How Jiji’s Introduction Will Change Okarun and Momo’s Relationship

Summary

• Jiji’s arrival complicates Okarun and Momo’s relationship, sparking jealousy and competition.
• Okarun’s jealousy pushes him to realize his true feelings for Momo, leading to a possible confession of love.
• While Jiji may cause problems, his presence ultimately strengthens Okarun and Momo’s relationship in Dandadan.

This article contains spoilers for season 1, episode 10, “Have You Ever Seen a Cattle Mutilation?”, and season 1, episode 11, “First Love”, of Dandadan, now streaming on Crunchyroll & Netflix.As Momo and Okarun have become progressively closer in the Dandadan anime, there have been a few things that have put a wrench in their relationship. Not only do they frequently fight with each other, but the introduction of other high school peers, such as Aira, has made things difficult between the two heroes. Another character, Jiji, has now been introduced as well.

Jiji is an old friend of Momo’s, and was also apparently her first love in Dandadan. After he is brought into Momo’s home with her grandmother in Episode 10, things between Okarun and Momo are about to become even more complicated than ever before.

Who is Jiji In Dandadan?

Jiji’s Past and Relationship With Momo

In Dandadan, Jiji is introduced in Episode 10, arriving at Momo Ayase and her grandmother’s house. Momo’s grandmother, Seiko, keeps it very vague as to why Jiji is now living in their house, and Jiji does the same for a little bit, due to his playful and unserious personality. However, a personal moment between Jiji and Momo allows him to tell her about what has happened to him and his family, and how his home had become possessed by some kind of evil spirit. His parents had become hospitalized, and he had contacted just about every spirit medium to fix the problem, but most of the mediums ended up dead.

This is when Jiji turned to Seiko Ayase, as she was the only remaining option to find out what happened to his parents and their home. For the time being, he has returned to the area and has started attending Kami High alongside Okarun, Momo, and Aira. Jiji also mentions that he can now see ghosts like the rest of the gang, making him the perfect candidate to be a new addition to their group. However, his previous relationship with Momo stirs up some mixed emotions in Okarun, similar to Momo’s reaction to Okarun’s relationship with Aira.

How Will He Negatively Affect Their Relationship?

How Will Jiji Cause Problems Between Okarun and Momo?

Similar to the relationship between Okarun and Aira, Jiji’s introduction has a strong potential to make Okarun particularly jealous, as shown in Episode 11. The minute Okarun is informed that Jiji was Momo’s first love, he starts to see the two in a different light, becoming jealous and believing that Momo is most likely still interested in him, especially due to his looks and immense popularity. Momo will have plenty of time to spend with Jiji as well, since he will be living with her and Seiko.

Not only do Momo and Jiji have a long history, since they’ve known each other since childhood, Momo also seems to fight with Jiji in a way similar to Okarun. This could lead to Okarun feeling like he has to compete with Jiji to get Momo’s attention, and it seems that Jiji has an interest in Momo, making Okarun believe he has tough competition. Momo and Jiji now have something in common as well, with Jiji’s newfound ability to see ghosts, leading Okarun to believe that Momo will quickly move on to Jiji and take interest in his hobbies and leave him behind.

I can’t watch Miss Ayase amicably talk to that guy any longer. I’ll try not to see her anymore. — Okarun

As fans will notice towards the end of season 1, episode 11, “First Love”, Jiji attempts to protect Momo from the loose anatomical model Taro, who is running away as he attempts to get to his true love, Hana. It seems he is clearly trying to get Momo’s attention and win her over, despite the fact that he often likes to flirt with other girls in class. Overall, fans can easily tell that Jiji’s presence will take a hit to Okarun’s confidence towards his relationship with Momo.

How Will He Positively Affect Their Relationship?

How Can Jiji Bring Them Closer Together?

Although Jiji’s introduction will bring up jealous reactions and feelings from Okarun, there’s a lot to his presence that will allow Momo and Okarun to make their relationship stronger. To start, Okarun has already cleared up with Momo in season 1, episode 10, “Have You Ever Seen a Cattle Mutilation?”, that he is not actually interested in Aira, so Momo knows that Okarun has an interest in her. Now, it’s Momo’s turn to reveal her lack of interest in Jiji to Okarun, as is blatantly clear with her continued interest in impressing Okarun and her disdain for Jiji’s childish actions.

Jiji’s presence in Momo’s life has also forced Okarun to realize his true feelings and how deeply he cares for Momo. He’s forced to take notice of his intense jealousy whenever Momo is with Jiji, and, eventually, gives a hint that he loves her towards the end of episode 11. When the anatomical model, Taro, finds his true love, Hana, he gives a speech to her that clearly resonates with Okarun. This speech includes a profession of love, and reiterating that her presence has made his life more colorful. Okarun is moved by this speech, and viewers will notice flashbacks of moments between Okarun and Momo, leading to a possible profession from Okarun to Momo.

Everything changed after I met you. My world used to be grey, but thanks to you, it became so colorful. — Taro

As Okarun might feel he has someone to compete with now, this means that Jiji’s introduction will actually have more of a positive effect on Okarun and Momo’s relationship in Dandadan. Okarun will feel obligated to recognize his feelings more swiftly, leading to a possible confession of love to Momo in the near future. As most of their fights often come from misunderstandings, the two will soon enough realize how they both care for each other deeply, and Aira and Jiji will be two characters that help the two to realize it.

Dandadan is available to stream on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu.