Tatsuya Endo and Yukinobu Tatsu have a weirdly specific talent for making us care about people who are, frankly, a bit unhinged. When you're trying to figure out which Dandadan character are you, it’s rarely about whether you believe in aliens or ghosts. Honestly, it’s more about how you handle the absolute absurdity of being alive. One minute you’re trying to survive a math test, and the next, you’re dealing with a Turbo Granny who wants to steal your dignity. Life feels like that sometimes.
The manga, which debuted on Shonen Jump+ in 2021, took the world by storm because it refused to pick a lane. It’s a romance. It’s a horror. It’s a sci-fi comedy. But mostly, it's a character study of outcasts. To find your match, you have to look past the supernatural powers and look at the insecurities. Are you the person who puts up a massive front to protect a soft heart? Or are you the one who is so deeply obsessed with your niche interests that you forget how to talk to actual humans?
Why Momo Ayase is the High-Energy Protector You Probably Aspire to Be
Momo is the engine that keeps this entire chaotic train on the tracks. If you find yourself constantly taking charge of your friend group because you’re the only one who isn’t currently vibrating with anxiety, you’re likely a Momo. She’s defined by her "gyaru" aesthetic, sure, but that’s just the surface level. What really makes Momo tick is her fierce loyalty and her refusal to be intimidated, even when she’s staring down a Serpoian who wants to harvest her organs.
She’s got this specific brand of confidence that hides a lot of loneliness. Think about her relationship with her grandmother, Seiko. She grew up in a household where the supernatural was normal, which basically means she was "weird" before she even had a chance to be "normal." If you’re the type of person who had to grow up a little too fast and now you feel like you have to save everyone else, Momo is your mirror.
She doesn’t do things halfway. When she decides to help Okarun, she doesn't just give him a pep talk; she jumps into the fray. Her psychic powers—those giant spectral hands—are a perfect metaphor. She wants to grab the world and force it to make sense. You aren’t just "strong" if you’re a Momo; you’re the person who makes everyone else feel like things might actually be okay.
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The Okarun Paradox: Are You an Introvert with Hidden Teeth?
Ken Takakura, or Okarun, is the poster child for every person who ever felt like they didn't belong in their own skin. He starts the series as a guy who likes aliens because he thinks they’re the only ones who might understand him. That’s relatable. It’s also incredibly sad. If your search for which Dandadan character are you led you here, you might be the "quiet one" who is actually harboring a massive amount of untapped potential—or just a lot of repressed thoughts.
Okarun’s transformation into his hybrid form is one of the coolest visual shifts in modern manga. But look at the personality change. He goes from stuttering and nervous to morose, powerful, and strangely cool. That "depressed hero" energy is a total vibe. You might be Okarun if you feel like you’re constantly "buffering" in social situations, only to have moments of absolute clarity when the stakes are high.
It’s about the growth. Okarun isn’t the same kid he was in chapter one. He’s learned that having interests—even weird ones—is a bridge to other people, not a wall. If you’ve spent your life hiding your "nerdy" side only to realize that those very things are what make you valuable, you’re Okarun. He’s the proof that you don't need to be loud to be the most important person in the room.
The Aira Shiratori Ego Trip (and the Heart Behind It)
Aira is... a lot. When she first appears, she’s the classic "mean girl" archetype, convinced she’s the protagonist of the entire universe. If you have a bit of a "main character syndrome" but it’s actually a defense mechanism against feeling invisible, Aira is your girl. She’s convinced she’s a literal angel. That’s a bold choice.
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But then things get messy. Her encounter with the Acrobatic Silky reveals that her "conceit" is actually a way to cope with grief and the need to be loved. If you find yourself being overly dramatic or performative because you’re afraid people won’t notice you otherwise, you’ll find a lot of yourself in Aira. She’s incredibly brave, even if her reasons for being brave are initially a bit self-centered.
Jiji: The Golden Retriever Energy We All Need
Enjoji Michihiro, or Jiji, is the human equivalent of a cup of coffee that’s 80% sugar. He’s loud, he’s athletic, and he’s genuinely kind. He’s the childhood friend who comes back into the picture and accidentally makes everything more complicated. If you’re the person who uses humor to mask your own trauma, Jiji is likely your match.
He’s not just a comic relief character. The Evil Eye arc showed us that Jiji carries a lot of weight. He’s terrified of hurting the people he loves. If you’re the "life of the party" who goes home and worries that you’re a burden to your friends, you’re Jiji. You probably give great hugs and have a very specific, slightly annoying laugh that everyone would secretly miss if it was gone.
The Supporting Cast: Seiko and Turbo Granny
Sometimes, you aren't the protagonist. Sometimes you’re the chaotic mentor or the reformed villain.
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- Seiko Ayase: You’re the "cool aunt" or the person everyone goes to for advice. You’re cynical, you’ve seen it all, and you probably have a better skincare routine than anyone half your age. You don't take nonsense from anyone, and you probably have a secret stash of high-quality tea or snacks.
- Turbo Granny: You’re small, angry, and incredibly foul-mouthed. But deep down? You’ve developed a weirdly protective streak for the people you claim to hate. You’re the person who says "I hate everyone" while simultaneously baking cookies for your neighbors.
How to Tell Who You Really Are
Think about your reaction to a crisis.
If your first instinct is to analyze the logic and find a technical solution, you’re leaning toward Okarun. If your first instinct is to punch the problem in the face (metaphorically or literally) to protect your friends, you’re Momo. If you try to make a joke to diffuse the tension, you’re Jiji. And if you’re wondering how this crisis affects your personal brand, well, hello Aira.
Dandadan is a story about how being "weird" is actually just being human. Every character is a misfit. Okarun is a loner, Momo is an outcast in her own way, and even the villains are usually just lost souls looking for a connection. When you ask which Dandadan character are you, you’re really asking which version of "weird" you identify with most.
Practical Steps to Embrace Your Inner Dandadan Character
Finding your match is fun, but applying that energy to real life is where the value is. These characters don't just sit around; they evolve.
- Audit your "Inner Okarun": Identify one hobby or interest you’ve been hiding because you think it’s "too weird." Spend an hour this week engaging with it guilt-free. Whether it’s UFO sightings or 19th-century button collecting, own it.
- Channel Momo’s Protective Streak: Check in on that one friend who is always the "strong" one. Even the Momos of the world need someone to tell them it's okay to let go of the spectral hands for a minute.
- Practice Jiji’s Vulnerability: If you’re the joker, try having one "real" conversation this week where you don't use a punchline to deflect. It’s scary, but it’s how Jiji actually builds real bonds.
- Watch the Anime or Re-read the Manga: Sometimes we see different things in characters depending on where we are in our own lives. If you haven't checked out the Science SARU adaptation yet, seeing these characters in motion might change your perspective on who you relate to most.
The beauty of Yukinobu Tatsu’s writing is that these characters aren't static. They’re messy, they make mistakes, and they grow. You aren't just one character forever; you’re a mix of all of them, depending on the day. Today you might be a grumpy Turbo Granny, but tomorrow? You might just find the courage of a Momo Ayase.