By Alright, buckle up. If you’re not already knee-deep in Dandadan, then you’re missing out on one of the weirdest and coolest manga experiences of the last few years. Okarun? He’s the goofy, super-powered, and unexpectedly heroic lead of the story, and I can’t stop thinking about him.
Now, before you say “Wait, what’s Dandadan?”—let me tell you. It’s this crazy series that combines every supernatural element under the sun—ghosts, aliens, curses, and then some. And at the heart of it? Okarun, the guy who started out being a little too obsessed with the paranormal and, well… accidentally became the world’s most unlikely hero. You’d think he was just some random teen, but nope. He’s a disaster waiting to happen. A lovable one, though.
How Okarun Got His Start
Okarun didn’t always wear a cape, if you can even call it a cape—more like a cool, messed-up supernatural aura that makes him look like he stepped out of a nightmare (but in a good way?). Nah, his journey starts way more… awkwardly.
So picture this: a high school kid, Ken Takakura (yeah, that’s his “real” name), who’s just into ghosts and aliens and everything you’d expect from a 15-year-old who spends way too much time on conspiracy theory forums. His life takes a wild turn after meeting Momo Ayase, a girl who believes in ghosts but doesn’t buy the alien thing. So, naturally, they go to test their beliefs in a haunted house. Spoiler: it’s a disaster. But this is where Okarun gets his glow-up. Fast forward past three failed attempts at a normal life, and he’s suddenly the host of Turbo Granny—the weirdest, most hilariously terrifying possession you’ll ever read about.
The Many Faces of Okarun: A Study in Complexity
Okay, let’s break it down. Okarun is, at his core, a mess of contradictions. I mean, he’s shy, right? A nerd at heart. But then, BAM, he gets these superpowers from his creepy supernatural buddy, Turbo Granny (more on that later), and becomes the guy who has to save the world. But the emotional rollercoaster? You feel that. I swear, if I had half his courage, I wouldn’t be eating my feelings after a bad Zoom call.
- Awkward as heck, yet brave – Okarun can barely talk to girls without tripping over his words, but when the world’s ending, suddenly he’s a badass.
- Unlikely romantic – His attempts at wooing Momo are cringeworthy. I know it, he knows it. We’re all in this together, cringing.
- The loyal friend – He’s not perfect. But when it comes to his squad, Okarun will go to the ends of the earth—even if he’s still wondering if he should’ve Googled what a “yokai” really is.
So yeah, he’s a mess. But who isn’t? We all have that one friend—you know, the one who’s just a little too weird but you’d still totally risk it all to help ’em fight a ghost.
Superpowers… And a Grumpy Granny?
Let’s talk powers. And by that, I mean Turbo Granny. She’s not your typical hero sidekick. Instead of a cool mentor who teaches Okarun to harness his abilities, he gets a crabby old spirit stuck inside him. I mean, sure, that’s what you want when you’re fighting aliens, right?
- Speed for days – Seriously, this dude can run so fast, he makes The Flash look like he’s taking a nap. It’s almost comical how fast he moves.
- Resilient spirit – With Turbo Granny in his corner, Okarun is immune to most supernatural nasties. The catch? She’s way more talkative than he wants her to be. I mean, no one asked for that much sass from a possessed grandmother.
- Internal struggle – He’s sharing his body with someone who constantly insults him. And I get it, I’d be pretty pissed too if a ghost was living in my brain and calling me “useless” all the time. But hey, that’s his life now.
It’s kinda hilarious how Okarun goes from being the kid who can’t even ask for extra fries at McDonald’s without breaking into a cold sweat to becoming a near-invincible hero. But hey, that’s growth, right? Or the supernatural equivalent of growth.
Okarun and Momo: A Relationship That’s As Weird As They Are
Let’s get real—there’s some serious tension between Okarun and Momo. And no, I’m not talking about the will-they-won’t-they kinda tension (though that’s there too). It’s the whole, “Hey, let’s fight literal ghosts and aliens together, but also, are we gonna talk about our feelings anytime soon?” kind of tension.
- First meeting – Their initial “test” of whether aliens exist? A total disaster. I’ve never seen a worse first date. But here’s the thing: it’s not a bad thing. It’s what gets them on this insane adventure.
- Saving each other – It’s not just about Okarun saving Momo (though that happens a lot). It’s about them having each other’s backs. Like, when he’s holding off some crazy alien tech, Momo’s right there, ready to punch a ghost in the face (yes, that’s a thing).
- That unspoken love – They never outright admit it, but there’s this softness between them. It’s like those long glances you share with your best friend before your favorite band’s concert. It’s there. It’s subtle. And it makes things way more complicated.
I swear, one of these days, Okarun will stop avoiding Momo and tell her how he feels. Until then, we’re stuck on this weird, magical rollercoaster of will-they-won’t-they… with aliens.
Why Fans Can’t Get Enough of Okarun
Alright, let’s talk about why Okarun isn’t just a funny side character—he’s a full-on fan favorite.
- Relatable mess – I’m not gonna lie—every time Okarun fumbles through an awkward situation, I’m like, yep, I’ve been there. His clumsiness reminds me of the time I tried to impress my high school crush with magic tricks and accidentally set my sleeve on fire.
- Superhero-ish but not really – He’s got superpowers, but he’s still the kid who’s scared of his reflection. It’s almost like watching an underdog finally win, and we love that, right?
- Comic relief – Every time things get dark or intense, Okarun breaks the tension with some outlandish one-liner or an over-the-top reaction. I mean, who doesn’t need that in their life?
The Hero Who Keeps on Evolving
Where’s Okarun headed? Great question. At this point, he’s not just a shy high schooler with a big heart—he’s turning into a legit fighter. You can see it in the way he handles battles now. In fact, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Okarun ends up fighting an actual dragon by the end of this.
- Superpower development – He’s got more tricks up his sleeve. And it’s only a matter of time before we see what’s lurking in his potential.
- Romantic confession? – Is he gonna spill his feelings to Momo? Only time will tell.
- Fighting bigger threats – I’m talking about galactic-level, world-ending kinds of threats. At this rate, Okarun will be saving humanity daily.
A Few Final Words on Okarun
So yeah, Okarun might be a walking mess of powers, weird possession, and teenage awkwardness—but he’s got a heart. A big one. The dude’s learning how to be a hero, and we’re here for it.
Anyway, Okarun is one of those characters that grows on you like a bad haircut you didn’t know was actually kind of cool. You might not have seen him coming, but now you can’t stop thinking about him. And that’s the magic of Dandadan.