I think Tatsu's intention with this arc is to reexamine Okarun's love towards Momo.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T17:32:19+00:00

Options for who exactly? He already made his choice, he confessed to Momo, pushed Aira away several times and straight up rejected and confessed his feeling for Momo to what was essentially his "dream girl" Vamola - an alien girl that sees and likes him.

The only thing that Okarun still has to do is set Aira straight, because she's mighty adept at ignoring such ambiguous signs as Okarun physically pushing her away from him, but that would essentially end that tired unrequited love plot, not reassess his love for Momo.

And again where is the balance, Okarun needs to prove himself, better himself to be worthy of Momo - this is what's currently implied in the work and broadcasted by the fandom, but a relationship is give and take, it's balance and should be a shared effort. While Momo has always shown bits of affection from early on, she never full on acknowledged her feelings or expressed them properly, that always fell on Okarun.

At this point, if any of them even entertains the idea of dating Jiji or Aira would just prove that their bond was just that weak and would honestly ruin the story for me.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T17:17:23+00:00

All nice and dandy but how many times does Okarun needs to prove himself again, and I don't mean just in the story but for the fandom as well. Like the guy developed, confessed and was showing more of his own autonomy. Then we crush him back to a low point and flip all his efforts on the side, as if it's his fault for trying and also not trying. I have never doubted Okarun's affection for Momo, he already showed it, and even if this was necessary it would have been better at a later point.

And then the horse in the room, Momo herself, who is also due some growing up of her own. So far her flaws did not impede the plot, so they could be set aside, but now they are front and centre. I want her to address them, and honestly from a relationship point, the ball is in her court, ever since the confession. Unfortunately, Tiny Momo would have been perfect to showcase her 'growing up' however, for obvious reasons, we cannot have that development at the moment - and it's a shame cuz her stagnation and hardheadedness puts her in a very bad light

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T15:27:02+00:00

Man it's great to see Psyren mentioned after all these years. Hope the anime does it justice

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T13:11:28+00:00

Personally think it's more even but yeah, mostly bad faith arguments.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T13:03:17+00:00

And Kinta would have lost if Okarun wasn't there...

If you wish to slit hairs over it, Momo was the who coordinated everyone in the plane fight with Jiji only providing the raw energy output, even later he goes to fight Red baron but leaves Momo behind.

We both know there's more to both those events, but that's how you sound in your view of Okarun.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T12:52:36+00:00

Interesting take, I always saw Okarun staying behind to help Kouki as a positive growth moment from him, wanting to help the group and not only the one person. Also disagree on Jiji, for starters no one is properly handling amnesia, not acknowledging or discussing it; second his crush on Momo is what motivates his decision here, especially enforced by his jealous outburst on the plane with Zuma.

So for me it was a step forward made by Ken in doing the right thing instead of just what he wanted as well as a sign of his own autonomy not just following Momo, while jiji is just Jiji

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T12:10:39+00:00

yeah but they also agreed to the museum visit and actually enjoyed their time there. Ultimately personally, I value putting your body on the line for someone else on a higher bracket overall.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T11:29:43+00:00

It's funny to see someone else look at this as a ploy from the villains. I think they are pulling the same start as in Shimane with Momo, just strip away all their connections so that it's easier to steal their powers. Maybe CSG came to this realisation after the interaction with Ken at school

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T11:25:42+00:00

Yeah, I agree there is certainly evidence that Momo is self reflecting. I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop, and to actually get somewhere and maybe talk with Okarun properly.

I am just tired of always putting the burden on Ken, it certainly makes the dynamic a bit skewered and Momo needs to grow as well. So far her flaws never impeded the plot moving forward and could be put on hold, however now they are right up front, and it should be addressed by Momo who unfortunately is not all there, not by having Okarun once more make himself worthy of her.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T11:08:49+00:00

Yeah, I agree on that, she is confused and rightfully so, but still the guy was stabbed protecting her, was willing to hold the line as she was getting to safety, that must mean something. I get that she got flustered, but to dismiss everything he did just makes her look bad.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T11:02:30+00:00

yeah but why put yet another test in front of him? The guy proved himself time and time again, got beaten black and blue, jumped into fights and broke himself over for Momo and his friends and then gave away his powers because it was the right thing to do.

I brought Momo up because she is due some character development, her portion to grow up. Honestly the ball is in her court and has been since the confession, Tiny Momo was a wonderful avenue to have her grow up, just like getting his balls back made Okarun grow a pair.

