Dandadan continues to release hits with One Fierce Granny.

Key Takeaways

• Episode 3 of Dandadan features intense character introductions and builds on the dynamic chemistry between Okarun and Ayase.
• The show compares its tone and exploration of the supernatural to Mob Psycho 100 amidst the natural skepticism its subjects draw from their everyday lives.
• Seiko's one-sided defeat against Turbo Granny is heightened by a great vocal performance, conveying a lot about her character in just a few minutes.

WARNING: The following contains minor spoilers for Dandadan, Episode 3, “It's a Granny vs. Granny Clash!,” now streaming on Crunchyroll.

latest episode Dan Dan Dan It peaks earlier this week thanks to some intense character introductions, then follows with more of Okarun and Ayase's winning chemistry. We're overestimating the big showdown that will probably conclude the first major arc of the story before moving on to the next outrageous event that will threaten the lives of these two kids.

Last week, Okarun and Ayase faced off against the Flatwoods Monster, who trapped them in the grounds of Ayase's home when the protective amulet was removed from the front door. After a brilliant battle, they eventually defeated the monster, Ayase fainted from exhaustion, and Okarun fell under Granny Turbo's curse, leaving her defenseless.

What Danda Dan and Mob Psycho 100 have in common

Since the broadcast began, comparisons have been made naturally. Mob Psycho 100From the aesthetic to the vibrant animation, and more than anything, the tone felt particularly similar this week. mob psychoThe logline was about a fake medium working with real psychics to deal with paranormal events. Comedy derives from a natural skepticism toward so-called “mediums” and the theatricality or seriousness they represent.

Dan Dan DanThe third episode begins in much the same way, with Seiko Ayase appearing on a local weekly show under the name Santa Dodoria, a psychic. She may look like any other fake, but behind that cheap exterior she is more real than anyone can imagine, and the illusion mob psycho and Dan Dan Dan It's so fun to the core. Initially, it is an exploration of the paranormal based on severe skepticism.

Seiko's Amazing Character Revealed

The first six minutes of this episode have only one goal: to make Seiko look as cool as humanly possible, and that's an accomplishment that's easily achieved with a few strong directing choices. Her designs are wild and convey youthful sexuality while never contradicting her commanding aura that conveys years of experience. Her vocal performances in both Japanese and English complete the character in this sense. If that voice doesn't convey that wisdom, it won't be effective at all.

Kari Wahlgren (Haruko) FLCL) is truly one of the best voice actors of our time, and she is totally present in her role here. The way she adds a hint of poignancy to her tone and punctuates sentences with “Hun” is top notch script writing for dubbing. This isn't just a translation of the original script, it also conveys important speech patterns for her, which are small touches but add a lot of character.

Seiko Stomp Turbo Granny

This is not a fight because it is a one-sided beating. It makes it thrilling to watch as it tells the viewer so much about the character in just a few minutes. Seiko brings a lot to her, from aesthetics to performance to ability, but the coolest thing about her is how intentional her every move is. Every pause has a purpose. When she makes her presence known to Grandma Turbo to size up the enemy or make a plan, her plan is already in place.

Her barrier technology is built on simple mechanics that can be easily understood with little explanation, but the way they're presented makes them feel much more complex. The way her baseball bat acts as a giant jagged pencil, marking chunks of graphite in the dirt is a truly bizarre yet creative touch. Whether it's the sound of a pencil going in or a bat hitting a nail into the ground, it's all highlighted by great sound design.

It may not be as frenetic as the fights in previous episodes, but the direction is as strong as ever, and the patience with which Seiko dispatches her prey speaks to her professionalism. When she looks down at Turbo Granny from just a few inches away, she has such a striking and unforgettable presence. Even as Turbo Granny soars above her, that confidence is barely masked. This is a great example of using a fight scene to not only introduce the characters but also get to know them.

How Seiko Changed World Building

Another interesting detail is how Seiko's abilities and status in the supernatural realm differ from her granddaughter's. Ayase suddenly returns home not only believing that her grandmother is a psychic, but also claiming that her telekinetic powers have been lifted. In any other story, this would be the moment where the older character exposes the secrets of the world and teaches the young people how to control their powers, but it doesn't work out that way.

Rather, Seiko seems unaware of Ayase's power, and lacks the same power herself. Her powers are largely derived from other sources, which only serves to make this story's power scaling more confusing. Alternatively, if Seiko knows more than she lets on, this may be part of her protective nature. She may have taught Ayase about spirits when she was young, but it was to keep her safe, not necessarily to make her a psychic.

Episode 3, Preparing for a Great Rematch

The rest of the episode is solid. Ayase wakes up and apologizes to her grandmother for not trusting her for so long, but is understandably annoyed that she made her think Okarun was dead in the first place. The main pair are constantly friendly one minute and at each other's throats the next, but they're absolutely adorable regardless. After two near-death experiences, they're not strangers at all, and it's clear this week that they will remain friends even after this is resolved.

But there's a part of Okarun that worries about disappointing Ayase and ruining their budding friendship. This is something he has longed for for a long time. As usual, Dan Dan Dan It excels at balancing very moving character writing with chaotic action. The episode begins with the final battle with Turbo Granny and ends with the conclusion of an overall great introductory arc.