Ken Takakura, also known as Okarun, is the main male protagonist of the manga series Dandadan. He is an avid enthusiast of the occult, particularly fascinated by aliens and UFOs. Okarun led a reclusive school life until he crossed paths with Momo Ayase, a fellow student. A bet with Momo sparks a friendship between them, and after a curse from the Turbo Granny causes him to lose his kintama, Okarun embarks on a quest to reclaim what he has lost, aided by Momo and other friends as they navigate various paranormal challenges.
Okarun is depicted as a young man of average height with a slender build, brown hair, brown eyes, and round-frame glasses. Initially sporting a bowl cut, his hair has become tousled following his encounter with the Flatwoods Monster. While he often wears a variety of outfits, his most recognizable look is his school uniform, a typical gakuran.
Characterized as socially awkward, Okarun has a deep-seated fascination with the paranormal, which traces back to his childhood. He attempted to make contact with aliens in hopes of finding companionship, having faced relentless bullying and isolation. This history has led to an inferiority complex, making him feel out of place and convinced that others would be better off without him. Despite forming a bond with Momo, Okarun struggles with low self-esteem, especially when he perceives competition from Jiji, a figure from Momo’s past. Momo suggests that Okarun’s issues with friendship stem from his tendency to assume others are judging him, which leads him to keep people at a distance.
Okarun is inherently altruistic, believing in the importance of helping others in distress. A notable instance of this is when he offers his kintama to Mr. Mantis Shrimp to fund his son’s blood transfusion. He is fiercely loyal and protective of his friends, as demonstrated by his aggressive defense of Momo against the Evil Eye.
Initially skeptical about the existence of spirits, Okarun’s views change as he encounters various supernatural phenomena. He is also overly formal, addressing friends with polite suffixes, except for Jiji, who requires him to drop the formality. This trait allows Momo to identify when someone is impersonating Okarun.
Abilities and Powers
Natural Abilities
- Enhanced Human Condition: Okarun possesses superior physical fitness, outperforming his peers in various physical tests, including sprinting, throwing, and jumping.
Supernatural Abilities
- Spiritual Awareness: He can see spirits, including earthbound spirits and yokai, granting him access to Empty Space.
- Turbo Granny’s Spiritual Power: After the yokai’s consciousness was extracted from him, Okarun gained the ability to transform into the Turbo Granny form, which enhances his physical attributes. In this state, his hair turns white, and he exhibits a more muscular build, along with a darker jaw mask and sharpened nails. His personality also shifts, becoming more melancholic.
Enhanced Speed: In Turbo Granny form, Okarun can run at speeds of up to 100 km/h, which he refers to as going “All-Out.”
Strengths and Combat Usage:
- Okarun utilizes his enhanced speed to dodge attacks and launch rapid strikes against opponents. He has demonstrated the ability to evade powerful attacks and can execute multiple actions in quick succession.
Weaknesses:
- The All-Out state can only be maintained for a limited time, after which Okarun experiences exhaustion. He also cannot swim, as the Turbo Granny lacks that ability.
Telephone Wire Transportation: Okarun can travel along telephone wires, allowing for instant teleportation to his desired location. However, he must be cautious, as disruptions to the wire can eject him prematurely.
Astral Projection: Okarun can separate from his physical body and explore as an astral form, although this ability has yet to be used intentionally.
Through his journey, Okarun embodies the themes of friendship, perseverance, and the struggle against personal demons, all while navigating a world filled with the supernatural.