Dandadan Character Connection: Ken Takakura’s Relationship with Momo Ayase

Key Takeaways

Momo is a huge fan of the renowned Japanese actor Ken Takakura, whom she looks up to as a role model.
Okarun shares the name Ken Takakura purely by chance.
The series Dandadan introduces another character named “Ken”, highlighting the admiration for “Kens”throughout.

Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for Dandadan, Episode 3, “It’s a Granny vs. Granny Clash!”, currently available on Crunchyroll.

Dandadan features a cast of eccentric and enigmatic characters, including a name that resonates without a face: “Ken Takakura”. During the closing moments of the first episode, the protagonist—an extraterrestrial enthusiast adorned with glasses—discloses that his name is Ken Takakura. The female lead, Momo Ayase, reacts with incredulity as a crashed UFO behind her explodes in a spectacular manner. It’s evident from her reaction that Momo has a completely different Ken Takakura in mind. But who could that be?

The mention of this name is not a one-off occurrence in Dandadan; it appears multiple times throughout the early parts of the show. Momo conveys that her dream partner is one “Ken Takakura”, lamenting about her inability to find someone who aligns with that ideal.

Momo’s Dream Guy, the Renowned Japanese Star

A Classic Celebrity Crush, Naturally

Dandadan emphasizes that the Ken Takakura Momo idolizes is not the same person as the avid conspiracy theorist the audience encounters in the series. The Ken Takakura who holds Momo’s affections is a legendary Japanese actor celebrated for his work spanning the mid-20th century. Undoubtedly, Ken Takakura, affectionately referred to as Ken-san by fans, ranks among the most prestigious figures in Japanese cinema. He has been awarded the Japanese Academy Award for Best Actor four times, a record in its own right.

Momo’s infatuation with Ken-san runs so deep that she began dating a boy at the onset of the series solely due to his resemblance to her star crush. However, upon realizing that his personality strayed far from that of Ken-san and that he was rather unpleasant, she promptly ends the relationship with a roundhouse kick.

Momo regards Ken Takakura as more than just an idol; she uses him as a benchmark of righteousness. In Episode 3 of Dandadan, titled “It’s a Granny vs. Granny Clash!” , her grandmother, Seiko Ayase, known as Santa Dodoria, tries to persuade Momo to abandon Okarun, suggesting their odds against Turbo Granny are slim. Momo staunchly defends her stance, insisting that Ken-san would never retreat from such a challenge, and neither will she.

Thus, when Momo discovers that her companion in battling the supernatural shares the same name, Ken Takakura, she is understandably taken aback. Following her shock, she chooses to assign him a nickname, dubbing him “Okarun”due to his passion for the mysterious. She even goes to the extent of prohibiting any mentions of his genuine name.

What’s with Okarun’s Name Resemblance?

It’s Just Coincidence, Believe It or Not

Interestingly, the coincidence of Okarun sharing the same name seems entirely accidental. As strange as it may sound, it turns out Momo’s classmate coincidentally has the identical name—both first and last—of the actor she admires. There have been no indications in either the manga or the anime suggesting that Okarun has any familial ties to the illustrious Ken Takakura.

Nonetheless, while there may be no narrative explanation, a real-world inspiration could explain why Yukinobu Tatsu decided to name Okarun similarly. Although the character influenced by Turbo Granny bears no resemblance to the actor, personality traits align in a fascinating way. Ken Takakura often portrayed stoic, selfless, and strong individuals, and Okarun exhibits these qualities, such as:

In the first episode, Okarun displays selflessness by insisting he confront Turbo Granny alone to protect Momo from danger.
He embodies a quiet demeanor, shaped by shyness rather than emotional restraint.
Towards the conclusion of the first episode, Okarun mimics Ken Takakura’s famed line: “Bukiyou desukara”(I’m an awkward fellow), which throws Momo off balance and propels her to inquire about his identity. This iconic line first appeared in a commercial during the 1980s and gained fame for showcasing Ken’s struggles with articulating his feelings properly.

“I can’t involve you further, Miss Ayase. I’ll muster all my strength to make it to the tunnel and find a way through.”

Nevertheless, the manga is still ongoing, leaving room for Yukinobu Tatsu to possibly draw connections between these two Ken Takakuras in a more explicit fashion. It’s somewhat peculiar that Okarun has yet to acknowledge the shared name of his famous counterpart. However, it could remain an amusing coincidence; after all, the Dandadan world is rife with curious occurrences that surpass mere name-sharing.

Another “Ken”Beloved by the Ayase Clan

It Seems a Love for Kens is Familial

Shimura Ken's Bakatonosama in Dandadan-1

If you thought the occurrence of two Ken Takakuras was surprising, Dandadan has even more excitement in store. In Episode 3, “It’s a Granny vs. Granny Clash!” , we learn that Santa Dodoria is a fan of the traditional Japanese series Shimura Ken no Bakatonosama. This real-life comedy show features the talented comedian Ken Shimura. Clearly, Granny Ayase’s love for this character is hereditary.

Additionally, in a less direct capacity, the Japanese voice actor for Okarun, Natsuki Hanae, is also known for giving life to Ken Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul, providing yet another link to the name “Ken” within the realm of Dandadan.

Dandadan can be currently streamed on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Muse Asia, and on various other platforms. The next episode, Episode 5, is expected to be released on October 31, 2024, at 9:00 AM PT.

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