
Ken Takakura (高たか倉くら健けん, Takakura Ken), more commonly known as Okarun (オカルン), is the main male protagonist of the manga series Dandadan.
A passionate enthusiast of the occult, Okarun holds a firm belief in the existence of aliens and UFOs. Prior to meeting Momo Ayase, he led a quiet and introverted life at school. However, a bet with Momo not only sparked an unexpected friendship but also set him on a paranormal journey after he became cursed by the Turbo Granny, resulting in the loss of his kintama. Determined to reclaim what was taken from him, Okarun embarks on a mission alongside Momo and their growing circle of allies, facing numerous supernatural challenges and entities throughout their quest.
Appearance
In Anime and Original Manga
Okarun is a teenage boy of short stature with a slender build. He has brown eyes and brown hair—depicted as black in the anime—and typically wears round-frame glasses. Initially, his hair was styled in a neat bowl cut, but it became more unruly following his encounter with the Flatwoods Monster. While he was originally quite thin, his physique has become more toned due to his commitment to strength training and the physical demands of battling spirits and aliens.
Although Okarun is seen wearing a variety of outfits throughout the series, his most common attire is his school uniform: a traditional gakuran outfit, which reflects the typical dress code for male students in Japan.
In Age-Restricted Manga



Inside the desolate, abandoned hospital, Okarun felt his body weakening with every passing moment. The ‘item’ Momo had given him was no longer working, and the relentless pain tearing through him was pushing him closer to the brink of unconsciousness. His breathing was labored, cold sweat trickled down his forehead, and his vision blurred. Momo had gone to find medicine, but Okarun wasn’t sure if he could hold on until she returned. Every second felt like a trial, forcing him to endure despite the unbearable agony.
As he sank deeper into his suffering, Aira remained by his side. But what surprised him was her offer—something beyond just relief from his pain. Aira wanted to share something more, offering him comfort that extended beyond physical warmth. Yet, deep inside, Okarun hesitated. Even as his body weakened and his mind wavered, he knew the truth—his heart had always belonged to Momo. This doubt tormented him, leaving him torn between physical pain and emotional confusion. While Momo was out there fighting desperately against the monstrous tentacles, Okarun was fighting his own battle—against pain, against temptation, and against the undeniable fact that his heart had already chosen someone he might never see again.
Gallery
In Anime and Original Manga
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In Age-Restricted Manga




This manga contains content intended for mature audiences. It explores complex themes and may not be suitable for younger readers. The storyline delves into deep character development, intense drama, and emotional narratives. Viewer discretion is advised.
In FanArt




