Dandadan surprises with his best episode so far

The most recent episode of the "Dandadan" anime, titled "To a Kinder World" (Episode 7), has been met with praise and tears from fans, cementing itself as one of the most touching and darkest moments in the series so far. Directed by Fuga Yamashiro and composed by Hiroshi Seko, this episode marks a significant change in the tone of the series, moving away from the characteristic humor and embracing a deeply melancholic and human tale.

Since its inception, "Dandadan" has been a series that combines the absurd with the supernatural, featuring unique adventures starring Momo and Okarun. However, Episode 7 stands out for its darker and more emotional approach, focusing on the heartbreaking story of Acrobatic Silky and his connection to Aira Shiratori. This episode sets aside the usual action and humor to explore themes such as loss, regret, and maternal love in a surprisingly intimate and painful way.

The episode opens with a frenetic scene that quickly turns into an intense battle against Acrobatic Silky. However, the dramatic twist comes when it is revealed that Aira Shiratori, the self-proclaimed beauty queen of Kami Academy, is dead. This gives way to a second act that delves into Acrobatic Silky's past, presenting her not only as a fearsome antagonist, but as a loving mother caught in a tragedy.

Science Saru's animation has been acclaimed for its ability to convey complex emotions through its visual details, such as the contrast between the warmth of happy moments and the darkness of the darker ones. The absence of dialogue during the saddest scenes, accompanied only by a melancholy piano melody, intensified the emotional charge of the episode.

Kikuko Inoue, who voices Acrobatic Silky, and Shion Wakayama, as Momo, have been praised for their performances. Inoue perfectly captures the transition from a terrifying spirit to a mother filled with regret, while Wakayama brings empathy and depth to moments of emotional connection.

Fans were quick to express their reaction on social media:

"I didn't know your heart could break twice. Reading the manga was hard, but seeing this animated was even sadder."
"I couldn't have imagined a more perfect adaptation. I'm crying a lot. This shows how incredibly human Yokai can be compared to aliens. This was something special."
"I've been waiting all week for this episode! I have the tissues ready... The tears are going to overflow today. I can't wait to see the reactions of those who only watch the anime!"
"I'm going to go hug my children."
"Damn, Science Saru went to great lengths with this backstory."
"I... I was a mess, crying a lot. PERFECT episode. Kensuke Ushio did an amazing job with the soundtrack. I'm glad they kept quiet most of the time and only used music. For some reason, this all reminded me of an episode of Paranoia Agent. The art direction and music felt like something... beyond normal, if that makes sense."
"I read the manga, so I thought it wouldn't affect me as much, but seeing that little girl moving and talking made this a lot sadder. On a lighter note, it's a little funny how it looks like Aira inherited her natural pink hair from her mother."
"They were already doing an amazing job with the animation, but this time something felt a little more special. I don't know what it was, but it felt like pure cinema."
"For completely understandable reasons, they omitted prostitution and suicide, leaving them only to be hinted at. Still, the effect was just as powerful as in the manga, thanks to the animation and music. Science Saru took it out of the park with this adaptation. Seriously, it made me cry, and I'm sure many others did too. Tell your mothers you love them, guys. Go and hug your sons and daughters, mothers."
"I'm new to the show, and this just destroyed me inside."
"The piano in this episode was amazing. The animation of this anime is something out of this world."
"The photorealistic montage was a great detail. I never realized that Acro Silky's dress was the one her daughter wore. What an amazing way to extend the episode with editing. And finally, that destroyed me again."
"This line killed me: 'If you had been someone else's daughter, you would have been much happier. You were miserable with me. I'm so sorry." The poor woman gave her all to give her daughter happiness as best she could, and yet she felt that it was not enough."
"When I read the manga, I didn't cry one bit with Acro Silky's backstory, even though I knew how sad it was even for me. But I also knew that if this scene made it to the anime, I would cry my eyes out, no matter how hard I tried to contain myself. So."