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| “ | I'm an awkward fellow, after all. | „ |
| ~ Okarun's line that caught Momo's attention. |
Ken "Okarun Takakura, is one of the two main protagonists (alongside Momo Ayase) of the 2021 supernatural manga series Dandadan and its 2024 anime adaptation.
He is an introverted high school boy and an adherent of aliens and ghosts. His life began to take a different path when he met a mysterious yokai known as Turbo Granny, who accidentally gave him her powers after she proceeded to cursing him and possessed him. He alongside his female schoolmate, Momo Ayase, began their adventure by seeking to find the Okarun's Kintama who was taken by the yokai. They continued their journey by investigating any paranormal activities that occurred, fighting evil spirits, evil cryptids and also fighting evil aliens invading the Earth, while also slowly falling in love with Momo in the process.
He is voiced by Natsuki Hanae in Japanese and A.J. Beckles in English (who also voiced Takemichi Hanagaki from Tokyo Revengers).
Quick Answers
What supernatural powers does Ken Takakura acquire in Dandadan?
Who is the yokai that curses Ken Takakura in the manga series?
What is the relationship between Ken Takakura and Momo Ayase in Dandadan?
What is the significance of the nickname 'Okarun' for Ken Takakura?
Appearance[]
Okarun is an average-looking teenage boy with messy dark brown hair. He wears round-framed glasses with turquoise components. His initial appearance can be seen as a younger boy with a bowl cut. His hairstyle changed following his confrontation with the alien, Flatwoods Monster.
His main attire is his high school uniform, a black gakuran.
In his Turbo Granny form, Okarun has more loose arms with a monstrous large skeletal-like grin mouth covering his real one. His eyes turn red, his skin becomes a greenish color with messy spiky white hair, and red lines appear across both of eyes eyes. During one of his transformation, he wore an oversized hoodie with white with bright green and red accents, featuring a cat icon on his upper right sleeve. His legs were clothed in loose dark pants and he was barefoot.
Anyone without spiritual sights cannot see Okarun's Turbo Granny form or anyone who possesses supernatural powers being manifested at all, meaning that Okarun is simply seen as an ordinary boy with superpowers for the public whenever his powers are in play.
Personality[]
Fitting his intellectual appearance, Okarun is often bullied and mocked by his classmates, resulting in him developing a shy demeanor. His shy nature caused him to be unable to answer when he was being asked by Momo what he was reading, resulting in him receiving criticism. He soon took the courage to talk to her by looking away as he comedically shouted that he believed he knew what she was into. He shares the magazine that he was reading, believing that she was interested in space and sciences as he announces some project in space being made. Momo tells him that she is not interested in UFOs but rather in ghosts with Okarun replies that ghosts do not exist, irritating her. She engages in a dispute with him regarding to the existence of both subjects. The argument ends with both of the students agreeing to show each other that what they believe in is real. Upon both facing verification about the other's beliefs, they had the sense to both concede the other was also correct.
Okarun's years of being bullied and socially exiled led him to having incredibly low self-esteem; as such, when he began to develop feelings for his first friend Momo, he was hesitant to reveal it, not just due to fear of rejection, but also feeling that he is unworthy of her. Further adventures and struggles together eventually encourage him to be honest with her, especially since she similarly was developing feelings for him; although continuous obstacles made them delay expressing these emotions. So, while the experience of facing mortal perils and building friendships gradually build up his self-worth, he can still be reluctant to debate others, unless it is an issue that he is passionate about.
Okarun exemplifies altruism, holding the belief that it is morally imperative to aid others in times of trouble. For instance, it can be shown for his moral act of offering Mr. Mantis Shrimp his kintama for sale to generate funds for his son's essential blood transfusion. In his capacity as a friend, Okarun displays staunch loyalty and a protective instinct, vehemently opposing any harm directed at those he has formed a bond with.
Alongside the drastic change of his appearance as he switched to his tubro granny yokai form, Okarun's personality shifts into an openly depressive and stoic nature, often claiming to feel lethargic or dejected and ending his phrases with "-yo" when talking. In this state he drops all courteous honorifics and uses the more affectionate "-chan" to Momo and others and occasionally makes romantic adjacent comments. In this state he is overtly protective of Momo and friends and is quick to anger when they are put in danger. This is demonstrated through his furious attack on the Evil Eye for harming Momo and seizing control of Jiji's body.
A factor that built his confidence was the power he gained from Turbo Granny; however, he became mentally dependent upon it, in that when his power is reduced or lost, he feels like he has nothing to offer, with his insecurity making him ignorant to his naturally developed physique or the facts of his courage and loyalty.
Abilities and Powers[]
Ken’s former powers granted from Turbo Granny's curse are versatile, allowing him to move an unmatched speeds, incredible supernatural strengths to stand on terms against supernatural beings.
- Immense Bite Force: What appears to be a large mask of with large teeth covering his actual mouth, as shown by his to bite off the Flatwoods Monster's left hand five fingers.
- Teleportation: By traveling through telephone wires. He can instantly teleport to a target location if someone makes a phone call from the so said-location, using the active line to traverse space. Upon exiting the wire, his speed is further amplified, making his movements appear like bursts of lightning. However, navigating becomes difficult when multiple wires are present, as it complicates his path. He cannot stay in a wire for too long, as magnetic forces push him out quickly. Additionally, if the wire is cut while he is inside, he will be forcefully discharged out.
After the event of 'Kintama Hunt Saga' finished, Ken Takakura become an ordinary human being after getting both of his Kintama. However, his human physical strength, speed, and intelligence was improved due to his experiences while using the Turbo Granny's curse.
- Ogre Club: Following the end of the Kozuka Knives arc, Ken Takakura was given an item dubbed the Ogre Club on behalf of Seiko to make up for his lost power. After rigorous training his spiritual power, Takakura is able to charge said power into the club making it resemble that of a saber. In this state, the club is potent enough to block and deflect attacks from enemies and cleave through their limbs.
Trivia[]
- He was named after the late Japanese actor Ken Takakura, although in the series was named the same coincidentally; Momo has a crush on the actor and his on-screen personas, thus influences her taste in romantic partners. This is also the reason as to why she often refers to him by his nickname, as she gets either enraged, embarrassed or swooned whenever the actor's name is mentioned.
- His line "I'm an awkward fellow, after all." is taken from one of the actor's advertisement for the "The Nippon Life Insurance."[1]
- At the end of Episode 3 and start of Episode 4, Ken wears an eboshi (烏帽子), which is wore by shoguns back in ancient Japan, as well a paper mask with a design based from a Dōtaku bell.
- In both Dandadan anime intros, Ken does the Devilman run from Devilman Crybaby as a nod to both anime sharing the same animation studio.
External Links[]
- Ken Takakura on the Dandadan Wiki
- Ken Takakura on the VS Battles Wiki
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Momo's Friends/"Family" Aliens | ||