If you just started watching the anime or picked up the manga because of the hype, you might be a bit confused about who actually carries the show. It's a fair question. Is it the girl with the psychic powers? Or the nerd who keeps losing his, uh, "golden balls"? Honestly, Dandadan doesn't follow the typical shonen roadmap where one guy screams the loudest and gets all the screen time.
The Dandadan main character name is actually a dual deal: Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura.
Most people call Ken "Okarun" because Momo refuses to call him by his real name. Why? Because she’s obsessed with a high-profile actor who shares the same name, and she thinks the occult-obsessed nerd in front of her is "unworthy" of the title. It’s chaotic. It’s weird. But that’s exactly why Yukinobu Tatsu’s masterpiece works so well. You aren't just following one hero; you're watching a supernatural tug-of-war between two total opposites who somehow become the most wholesome duo in modern fiction.
Momo Ayase: More Than Just a Spirit Medium
Momo isn't your average "support" female lead. In fact, for the first few chapters, she’s arguably the one driving the entire plot. She was raised by her grandmother, Seiko Ayase, who happens to be a badass "spirit medium" (though she looks more like a trendy lady who forgot to age).
Momo starts the series as a skeptic. She believes in ghosts because of her grandma, but she thinks aliens are total nonsense. That changes pretty fast when she gets abducted by Serpoians.
Her powers are visually incredible. Instead of just punching things, she uses "Psychokinesis." She sees the "aura" or the "grabby hands" of spirits and can pin down massive entities just by focusing her mind. But she isn't invincible. The beauty of her character is her temper. She’s brash, she’s a bit of a bully to Okarun at first, and she’s fiercely protective.
If you're looking for the heart of the story, it’s Momo’s growth from a girl who cares too much about appearances to someone who will fight a literal God to protect a dork in glasses.
Ken Takakura (Okarun): The Reluctant Hero
Then there’s Ken. Or Okarun.
He’s the flip side of the coin. He loves aliens but thinks ghosts are fake. This initial disagreement is what starts their whole bet: Momo goes to a haunted tunnel, Okarun goes to an alien hotspot. They both end up being horribly right.
Okarun gets cursed by the Turbo Granny, which is where his powers come from. It’s a bit of a "Jujutsu Kaisen" or "Chainsaw Man" vibe where he uses the power of the thing that tried to kill him. When he transforms, he gets this depressed, edgy look with long white hair and a mask-like face. He's fast. Like, insanely fast.
But his real name, Ken Takakura, is a recurring gag. He’s named after a legendary Japanese actor known for being the epitome of "cool" and "stoic." Our Okarun? He’s a stuttering mess who can barely look Momo in the eye. That contrast is peak character writing. You're rooting for him not because he’s strong, but because he’s trying so hard to be brave when he’s clearly terrified out of his mind.
The "Main Character" Debate: Is it a Duo or a Solo?
A lot of fans argue about who the true protagonist is. If you look at the marketing, they’re almost always side-by-side.
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In the manga community, we call this a "Double Protagonist" structure. You can’t have Dandadan without Momo’s psychic utility, and you can’t have it without Okarun’s raw physical power and occult knowledge. They fill each other's gaps.
There are arcs where Momo takes the lead, especially when dealing with the spiritual world and her grandmother’s legacy. Then there are arcs where Okarun has to step up, usually involving alien invasions or when his specific "Turbo" speed is the only thing that can save them.
Why the Names Matter So Much
Names in Dandadan carry weight.
- Momo means "Peach," which in Japanese folklore (think Momotaro) is often associated with warding off evil spirits.
- Ken Takakura is a symbol of old-school masculinity.
- Seiko (the grandma) is the rock that holds their identities together.
When Okarun finally gets to use his real name without Momo cringing, it’s going to be a massive emotional payoff. Right now, the "Okarun" nickname acts as a shield. It keeps their relationship in this "friends-but-maybe-more" limbo.
