If you’re asking what happened to Momo Ayase parents, the honest canon answer is simple: Dandadan has not fully explained it yet. What the story makes clear is that Momo was raised by her grandmother, Seiko Ayase, and her parents are not present in her life. Whether they died, disappeared, or left has not been confirmed in a detailed, on-page backstory.
This guide lays out what the manga and anime actually show, what they strongly imply, what remains unknown, and how the “missing parents” mystery fits the bigger themes of Dandadan, especially if you’re reading on ComicK and want a clean, spoiler-aware explanation.
The direct answer: what happened to Momo Ayase parents?

Momo Ayase’s parents are absent from the story and her upbringing. Momo lives with her grandmother, Seiko, and has been raised under Seiko’s care for a long time. The series does not provide a full, explicit explanation of what happened to her mother and father, and they do not appear as active characters in the present-day narrative.
So if you want the most accurate one-liner:
Momo’s parents are not in her life, and the story has not confirmed exactly why.
That is the cleanest “no guesswork” answer.
What the story clearly establishes about Momo’s family situation
Even without a detailed backstory monologue, Dandadan repeatedly communicates Momo’s family reality through context.
Momo is being raised by Seiko Ayase
Seiko is not an occasional guardian. She is Momo’s day-to-day household authority, protector, and the adult who makes decisions for the home. That only happens if the parents are not present in a normal parenting role.
Momo’s home base is the Ayase residence
When the cast needs safety, recovery, food, and planning, they return to Seiko’s home. It is treated as Momo’s real home, not “grandma’s house I visit sometimes.”
Momo’s emotional history is tied to Seiko, not to her parents
When Momo describes childhood embarrassment, protective rituals, and resentment, it is directed at Seiko, because Seiko is the adult who raised her and shaped her daily life. The story does not position Momo’s parents as the emotional center of her childhood memories.
These elements are not subtle. Dandadan is telling you: Momo grew up under her grandmother’s roof, not in a two-parent household.
What Dandadan does not confirm?

Most readers want a precise answer: “They died in an accident,” “They were killed by a yokai,” “They abandoned her,” and so on.
But Dandadan has not locked in those details in a definitive way that settles the debate.
What the series does not clearly confirm on-page is:
- whether her parents are deceased
- whether her parents disappeared (missing persons)
- whether her parents left voluntarily (abandonment or separation)
- whether there is a supernatural reason (curse, alien incident, spirit attack)
- whether Seiko is her only remaining blood family
This matters because fandom discussions often turn “implied” into “proven.” With Momo’s parents, that line is especially easy to cross, because the absence is so complete that people naturally assume the worst.
The safer approach is to separate:
- canon facts: Momo is raised by Seiko and parents are not present
- canon gaps: the exact reason is not explained
- theories: possible explanations that fit the world and themes
This article keeps those categories clean so you can use it as a reliable reference.
The “no parents” line: what it means and what it does not prove
One reason this question stays popular is that early in the story, Momo is presented in a way that strongly signals she does not have parents in the usual sense.
That signal is important, but it still does not automatically prove a specific cause.
Here are the three most responsible interpretations of a statement like “I don’t have parents” or “I’ve got no parents” in a story like Dandadan:
Interpretation 1: They are deceased
This is the most common assumption, because it is a familiar anime and manga shorthand. When a character says they “don’t have parents,” many audiences hear “my parents are dead.”
Interpretation 2: They are absent in practice
A character can have living parents who are completely absent because of abandonment, estrangement, incarceration, institutionalization, or long-term separation. In that situation, “I don’t have parents” can mean “not in any way that matters.”
Interpretation 3: The story is simplifying background to move fast
Sometimes “no parents” is narrative compression. It establishes independence and vulnerability without spending chapters on domestic context.
Dandadan could be using any combination of these. The key point is that the manga has not yet turned that statement into a full, detailed explanation.
Why Momo being raised by Seiko is central to her character

Even if Momo’s parents never become plot-relevant, Seiko raising Momo is not a throwaway detail. It shapes everything about Momo’s personality and worldview.
Momo’s belief system is inherited from Seiko
Momo grows up around spiritual practice, rituals, and the idea that the unseen world is real. Even when Momo resents it, she carries it.
This is why Momo is different from many supernatural protagonists. She does not start as an empty slate. She starts with inherited spiritual “culture,” even if she rejects it at first.
Momo’s toughness is learned, not random
Seiko is not a gentle, sheltered caregiver. She is blunt, intense, and protective in a way that can feel harsh. A kid raised in that environment often becomes:
- more confrontational
- more emotionally armored
- quicker to stand their ground
- less dependent on approval
That is Momo.
Momo’s early resentment makes more sense when Seiko is the primary parent figure
Momo’s childhood humiliation around Seiko’s rituals is not “I’m mad at grandma for being weird.” It is closer to “I’m mad at the adult who raised me and made my life harder.”
That emotional intensity only lands if Seiko is effectively the parent in Momo’s life.
So when you ask “what happened to Momo’s parents,” you are also asking something deeper:
Why is Momo’s life built around Seiko instead of around a mother and father?
