Dandadan love story is very cute

Key conclusions

• Dandadan episode 5 surpasses episode 4 with an exciting romantic plot and effective storytelling.
• The chemistry between Okorun and Ayase grows and their depth is reflected in the gorgeous character animation.
• Episode 5 sets up an exciting new storyline almost as perfectly as the season premiere.

Warning: The following contains minor spoilers for Dundodan Episode 5, Like, Where Are Your Eggs?!, which is now streaming on Crunchyroll.

No need to say so Dandadan got off to a strong start, from a near-perfect premiere to a grand finale to the first arc, but the sequels couldn't have started on a higher note. Now that the introduction is over, it feels like this is the true beginning of what the rest of the series looks like, and if the goal was to get the audience excited, it achieved it, as did the first episode.

Last week, Okorun and Ayase encountered Turbo Granny, leading to a mad dash across town, running from the spirits of the dead, one giant crab spirit, and Granny herself. Eventually they managed to chase her away, and with the matter seemingly settled, they parted ways, content knowing that they would see each other again at school the next day and resume their daily routines.

Misunderstandings, drafting and missing appendices

Calling Episode 4 boring would be a crime – it was a great episode, but it's so funny that Episode 5 might top it just based on how exciting the romance is. The bulk of this episode feels like a quick run-through of every rom-com subplot with misunderstandings, but don't mistake its brevity for anticipation. It's just an effective narrative that shows how close these two weirdos could become after such a crazy experience together.

Love sometimes fails because, in its infancy, trying to understand another person's heart can look like trying to understand another language, the barrier to which is the expanse of the sea. Love, on the other hand, is absolutely thrilling because it fills moments of inactivity with joy, like a pleasant melody stuck in your head, the lyrics of which are the same indecipherable language. This episode captures both extremes in the most wonderful way.

I want to talk about ghosts/aliens!

The character acting as shown in the animation has yet to disappoint or even embarrass, and seeing this couple so restless thinking about each other is a joy to behold. As the school day approaches, the giddy excitement turns to boredom, and the picture does a great job of showing just how much thought they've had – especially Okorun. DandadanThe character designs are always the coolest, but the posing of the characters contributes a lot to that charisma.

By the time dinner starts, the two try to find each other and can't find each other, all the while fearing that they've upset their friend. It looks like a classic setup, but like everything else, it's done beautifully. Once they finally find each other, it's impossible not to smile from ear to ear. First, they mercifully clear up the misunderstanding almost immediately, but even better, it's really nice to see what they both look like through the eyes of the characters in the background.

Okorun and Ayase really suit each other

Ayase has always been characterized as outgoing, but from the perspective of the other students, Okorun is anything but. What makes their budding romance so exciting is that they've each brought out a lot of the other's depth while together, and because they're both so goofy, their chemistry isn't exactly subtle. Every shot of Ayase's friends reacting to their fight is pure gold.

It's like a mirror that reflects the audience's reaction, and it's fully deserved thanks to the synergy of the animation and music, perfectly blended to keep the viewer spellbound. The track that plays when Okorun and Ayase start to fight and throw themselves is the same as the track from the end of Episode 1 and is possibly the best song on the soundtrack so far. He's so infectiously happy and so uniquely crafted that he elevates almost any stage he's on.

Okorun just can't catch a break

The last half of the episode seeks to resolve the underlying tension between Okarun and Ayase, and it does so – in part – through good old fashioned revenge. This episode introduces a new main character to the cast, Ira Shiratori, and it's by no means an auspicious debut – not that there's much time left to dwell on what a jerk she is before Ayase comes to humiliate her. It's an incredible scene in an already packed episode that offers even more.

The real quest for Dandadan begins

Okorun lost his eggs, and Turba Grandma didn't die, but it wasn't all bad. Honestly, the next stage of the adventure starts off even more exciting than Episode 1. Turbo Granny might have lost Okaruna's eggs, but now that they're trapped in the doll, he can keep her spiritual energy, which means he can transform on his own. And, by God, this is a stupidly cool design.

Dandadan continues to forge ahead with serious style, fun characters, and an increasingly charming script aimed squarely at the heart. These two have such amazing chemistry, and whether they're fighting for their lives or just hanging out, it's very hard for this show to go wrong when they're on screen together.