Dandadan: The Evil Eye, Explained

Dandadan: The Evil Eye, Explained

Key Takeaways

  • Evil Eye in Dandadan is a curse spirit causing death on eye contact.
  • Dandadan merges action, comedy, romance, and supernatural elements effectively.
  • Jiji in Dandadan battles the Evil Eye spirit within by controlling hot water.

As someone who’s been immersed in the realm of manga and anime for decades now, I can wholeheartedly say that Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu has truly caught my eye (pun intended). The blend of action, comedy, romance, and supernatural elements is akin to finding a hidden treasure chest in a forest – it’s both unexpected and exhilarating!


As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at Yukinobu Tatsu’s captivating series, “Dandadan”. This extraordinary work masterfully combines the intrigue of science fiction with the mystique of the supernatural, tapping into our deep-seated fascination with the unknown – that which lies beyond our world. Drawing inspiration from urban legends, folklore, and centuries-old unexplained events, “Dandadan” weaves a tapestry of concepts that has kept readers enthralled for generations.

In the anime “Dandadan,” one concept they explore is the Evil Eye, which holds a similarity to the belief found across various geographical regions such as the Mediterranean, Levant, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. However, the portrayal of the Evil Eye in “Dandadan” deviates from traditional beliefs, as it is depicted as a more fantastical entity rather than simply a malevolent glare. The series presents the Evil Eye as a living being with its own consciousness and motivations, adding a unique twist to this ancient belief system.

What Is The Evil Eye Exactly?

The Curse of Evil Intent

Dandadan: The Evil Eye, Explained

The Evil Eye is a curse that humans have believed in since prehistory, and it concerns a malevolent glare (you know, like glaring “daggers” at someone?) cast at someone. The inspiration behind such a curse is usually envy, which is why it is a fairly common idea to delay telling people good news until it is at some point in the past to prevent envious individuals from casting the Evil Eye and thus doing what the cool kids would describe as “blocking your blessings”. Talismans or artifacts created to protect against this curse are thought to date as far back as 5000 years ago, and the most famous ones include the nazar, a bead or amulet fashioned after an eye, which looks like this🧿; and also the hamsa/khamsa, also known as the Hand of Fatima, a palm-shaped amulet depicting the five fingers of the hand that is commonly used as a wall decoration and a well-known protective charm against the Evil Eye.

Across various cultures, the connection between eyes or gazes and misfortune has been portrayed in diverse manners. For example, the myth of Medusa, a Gorgon with hair made of serpents, depicts a fierce creature whose gaze can turn onlookers to stone. Eyes have also been regarded as mirrors to one’s soul throughout history, which might be due to their importance in human perception and understanding of the world, as well as their role in expressing numerous emotions that humans use to convey essential information about feelings or thoughts.

In Dandadan

A Childish Malignant Spirit

Dandadan: The Evil Eye, Explained

In Japanese folklore, the entity known as “Jashi,” or the Evil Eye, is tied to a dwelling inhabited by a creature called Tsuchinoko. Unbeknownst to Jin Enjoji, also known as Jiji and Momo’s friend, he was living in a house with a dark history: for over two centuries, his family had been secretly offering sacrifices to the giant earthworm monster, Tsuchinoko, residing within the dwelling. The Evil Eye is actually the vengeful spirit of a boy who was once sacrificed to the nearby volcano and has remained bound to the site of his tragic death for several years following his sacrifice. As time passed, a house was constructed over the burial site, and a new family moved in, with their young son able to perceive the ghostly presence, but not his parents. Tragically, the family’s life came to an end when the parents took their own lives due to the mental strain caused by Tsuchinoko, driving inhabitants to suicide.

When the decision was made that the child would join in the sacrifices, the malevolent spirit known as the Evil Eye became enraged, overtook the boy’s body, and swore vengeance against those responsible for the ritual killings. In the manga Dandadan, the Evil Eye is a wicked entity that induces self-harm in anyone who looks at it, resembling the Tsuchinoko. Although it had shielded Jiji from the psychic waves of the Tsuchinoko, the Evil Eye ultimately sought to possess Jiji, a character with immense spiritual power and agility. Momo and Okarun soon learn that Jiji can regain control of his body when hot water is applied, with the Evil Eye taking over whenever it encounters a liquid that’s not heated (similar to Ranma 1/2)). Upon viewing its memories, Jiji felt compassion for it and its strong desire to play with other children, but possibly due to its long crusade of revenge, its concepts of play and violence have become entangled. Okarun agrees to satisfy the Evil Eye’s bloodlust once a week if it promises to battle only him and allows Jiji to regain control of his own body.

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2024-10-07 22:04