I wasn’t expecting so much in Dandadan’s nineteenth volume. All I thought I’d get was the end of the board game arc, as well as the gang taking down the Fairy-Tale Card. But no. This volume also delivers some shocking closures, as well as a reunion that makes Okarun whole again.

The Fairy-Tale Card attempts to escape the board game, leaving everyone else behind to be trapped. That’s when Turbo Granny asks Rin to get Mai’s help to deal with the oncoming enemy. However, because Mai hates Turbo Granny, she refuses. Instead, she gets Rin to do most of the heavy work. And what better way to take down an evil entity than with some idol music!

Rin’s dream to become a singer comes into play, as Mai transforms her into an idol with clothes that…well, I’ve seen idols performing in their underwear before. What Rin wears is not as bad as that! Despite the odd wardrobe choice, Rin sings with gusto, getting some aid from a couple of DJs and a wild light show that would make underground idols jealous with rage! But when the Fairy-Tale Card pops out, the real fight truly begins!

With Zuma out cold, it’s up to Okarun to lead the charge into battle. But first, before leaving Ayase behind in the game, Okarun musters up the courage to tell her how he feels. It’s one of the moments readers have waited a long time to hear, even if it’s not really the time and place for it. Then again, with so much happening in the world of Dandadan, there’s never a calm moment for Ayase and Okarun to really talk about their feelings. So why not now?

It then leads to an epic fight between the Fairy-Tale Card and just about everyone that was trapped in the game. Taking it down is no easy task, as it takes a plethora of trial-and-error techniques to finally figure out how to defeat it. But with enough gumption and a heart burning with love and passion. And then, the crescendo!

Ayase and Momo’s relationship isn’t the only one that’s being focused on in this volume; there’s also Zuma and Officer Bega. After losing his family, Zuma has seen Bega as a father figure, one that always has his back and shows him the righteous path. Seeing Zuma implement everything Bega has taught him to be a hero in this situation shows that the kid’s a far cry from the lost cause the officer found him as. It’s a touching conclusion for a story that was filled with plenty of tragedy.

Speaking of tragedy, poor Ayase’s got herself stuck in tiny mode. No one knows how to bring her back to normal size, but they’re hopeful for a cure somewhere down the line. But good news: Okarun’s got his whole manhood back. And a man of his word, Okarun keeps his end of the deal with Turbo Granny, in a moment that’s both funny and sad to watch unfold.

There’s a lot to unpack in the nineteenth volume of Dandadan. The climax of the board game arc, an emotional confession, and even the moment that fans have been waiting to see since the story began all happen here. And yet, it’s not even the end of the story. So the question is, where does Dandadan go from here? And will Turbo Granny still be in the picture?

Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.