Discover stunning fanart featuring unique interpretations of your favorite characters. From dynamic action scenes to stylish outfits, explore creative artworks that bring them to life.
Personality
Okarun identifies himself as a socially awkward individual with a deep fascination for the paranormal, particularly focusing on the existence of aliens and cryptids. His interest stems from childhood, when his persistent bullying and lack of companionship led him to seek connection by attempting to contact extraterrestrial beings. This experience contributed to the development of an inferiority complex, making him believe that he cannot fit in with others and that people are better off without associating with him.
Even after forming a friendship with Momo Ayase, Okarun continues to struggle with low self-esteem. When Jiji reentered Momo’s life, Okarun observed how much she enjoyed Jiji’s company, leading him to believe that he could not compete with their bond. This sense of inadequacy nearly caused him to end his friendship with Momo, as he feared becoming a burden. Momo later pointed out that Okarun’s difficulty in forming friendships stemmed from his tendency to assume that others were judging him negatively. This mindset caused him to unconsciously distance himself from those around him, creating barriers that prevented deeper connections.
Okarun is a compassionate and selfless individual who firmly believes in helping others when they are in need. One notable example of his altruism is when he offered Mr. Mantis Shrimp his kintama to sell, allowing him to secure the funds necessary for his son’s blood transfusion. This gesture exemplifies Okarun’s willingness to make personal sacrifices for the well-being of others, even at great cost to himself.
As a friend, Okarun is deeply loyal and fiercely protective. He refuses to stand by when those he cares about are harmed, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to their safety. This was evident during his confrontation with the Evil Eye, where Okarun attacked the yokai in a fit of rage after witnessing it hurt Momo and take control of Jiji’s body. His determination to defend his friends, even when facing overwhelming odds, highlights his strong sense of loyalty and moral integrity.
Before discovering that spirits truly coexist with the living, Okarun was initially skeptical of their existence. His belief stemmed from the idea that most paranormal phenomena could be explained through logical reasoning, leading him to dismiss the notion of spirits as mere superstition.
Okarun is also known for his excessively formal demeanor, particularly in how he addresses his friends and allies. He consistently uses polite suffixes, such as “-san” or “-kun,” when referring to others, finding it difficult to address them by their first names or nicknames without these honorifics. The only exception to this habit is Jiji, as the latter tends to ignore him unless addressed without a suffix. This quirk played a crucial role during the encounter with Reiko Kashima, as Momo was able to identify the yokai’s impersonation of Okarun when it referred to Jiji as “Jiji-san”, a term Okarun himself would never use.
Interestingly, Okarun’s strict adherence to formality disappears when he shifts into his Turbo Granny form, suggesting that this transformation alters not only his physical abilities but also aspects of his personality and behavior.
Background
Since elementary school, Ken struggled to fit in with his peers and was frequently targeted by bullies. In his desire to form connections and find companionship, he began attempting to communicate with aliens. What started as a hopeful pursuit gradually evolved into an obsession, shaping his fascination with the occult and fueling his belief in extraterrestrial life.
Abilities and Powers
Natural Abilities
Physical Prowess
Athleticism: Due to the numerous paranormal challenges he has faced, Okarun has developed an impressive level of physical fitness comparable to that of a trained athlete. His enhanced speed, strength, and endurance were demonstrated during a school physical fitness test, where he surpassed both his expectations and those of his classmates.
In the 50-meter sprint, Okarun completed the distance in just 5.8 seconds—far exceeding his initial estimate of 9 seconds. His throwing ability was equally remarkable, as he managed to hurl a handball 35 meters. During the standing long jump, he reached a distance of 3.6 meters, showcasing his explosive leg strength. His agility and coordination were evident in the sidestep test, where he achieved 80 steps, and his stamina was highlighted during the shuttle run, which he completed with an impressive 120 repetitions.
Overall, Okarun’s performance not only surpassed that of his classmates in every category but also left him with more remaining stamina than his peers, reflecting the exceptional physical conditioning he has developed through his encounters with spirits and aliens.
Former Abilities and Powers
Supernatural Abilities
Spiritual Awareness
Okarun possesses the ability to perceive spirits with remarkable clarity, including earthbound spirits and yokai. This heightened spiritual awareness distinguishes him from ordinary individuals, granting him the rare capability to interact with entities beyond the physical world. Additionally, this unique sensitivity allows Okarun to access Empty Space, a realm that only a select few can enter, further emphasizing his connection to the supernatural.
Turbo Granny Form

Okarun acquired the spiritual power of Turbo Granny after Seiko and Momo successfully extracted the yokai’s consciousness from his body. Initially, he could only access this mode while still under the curse of Turbo Granny, requiring Momo’s psychokinesis to suppress the curse’s influence over his mind, which allowed him to maintain control of his body. However, after the yokai’s powers were accidentally left within him, Okarun gained the ability to willingly transform into this enhanced state without external assistance.
When activating this power, Okarun’s appearance undergoes significant changes. His hair flares upward and turns white, while two thick vertical stripes appear across his eyes. His face is partially obscured by a dark jaw mask featuring a row of sharp teeth. Beneath his clothing, his physique becomes more muscular, though his posture shifts into a hunched stance. Additionally, the nails on his hands and feet transform into sharp, black claws. Even his clothing alters slightly, taking on a flame-like appearance.
This transformation also affects Okarun’s mental state. His personality becomes more somber and melancholic, contrasting with his usual demeanor. Furthermore, he develops the peculiar habit of ending his sentences with the word “yo”, adding an unusual quirk to his speech that reflects the lingering influence of Turbo Granny’s presence.
Enhanced Speed

In this transformed state, Okarun gains the extraordinary speed of Turbo Granny, enabling him to run at an astonishing velocity of 100 kilometers per hour. This impressive level of speed allows him to move with exceptional swiftness, making it difficult for both allies and enemies to track his movements. When pushing himself to his maximum speed, Okarun refers to this state as going All-Out (本気, Honki), signifying his full commitment to utilizing the full extent of his enhanced abilities.
Strengths