Because the story has chosen Seiko as the defining adult influence.
The protective rituals: the biggest clue about what might have happened
Seiko is extremely serious about protection, boundaries, and keeping Momo safe. That intensity often reads like a response to prior loss.
If you want the most meaningful “evidence” the story provides, it is not a missing-person poster or a funeral scene. It is this:
Seiko behaves like someone who has already learned what happens when you fail to protect a child.
That does not prove her parents were killed by the supernatural. But it does support the idea that:
- Momo’s childhood involved risk
- Seiko’s guardianship is not casual
- safety measures were taught early for a reason
In Dandadan, the supernatural is not theoretical. It is predatory. A guardian who treats protection like life-or-death usually has a reason.
Narrative reasons Dandadan keeps Momo’s parents off-screen
From a storytelling perspective, there are practical reasons to keep parents absent or undefined.
It keeps the pacing fast
Dandadan moves at high speed. It does not want to stop for domestic drama unless that drama feeds the core supernatural-romcom engine.
It makes Momo emotionally available for a “found family” story
Dandadan repeatedly builds the idea that the main cast becomes a chosen family. Seiko’s house becomes the hub. Friends become regulars. Safety becomes communal.
If Momo had two active parents at home, the story would have to constantly explain:
- why they never notice injuries
- why they never intervene
- why they never question disasters
- why Momo can disappear for long stretches
Removing parents removes friction.
It strengthens Seiko as a unique adult figure
Seiko is not “a parent.” She is a specific kind of adult: a spiritual expert, a fighter, and a chaotic protector. Making her the primary guardian immediately sets Dandadan apart from standard school-life series.
It mirrors the series’ recurring theme: broken households
Dandadan is filled with characters whose family situations are incomplete, damaged, or strange. It uses family absence as emotional fuel, not just as convenience.
So the absence of Momo’s parents is not just “missing background.” It is part of the tone.
How Momo’s missing parents connects to Dandadan’s bigger themes
Dandadan’s emotional core is not “aliens vs ghosts.” It is:
- teenagers trying to define themselves
- relationships forming under pressure
- trauma turning into monsters (sometimes literally)
- protection, belonging, and loyalty
Missing or damaged family ties are a recurring pattern, because they intensify those themes.
Found family is not a side theme, it is the structure
The cast grows into a unit that eats together, argues together, protects each other, and keeps showing up. Seiko’s home becomes the base. The group becomes an ecosystem.
Momo not having parents present makes that structure feel necessary rather than optional.
The series treats “home” as something you build, not something you inherit
Momo’s “home” is not defined by mom and dad. It is defined by:
- Seiko’s protection
- the friend group’s loyalty
- shared battles and shared recovery
That is very intentional.
What we can responsibly infer (without pretending it is confirmed)
If you want an honest answer that goes one step beyond “unknown,” you can infer a few things without inventing details.
Momo’s parents are not functioning guardians
Whatever happened, the end result is clear: they are not raising her, not present in scenes, and not referenced as people she can rely on in the present day.
The absence likely began when Momo was young
Momo’s childhood memories and habits are built around Seiko. That suggests the arrangement has existed long enough to become normal.
The story is saving this reveal for later, or choosing not to reveal it
Dandadan is the kind of series that either:
- holds a backstory card until it becomes emotionally explosive, or
- never explains it because the “missing parents” detail is only meant to establish vulnerability and independence
Both are plausible.
That is the boundary: inference is fine, invention is not.
Popular fan theories and how well they fit Dandadan’s world
Theories are fun, and Dandadan invites them. The key is treating them as theories.
Theory: Momo’s parents died (accident or illness)
Why it fits: It aligns with typical manga shorthand for “no parents,” and it explains why Seiko has full custody.
Why it is not confirmed: Dandadan does not show a funeral, name the cause, or anchor it in a dedicated backstory scene.
Best way to phrase it safely:
Many readers interpret Momo’s “no parents” situation as meaning her parents passed away, but the story has not confirmed the details.
Theory: Momo’s parents were killed by a yokai or curse
Why it fits: Dandadan’s supernatural world is lethal, and Seiko’s protection rituals feel like someone reacting to prior tragedy.
Why it might be too neat: If the parents were killed by the supernatural, it could easily become a major arc, and the story has not positioned it that way yet.
Safe phrasing:
It is plausible in-universe, but it remains speculation until the story connects Momo’s family history directly to a supernatural incident.
Theory: Alien involvement (abduction or experimentation)
Why it fits: Aliens are real in Dandadan, and the story loves blending conspiracy with personal trauma.
Why it is shaky: The manga usually foreshadows alien arcs through tech, factions, and recurring motifs. Momo’s parent situation has not been explicitly linked to an alien thread.
Safe phrasing:
Entertaining, but currently unsupported by clear story clues.
Theory: Seiko is not Momo’s biological grandmother (adoption or guardianship twist)
Why it fits: Seiko’s youthful appearance and the series’ “nothing is normal” tone can make readers suspect a twist.
Why it might not matter: Dandadan often plays visual age as a comedic contrast, not as a conspiracy clue.