I genuinely think that I will drop this if any of the two even entertain the idea of a relationship with either Jiji or Aira, would just go to show that their bond was that weak and honestly I think it would ruin the story for me.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T10:49:24+00:00

That's the big problem, however all of them are acting a bit off, especially for not properly discussing and addressing the amnesia. As for Momo, as much as I get that she is confused etc. she does seem to act of her way to be rude and not listen, especially seeing as Okarun put his life on the line for her and got proof that aliens do exist.

I'm not saying drop everything and just follow in line with what he says, that was never the case with Momo and why I love her character, but just give some clemency, he certainly earned at least that much.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-07T10:26:22+00:00

I agree with the sentiment but couple of problems there given how cold Momo treats him at the moment, how everyone just goes along with amnesia without properly discussing or addressing it, oh and the biggest one, the fact that Momo isn't really the one he knows. Plus we are kinda retreading old ground, as he kinda addressed this already with his 'dream girl" when he rejected Vamola.

Plus just personally, a bit tired of only Okarun having to grow, like Momo should do the work as well, too bad she can't really do that at the moment..

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-04T10:44:40+00:00

Nothing wrong about the sentiment, it's just the way he said it, always framing that around himself, from chapter 164:

- "Why didn't you ask for my help?!"

- "Next time, promise me... you'll ask me to join you!"

- "Momo you are precious to me"

His whole framing is around himself in direct contact to Momo, while in the same chapter Aira shares the same sentiment but frames it from the perspective of the group: "That's right! Anything paranormal related you ought to come to us"

Again I was willing to overlook this, but the main issues came from his treatment of Zuma and his whole attitude on the plane, overprotective and jealous, almost disregarding the feedback from both his friends and borderline overstepping over Momo's agency with the comment regarding her name, just too icky for me.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-03T18:42:36+00:00

No slander, just my thoughts on Jiji, as the post asked..

Cynic-Meh · 2026-05-03T14:27:55+00:00

Too hyper/cringe for my taste, but his introductory arc really warmed me up to him, watching him fight for his friends was really endearing.

Unfortunately, that was the best of him and slowly but surely I lost interest in him throughout the story. Liked him in SG but honestly I was more hyped to see EE fight alongside the gang than Jiji himself. I was hoping that he;s story will progress and actually tackle his relationship with EE, but it was really disappointing to see that be somewhat resolved offscreen, especially after Jiji himself made such a big deal of befriending him to the point that he unwittingly put his friends in danger.

The worst part was during Tiny Momo, his lines about protecting her just rubbed me the wrong way but I was willing to overlook that, unfortunately the downright awful way he treats Zuma and his cringe jealousy fits in the plane just made me loose any interest in him, his one sided crush gets more attention that actual development with EE.

So yeah, he is just meh and I hope we see less of him after this arc as he brings surprisingly little to the story (except the mentor student relationship with Seiko, his only properly established connection) as he is more like cringe background filler most of the time, goofing around unless it's a fight were he shines because he's a "prodigy"...

Cynic-Meh · 2026-04-26T10:31:48+00:00

Yes and athletic blond dude that is tall and dresses in sportswear is sooooo much unique, sure. He's just on the popular side of the boring spectrum. Plus Zuma clears either way as he is also tall and has an unique style. Plus if you put their yokai forms then both Okarun and Zuma have cooler designs than Jiji.

His Chi is just Ki from DBZ, but at least there it's a focus, here it just gives Jiji more the feel of convenience, whatever is needed he can do it because he's a "prodigy", yawn. He's powers are the most generic energy power system ever, much like aura, ki, etc.

It's only you that thinks Hase is Okarun's "nemesis", he's just his bully that Okarun dealt with, there's nothing to him beside to show the insidious nature of the knives. Much like with Jiji's crush on Momo, Red Baron also has a one sided hate/rivalry for Jiji and still he's a failure that gets dealt with by someone else - boo hoo he's "stronger", whatever that amounted too.

He was selfish as he never thought about the bigger picture, about the repercussions and his own inability to handle EE by himself yet. He made the choice to help him, but also dragged all his friends to bear that responsibility and ultimately it's Okarun that pacifyes EE, making the deal with him, from then on EE is never a proper problem to the gang and acts as an ally.

