DanDaDan S2 Ep 12 Review
Do you know what’s more metal than fighting giant monsters inside a giant robot? Absolutely nothing! The Mecha and Kaiju genres are some of Japan’s oldest and most respected cultural exports, and they’ve gained popularity with people around the world. Since DanDaDan is essentially a giant love letter to all things sci-fi and supernatural in Japanese pop culture, including the two is a no-brainer. And with a Space Kaiju baring down on the teens of the series, it only makes sense that they fight it off with a giant mecha for the season finale. And it is everything that the nerdy Konya ever wanted…when it works at least.
YOU! DIG! GIANT ROBOTS!!
In order to fight off the giant, thunder-breathing Space Kaiju trying to kill them, the quintet of Takakura, Momo, Aira, Jiji, and Kinta resort to turning the Ayase House (made out of nanobots) into a weapon that can fight back. Fortunately for everyone, Kinta’s love of mecha anime comes in clutch, turning the house into a buddha-themed combiner robot in the style of Voltron, Power Rangers/Super Sentai, and later versions of Gurren Lagann. That’s the good news about this situation, at least if you’re Kinta.
The bad news is that the Family lacks the teamwork needed to pilot the thing.
I’m not sure how often this is an issue when it comes to combiner mechs, but teamwork is often the most essential thing for making them work right. The Power Rangers and Voltron may make it look easy, but in real-life, coordinating to pilot a giant robot would be very difficult. If one member isn’t in sync, it could derail everything. Case in point, this surprisingly realistic outcome results in Okarun getting ejected, the Evil Eye busting free without caring about what’s going on, and the remaining three getting their butts kicked.
But this is where Kinta starts to show what he is truly capable of, and how there’s more to him than his appearance would suggest.
Don’t Mock Mecha
Much like Okarun before he met Momo, Kinta lived a very lonely life, mocked for his nerdy interests; in his case, for his love of mecha and giant robots. Before anime became mainstream, and even now, that is something that many an unfortunate nerd has had to experience. However, like a true nerd, Kinta refuses to feel bad about liking what he does. Because he knows that at the rate that technology is progressing, the possibility of being able to pilot a giant robot is becoming more and more likely. That’s not even a joke: companies are working on real-life mechas capable of being piloted by humans, and if they got mainstream, they will need capable pilots. And it’s people like Kinta, who understand mecha and sci-fi and trained for them, that will be first in line.
And it is with these burning feelings in his heart that we see Kinta become the mecha pilot he always wanted to be. And it is awesome!
Robot vs. Kaiju!
The fight between the Great Kinta and the Space Kinta is nothing short of epic! It’s the kind of fight that makes any fan of either genre just want to grin from ear to ear. And the way the girls use their own powers to help enhance the Great Kinta mecha! Absolutely insane! And the other two boys manage to be a comedic duo the entire time since all they can do is watch everything! The comedy and action don’t stop!
In the end, the group manages to beat the Space Kaiju, but they come back to reality in the middle of the city. So, they have to hoof it back to the Ayase property with their fallen opponent. And Momo and Aira have to puke from motion sickness, LOL. Besides that, though, Kinta managed to solidify himself as a member of the group. His mecha skills are something else! But believe it or not, the giant robot vs Kaiju fight wasn’t the biggest surprise of the episode. It’s what the boys find inside the Kaiju. Or rather, Kaiju suit.
This whole time, the Space Kaiju was really a suit, and the person piloting it will surprise you.
A New Waifu has Appeared
DanDaDan now has a new waifu. Manga readers have been waiting for her for a while now, but sadly, anime watchers will have to wait until season three. Thankfully, it’s already been confirmed that there will be a third season of the anime. When it will come out, though, is anyone’s guess.
But, since DanDaDan is such a tease, it decides to end the season…with this!
Momo, a fierce rival has just appeared!
GIANT ROBOTS RULE!