Safe phrasing:
Possible, but there is not enough canon evidence to treat it as likely.
Theory: The parents are alive but estranged or gone for work, crime, or personal reasons
Why it fits: Real-world explanations exist, and “I don’t have parents” can mean “not in my life.”
Why it still needs confirmation: Dandadan has not introduced even a hint of contact, letters, calls, or off-screen involvement.
Safe phrasing:
It fits the words, but the story’s total absence of parental presence makes it hard to argue confidently without an explicit reveal.
What to watch for if Dandadan ever reveals the truth
If you are reading on ComicK and you want to catch the moment a parent reveal becomes real, here are the most likely “signals” the series would use.
A dedicated flashback sequence for Momo
Dandadan uses flashbacks strategically to reframe characters. If Momo’s parents matter, the story will likely show:
- a childhood scene with Seiko plus parents
- the moment the living arrangement changed
- a “why Seiko is so protective” turning point
A named event with emotional weight
If the parents died or disappeared, the manga will likely attach it to a specific event, not just a vague line.
A villain who knows too much
Dandadan loves threats that hit personal nerves. A parent reveal might be triggered by an enemy referencing Momo’s past.
A shift in Seiko’s tone
Seiko is usually brash and comedic. When she becomes serious, the story is telling you something matters. A parent reveal could be the moment Seiko stops joking.
Why this question matters to Momo’s relationship arcs
You might think “parents” is just trivia. In Dandadan, it shapes how Momo bonds with others.
Momo bonds through loyalty, not through comfort
Without a stable parental presence, Momo’s emotional security comes from:
- proving herself
- defending people
- choosing her own community
That directly affects how she reacts to affection and vulnerability.
Romance hits harder when “home” is fragile
Momo and Okarun’s bond is not just teen romance. It is two people building safety through each other in a world that keeps trying to break them.
If Momo had a normal family support structure, the romance would still work, but it would not carry the same emotional urgency.
Seiko acts as both guardian and gatekeeper
Seiko’s presence adds tension to Momo’s relationships because Seiko is always evaluating risk. That guardian energy is stronger because Seiko is effectively filling the parent role.
A clean, copy-ready answer you can use at the top of your post
If you want a short “direct answer” you can paste anywhere, use this:
Momo Ayase’s parents are not present in Dandadan, and she was raised by her grandmother Seiko. The series has not fully explained what happened to her parents, so whether they died, disappeared, or left remains unconfirmed in canon.
That is accurate, clear, and does not pretend to know more than the story has shown.
Reading on ComicK: the practical way to avoid misinformation
If you are following Dandadan week to week, parent-related rumors spread constantly. The best approach while reading on ComicK is simple:
- Treat “Momo’s parents died” as a common interpretation, not a confirmed fact unless the story states it plainly.
- Anchor your understanding in what the series repeatedly shows: Momo lives with Seiko and the parents are absent.
- If a future chapter finally clarifies it, you will know because the manga will make it emotionally loud.
That keeps your understanding stable without chasing contradictory posts.
FAQ: What Happened to Momo Ayase Parents?
Are Momo Ayase’s parents dead?
The story strongly suggests Momo does not have parents in her life, but Dandadan has not fully confirmed the exact circumstances in a detailed, explicit way.
Why does Momo live with Seiko Ayase?
Because Seiko is her primary guardian and the adult raising her. Momo’s parents are not present in her household.
Does the manga show Momo’s mother or father?
So far, they do not appear as active characters in the present timeline.
Does Momo ever talk about her parents?
Momo’s situation is communicated early through her “no parents” framing and through the fact she is raised by Seiko, but the series does not build a long, detailed parent backstory yet.
Is Seiko Momo’s real grandmother?
Seiko is presented as Momo’s grandmother in the story. Some fans theorize twists, but nothing definitive has been revealed that changes Seiko’s role as her guardian.
Did the supernatural cause Momo’s parents to disappear?
That is a popular theory because of Dandadan’s world, but it remains speculation unless the manga directly connects her parents to a supernatural event.
Could Momo’s parents return later?
It is possible. Dandadan often saves emotional reveals for later arcs. But there is no confirmed timeline for a parent reveal.
Why would Dandadan keep Momo’s parents a mystery?
It supports fast pacing, strengthens the found-family theme, and makes Seiko’s guardian role central without constant parental interference.
Does Momo’s lack of parents affect her relationship with Okarun?
Yes. It adds weight to the idea of building safety through chosen bonds and makes the “home base” at Seiko’s house feel emotionally important.
What is the safest one-line answer to “what happened to Momo Ayase parents”?
They are absent from her life and the story has not fully explained why; Momo was raised by her grandmother Seiko.
You may also like:
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
Dandadan Character Ages: How Old Are Momo, Okarun, Seiko, Aira, Jiji, and the Rest?

Jessica is a content editor at ComicK, with experience tracking and curating information from a wide range of Manga, Manhwa, and Manhua sources. Her editorial work focuses on objectivity, verifiable information, and meeting the needs of readers seeking reliable insights into the world of comics.
