Dandadan does a lot of things right. It’s one of the more consistently good series of recent years, and I sometimes take it for granted a bit. But I want to call attention to one specific thing Yukinobu Tatsu does that I really appreciate. I’m a big fan of denouements – they play a vital role in ending a story in satisfying fashion. Some series never give you one – the climax is also the finish. Not only does Tatsu give you a wind-down, he gives you one at the end of every single arc. And in fact, they always involve the characters eating a meal – a tactic inspired by Tatsu’s love of Miyazaki movies. It’s a wonderful feature of his storytelling, and a lot of writers could learn a thing or two from Tatsu in this respect.

Because few series can match Dandadan for sheer manic intensity in its normal mode, these gear changes are especially critical. This episode is very typical of the form – everyone from the Evil Eye affair gathers at Seiko’s house for a meal (and some who weren’t part of it, as Aira is there too). There’s a lot of food, and a lot of physical comedy at the periphery of the screen (like Aira squeeing over Chiquitita). Taro and Seiko go back and forth over his current situation, Eventually Momo and Okarun have some of their flirtiest moments of the series so far. Tatsu makes time for all this, and it’s just as essential as the kitchen sink action sequences and the sakuga.

The Evil Eye thing definitely remains a problem, though. Taro isn’t happy about it, obviously. But above and beyond that he’s not a long-term solution. Turbo Granny (when she’s not inhaling oden or bitching about her missing cushion) makes it very clear – Evil Eye is a serious badass. A mountain spirit, close to a God. It’s only contained because it’s now like a newborn and Jiji has tremendous spiritual power, but eventually it would prove too much for any of them to handle. But the good guys catch a sort of break – it turns out that when splashed with cold water Jiji turns into Evil Eye, but when splashed with hot he turns back into Jiji (which makes Jiji singing the Ranma 1/2 OP altogether fitting).

TBH I was never quite clear on why Jiji is Ranma in this way (no cursed springs are mentioned) but in any event precautions are in order. Everyone is to carry a thermos of hot water at all times, etc.. Mr. Mantis Shrimp – who reveals that his real name is Penīchinkosu (“Peeny-Weeny”)  – and his son make the commute home to the dairy farm where they live. And since that’s right next door it’s a hilariously short one. Later, on the way to visit Jiji’s parents in the hospital, the aforementioned flirtation takes place. And it’s a firm reminder that Okarun and Momo are absolutely adorable together. There’s really no way even Okarun can misinterpret Momo’s actions here, though he does his best to convince himself he can.

Back at the onsen, some of the Kitou have been arrested for illegal confinement. But the matriarch Naki-san is still at-large, and extremely pissed at the way things turned out. And for more reasons than we were aware, since it soon becomes clear there’s something very not-human about her. Naki declares that Ayase Momo is to blame for this turn of events, and that she’s made an enemy of all her kind – the “Subterraneans”. Stay tuned for more on that later, to be sure.

And so begins the era of trying to live with the Evil Eye. Even with Manjiro sticking around to help, containing a power like that is a big ask. The Ranma twist has freed Taro at least, but keeping tabs on Jiji is a full-time job. Momo recruits Okarun and Aira to stay over and help give Seiko and Manjiro a bit of support, and while Aira is as usual totes tsundere about the whole thing, it’s obvious both kids are very pleased by this development. It’s like one big happy family – but it’s only fun and games till somebody spills the soy sauce…