The anime Dandadan, which premiered in the fall 2024 season, is based on the popular battle manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, serialized on the Shonen Jump+ app. The story follows Momo Ayase, a high school girl born into a family of spiritual mediums, and Ken Takakura, nicknamed "Okarun," a boy with a deep passion for the occult. Their adventure begins when they both encounter bizarre supernatural phenomena.

In this article, we will dive deep into the profile of "Momo Ayase", exploring her abilities, personality, and relationships with other characters. Don’t miss the dynamic interactions and unique character setups that make Dandadan a standout series!

What is the Anime "Dandadan" Where Momo Ayase Appears?

Dandadan combines thrilling battles against terrifying supernatural entities and aliens with the sweet, youthful romance of its high school protagonists. Its unique pacing and striking manga visuals have captivated fans and earned multiple awards. In the Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2022 ranking by Takarajimasha, Dandadan placed fourth in the male category, following Look Back, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, and Kaiju No. 8.

The anime adaptation retains the intensity of the original manga, further enhanced by a stellar voice cast and captivating theme songs.

Dandadan Character List

Momo (Ayase Momo)
Okarun (Takakura Ken)
Seiko
Aira (Shiratori Aira)
Jiji (Enjoji Jin)
Turbo Granny
Serpoians
Acrobatic Silky

Momo Ayase's Plofile

■Official Profile
A high school girl from a family of spiritual mediums. She prefers stoic men. Although she doesn't believe in aliens, she does believe in ghosts. Abducted by the Serpoians, she awakens her hidden psychic powers.

■Momo Overview
Momo is the female protagonist of Dandadan. Raised in a family of spiritual mediums, she believes in ghosts but is skeptical about occult phenomena like aliens and UFOs. Her ideal type is a stoic, masculine man, similar to Ken Takakura, one of Japan’s most iconic post-war actors.

After the battle with Turbo Granny and the Serpo aliens, Momo is shocked to learn that the real name of “Occult-kun” is actually Ken Takakura, a name that catches her off guard. She often becomes flustered when Okarun uses lines reminiscent of the actor, like "I’m clumsy, you see," which evokes the image of Ken Takakura.

Momo’s parents have never appeared in the story; she lives with her grandmother, Seiko, who is a renowned medium dealing with various supernatural entities. To protect young Momo, Seiko made her perform unique protective rituals involving strange poses. Momo was ridiculed by the boys at school because of this, which left her deeply hurt. However, as she gets involved in battles against aliens alongside Okarun, she discovers that these rituals were actually effective. This realization leads her to apologize, gradually mending her strained relationship with her grandmother.

Momo considers herself a "gyaru" (Japanese slang for a trendy, fashion-conscious girl) and is close friends with two fellow gyaru, Miiko and Muuko, with whom she frequently hangs out. Her language is often rough, influenced by her grandmother’s brash personality. Momo even uses her sharp tongue to provoke and taunt supernatural entities, gaining the upper hand in her encounters.

■How Did Momo Get Her Powers?
Momo gains her powers after an argument with her classmate Okarun, which leads them to visit an abandoned hospital known as a UFO hotspot. There, Momo is captured by the alien Serpo. The Serpo aliens stimulate Momo’s brainwaves with telekinesis, awakening her chakras and allowing her to use psychic abilities. Momo’s powers are strong enough to even suppress the curse placed on Okarun by Turbo Granny.

What Are Momo’s Superpowers?

Momo possesses psychokinetic abilities that allow her to grasp the “flames” (auras) of objects and living beings. This power was unlocked in Episode 1 of the anime when the Serpo aliens stimulated her brainwaves, opening her chakras.

Momo can control a giant, arm-like aura that she uses to grab and throw objects with immense strength. Her powers are versatile; she can lift heavy objects, break through hard surfaces, or use them gently to envelop people or things. She even demonstrated the precision needed to perform direct heart massage on the unconscious Aira.

