Who Is Ken Takakura in Dandadan? Okarun Explained Fully

Ken Takakura, better known as “Okarun,” is the male lead of Dandadan and the story’s most iconic “ordinary kid turned supernatural powerhouse.” He starts as a shy, bullied occult believer, then becomes Momo Ayase’s closest partner as they get dragged into a world where yokai and aliens are both real.

This guide explains who Okarun is, why fans love him, what his powers are, how his relationship with Momo drives the plot, and what to watch for while reading on ComicK.

The direct answer: Who is Ken Takakura in Dandadan?

Ken Takakura is the male main character of Dandadan, known by the nickname “Okarun.” He is a high school student who becomes involved in supernatural battles after meeting Momo Ayase, and he later develops one of the most dangerous and distinctive power sets in the series due to a curse-based transformation.

If you only need a one-sentence summary:

Okarun is the awkward occult kid who becomes a key fighter and emotional co-lead, partnered with Momo as they face yokai, aliens, and escalating threats.

Why Ken is called “Okarun”

In Dandadan, “Ken Takakura” is his real name, but most characters (and most fans) call him Okarun. The nickname is strongly tied to his identity in the story: it’s the name attached to his role in the friend group and the name that becomes inseparable from his supernatural arc.

In practical terms, if you’re reading on ComicK:

• “Ken Takakura” appears in formal contexts
• “Okarun” is how the cast and story rhythm typically refer to him

So if you search “who is Ken Takakura,” you’re essentially asking: who is Okarun and why does he matter?

Okarun’s personality: the underdog with real emotional weight

Okarun works because he feels like a real teenager rather than a generic “shy boy” trope.

He starts as an outsider

At the beginning, Okarun is defined by:

• being bullied
• being socially isolated
• being deeply into the occult and UFO lore
• wanting to believe in something bigger because his real life is small and painful

This is not a cosmetic backstory. It shapes his entire emotional structure.

He is kind before he is brave

Many protagonists are brave first and kind second. Okarun is the opposite. His default setting is empathy. His bravery appears when empathy forces him to act.

That is why his hero moments land. They do not feel like “main character destiny.” They feel like a scared kid doing the right thing anyway.

He has a fragile confidence that grows slowly

Okarun does not become confident overnight. Even after he becomes strong, he still:

• doubts himself
• gets embarrassed easily
• struggles with social cues
• panics internally while acting outwardly brave

That blend is one of Dandadan’s best “human” writing traits.

How Ken Takakura meets Momo Ayase and why it changes everything

The core engine of Dandadan is the pairing of:

• Momo Ayase, who believes in spirits
• Okarun, who believes in aliens

Their early dynamic begins as a debate and turns into a life-altering bond. The story uses them as opposites that complete each other:

• Momo is socially confident and confrontational
• Okarun is socially awkward and anxious
• Momo has street-smart instinct
• Okarun has obsessive research knowledge

When they challenge each other’s beliefs, the universe answers in the most Dandadan way possible: both are right, and both are dragged into danger immediately.

This meeting is not just plot setup. It defines the structure of the series:

• Okarun’s growth happens alongside Momo
• Momo’s softening happens alongside Okarun
• their relationship becomes the emotional spine of every arc

Okarun’s powers and why they are so important

Okarun’s power set is one of the most recognizable in Dandadan because it is not clean “superhero energy.” It is cursed, volatile, and tied to a character who is emotionally gentle.

The source of his power: a curse with consequences

Okarun’s abilities originate from a supernatural curse connection. This matters because:

• he gains power, but he also gains danger
• his strength is not “free,” it comes with rules and side effects
• his body becomes a contested space, not just a weapon

Dandadan repeatedly reinforces a core theme: power in this world is messy. Okarun embodies that theme better than almost anyone.

What Okarun’s abilities look like in action

Okarun’s fighting style is typically defined by:

• explosive speed and physical intensity
• brutal close-range engagements
• sudden, high-impact bursts rather than slow tactical buildup
• the sense that he becomes something frightening when pushed

That is why Okarun’s fight scenes feel different from Momo’s. Momo often feels like controlled force. Okarun feels like a slammed accelerator.

Why Okarun’s powers match his personality

This is where Dandadan gets clever. Okarun is emotionally gentle and socially insecure, yet his supernatural form is intense and aggressive.

That contrast creates constant tension:

• Will he lose control?
• Will he be hurt by the cost of power?
• Will he remain himself?

The story uses those questions to keep his power arc emotionally meaningful rather than purely visual.

Okarun’s role in the story: more than “the boyfriend candidate”

A shallow reading would say Okarun exists to be Momo’s love interest. That is incomplete.

Okarun is a co-lead because he fills key narrative functions:

He is the audience gateway into the weird

Okarun is the most “normal” perspective early on. His fear and disbelief allow the story to introduce supernatural rules without feeling like exposition dumps.

He is the emotional thermometer

When Okarun panics, you know the situation is serious. When Okarun stands firm, you know the story wants you to feel hope.

He brings sincerity to a chaotic tone

Dandadan is absurd. Okarun’s sincerity prevents the series from becoming pure gag comedy. He makes the romance and trauma beats land because he reacts like someone who genuinely cares.

He evolves into a primary fighter

As the series escalates, Okarun becomes one of the main combat pillars. He is not a sidekick. He becomes a decisive factor in major confrontations.

