Dandadan is a supernatural action-comedy manga created by Yukinobu Tatsu. It has garnered attention for its wild mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and thrilling battles involving aliens, ghosts, and the occult. Its anime adaptation is premiering on October 3, so now’s a good time to tell you about what you’re getting into!

What’s Dandadan All About?

Its story revolves around two unlikely protagonists, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura (nicknamed Okarun), who become entangled in bizarre and dangerous situations involving otherworldly beings after gaining powers from their first encounter. Much of the beginning of Dandadan revolves around the main cast, so let’s learn more about them!

Momo Ayase

Momo is a strong-willed and confident high school girl who initially comes across as skeptical about aliens, though she believes in ghosts due to her spiritual heritage. She’s somewhat impulsive and headstrong but has a good heart and is deeply loyal to her friends and family, especially her grandmother. After being abducted by the Serpo Aliens, she unlocks her psychokinetic powers. This awakening also allowed her to see the auras of objects and other people and grab them using a pair of spiritual “hands.”

Ken Takakura (Okarun)

Okarun is a nerdy, introverted high school boy who intensely believes in aliens but initially dismisses the idea of ghosts. He is shy, awkward, and often gets flustered, especially around Momo. However, Okarun is intelligent, resourceful, and deeply passionate about sci-fi and the unknown, which often leads to comic moments in the series. Despite his nerdy nature, he proves to be courageous when it counts. He shares a name with the famous Japanese actor Ken Takakura, although he doesn’t embody the actor’s stoic masculinity, which led Momo to nickname him “Okarun” instead to be able to differentiate the two. Okarun gains powers after being possessed by the spirit of Turbo Granny, an infamous yokai known for her incredible speed.

Turbo Granny

Turbo Granny is a mischievous and terrifying yokai with a crude sense of humor. Despite her fearsome reputation, she becomes somewhat of a reluctant ally to Momo and Okarun. As her name implies, her signature ability is her unmatched speed.

Seiko Ayase

Momo Ayase’s grandmother may look young but has a deep knowledge of supernatural creatures and curses. She helps Momo and Okarun deal with dangerous spirits and yokai by using special objects and the power of a local deity to seal and remove them. However, her abilities only work within the city.

Aira Shiratori

Aira is a student who attends the same school as Ayase and Okarun. When she discovers the existence of supernatural powers, she believes that she has a special mission to protect the world from evil. Shiratori becomes focused on Momo, thinking she is a demon who must be stopped. Like Okarun, Shiratori can transform into a demonic form and use powers from a yōkai called “Acrobatic Silky.” This transformation gives her incredible agility and the ability to control her hair.

Jin Enjoji

Momo’s close childhood friend and her first crush and goes by the nickname “Jiji.” Okarun becomes envious of Jiji’s relationship with Ayase, but Jiji attempts to befriend him. Unfortunately, Jiji is possessed by the Evil Eye, which leads to a LOT of destruction when the Evil Eye takes control of his body.

What Makes Dandadan Work?

Behind all of the bizarre and supernatural elements, the chemistry between Momo and Okarun is central to the series’ appeal. Momo starts off viewing Okarun as a nerdy outcast, while Okarun is awkward and shy around her, and these traits develop and change as the series progresses. Their contrasting personalities — Momo’s strong-headedness and Okarun’s nerdy earnestness and those of the rest of the cast — create an entertaining, endearing dynamic that grounds the manga’s wild supernatural adventures.

Overall, Dandadan blends fast-paced action with humor and emotional depth, and its main characters are a big part of what makes the series so captivating. Each of them brings something unique to the table, and their evolving relationships keep the story engaging.

Looking for your fellow Dandadan fans? You’ll probably find them at Cosplay Mania this weekend!

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