Dan Da Dan - Characters & Cast

Her primary motivation is to protect her friends, especially Okarun, and her grandmother. She is driven by a strong sense of justice and an instinct to stand up for those who can't defend themselves. As her feelings for Okarun develop, her desire to see him safe and help him become whole becomes a central driving force. The creator, Yukinobu Tatsu, compares her inspirational nature to that of Superman.

Momo begins as a confident, strong-willed high school girl who, despite her tough exterior, has a genuine belief in spirits passed down from her grandmother. Initially, she protects Okarun from bullies but is dismissive of his beliefs. After her abduction awakens her powerful psychic abilities, she is thrust into a leadership and protector role. Her arc focuses on honing her immense power, learning to trust others, and confronting her own romantic feelings for Okarun, which she initially struggles to admit. She evolves from a reactionary fighter into a proactive and clever strategist who inspires courage in those around her.

Initially, his motivation is simple survival and reclaiming his stolen testicles. However, it quickly evolves into a deep-seated desire to be useful to and protect Momo, who was the first person to show him kindness. He is motivated by his growing feelings for her and his newfound friendships, pushing himself past his physical and emotional limits to become someone worthy of standing by her side.

Okarun starts as a classic nerdy outcast, friendless and bullied for his obsession with aliens and the occult. His initial encounter with a ghost shatters his worldview and leaves him possessed and partially powerless. His journey is one of immense growth in confidence and courage. By harnessing the dangerous power of Turbo Granny, he transforms from a timid boy who needs protection into a formidable fighter capable of protecting others. His arc is about finding his inner strength, learning to believe in himself as much as he believes in aliens, and navigating his first real friendship and romance.

Seiko's motivation is the protection of her family and the maintenance of balance between the human and spirit worlds. She is driven by a sense of duty inherited through her lineage as a spirit medium. She steps in to guide Momo and Okarun not just to defeat immediate threats, but to prepare them for the greater dangers she knows exist, ensuring her granddaughter can control her powers and survive.

Seiko, Momo's grandmother, is introduced as a powerful and seemingly aloof spirit medium. She initially appears to have a strained relationship with Momo but is quickly revealed to be an incredibly knowledgeable and capable ally against supernatural threats. Her arc involves moving from a background figure of authority to an active mentor, providing crucial information, training, and support to Momo and Okarun. She serves as the anchor to the world of spirits, explaining the rules and dangers they face, while also showing deep, underlying care for her granddaughter and her new friend.

Initially, her motivation is purely instinctual and predatory. After being sealed, her motivation becomes self-preservation and the desire to eventually regain her freedom and power. She helps Okarun and Momo primarily because their survival is linked to her own, and she enjoys the chaos and violence of their battles. Her motivations are never heroic, providing a constant source of internal conflict and tension.

Turbo Granny begins as a terrifying and grotesque antagonist, a powerful yokai who possesses Okarun. Upon her defeat, her spirit is sealed and she is forced into the role of a reluctant, foul-mouthed ally. Her arc is a transformation from a pure villain to a chaotic neutral force. While she never loses her crude personality or self-interest, she becomes an essential source of power for Okarun and occasionally provides critical insight. She represents the dangerous supernatural world that the protagonists are forced to bargain with and control, rather than simply destroy.