Dandadan is one of the best anime released in 2024, a sweeping new addition to both the supernatural and comedy genres. Not only does it have a dynamic cast of likeable characters, but its story is completely unpredictable and engaging at the same time.
Paired with a gorgeous art style and an amazing music score, Dandadan is certainly one of the ones to watch this year. And with the season finale creeping up, we thought it was high time to look at some of the best characters in the show.
Beware of spoilers for the show and manga!
10
Dover Demon
The Dover Demon, also known as Mr Mantis Shrimp, is an alien that was hired by the Serpo aliens in their bid to kidnap Okarun for his powers. Although he seemed intimidating and hostile at first, the Dover Demon had taken the Serpo’s job to earn money to save his sickly son.
Momo took in the heavily injured alien, and her friends and grandmother helped feed and patch him up. After Momo’s grandmother discovered that the alien’s blood was made of milk, she gave him a cow and the grateful alien left Earth, promising to help should they ask. Although he seems villainous and single-minded at first, the Dover Demon wins hearts with his pure motivations for the well-being of his son.
9
Acrobatic Silky
Acrobatic Silky may appear terrifying initially, but she has one of the saddest backstories ever written. She was once human, who took her own life after losing her child to thugs she owed money to and couldn’t repay. After wandering around as a lost spirit, she meets a young Shiratori Aira and becomes obsessed with protecting her.
Since Aira could finally see her after taking Okarun’s golden ball, she revealed herself to Aira and began attacking Momo and Okarun. She stopped when she realised she’d hurt Aira and voluntarily gave her her life essence, gifting Aira her powers by default. Acrobatic Silky may be gone, but she’s left her mark with her tragic background and her continuous will to fight to protect her child.
8
Kinta Sakata
One of Okarun’s classmates, Kinta Sakata is loud, dramatic, and single-mindedly driven to get a girlfriend. That’s what led him to talk to Okarun in the first place, who had by then formed close friendships with Momo and Aira.
As a result of following Okarun, Kinta becomes embroiled in the supernatural world as well. He turns into a dependable ally, controlling a mecha to help defeat a massive kaiju. Ultimately, while Kinta could be irritating at first glance, his nobility and courageousness during times of danger show he is good at heart.
7
Turbo Granny
The first major yokai encountered in the show, Turbo Granny was the antagonist of the first four episodes of the show. Extremely fast and powerful, Turbo Granny fused herself with a local spirit and, although seemingly cruel, the yokai helped comfort the spirit of murdered girls, establishing her territory in the tunnel.
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After Okarun and Momo defeated her, she was unable to take back her powers from Okarun and now remains in a diminished cat form. She occasionally supplies information to the protagonists but still retains her selfish traits. Overall, Turbo Granny is a malicious and self-centred spirit, but the show keeps surprising us by showing her softer side, and her humorous antics in trying out human inventions as a cat.
6
Enjoji Jin
Momo’s childhood friend and first crush, Enjoji Jin had moved away with his family, only to return after his new home became infested with a dark entity. Seiko took him in, and he began living in Momo’s house with her.
Although he once teased Momo for her spiritual background, he became remorseful after his experience with the Evil Eye. With the help of Momo and Okarun, he defeated the Evil Eye responsible for his parents’ poor health and now has the ability to use the Evil Eye’s powers. Jin may seem carefree and silly at first, but he is a character with much depth, and his willingness to redeem himself to Momo is admirable.
5
Shiratori Aira
At first, Shiratori Aira strikes you as a bit of an airhead who’s obsessed with maintaining a clean image and being a popular girl. She gradually develops grand ideas that she’s a ‘chosen one’, destined to save the world.
Aira managed to get her hands on Okarun’s golden ball and, after absorbing Acrobatic Silky’s aura, she was able to wield the yokai’s powers. After that, she develops a crush on Okarun and begins hanging out with him and Momo. However, she still believes Momo is some sort of conspirator against world peace, though she doesn’t seem to take this threat as seriously as before. Although she does seem quite ditzy and petty, Aira can admit when she’s wrong and takes steps to rectify her mistakes.
4
Unji Zuma
Although he’ll likely be animated in later seasons, Unji Zuma has one tragic background. He had lost his entire family to a series of unfortunate events, losing his younger brother to drowning and his mother to suicide.
Despite his intimidating appearance (being a gang leader), Zuma is kind-hearted and compassionate, seeking to help the less fortunate. After fusing with the yokai Umbrella Boy, he becomes like Okarun and can transform and use the spirit’s powers. Zuma received Okarun’s missing golden ball to help control his powers, running into Momo sometime after. Unji Zuma’s character is the definition of grit, integrity and not to judge a book by its cover.
3
Ayase Seiko
Most likely the coolest character and grandma to ever exist, the deceptively youthful-looking Ayase Seiko is Momo’s grandmother and raised Momo by herself. She is also a famous medium, going on television to make predictions about others’ lives.
However, she’s the real deal, able to restrain Turbo Granny and advise the trio on spiritual matters. Seiko is also the most chill grandmother ever, caring for Momo’s well-being while not being too strict. Ultimately, Seiko is a total badass, a no-nonsense woman who genuinely loves her granddaughter and has established herself as someone you should take seriously.
2
Takakura Ken / Okarun
Takakura Ken, or Okarun as nicknamed by Momo, was once a bullied high school student with no friends. He held a fascination with extraterrestrial life and didn’t believe in ghosts until Momo challenged him to enter a haunted tunnel.
Okarun became possessed by Turbo Granny, and after defeating the yokai with Momo and her grandmother’s help, was able to retain the yokai’s powers. With one of the strongest yokai powers on hand, Okarun fends off murderous aliens and malicious spirits, while desperately looking for his missing testicle (yes, it’s exactly as it sounds).
And despite his less-than-glamorous start to life, Okarun doesn’t let his negative experiences with others affect his character and how he views life, as he’s willing to risk his life for those he really cares about.
1
Ayase Momo
One of the main characters of the show, Ayase Momo is an outgoing teenage girl who lives with her grandmother and has an obsession with Takakura Ken (not Okarun). After entering a dare with Okarun, she ventures to an abandoned facility, where she first encounters aliens and awakens her psychic powers.
She gradually forms a close friendship with Okarun, seemingly developing feelings for him. With the help of her grandmother, she improves her control over her powers and isn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty when defeating aliens and yokai. Currently, she’s determined to help Okarun find his remaining golden ball.
However, one of the best things about Momo is that, while everyone else denigrates Okarun, she does nothing of the sort and instead welcomes him and even protects him from danger.
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