The most recent breakout shonen series, Dandadan, returned with a second season this July after a short break. It resumes from the Cursed House arc, which introduces a brand new cryptid monster, Tsuchinoko. Okarun and Momo are off to defeat this monster to save Jiji’s village, and the monster has attracted interest from the audience. So, what is the Tsuchinoko in Dandadan, and what are its powers and abilities? Let’s find out, as many fans are eager to know more about it.
Mongolian Death Worm in Dandadan
As you know, the antagonists of Dandadan are primarily inspired by the mythical creatures from Japanese Folklore. Tsuchinoko can also be found in folktales, and there were also government-sanctioned expeditions to find this cryptid in real life.
Tsuchinoko is referred to as snake-like beings, and true to that, the Tsuchinoko in Dandadan is a Mongolian Death Worm that resembles a giant snake. If you are wondering why it looks like a sandworm from the Dune universe, it’s because the author was inspired by the same cryptid for his story as well.
As Okarun remarked, the Dandadan version of Tsuchinoko is different in appearance and is also massive in size when compared to a normal Mongolian Death Worm. Tsuchinoko is the main adversary of the Cursed Village arc, whom Okarun and Momo have to defeat.
But this is mistakenly revered as the Great Snake by the residents of Jiji’s village, mainly the Kito family.
Origins of Tsuchinoko in Dandadan
When Momo visits the Tsuchinoko shrine in Jiji’s village, the origins of the tsuchinoko are disclosed to the fans. It is said that this Mongolian Death Worm made its way to Jiji’s village and created its lair within a volcano, which was near the village. And of course, the local villagers, unaware of its true nature, begin to revere it as the Great Snake. They believed that the tsuchinoko’s hunger was the reason behind the volcano getting active.
Therefore, the Kito family and the locals agreed to offer a child as a tribute to tsuchinoko every year. Thereby preventing the eruptions and safeguarding their village from the imminent destruction. What’s even more shocking is the fact that this harrowing ritual has been going on for two centuries now. In the recent episode, it was revealed that the Evil Eye Child was also a victim of this ritual.
Tsuchinoko’s Powers and Abilities in Dandadan
The Tsuchinoko is one of the most powerful antagonists in the Dandadan anime, mainly due to its versatile abilities. So, let’s take a look at its physical features and the supernatural abilities of the Mongolian death worm:
Regeneration
When Okarun smashed his way through the worm’s head, the Tsuchinoko was able to regenerate its entire head. Akin to a few earthworm types in real life, Tsuchinoko can regenerate its lost body parts within its lair. This regeneration feels overpowered, as the worm regenerated repeatedly without any trouble when the Evil Eye possessing Jiji now launched an attack against the Tsuchinoko with a ball made up of spirits.
Suicidal Psychic Waves
One of the deadly abilities of the Tsuchinoko is that it’s capable of emitting psychic waves that can influence its target to take their own lives. The Evil Eye also possesses this very same ability, and it’s rightfully called the Suicidal Psychic Waves. While this sounds like an inescapable attack, you would get lucky if you possess insane spiritual energy or a yokai in this universe.
Electrokinesis
If you think the suicidal waves are deadly, this Mongolian Death Worm has got one more lethal killing technique in it. The worm is also capable of unleashing powerful electrical discharges from its tentacles to electrocute its enemies to death.
Phlegm
Being a worm, it also enables the Tsuchinoko to secrete a viscous fluid that easily traps its prey. When caught within the fluid, its target’s movements are restricted, which further allows the worm to come in and consume its enemies with ease.
Venomous Spores
The Death Worm also has another innate ability that unleashes its poisonous side. Yes, Tsuchinoko can produce spores containing a poisonous toxin. When affected, it leaves its weakened prey in a vulnerable state.
That’s everything we know about the Tsuchinoko, aka the Mongolian Death Worm, from the Dandadan universe. It was one of the memorable antagonists inspired by the cryptids claimed to have been seen in real life. That said, let us know your thoughts about this adversary in the comments below.
