Summary
- Count Saint-Germain’s introduction brings mystery and intrigue, making him a significant character.
- Saint-Germain’s powers include stealing abilities and using a unique katana for diverse purposes.
- Despite his questionable actions, Count Saint-Germain’s motivation to collect paranormal abilities suggests complex motivations.
Dandadan is a popular series for many reasons, among which is of course the intricate plot based on various myths and conspiracy theories. And while anime fans wait for the release of the second season of Dandadan in July, manga readers are at a loss about who Count Saint-Germain is.
This character appears at the end of the Space Globalists arc and becomes a frequent guest in the following chapters. At first glance, it may seem that the Count is an antagonist, but is there something more?
Related
While Dandadan primarily revolves around ghosts, yokai, and aliens, the inclusion of high-tech elements like Nanoskin expands its world-building.
First Introduction of the Count of Saint-Germain
At the end of Chapter 120 of Dandadan, we see Serpo discussing the data they received from the Kur aliens. But they are not as worried about the possible invasion as a man named Count Saint-Germain. Judging by Serpo’s reaction, they know very well who the Count is, or at least fear his powers.
Although he first appears as an ally of the Kur aliens, in the next chapter he appears on earth and looks like a decent and rather polite young man. After this, we more and more often meet this mysterious character.
Who is Count Saint-Germain?
First of all, Yukinobu Tatsu uses dozens of different legends and myths in his work. Therefore, we do not fully know whether Count Saint-Germain is a yokai or an alien. But it is worth noting that both Serpo and Turbo Granny know about him, from which we can assume that Saint-Germain is actively involved in the lives of both camps.
His name can tell a little about his essence. In real history, there is a man with the same name who lived between the late 17th century and early 18th century in Europe. He had many names, but he is most famous for supposedly living for over 500 years. According to the French philosopher Voltaire, Count Saint-Germain is a man who does not die and also knows everything.
This is indeed similar to Saint-Germain in Dandadan, as he seeks to learn all the secrets of the world. But the desire is brought to the absolute, as he does not hesitate to use any methods and tricks to take possession of paranormal powers or the aliens’ abilities.
Count Saint-Germain’s Powers
Whether It is Human, Yokai, or Alien, Little Blades Can Steal Their Abilities
One of the reasons why many consider Saint-Germain to be the antagonist of the series is his arsenal of abilities aimed at stealing the powers of other characters. But first, let’s look at the Count’s physical abilities.
They are best shown in the battle with the Fairy-Tale Card. During the battle, he showed outstanding swordsmanship. In addition, Saint-Germain’s reflexes and speed are so high that they could compete with transformed Okarun. Also worth mentioning his extrasensory sixth sense. Even without the ability to use his eyes, he could easily repel Fairy-Tale Card attacks. This is similar to the abilities of Momo and her grandmother.
These abilities certainly make Count Saint-Germain a powerful creature in the world of Dandadan. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg, since we learned that Count can use the abilities of other youkai during the battle in the cursed diagram. Saint-Germain carries something similar to medical vials and inserts them into the tsuba of his katana to use various abilities.
Furthermore, this katana is far from a simple sword. Presumably, it is the legendary Asura blade. This sword can take away the abilities of enemies, provided that they admit their defeat before receiving a cut. Saint-Germain reforged Asura into many small blades, the size of a small stationery knife. Their use is more diverse, as they can not only be inserted into the katana to activate the ability but also transferred to other creatures, including people, which the Count actively uses to obtain the abilities of Momo and others.
Related
Dandadan: The Cursed House Arc, Explained
Following their victory over Serpoians, Momo and Okarun join Jiji on an adventure to uncover the mysteries of his cursed house.
Is Count Saint-Germain Really an Antagonist?
What’s This Mysterious Character’s Truye Role?
The Count’s motivation is perfectly shown in Chapter 163 after defeating the Fairy-Tale Card. Having taken the abilities of the yokai, he immediately tries to use them and explains the reason for all his actions.
“I wish to know all the mysteries of this world. I want every enchanted object, UFO, and anything else to be mine. Even the power of Yokai. Because I am a Collector of the Paranormal.”
After these words, we thought that he would be a great friend to Okarun. However, while for Okarun conspiracy theories are just a hobby, for Saint-Germain it is the goal of life, which, by the way, may have lasted for hundreds of years. Also, he is looking for the mysterious Dandadan, which can be both an object and an ability. When mentioning this, on the frames you can see the Buddhist series of mandalas. But what exactly it is is shrouded in mystery.
And to achieve his goals, Count Saint-Germain will do any tricks. Thus, he made his way into Kami High as Sanjome and persuaded other students to take away Momo’s abilities with the help of the Asura Blade. Despite this, it does not seem that he intentionally wishes harm to anyone. After all, in everyday life, he often helps ordinary people, although this is not necessary for his cover, since no one can remember him anyway, which is most likely one of the abilities in the Count’s collection.
Further evidence that Saint-Germain is not necessarily an antagonist is chapter 161, in which he fights hand in hand with Serpo and Okurun to achieve victory over Fairy-Tale Card, or rather, the yokai’s admission of defeat. But with each new Dandadan chapter we learn more and more, so perhaps soon the identity of the Count will become less mysterious.