Her ability allows her to ‘connect and influence the soul with her own,’ enabling her to grab not only physical objects but also intangible entities like spirits.
Initially, after awakening, Momo displayed enough power to repel the telekinetic force of the Serpo aliens. However, her output is influenced by her own self-image, leading to instability. With guidance from her grandmother, she gradually learns to control her abilities better.

Typically, Momo uses her own arms as controllersKiko-hou for her psychokinetic power. While she can still use her abilities when her arms are restrained, her control and strength are reduced compared to when her arms are free.

Before unlocking the technique known as the "Moe-Moe Kikohou," Momo’s attacks lacked the decisive force needed in battles, often leaving her at a disadvantage.
Unlike her grandmother Seiko’s spiritual abilities, which rely on borrowing power from local deities and cannot be used outside their territory, Momo’s powers are not limited by location.

Who is Momo's Voice Actor in the Dandadan Anime?

Momo is voiced by Shion Wakayama, a talented actress affiliated with the Japanese child talent agency Theatre Company Himawari. Shion has been acting in dramas and movies since she was a child.

As a voice actor, one of her notable roles includes playing Takina Inoue in Lycoris Recoil. She was also honored with the Best New Actress Award at the 2022 Seiyu Awards, which recognizes standout performances and voice actors each year.

Momo and Okarun’s Relationship

Momo and Okarun first met when she stepped in to defend him from classmates who were teasing him. At the time, Momo simply thought the bullies were lame and decided to help out, but for Okarun, it was a significant moment, as it was the first time someone had stood up for him. Excited to have his "first friend," Okarun quickly becomes attached.

Momo learns that Okarun’s real name is the same as the famous actor Ken Takakura. Over time, as she spends more time with Okarun and sees his clumsy but earnest personality, she starts to develop feelings for him. However, due to her limited experience with romance, Momo is still hesitant to confess her feelings, leaving them both in a state of mutual but unspoken love.

Momo and Aira’s Relationship

From their first encounter, Momo and Aira’s relationship has been antagonistic. Aira is known as the most beautiful girl in school and maintains a kind persona on the surface, but she has a hidden side that is overly confident and somewhat manipulative.

Early in the story, Aira witnesses Momo using her psychokinetic powers after picking up a golden orb dropped by Turbo Granny. Mistaking Momo for a "demon," Aira begins to view her as an enemy, creating tension between the two.

However, after the incident with Acrobatic Silky, their relationship starts to shift in a positive direction. Aira develops a strong affection for Okarun after he saves her with CPR and does not hide her feelings, which complicates the dynamic between Momo and Okarun.

In the current storyline of the manga, while Momo and Aira still have a superficial rivalry, they increasingly work together against common enemies. Their relationship remains complex and continues to evolve as the plot progresses.

Momo and jiji’s Relationship

Momo and Jiji have been childhood friends since they were little, and Jiji was Momo’s first crush. They were classmates in elementary school, but Jiji regrets mocking the protective rituals that Momo performed. As the story unfolds, Jiji begins to develop feelings for Momo beyond just friendship. Meanwhile, Momo’s bond with Okarun (Ken Takakura) deepens, creating a mutual romantic interest. This has led to a love triangle involving Momo, Jiji, and Okarun.

Momo and Seiko’s Relationship

Seiko is Momo’s grandmother and has raised her on her own in the absence of Momo’s parents. When Momo was young, Seiko taught her a series of protective rituals. However, when a boy Momo liked made fun of these rituals, it caused her to develop a dislike for her grandmother. As the story progresses and Momo faces battles against aliens alongside Okarun, she realizes the true power of the rituals Seiko taught her. This revelation leads Momo to apologize, mending her strained relationship with her grandmother.

Momo's Key Moments and Images from Various Episodes

Next, we’ll take a look back at Momo’s standout scenes from each episode of the anime, accompanied by images.

Source : Dandadan Official