Okarun and Momo: the relationship that drives Dandadan

If you want to understand who Ken Takakura is, you must understand his bond with Momo.

Why their chemistry works

Their relationship is built on:

• mutual rescue
• shared embarrassment
• gradually earned trust
• jealousy that feels teen-authentic
• protectiveness that grows into something deeper

Momo respects Okarun because he keeps showing up even when he is terrified. Okarun admires Momo because she refuses to be controlled by fear or social judgment.

The romance is not separate from the plot

In Dandadan, emotional tension often triggers:

• decision-making under pressure
• risky rescues
• misunderstandings that cause conflicts
• growth moments that change how characters fight together

So “Okarun’s relationship with Momo” is not a side dish. It is one of the reasons the plot keeps moving.

Okarun’s character growth: what changes and what stays the same

Okarun’s growth is one of the most satisfying in the series because it does not erase his original traits.

What changes

• He becomes braver under pressure
• He gets stronger and more competent in fights
• He learns to stand up for himself
• He becomes more emotionally honest over time

What stays the same

• He remains kind
• He remains easily embarrassed
• He remains socially awkward in a lovable way
• He still has moments of insecurity even after big wins

That balance is why he feels believable. Dandadan does not “upgrade” him into a different person. It pushes him into a harder world and lets him survive as himself.

How Okarun fits into the wider cast

As the cast expands, Okarun’s role shifts from “Momo’s partner” into “one of the central pillars of the team.”

With Seiko Ayase

Seiko is an adult protector figure, and her dynamic with Okarun is a blend of:

• comedic teasing
• strict protection logic
• genuine recognition of his value

Seiko’s respect is not handed out easily. When she trusts Okarun, it signals that he is no longer just a kid in danger, but someone who can actually contribute.

With Aira Shiratori

Aira often functions as:

• a social rival
• a jealousy catalyst
• a chaotic ally

Okarun’s interactions with Aira highlight his awkwardness and his loyalty to Momo, while also giving him moments to assert boundaries.

With Jiji

Jiji’s arrival is disruptive, and Okarun’s response matters. It shows whether he collapses into insecurity or fights for his place.

This is one of the best ways Dandadan shows Okarun’s growth: not in combat, but in emotional resilience.

With Turbo Granny

Turbo Granny is both a threat and a strange companion presence. Okarun’s connection to that cursed energy makes their dynamic especially volatile and funny, while also reinforcing the idea that Okarun’s power has teeth.

Why fans love Okarun

When people ask “Who is Ken Takakura in Dandadan?” they are often really asking: why is this character so popular?

Here are the biggest reasons.

He feels like a real underdog

Okarun is not a confident prodigy. He is a kid who was pushed down and slowly learns to stand.

His bravery is earned, not assumed

He does not charge into danger because he thinks he will win. He charges in because someone needs help.

He is emotionally sincere

In a series full of absurdity, sincerity is magnetic. Okarun’s genuine care makes the romance believable and the tragedy heavier.

His power arc is visually iconic

His transformation and speed-based combat style are memorable even for people who do not normally latch onto “fast fighter” archetypes.

Reading on ComicK: how to follow Okarun’s arc smoothly

If you’re reading Dandadan on ComicK, Okarun’s development can be tracked in three clean phases:

Phase 1: Lonely believer

Okarun is isolated, obsessed with aliens, and desperate to be seen.

Phase 2: Cursed survival

He gains power through a curse connection and learns that supernatural strength has consequences.

Phase 3: Core team fighter

He becomes a stable pillar of the group, still awkward, but far more capable and emotionally grounded.

If you keep those phases in mind, his growth feels coherent even as the story flips genres and escalates threats rapidly.

FAQ: Who Is Ken Takakura in Dandadan?

Who is Ken Takakura in Dandadan?

Ken Takakura is the male lead of Dandadan, best known as Okarun, a high school student who becomes central to the story’s supernatural battles.

Why is Ken called Okarun?

“Okarun” is a nickname used by the cast and the name most readers associate with him throughout the story.

Is Okarun the main character?

Yes. Dandadan functions with dual leads: Momo Ayase and Okarun.

What is Okarun’s personality like?

He is kind, awkward, easily embarrassed, and brave when it matters, with a slow, believable growth arc.

What powers does Okarun have?

Okarun gains supernatural abilities tied to a curse-based transformation, typically expressed through extreme speed and intense close-range combat.

Is Okarun stronger than Momo?

They are strong in different ways. Momo’s abilities tend to be psychic and control-based, while Okarun’s are physical and speed-based.

Does Okarun love Momo?

Their relationship is a core part of the story, built through trust, jealousy, and mutual rescue, and it gradually becomes more openly romantic.

Is Okarun related to Turbo Granny?

He becomes connected to Turbo Granny through the curse storyline, which influences his power arc and adds ongoing tension.

Does Okarun become less shy later?

He grows more confident and brave, but he remains emotionally sincere and still has awkward moments, which is part of his charm.

What is the simplest description of Okarun?

Okarun is the underdog occult kid who becomes a key supernatural fighter and Momo’s closest partner in Dandadan.

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Dandadan Characters: The Complete Guide to the Main Cast, Allies, Aliens, Yokai

Is Dandadan Finished Manga? The Straight Answer, Current Status, and What to Expect Next

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