Breaking Down the Powers
Let's get technical for a second. If you're trying to keep track of how these two actually fight, it’s a bit of a mess—in a good way.
Momo’s psychic powers are limited by her stamina and her ability to "visualize" the hands. She isn't a god. If she gets distracted, her grip slips. This makes the stakes feel real. She’s a glass cannon.
Okarun’s power is borrowed. He’s essentially "hosting" a portion of the Turbo Granny’s power. This comes with a massive physical toll. He can’t stay in that form forever, and it leaves him completely drained. It’s a classic shonen trope, but handled with much better visual flair by Tatsu. The "crick in the neck" transformation is one of the coolest designs in modern Shonen Jump history.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Plot
People think Dandadan is just a battle manga. It isn't.
It’s a romance.
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The Dandadan main character name search usually leads people to power levels and fight breakdowns, but the core of the story is two lonely kids finding a place to belong. Momo was lonely because she was "the weird girl with the grandma who talks to spirits." Okarun was lonely because he was the "alien freak."
Their dynamic is the engine. The aliens and ghosts are just the scenery. If you ignore the romantic tension, you’re missing about 60% of why this series is topping the charts. It’s about the awkwardness of being a teenager when you’re also trying to find your literal stolen testicles while fighting a Loch Ness monster in a school gym.
The Supporting Cast (Who Often Steal the Show)
You can't talk about Momo and Okarun without mentioning Aira Shiratori and Jiji (Enjoji Jin).
Aira thinks she’s a "chosen one" superhero. She’s actually just a girl who picked up a supernatural silk thread. Her relationship with Momo starts as a rivalry—mostly because Aira is "popular" and Momo is "cool"—but it evolves into a genuine sisterhood.
Then there’s Jiji. He’s Momo’s childhood friend and the ultimate "Gold Retriever" energy character. He introduces a bit of a love triangle, but not in a forced, annoying way. He’s genuinely a good guy, which makes the drama even harder to watch. When Jiji gets possessed by the Evil Eye, the stakes for our main characters skyrocket. It’s no longer just about survival; it’s about saving a friend.
Why You Should Care About the Names
In the world of Dandadan, knowing someone's name gives you power. The Turbo Granny was defeated (partially) because they understood her nature. The aliens often don't have names, which makes them feel more like an "other" or a "force" rather than people.
Momo and Okarun’s journey is about reclaiming their own names. Okarun wants to be a man worthy of the name Ken Takakura. Momo wants to be recognized for her own strength, not just as "Seiko’s granddaughter."
Key Takeaways for New Fans
- Don't pick a favorite. You need both Momo and Okarun for the story to make sense.
- Pay attention to the art. Yukinobu Tatsu worked as an assistant on Chainsaw Man and Hell’s Paradise. The character acting in their faces tells you more than the dialogue sometimes.
- It gets weirder. If you think the first few chapters are wild, just wait until the "Vamola" or "Space Globalists" arcs.
- The romance is real. This isn't a "will-they-won't-they" that lasts 500 chapters with no progress. There is actual, tangible growth.
Actionable Steps for Exploring Dandadan
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Momo and Okarun, here is how you should handle it:
- Read the Manga on Manga Plus: It’s free (usually) and the official translation handles the "Okarun/Ken" naming nuance much better than some fan scans.
- Watch for the "Golden Ball" count: It sounds ridiculous, but tracking where Okarun's missing "parts" are is actually the easiest way to follow the main plot's progression.
- Focus on the background art: Tatsu hides a lot of foreshadowing in the spirits' designs.
- Don't skip the "slice of life" chapters: The moments where they’re just eating hot pot or hanging out at Momo’s house are where the best character development happens.
The series is a masterclass in blending genres. Whether you call him Ken or Okarun, and whether you're here for the ghosts or the romance, the Dandadan main character name represents one of the most refreshing duos in anime history. Check out the latest chapters every Tuesday to see if Okarun finally gets his name back.