Dandadan has been one of the most talked-about manga and anime phenomena since 2024: the story of Momo Ayase, who firmly believes in ghosts, and Okarun, convinced that aliens are real, who discover they're both right when a paranormal and alien encounter at the same time changes their lives forever. What starts as a schoolyard bet turns into a unique blend of comedy, horror and sci-fi, with an ever-growing cast of characters and powers ranging from classic Japanese occultism to alien technology. This guide sorts out who's who and where each power comes from, without spoiling the final twists.
What is Dandadan and where does it come from?
Dandadan is a Japanese manga created by Yukinobu Tatsu, serialized in Shonen Jump magazine since 2021. Its anime adaptation was handled by studio Science SARU, known for its fluid, stylized animation, and premiered in fall 2024 to major international buzz. The premise kicks off with a bet between two teenagers: Momo, convinced spirits are real, and Okarun, sure that aliens are the real deal. When they both find out they were right at the same time, their lives become tied to supernatural phenomena that mix Japanese folklore and alien science fiction in equal measure.
Momo Ayase: the medium with psychic powers
Momo is the series' co-lead, a strong-willed high schooler descended from a family with a tradition of spirit mediums. After the encounter that kicks off the plot, her latent psychic powers awaken with force: she can generate energy fields, exert telekinesis and release lightning-like discharges, abilities that intensify when she gets angry or needs to protect someone close to her. Unlike Okarun, whose power depends on an external curse, Momo's is her own talent, which she trains and gradually learns to control throughout the story.
Okarun and the curse of Turbo Granny
Okarun, whose real name is Ken Takakura, is an introverted boy obsessed with UFOs and paranormal phenomena. While exploring an abandoned tunnel with Momo, he's cursed by Turbo Granny (Turbo Baa-chan), a yokai based on the Japanese urban legend of the "fast grandma" said to haunt the roads. The curse takes away his genitals, but in exchange, every time he temporarily gets part of them back, he partially transforms into Turbo Granny herself, gaining superhuman strength and speed that he uses as his main combat resource for much of the first season.
Turbo Granny: from curse to ally
| Character | Origin | Role in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Turbo Granny | Yokai based on the "fast grandma" road legend | Curses Okarun; after being sealed in a maneki-neko doll, joins the group |
| Jiji | Momo's childhood friend, later possessed by another spirit | Close support for the group; his arc adds another layer of occult powers |
| Aira Shiratori | Popular classmate with her own paranormal encounter | Develops supernatural perception and a rivalry-friendship with Momo |
Turbo Granny goes from being the source of Okarun's curse to becoming one of the group's most valuable allies once she's sealed inside a maneki-neko doll (the classic Japanese "lucky cat"), lending her strength and knowledge of the yokai world to later investigations.
Aira Shiratori and Jiji: the rest of the group
Aira Shiratori is a popular classmate who, after her own paranormal encounter, develops the ability to see ghosts and goes through a phase of arrogance her own friends nickname a "goddess complex." She eventually integrates into the main group, and her supernatural perception becomes another tool for investigating occult phenomena. Jiji, Momo's childhood friend, starts out as a seemingly cool character who turns out to be pretty clumsy, and his role grows notably once he's possessed by a spirit of his own, adding a power source different from Okarun's alien science or Momo's psychic occultism.
Aliens vs. yokai: the series' two power systems
- Japanese occultism (yokai): spirits, curses and urban legends like Turbo Granny's, with rules of their own rooted in traditional folklore.
- Alien technology: ships, implants and creatures from other planets that Okarun has investigated from the start, which turn out to be just as real as ghosts.
- Inherited psychic powers: the mediumship gift of Momo's family, which connects both worlds and lets the group face threats from either origin.
- Possessions and partial transformations: both Okarun and Jiji get their powers through an external possession or curse, not through their own training.
This constant mix of Japanese paranormal lore and alien science fiction is Dandadan's signature trait compared to other action shonen: almost every arc introduces a new creature, yokai or technology that forces the group to adapt how they fight.
Common mistakes about Dandadan's characters
- Thinking Okarun has powers of his own from the start: his strength depends entirely on Turbo Granny's curse, it's not an innate talent.
- Believing Turbo Granny is just a villain: after the first chapters she becomes one of the group's most important allies.
- Mistaking Dandadan for a simple fighting shonen: the series gives as much weight to comedy and teen romance as to supernatural action.
- Assuming it's an original anime: it started as a manga by Yukinobu Tatsu in Shonen Jump (2021), before its adaptation by Science SARU in 2024.
If the anime leaves you wanting more, Yukinobu Tatsu's manga lets you get much further ahead in the story of Momo, Okarun and the rest of the group.
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Frequently asked questions about Dandadan's characters
What is Dandadan about?
Dandadan follows Momo Ayase, a girl who firmly believes in ghosts, and Okarun, obsessed with aliens, who bet each other that their rival's favorite paranormal belief doesn't exist. After running into both at once, Okarun is cursed by a yokai and Momo awakens psychic powers, and together they start investigating and fighting occult and alien phenomena.
Who is Turbo Granny in Dandadan?
Turbo Granny (Turbo Baa-chan) is a yokai based on the Japanese urban legend of the “fast grandma.” She curses Okarun by stealing his genitals, giving him superhuman speed and strength whenever he gets part of them back temporarily. She eventually becomes an ally of the group after being sealed inside a maneki-neko doll (the lucky cat).
What powers does Momo Ayase have?
Momo is a spirit medium with a latent psychic power inherited from her grandmother. She can generate energy fields, telekinesis and electric discharges that grow more intense as the series progresses, especially when she's angry or wants to protect Okarun.
What happens to Okarun after meeting Turbo Granny?
Okarun is cursed and loses his genitals, but in exchange he gains the ability to partially transform into Turbo Granny, gaining superhuman strength and speed for a limited time. It's his first and main source of combat power for much of the first season.
Who is Aira Shiratori and how is she different from Momo?
Aira is a popular classmate who develops the ability to see ghosts after her own paranormal encounter, which gives her a temporary superiority complex (a “goddess complex”). Unlike Momo, her power is more tied to perception than to direct combat, though it also evolves with the story.
Is Dandadan a manga or an original anime?
Dandadan is a Japanese manga created by Yukinobu Tatsu, serialized in Shonen Jump since 2021. Its anime adaptation, produced by Science SARU, premiered in 2024, and the second season aired in 2025.
Where can I watch Dandadan legally?
The Dandadan anime is available on Netflix with dubbing and subtitles in multiple languages, while the original manga is published in English by Viz Media.
How many seasons does Dandadan have, and will there be a third?
As of 2026, two seasons of the anime have aired. A third season was officially confirmed during the Jump Festa event, with a release planned for 2027, along with a special movie announced as a preview.