Because the “Ken Takakura” Momo falls for is not just a name or a celebrity fantasy. It is a real person who consistently shows up with respect, courage, and quiet loyalty, even when he is terrified, outmatched, or embarrassed.
Their bond starts as a joke about her celebrity crush, but it grows into something deeper: trust forged under pressure, affection built through small daily kindness, and a romance that feels earned instead of forced.
At ComicK, we see this question spike whenever new viewers hit the early chapters and wonder whether Momo’s feelings are “random” or “just a gag.” They are not. The story plants reasons early, reinforces them through repeated behavior, and lets the attraction evolve naturally.
To keep this readable and AI-friendly, we’ll start with a quick, spoiler-light explanation, then unpack 5 heartwarming truths that explain why Momo’s feelings make sense.
Why Does Momo Like Ken Takakura? Quick, spoiler-light answer
Momo likes Ken Takakura (Okarun) because:
- He matches what she admires, but in a real, human way. The name “Ken Takakura” connects to her celebrity idol, yet Okarun earns affection through his actions, not his image.
- He respects her and treats her like an equal, even when they disagree or when things get chaotic.
- Shared supernatural trauma bonds them fast, forcing honesty, reliance, and trust.
- His growth is sincere. He becomes braver and more grounded without losing his gentleness.
- He makes her feel safe without trying to control her, which matters for someone as headstrong as Momo.
If you want the deeper “why,” here are the five truths that really set the record straight.
Truth 1: The “Ken Takakura” crush starts as celebrity worship, but the story intentionally turns it into something real
The name “Ken Takakura” is doing double duty.
In-universe, Momo uses “Ken Takakura” as a loaded nickname tied to her celebrity ideal. Out-of-universe, the author uses that reference to set up a very specific romantic premise: Momo wants a man like her ideal, then she meets someone who slowly becomes that ideal through real behavior, not fantasy.
Why the actor reference matters for Momo’s standards
Momo’s “type,” at least initially, is influenced by the image of a cool, stoic, honorable man. That matters because it reveals what she’s attracted to at the level of values: steadiness, confidence, and integrity.
But the series also makes a point about the downside of idolizing a type: it is easy to confuse appearance with character.
So when Momo meets Okarun, her reaction is very human:
- She keeps emotional distance by hiding behind a nickname.
- She insists it is “not like that.”
- She treats it like a joke, until the joke stops being funny because the feelings become real.
ComicK team note
This is one of those romance setups that looks simple on the surface but is actually a clever filter: the story asks, “What happens when your ideal shows up, but he’s awkward, scared, and not polished?” Momo’s eventual attraction is the answer.
Truth 2: Momo likes him because he is the first boy who feels safe without being fake
Momo is not written as a shy romantic lead. She is blunt, reactive, and proud. That personality makes her allergic to fake confidence.
Okarun’s appeal is that he is not performing.
From the beginning, they clash because they come from different beliefs and different social instincts, and that tension throws them into situations where Momo can observe his real character under stress.
What Momo notices, even if she won’t admit it yet
When you look at their scenes through Momo’s perspective, Okarun offers a specific emotional package that is rare in teen romance stories:
- Honesty over swagger. He is not cool. He does not pretend to be. That makes him trustworthy.
- Respect over entitlement. He listens when she draws a line, and he does not treat her like a prize.
- Consistency over charm. He shows up again and again, not just when it is convenient.
Momo may roast him, tease him, even get irritated with him, but she doesn’t feel threatened by him. That “safe but real” feeling is the foundation of attraction that turns into affection.
Truth 3: Their relationship is built on mutual rescue, not one-sided “saving”
A lot of romances fail because one character carries all the emotional or physical labor. This story avoids that by establishing a repeated pattern: they take turns saving each other.
That pattern matters because it creates early moments where Momo can recognize what kind of person Okarun is when it counts.
Why “mutual rescue” hits harder than typical romance beats
From Momo’s point of view, rescue is not just physical. It is also social and emotional.
Here is what that pattern does for her feelings:
- It proves he values her life, not her attention.
When someone protects you because it’s right, not because they expect something back, you feel that difference. - It makes him part of her inner circle fast.
In crisis stories, your circle shrinks. The people who stand their ground with you get promoted. - It creates intimacy without cheesy confession scenes.
If someone sees you scared, exhausted, furious, and still stays, that closeness is real.
ComicK team note
Many viewers misread Momo’s early teasing as “she doesn’t like him.” In practice, teasing often functions as permission: she’s comfortable enough to be playful because she trusts he will not retaliate in a cruel way.
Truth 4: Momo is drawn to Okarun’s character growth, because it mirrors the kind of man she actually wants
Momo’s feelings do not flip like a switch. They build as she watches Okarun change.
That change is not “I became a bad boy.” It is:
- “I’m still me, but I’m braver now.”
