In the quiet, predawn hours of Kamigoe City, the invincible tandem of Momo Ayase and Okarun, alias Ken Takakura, is thrust into the eye of a supernatural tempest. Episode 2, "That's a Space Alien, Ain't It?!," embarks on a wild adventure where the boundaries between the tangible and the ethereal blur, challenging the duo's indomitable spirit.
The episode resumes with Momo in a state of disbelief over Okarun's moniker, which she shares with her legendary acting idol. Amidst a light-hearted interlude, she persists in calling him Okarun, a nickname he grudgingly adopts, setting the stage for an episode that blends humor with looming, sinister threats.
As dawn breaks, Momo ponders whether Turbo Granny's ghostly visage might lose its potency under the daylight's gaze. However, her brief moment of relief is swiftly shattered as they realize the supernatural realm doesn't adhere to the laws of the mundane world. Their plan to take refuge in Momo's home is thwarted upon arrival, when they discover the talisman, designed to fend off evil spirits, still missing from the family gate.
Okarun's attempt to cross the threshold results in a hilarious yet harrowing spectacle where he is consumed by flames, only to be rescued by Momo's psychic prowess, which launches him into a nearby rice field. This incident uncovers the existence of a spiritual barrier, enriching the lore of the series and underscoring the Ayase family's pivotal role in it.
Inside the house, the duo encounters another startling revelation: the mysterious disappearance of Okarun's private parts, a bizarre consequence of Turbo Granny's curse. This absurd twist adds an extra layer of surreality to the narrative, while simultaneously emphasizing the dire straits they face. The spat that erupts between Momo and Okarun over the wager that led to their predicament is abruptly cut short by the chilling chime of the doorbell, heralding the arrival of an ominous evil spirit.
The arrival of the towering Flatwoods Monster, a spectral anomaly beyond comprehension, marks a dramatic spike in the narrative's intensity. Ensnared by a mysteriously erected stone wall that encircles Momo's humble abode, they are thrust into a harrowing confrontation with this extraterrestrial menace. The monster's menacing presence and the subsequent turmoil underscore the series' prowess in adeptly intertwining elements of horror, humor, and adrenaline-fueled action.
Momo's nimble wit and formidable psychic abilities are stretched to their utmost limits as she strives to quell Okarun's metamorphosis into Turbo Granny, all while engaging in a fierce battle with the Flatwoods Monster. Okarun's hare-brained suggestion to unleash a fraction of the curse to combat the alien adversary is a perilous wager, potentially sacrificing his very humanity. The spectacle of his transformation, harnessing Turbo Granny's immense power, epitomizes the series' dedication to high-energy action sequences and eye-catching visuals.
The subsequent battle is a thrilling rollercoaster ride, with Momo and Okarun synergizing to outfox the Flatwoods Monster. Momo's astute observation that the beast adopts a sumo wrestler's stance inspires a clever maneuver to compel it to touch the earth, a move that could seal its fate. Yet, the creature's unyielding durability and Momo's dwindling stamina forge a cliffhanger that grips the audience's collective heartstrings.
The episode culminates in a harrowing gambit by Momo, who, in a final, desperate bid to vanquish the Flatwoods Monster, employs her psychic prowess to affix the talisman back onto the gate, incinerating the creature in a blazing inferno. The triumph, however, comes at a steep price: Momo collapses from exhaustion, and without her powers to reign in Okarun's transformation, he completely morphs into Turbo Granny.
"DAN DA DAN" Season 1, Episode 2 stands as a paragon of pacing, skillfully balancing character evolution with high-stakes adventure. The episode concludes with more questions than answers, setting the stage for an exhilarating continuation of Momo and Okarun's supernatural odyssey. As they grapple with the intricacies of their newly acquired powers and the omnipresent peril posed by otherworldly beings, one thing is unequivocally clear: their journey is merely at its nascent stage.