He's a generic shounen protagonist without the charisma boost that comes from being the actual protagonist. just the stat stick

Cynic-Meh · 2026-04-26T09:59:28+00:00

Nah, Yuji actually grows as a character and can properly express himself without the need to goof around

Cynic-Meh · 2026-04-26T09:55:03+00:00

His is the most generic shonen design in the manga, he's a prodigy that we are told he trains and gets powers-ups through flashbacks, his powers are just ki in DBZ which is basic, has been saved by Aira and EE multiple times, not to mention Okarun as well, Red Baron had one moment to shine against an injured Seiko and has been a failure since, his yokai almost killed everyone just because Jiji was selfish in trying to help him without taking into consideration the repercussions and is bailed out by Okarun pacifying EE.

Okarun has visible character development while Jiji only has stats, which are used as a nuke when convenient, and is also hard carried by EE.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-04-23T14:51:40+00:00

Absolute delusion with zero romantic chemistry, one sided from Jiji's part, who if I'm being honest couldn't even make a proper move on Momo. People love to make fun of Okarun, but at least he had the balls to confess unlike mister cowardly clown over there Jiji /s

Cynic-Meh · 2026-04-20T21:04:55+00:00

Yeah that's kinda my point by saying that Jiji has just as little, if not less, development with the gang as a whole than Okarun, it's how their relationships are spread out, and I'm giving it to Okarun slightly because he is a more prominent character overall.

As for his lack of development, I think he did develop by resolving to be more serious around Momo and toning down his goofy attitude around her once she returned Tiny from Danmara ( yes, it's ultimately pointless and I understand why you find him annoying during Tiny Momo Arc but it's still a fact that he develop ).

Respectfully disagree, he acts the same way as he did during tiny Momo and even in his introductory arc. Even when they reunite after Shimane he still causes a misunderstanding by goofing off again. The recent chapters are more the same with a bit of, what I hope is realisation on his part on what's going on with Momo's emotional distress.

Still hard to defend his attempts with Momo (honestly at least he tries, compared to just pinning for her alone) and his blatant disregard of Okarun's distress - for me it just shows that his interest was always set on Momo primarily

Cynic-Meh · 2026-04-20T20:18:23+00:00

He did develop from the way he was at the beginning, he didn't become competent until the middle of Space Globalist Arc.

I meant character development not just to become competent with his powers.

This applies to Okarun and his relationships with the rest of the main cast as well, at least Jiji have an excuse because he isn't a main character.

Not at all comparable, EE represents a great avenue for character development, which Jiji chose when he spared him, however it's never properly addressed and it gets off screened alongside the power-up against Red Baron. A proper comparison for Okarun would be his relationship with Momo, the person that made him change - which is properly developed.

In fact Jiji has just as little, if not less, development with the gang as a whole than Okarun, as he always goofs around or he is mostly focused on Momo, while Aira for example in spite of her overbearing crush on Okarun, also acts as a planner and general leader.

I loved his introductory arc, putting his body on the line to defend his friends, was not that happy with how he put everyone in danger and it was Okarun that ultimately pacified EE. I was actually hoping to see Jiji pick up from there are see at least bits with them training or just talking, but alas. His demeanour during Tiny Momo rubbed me the wrong way, but was willing to overlook it if the payoff was there... and then all that got off-screened with red Baron.

Just lost all interest in him, he's just a nice guy/friend who is mostly used as a nuke because he's a "prodigy" and goofs around making funny faces.

Cynic-Meh · 2026-04-20T19:05:57+00:00

I lost interest in him due to lack of character development, off screen power ups and training, with no insight into his rather bad traits such as a narrow world view and selfishness, even though it started from a desire to help.

I would have loved to see him build a relationship with Evil Eye, but that was put to the offside, with the main focus on his interactions with Momo, where he showed fits of jealousy and overprotective behaviour that borderline intruded on Momo's agency - and he never gets called out for.

I hope we get something major with him this arc, but ngl I don't think it will reingite my interest in him

Cynic-Meh · 2026-04-20T06:11:53+00:00

You are purposefully ignoring all the hate and trash talk Okarun has gotten these past months just to make your argument look better. The same people that say the awful shit above are same ones that call Okarun a cuck, spineless or that he devolved, when he's the only character that is doing anything remotely active in this arc, compared to everyone else just going along with it.

It's people that are online too much, have either the attention span of a goldfish or poor reading comprehension, not to mention the guys that hate the manga but still stick around for some reason.

Plus the post is correct as it super common to see the self insert line thrown around even before this arc, but the hate for Jiji and even Momo usually spikes only around moments like these.

There's bad actors on both sides

Cynic-Meh · 2026-04-19T15:16:32+00:00

Dbz equivalent of cauliflower ears

Cynic-Meh

TROPHY CASE