Gabriel Huerta
Update: Nov 11th, 2026 01:04 CET
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The latest chapter of Dandadan, Chapter 252, published on November 9, 2026, and titled “Ken Takakura,” reveals the painful past of one of the series’ most beloved characters: Okarun.
One of Dandadan’s defining characteristics has been the decision to keep the background of its protagonists unexplored. Until now, readers knew little about the life of Ken Takakura, whom we’ve come to know and love as Okarun. That lack of backstory never hindered his characterization, which developed naturally through his interactions with the rest of the cast, particularly Momo Ayase. Now, however, the dark story behind the character has been revealed.
Warning: Spoilers for Chapter 252 of the Dandadan manga follow.
In the previous chapter, Okarun remained lost as he transformed into a demon. Turbo Granny’s return, however, changes the course of events. During one of the darkest moments of his life, she looks deep into his soul, allowing readers to understand the nature of his connection with Momo.
Okarun’s family fell apart when he was still very young. His mother told him that she planned to remarry and offered to take him with her if he wanted to go. Although he desperately wanted to leave with her, it became clear that she did not feel the same way. Okarun ultimately decided to stay with his father, so he would not be left alone. That decision marked the beginning of years of abuse. At school, Okarun became the target of relentless bullying, which escalated from physical assaults to his classmates taking humiliating photographs of him after beating him. At home, things only got worse. His father fell into debt, turned to alcohol, and became increasingly abusive toward his son.
Redefining the Heart of the Series
On the verge of breaking down, Okarun found an escape in magazines about extraterrestrial life hidden among his belongings. His fascination with aliens grew as he began calling out to them, hoping someone would come to his rescue. No one ever answered. His obsession only deepened the rejection he faced from those around him, but it also became an essential refuge from the reality of his life.
Following a suicide attempt, the abuse at school continued. In the present, the influence of the Ogre Club mixes those memories with increasingly disturbing thoughts of murder. Yet, just as Okarun seems to be losing himself, a voice—likely Turbo Granny’s—reminds him that he has forgotten something: his prayers were answered. The chapter closes with a panel of Momo sitting in front of Okarun’s desk, standing between him and the bullies. It is a direct callback to the opening chapter of the manga, bringing the story back to the moment when Momo first stepped in to protect him. The scene gives new meaning to Okarun’s past and to the bond the two protagonists have built ever since.
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