There are numerous strong female characters inDandadan, each withunique stories and hardshipsthat have given them the strength to overcome obstacles. At the start of the series, Momo is tactful and eccentric like no other, making her a lovable character who should not be wronged.
Dandadan’sfemale characters are strong women who rely on their own abilities to handle the challenges thrown their way. While they work exceptionally well in teams, their confidence is unmatched as they grow as characters.
Through Adversity, They Will Shine
Their Past Is What Gives Them Strength
Dandadanhas many characters, whether eccentric, charismatic, or full of life. While the paranormal occurrences involving Yokai andaliensare more than enough to keep you hooked, Dandadan’s female characters are awe-inspiring as they navigate hardships that define them as characters.
The way the series builds strong female characters is how they handle their adversities; in the case ofAyase Momo, regardless of what is thrown her way, she stands firm in her decision, unwilling to back down to any male toxicity thrown her way. While Momo is the headstrong female character she is now, it wasn’t this way when she was younger.
In the Case of Ayase Momo
Momo lived withher grandmother,whomshe loved and respectedever since she was younger, as her parents were gone. However, due to her grandmother’s work as a spirit medium, Momo was taught to use a spell to protect her from accidents on her way to school. Unfortunately, this resulted in Momo being teased and bullied by her classmates andher childhood crush, ultimately leading to a strained relationship between herself and her grandmother.
Although Momo had a happy childhood before the incident, along the line, she grew more confident in herself and lashed out when she was wronged. It’s also possible that as Momo became a confident young woman, she likely sought out accountable men who represented strength and leadership. AlthoughOkarunmay not have seemed like it at first,he complements Momo welland offers her the courage to stand firm, though she doesn’t need him to tell her that.
Thanks, grandma!! Now, with this… I can kick these scumbags seven ways to Sunday!!
Momo’s past beautifully shapes her identity, providing her with the strength, confidence, and fierce determination to show others her true worth. While her fiery temper and occasional outbursts—especially if another girl glances at Okarun—might seem like flaws, they actually highlightMomo’s strong sense of self-respectand her commitment to never settling for less, whether it’s regarding her grandmother,Yokai, or even aliens.
There’s More to the Popular Shiratori Aira
Shiratori Airais among the more popular girls in her class, demanding attention everywhere she goes with her shot pink hair andapparent sweet and innocent demeanor.While this is the first impression for many of the popular Acrobatic Silky user, Aira is actually much more vain and cunning than her charming facade.
When Aira was younger, she lost her mother to an unknown cause, leading her to seek out a maternal figure, which was Acrobatic Silky. Aira’s vain personality in wanting to be the most popular amongst her classmates was likely the need to fulfill and validate her. However, Aira’s tough girl personality also stems from her promise to her father that she would be “strong” so her mother would be proud of her.
Although Aira displays many aspects of an airhead, she’s a complex character who has grown emotionally. Even though Aira was initially arrogant and demanded attention regardless of how she received it, her ability to care for others showcases her growth and ability to care for others. Though it was initially first thought she just cared about helpingAcrobatic Silkypass on, Aira showcased her growth and accountability in Chapter 26 of the Serpo arc by confessing she was the reason for a nasty rumor about Momo, effectively losing her popularity status. A strong character is one that takes accountability for their actions, admitting their wrongs and facing the challenges ahead. Aira is by no means flawless; however, she can overcome her mistakes.
The Quiet Yet Defiant Vamola
Vamola is the new additionto the quirky family of characters. With her innocent and kindhearted spirit, she has shown incredible resilience in the face of many challenges since childhood. Even as a little one, she experienced the turmoil of war, watching as her planet faced an invasion. Through it all, Vamola, along with her loving adoptive mother and aunts, has worked hard to make it through each day in Sumer, finding strength together in the most challenging times.
Although she lost her family at a young age,Vamolareceived love and support from her adoptive family and gained new skills as she grew. Vamola has encountered significant challenges throughout her life, including evading the alien Kur and surviving in the wilderness. Even though she tends to be quiet, her cheerful spirit remains intact amidst the ongoing invasion.
I don’t wanna be killed by them. But I won’t mind if you do it.
Vamola had been raised by strong women, fighting daily to continue living with no men in sight, as most had been previously captured. Even in the face of death, choosing to die in the lap of her adoptive mother, Vamola did not falter. Vamola is the epitome of a strong female character; without disregarding her kind demeanor, she has consistently displayed her vulnerability and resilience, and she’s a force to be reckoned with onceshe’s equipped with her exosuit.
Chapter 63
Kaiju
Many of the female characters inDandadanhave faced harassment and death in their lives, usually occurring when they are younger and impressionable to the world. While many of these situations can be traumatic for some, leading them to isolate themselves from others, this is not the case for the strong female characters of the series; if hardships have come their way, they quickly overcome the obstacles.
The series' female characters are complex and have many layers to their character. While it often seems like the characters are just acting like normal teenagers, saving their friends and uncovering more about the supernatural, they, too, have had fears and obstacles they need to overcome to be the confident, strong women they are.
While it may seem like their abilities give them strength, all the characters were confident, defiant women before they received their abilities. In Chapter 1, upon being asked to sleep with her boyfriend or give him money, Momo, who did not awaken her powers then, immediately shut down her ex by attempting to give him a swift roundhouse kick to the face, followed by a punch. Although her efforts were in vain due to her ex’s being taller and possibly more experienced, in her efforts to shut downthis toxic masculinity, Momo clearly demonstrates that she is not one to be messed up or wronged.
Despite Momo being swiftly brought to the ground, this occurrence does not diminish her character; in the subsequent scene, she rescues Okarun from his classmates' bullying. While numerous men exhibit chivalry by refraining from inflicting harm upon women, in stark contrast to Momo’s previous partner, Momo’s courageous stand against the bullying of Okarun, characterized by her lack ofsupernatural abilitiesand reliance solely on pure determination, serves as a testament to her character, affirming her strength and intrinsic value.
In a similar case, we have Shiratori Aira, who unknowingly picked upOkarun’s family jewel. In this case, with the ability to see spirits,Aira had no powersor strength besides her cunning personality and ability to formulate aplan to exorcise Momo, whom she believed was a demon. Although Aira did need lackeys to execute a surprise attack on Momo as she performed the exorcism, despite learning of Momo’s apparent powers, she still chose to fight her with confidence, even though it was a losing battle.
Despite the possibility of attributing this behavior to Aira’s disillusionment regarding her identity as the “Chosen One," she demonstrated remarkable confidence and bravery while endeavoring to confront a “demon” with a fake rosary and Bible, qualities that many might lack, even in the face of adversity.
These remarkable women have faced a variety of challenges in their lives. Their resilience and determination shine through even when hardships arise—they refuse to let anything hold them back.Dandadan’sfemale characters continue to rise above expectations as they grow and develop, showing us all what true strength looks like.
Dandadan
Cast
Based on Yukinobu Tatsu’s popular manga that debuted in 2021 on Shonen Jump+, Dandadan blends action, comedy, romance, and supernatural thrills to create a unique and satisfying adventure. Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura believe in the extraordinary, although the former believes in ghosts and the latter believes in aliens. Determined to confirm their side’s existence, they set out to find their proof.