Upon assuming his Turbo Granny form for the first time, Okarun demonstrated remarkable speed and reflexes, allowing him to narrowly evade an attack from the Flatwoods Monster just seconds before it could crush him. His enhanced agility was further showcased during his encounter with the Earthbound Spirit Crab, as he managed to cover significant ground across Shono City while skillfully evading the spirit’s pursuit.
Okarun’s speed also proved crucial in combat situations involving his allies. When Aira was struck by Bamora, Okarun swiftly closed the distance between them, arriving just in time to prevent her from being hit by a follow-up attack. His rapid movements enabled him to intercept the threat despite the considerable distance between them.
This exceptional speed not only enhances Okarun’s mobility but also gives him a significant advantage in battle, allowing him to keep pace with and overwhelm powerful adversaries such as the Evil Eye. Despite the yokai’s formidable strength and resilience—qualities that had made it nearly impossible to defeat singlehandedly—Okarun’s speed allowed him to gain the upper hand through swift, relentless attacks.
According to Turbo Granny, the sheer velocity of this form allows Okarun to execute up to five distinct actions within the span of a single beat, underscoring the unparalleled swiftness and agility that defines his fighting style in this state.
Weaknesses
Okarun’s use of All-Out was initially limited to just two sprints, as the immense strain caused by his supernatural speed placed excessive pressure on his human body. Once he reached this limit, Okarun would revert to his normal state, leaving him temporarily immobilized and unable to move for a short period due to exhaustion.
However, through dedicated training and repeated use of the Turbo Granny form, Okarun gradually adapted to its physical demands. As a result, he became capable of sustaining his enhanced speed without experiencing the intense muscle aches that had previously accompanied his transformations. Despite this progress, the drawback of physical strain could still resurface if Okarun maintained his maximum speed for too long, indicating that overexertion remains a potential risk.
Additionally, Okarun’s transformation comes with a notable limitation: he is unable to swim while in this form. This restriction stems from Turbo Granny’s inability to swim, which carries over to Okarun whenever he harnesses her abilities, leaving him vulnerable in aquatic environments.
Usage

Okarun utilized the Turbo Granny’s power both for combat and to create distance between himself and his adversaries. In close-quarters combat, he relied on his exceptional speed to deliver rapid physical attacks that left his opponents with little to no opportunity to counter. His offensive techniques primarily consisted of swift squats and headbutts, executed with such velocity that they overwhelmed his foes before they could react.
When working alongside his allies, Okarun used his speed to support them during battle. He could swiftly intervene to pull them out of harm’s way or carry them on his back to catch up with a moving target or make a quick escape when necessary. This combination of speed and teamwork allowed him to play both offensive and defensive roles in combat.
Following direct training from Turbo Granny, Okarun refined his ability to harness her power more effectively, improving both his combat rhythm and control over his movements. His enhanced abilities were notably demonstrated during his battle against the Music Room Portraits. By recalling the rhythm of the hayashi music, he synchronized his attacks with the tempo of the notes, using his heightened speed and reflexes to evade the tulpas’ barrage of explosive musical notes. Moving faster than the eye could follow, he delivered a succession of five headbutts in rapid succession, leaving afterimages in his wake due to the sheer speed of his movements.
Later, this improved agility was further showcased during his rematch against the Evil Eye. Whereas Okarun had previously struggled to dodge even a single grudge ball during their first encounter, he was now able to evade multiple simultaneous attacks, demonstrating both his growth in speed and his ability to maintain precise control during high-intensity battles.

Since All-Out stems from a significant boost in leg strength, Okarun can propel himself forward with explosive force, making this technique his preferred method of attack. His charging speed is powerful enough to break through a crowd of possessed citizens without slowing down and deliver devastating blows to large yokai. This was demonstrated when he sent Acrobatic Silky—a yokai with a notably large body—crashing backward, leaving it severely injured and unable to stand for a brief period. Most impressively, Okarun’s speed and force allowed him to split the massive body of the Serpo Dover Demon Nessie cleanly in half, showcasing the immense destructive potential of his enhanced acceleration.
In addition to its offensive applications, All-Out can also be used for mobility and evasive maneuvers. While escaping from the Earthbound Spirit Crab, Okarun demonstrated a creative use of this ability by rotating his legs around his body like a helicopter’s rotary wings. This unconventional technique allowed both him and Momo to remain airborne long enough to safely land on city ground, highlighting his adaptability and quick thinking in high-stress situations.
Enhanced Durability
Okarun’s transformation also granted him enhanced durability, allowing him to endure the physical strain of his high-speed launching attacks without sustaining injury. This resilience enables him to repeatedly propel himself with tremendous force during combat without compromising his body. Additionally, his increased toughness allows him to withstand attacks from powerful adversaries, such as the Evil Eye, whose strikes had previously proven difficult to endure. This combination of speed and durability makes Okarun a formidable opponent, capable of both delivering and withstanding significant damage in battle.
Enhanced Bite Force
Okarun’s jaw mask provides him with an exceptionally powerful bite force, capable of inflicting significant damage. This strength was demonstrated during his battle with the Flatwoods Monster, where he managed to bite off all five fingers from the creature’s left hand in a single attack. This ability adds another layer to Okarun’s offensive capabilities, allowing him to deal close-range damage even when his hands are occupied.
Telephone Wire Transportation

