Well, that was certainly a statement episode from Science Saru. These things are all planned out well in advance of course, but the timing makes it feel like they heard all the carping about declining production values and delivered a monster ep in response. I have no doubt that we’ll see peaks and valleys going forward, and that production conditions are likely pretty rough – this is Science Saru, that’s just what they do. But there’s still a ton of talent behind this adaptation, and it’s clear they’re saving their powder for the big moments.

This is a complicated situation for the good guys, to say the least. They’re fighting two nasty enemies in the Mongolian Death Worm and briefs boy Evil Eye. Not only that but E.E. is Jiji, and it’s not like Okarun and Momo are looking to haul ass out of there and leave him behind. Trapped underground with no way to reach the distant opening to the surface all seems lost, but Okarun comes up with a plan – go into turbo mode and kick Momo as far as he can (with an ancient couch for buffering), and have her use her powers to get the rest of the way. She’s understandably hesitant but with no other options presenting themselves, finally relents.

In practical terms this clears the stage for Jiji and Okarun to go all-out. And go all out they do, along with the animators. It definitely seems like Evil Eye has the edge in strength here, and even in Turbo Granny form Okarun is mostly dodging and running. Meanwhile the giant earthworm is pumping out poison into the dank air, which not even Jiji’s possessed vessel is immune to. Momo does get out (barely) but that’s a long way from being able to do anything to save the others (which includes Turbo Granny herself, who’s AWOL for most of the episode, a fact about which no one seems much concerned).

This fight is a flat-out cracker, elegant and vicious at the same time. I’d go so far as to say it’s the best action sequence of the second season thus far, and one of the best of the series. Meanwhile Momo, in desperation, sets fire to the house. When I read this bit I assumed she was going to try and use the firehose to pull the boys to safety, but she was more in chess mode than that. Thinking back to an osananajimi-time conversation with Jiji, she remembers than an earthworm breathes through its skin. As such, when the ground gets saturated they come to the surface – and if the sun is out, shrivel up and die. In chibi-Jiji’s words, “earthworm suicide”.

That works – but not before the Evil Eye and Turbo Okarun bring their battle to a truly epic (if intermediate) conclusion. Pissed off Okarun going All-Out is enough to stop E.E. in his tracks, though that’s the second time which means he’s unable to return to turbo form to try and get Jiji – and eventually Turbo Granny – rescued. She’s stuck in death worm mucus, and he gets himself stuck trying to get her out. Back on the surface the giant earthworm coughs up the entire Kito clan (still alive) in what appears to be its dying act. But they don’t seem at all grateful, for reasons that will soon become clear.

Japan, of course, is home to limitless ancient legends about giant underground creatures and earthquakes – causing them and preventing them. I don’t think anyone would defend the Kito method in keeping the Mongolian Death Worm placated for all those years, but could it be that they might just have had a point? Judging by the results of its apparent death, it’s certainly looking that way…