Who Is a Better Partner for Momo in Dandadan?

Summary

Momo’s love triangle involves Okarun and Jiji, who are vying for her heart with their unique qualities.
Okarun channels Ken Takakura’s brewing heroism while Jiji offers optimism and kindness, adding to the dynamic.
Momo’s strong character and independence may challenge the need for a romantic partner like Ken Takakura.

As a seasoned fan of the paranormal and a connoisseur of Japanese cinema, I find myself deeply immersed in the captivating world of “Dandadan”. Having spent countless hours analyzing the works of legendary actors like Ken Takakura, I can’t help but see a striking resemblance between our leading lady, Momo Ayase, and the stoic, no-nonsense hero that Mr. Takakura embodied on screen.

A key aspect of the story “Dandadan” revolves around the love triangle between its primary characters, Okarun and Jiji, who are both smitten with Momo Ayase. If they aim to win her affection, they must meet certain expectations. So, who will the main character of “Dandadan” end up choosing as a partner?

Each potential partner has their strengths and weaknesses. Okarun bears a resemblance to a younger version of Momo’s favorite actor, Ken Takakura, but Jiji is quite different, offering kindness and optimism that could appeal to Momo. Yet, it’s also possible that Momo won’t end up with either of them. After all, why should Momo settle for a man like Ken Takakura when she herself possesses qualities reminiscent of him within the cast?

Momo’s Dream Man Is Japanese Actor Ken Takakura

In the anime “Dandadan”, the name Ken Takakura carries significant importance, not just because it coincidentally matches Okarun’s full name. Instead, the main character, Momo Ayase, harbors a deep affection for a four-time Japanese Academy Award-winning actor by the same name. However, who is Ken Takakura, and what makes him appealing?

Takakura is a renowned Japanese actor who gained fame in his native land portraying an anti-hero ex-convict in the 1965 film “Abashiri Bangaichi“. Western audiences primarily recognize him for his performance in Ridley Scott’s “Black Rain“, where he tells Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia, “I can also speak English quite fluently.

Ken Takakura is often associated with the character of the brooding, solitary individual. His strong, unyielding demeanor and “tough guy” image make him alluring. Whenever Momo hears his famous catchphrase, “I am just an awkward person, you know,” she becomes enamored. It’s evident that she prefers a steady, quiet man over a boastful, flashy one.

Okarun and Jiji Both Pine for Momo

In episode 12 of the first season of “Dandadan,” titled “Let’s Go to the Cursed House,” a romantic entanglement unfolds among three principal characters. Jiji, who was once Momo’s classmate in childhood, now resides with the Ayases following the mysterious illness that claimed his parents. Okarun, a fresh acquaintance and potential love interest for Momo, starts to feel envious. During a soccer match between the two boys, they both express their affection for Momo, thereby instigating intense rivalry.

Who would Momo prefer more? Is it the young man who resembles Ken Takakura, the favorite actor of Momo, or will she be charmed by a completely unexpected individual? Let’s take a look at how well Okarun and Jiji match up with Momo.

Why Okarun Is Better for Momo

Without a doubt, Okarun bears a striking resemblance to the renowned actor Ken Takakura, as they share the same name. In an uncanny twist, he even uttered Ken Takakura’s iconic phrase spontaneously during the final scene of the first episode.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that Okarun doesn’t mirror Ken Takakura exactly. Instead, Okarun is quick to anger and his temper can flare at the slightest disruption, leading to panic reactions. Additionally, he grapples with numerous insecurities, often responding with outbursts of anger or bouts of self-deprecation.

Even though Okarun still has much personal development in his future, he demonstrates an admirable level of moral fortitude that would earn approval from the renowned Ken Takakura. His actions are consistently selfless, whether it’s giving Momo his shirt or putting himself at risk to help an ailing extraterrestrial child. And let’s not overlook the moment in season 1, episode 6, “The Arrival of a Dangerous Woman,” where Okarun transforms into a formidable Turbo Granny to protect Momo from a classmate spreading false rumors about her. Truly, he is a remarkable hero!

In season 1, there are instances suggesting that Momo and Okarun’s feelings towards each other could be mutual. The strongest hint of romantic tension between them appears in season 1, episode 10, titled “Have You Ever Seen a Cattle Mutilation?” After Okarun confesses to Momo that he had been secretly exercising to win her approval, the duo exchange a brief, potentially kissable moment. However, this tender moment is disrupted when Momo’s friends unexpectedly enter the scene.

Why Jiji Is Better for Momo

Okarun is shaping up to be similar to Ken Takakura, whereas Jiji could not be more different. He’s more of a boastful jester with a talent for annoying people. However, this human version of a golden retriever uses his unwavering optimism as a tool to overcome the most devastating situations.

Granny Seiko and Momo Ayase hold contrasting views about Jiji. Upon Jiji’s initial arrival at the Ayase residence, Granny Seiko informs Okarun that pink-haired dynamo Jiji and her granddaughter Momo were childhood best friends, even hinting that Jiji was Momo’s first crush. However, Momo interprets her relationship with Jiji in a different light. In their early years, Jiji often teased Momo and her grandmother about supernatural matters. From Momo’s perspective, she and Jiji were not particularly close during those times.

Despite an ambiguous history between them, Momo and Jiji make amends swiftly. This is largely due to teenage Jiji’s self-awareness and compassion. He acknowledges his past mistakes of bullying Momo and extends an apology, paving the way for a fresh friendship. Additionally, Jiji demonstrates care towards Momo through small gestures such as removing lint from her hair. He also gifts her treats from one of their favorite local stores, expressing his affection in a thoughtful manner.

In addition to admiring Seiko, Jiji constantly expresses gratitude towards her. During their initial meal together at the Ayases’, he couldn’t help but shower praise on Seiko’s culinary skills. Although Seiko claims not to have a particular fondness for him, she reciprocates his compliments with extra servings of food. Could Jiji potentially be Seiko’s favorite suitor among the Ayases? And was the “first crush” tale fabricated by her to discourage Okarun’s affections? (This version attempts to maintain the original meaning while simplifying the language and making it more conversational.)

From the information provided, it appears that Jiji might surprise everyone by becoming a strong contender for Momo’s affections. Yet, given their close friendship, Momo might perceive him more as a friend than a potential love interest. In the first season’s eleventh episode, titled “First Love,” Jiji was observed flirting with many girls in his and Momo’s class. The question remains whether he can curb his tendency to attract attention from women enough to forge a sincere romantic bond with Momo.

Does Momo Need a Romantic Partner?

The crucial question is: Does Momo require a romantic partner at this point in her life? Given that Momo wields immense psychic powers, making her the strongest hero in the series ‘Dandadan’, it seems rather limiting to tie her self-worth and validation to a romantic relationship, especially considering Dandadan’s strong feminist undertones.

In the world of Dandadan, toxic males often serve as antagonists. For instance, the Serpoians who aim to take Momo’s organs or the gators who bother her at the end of episode 12 in the co-ed hot spring. However, there are also male heroes in Dandadan, such as Okarun and Jiji. Interestingly, they tend to follow Momo’s lead. In this story, it seems that Momo is more essential to these young men than they are to her.

One might contend that Momo shares a striking resemblance to Ken Takakura in the anime Dandadan. Indeed, she seems to regard him as a guiding light, such as when she decided to aid in lifting Turbo Granny’s curse on Okarun in season 1, episode 3, titled “Granny vs. Granny Clash!” Her bold personality and straightforward manner make her reminiscent of the tough-as-nails Japanese actor. It’s plausible that the love Momo yearns for is none other than the inner Ken Takakura she harbors within herself.

2024-12-25 21:35