In addition to his enhanced speed, Okarun also inherited Turbo Granny’s unique ability to travel through telephone cables. To execute this technique, he must align his movements with the spiral-shaped magnetic field that flows along the electrical current within the wires. By maintaining Turbo Granny’s immense speed while navigating the cables, Okarun can swiftly traverse long distances, making this ability a highly effective method of transportation and escape.
Strengths and Weaknesses


While it initially took some time for Okarun to reach his desired location through telephone cables, he could instantly teleport to a specific destination if the telephone line was actively transmitting a signal from the location he intended to reach. This technique not only enabled rapid transportation but also enhanced Okarun’s speed upon exiting the wire. When he emerged from the cable and continued moving, his speed was so immense that his movements appeared similar to lightning streaking through the area, making it difficult for opponents to track his movements.
However, this ability came with certain limitations. Navigating multiple interconnected telephone lines made it challenging for Okarun to pinpoint his intended destination. Additionally, he could not remain inside the cables for extended periods, as the spiraling magnetic field within the wires would eventually forcefully eject him. His traversal could also be interrupted if an opponent severed the cable he was traveling through, causing Okarun to be ejected prematurely and potentially leaving him vulnerable.
Usage

Okarun effectively incorporated his telephone line transportation ability into combat, using it to enhance both his speed and attack power. Upon ejecting from a telephone wire, his already immense speed became further augmented, enabling him to strike opponents with such rapidity that his attacks appeared instantaneous. This technique allowed Okarun to overwhelm enemies before they had any chance to react, delivering powerful collisions in quick succession.
During his battle against the Kur, Okarun demonstrated this ability by swiftly taking down multiple adversaries in rapid succession, leaving them no time to defend against his attacks. By combining this enhanced speed with his All-Out technique, he delivered a single high-speed collision that completely destroyed the spatial suit alien before it could launch an attack on Momo. This combination of teleportation, speed, and physical force makes Okarun a formidable opponent capable of dispatching threats in the blink of an eye.
Astral Projection

In addition to his physical abilities, Okarun has demonstrated the capability to separate from his body and move independently as an astral projection. This ability allows his consciousness to roam freely, detached from his physical form. However, Okarun has only accessed this power accidentally and has not yet shown the ability to use it intentionally, suggesting that it remains an untapped aspect of his spiritual potential.
Strength and Weaknesses
In his astral projection form, Okarun gains the ability to fly and becomes invisible to individuals who lack advanced control over their spiritual powers. This state allows him to move freely without being detected by ordinary people. However, this ability comes with a time limit, as he can only remain in this form for a short, unspecified duration. The longer Okarun stays projected, the thinner the spiritual cord that connects his consciousness to his physical body becomes. If the cord fully detaches, Okarun would be permanently unable to return to his body, making this ability both powerful and highly risky.
Etymology
- The name Ken (健) carries the meaning of “healthy” or “strong,” reflecting qualities of physical and mental resilience.
- His surname, Takakura (高倉), is composed of two kanji characters: taka (高), meaning “tall” or “high,” and kura (倉), which refers to a “warehouse,” “storehouse,” “barn,” “treasury,” “cellar,” or other storage facilities. Together, the name can be interpreted as symbolizing strength, stability, and endurance, aligning with Okarun’s physical capabilities and determined nature.
Trivia
- Okarun ranks as the second favorite character among Yukinobu Tatsu’s top four characters in the series.
- His name, Ken Takakura, is identical to that of Momo’s favorite celebrity, much to her annoyance.
- Okarun’s first name, as well as his white hair and black mouth mask when using Turbo Granny’s power, reference Ken Kaneki from the series Tokyo Ghoul. Additionally, both characters share the same Japanese voice actor, Natsuki Hanae.

- In Avengers Academy: Marvel’s Voices Infinity Comic Issue #31, two characters resembling Momo and Okarun are depicted sitting in a diner. The comic’s artist, Pablo Moreno Collar, later confirmed in an Instagram reply that the characters were indeed intended to be Momo and Okarun.
Notes
- Okarun is a second-year student at Kami High, indicating that he is likely between the ages of 16 and 17.