fully prepare you for the madness this arc will bring to life on screen. It’s going to be a wild ride!

2024-12-20 14:35

Dan Da Dan season 1 ending explained

What does that ghostly cliffhanger mean for season 2?

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