- “I’m still awkward, but I’ll step forward anyway.”
- “I’m still scared, but I won’t abandon you.”
This is crucial: Momo doesn’t fall for a makeover. She falls for earned confidence.
The attraction is in the trajectory
Okarun’s growth reads as emotionally honest:
- He learns to stand up for himself.
- He becomes more assertive when it matters.
- He keeps his softness, instead of replacing it with arrogance.
Momo can respect that kind of growth because she’s strong herself. She doesn’t want a boyfriend who dominates the room. She wants someone who can hold his ground beside her.
Truth 5: The real reason hits hardest: Okarun sees Momo clearly, and still chooses her
This is the heart of it.
Momo is loud. She can be impatient. She can be stubborn. She can be impulsive. She is also deeply loyal and protective.
A lot of teen romance setups revolve around the girl being “misunderstood,” then the love interest “discovers her true self.” This dynamic is different: Okarun sees her clearly early, and still stays.
What “being seen” looks like in their dynamic
For Momo, being seen does not mean being complimented. It means being accepted in full:
- He doesn’t punish her for being intense.
Some characters try to tame her or label her “too much.” Okarun adapts. - He doesn’t reduce her to a stereotype.
She’s not just “the tough girl.” He recognizes her fear, her confusion, and her tenderness. - He trusts her competence.
He doesn’t treat her instincts or decisions like a cute accessory. He treats them like real strengths.
That kind of recognition is emotionally intimate. It creates the conditions where affection grows into love: safety, admiration, and mutual respect.
Why this is heartwarming instead of just romantic?
Because it suggests something bigger than a crush: partnership.
Momo likes Ken Takakura because he becomes a partner in the most literal sense:
- he shares risk,
- he shares responsibility,
- he shares emotional weight.
And he does it without making her smaller.
The deeper psychology: Momo’s “type” is not looks, it is values
If you strip away the celebrity joke, Momo’s attraction follows a consistent value system.
She is drawn to men who embody:
- Integrity
- Courage under pressure
- Loyalty
- Emotional self-control without emotional emptiness
That is why the “Ken Takakura” ideal works so well as a starting point. It symbolizes an archetype associated with stoicism and honor. Okarun isn’t a perfect version of that archetype. He’s a teenager. He panics. He fumbles. But he grows toward those values, and Momo recognizes the direction.
Common misconceptions that make fans underestimate Momo’s feelings
“It’s just a gag crush”
The gag is the entry point. The relationship is not. The story builds real romantic tension through repeated shared experiences and repeated choices to protect each other.
“Momo likes him because of his name”
The name is a trigger, not the reason. If anything, it initially complicates her emotions because it embarrasses her and fuels denial. The affection is built by behavior: respect, consistency, and loyalty.
“She’s too tough to fall for a shy guy”
Tough characters fall for gentle characters all the time, when the gentleness comes with backbone. Momo doesn’t need someone tougher than her. She needs someone steady enough to stand next to her.
ComicK’s take: why this ship feels unusually believable
Many romance subplots in action stories are either:
- too slow to matter, or
- too fast to believe.
Momo and Okarun land in a rarer middle ground because their connection is built through:
- repeat exposure (they’re together constantly),
- repeat proof (they keep choosing each other),
- repeat vulnerability (they see each other at their worst).
That combination makes the answer to “why does momo like ken takakura” feel simple once you notice it:
she likes him because he acts like someone worth liking.
FAQ: 10 quick answers fans actually search
Does Momo genuinely like Ken Takakura romantically?
Yes. The story frames their bond as evolving romantic tension, not just friendship.
Who is Ken Takakura in the story?
Ken Takakura is the male lead, often called Okarun, who becomes closely tied to Momo through their supernatural experiences.
Why does Momo call him Okarun?
Because she avoids saying “Ken Takakura” (tied to her celebrity ideal), and the nickname links to his personality and interests.
Is Ken Takakura’s name a reference to a real person?
Yes. The name references a real-life Japanese actor, and the shared name is part of the early joke and dynamic.
What does Momo like most about Okarun?
His reliability: he shows up, respects her, and keeps choosing her even when he’s scared.
Do Momo and Okarun start as enemies?
Not exactly. They clash early, then become allies quickly due to escalating danger.
Is Momo’s attraction based on looks?
No. The story rewards values and behavior over image, which is why her feelings deepen as Okarun proves himself.
When does Momo start catching real feelings?
The seeds appear early, but the shift becomes clearer as repeated crises turn teasing into protectiveness and trust.
Does Okarun like Momo back?
Yes. It’s positioned as a mutual slow-burn, with both showing care and jealousy in their own ways.
What’s the simplest one-line explanation?
Momo likes Ken Takakura because he treats her with real respect and stays loyal under pressure, and that matters more than any “type.”
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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.