Does the Evil Eye become good in Dandadan? Explained

Dandadan's most fearsome yokai began as a sacrificial child whose dying wish turned into centuries of bloodthirsty rage. The Evil Eye depicts one of the shadiest spirits in the supernatural landscape, having power that can push people to madness with a glance. Yet beneath this monstrous manifestation lies a heartbreaking truth about innocence fouled by human cruelty.

The Evil Eye in Dandadan experiences a deep shift from destroyer to protector, though this transformation defies standard notions of redemption. Through Jiji's compassion and Okarun's strategic thinking, the malicious spirit learns to channel its destructive impulses into controlled interactions.

The Evil Eye's combative nature originates from a childhood concussion and sacrifice by the Kito family, who picked him as a young boy to calm the Tsuchinoko and save their community from volcanic destruction. This origin reveals that the yokai’s malice stemmed not from natural wickedness but from human neglect and cruelty.

The child’s naive desire to play with others twisted into something far darker after his death. His spirit remained tied to the earth, driven by resentment and isolation. This backstory breeds Dandadan’s tendency to craft hostile supernatural foes whose tragic histories explain their aggression.

Jiji's Unwitting Partnership in Dandadan

When the Evil Eye encounters Jiji (Jin Enjoji), it initially appears to be another issue of supernatural parasitism. However, the connection becomes more subtle as events develop. The yokai had been inadvertently shielding Jiji from the Tsuchinoko's psychic attacks, forming an involuntary symbiotic relationship.

The Evil Eye ultimately wanted to possess Jiji, who has exceptional spiritual abilities, making him an ideal vessel for the yokai's power. This possession in Dandadan alters the dynamic from protection to control, as the spirit gains entry to Jiji's remarkable psychic potential.

The defining point in the Evil Eye’s storyline occurs when Jiji witnesses the yokai’s past and comes to grasp its suffering. Rather than seeking exorcism, Jiji chooses kindness. He realizes that under the murderous rage lies a lonely child who simply wanted friendship and companionship.

This decision fundamentally changes their relationship in the Dandadan series. Instead of being possessed against his will, Jiji willingly becomes the Evil Eye's partner. The yokai finds someone who genuinely understands its suffering and offers the friendship it had always craved.

Okarun's Clever Solution

The Evil Eye strikes an agreement with Okarun to challenge only him in arranged battles, lessening the danger it poses to the rest of the group. This arrangement showcases Dandadan's unique approach to conflict resolution through understanding rather than destruction.

Okarun realizes that the Evil Eye’s aggression comes from its desire for play and communion. By accepting regular battles, he diverts this destructive urge into a structured and mutual outlet. In return, the yokai swears to leave innocent people unharmed, honoring their contract.

Trending

The story avoids illustrating straightforward heroes and villains, instead stressing how trauma and circumstances affect actions. The Evil Eye’s “goodness” isn’t a full moral shift but rather a redirection of its nature into less destructive paths.

Whether the Evil Eye turns “good” in Dandadan is not easily answered. The yokai never undergoes a full moral shift that eliminates its darker instincts. Instead, it finds healthier outlets for its elemental needs and desires. While the yokai may never be truly "good" in a conventional sense, it becomes something far more interesting.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback