Dandadan Is Derailing Its Biggest Romance, And Honestly, It's A Welcome Change

Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Dandadan Chapters #232-233!

While shonen manga and anime have a rich history of romances, particularly when the primary focal point of their stories, few battle shonen series execute their romantic elements as well as Dandadan. This might come as a surprise, given the persistent inability of the series' most obvious intended pairing, Ken "Okarun" Takakura and Momo Ayase, to be on the same page despite mutual affection. While the latest developments, predominantly Momo's amnesia following her restoration in chapter #209, have presented particular challenges, creator Yukinobu Tatsu seemed to have them speeding toward reconciliation until recent events unfolded.

During a group date with Momo's found family at the aquarium, with Okarun slowly drifting out of Momo's company, spending time with Aira Shiratori instead, the latter strongly suggests the two should date. While this cliffhanger is left unresolved as the latest intrusion happens courtesy of the Dragon Knights in chapter #232, it injects some much-needed conflict into Okarun and Momo's will-they-won't-they dynamic, especially as secrets about Okarun seemingly bubble to the surface. In Dandadan, Okarun and Momo are still very likely intended for an endgame romantic scenario, but much of the hinges on Okarun's honesty, in the right place, and the right time.

Dandadan's Introducing Real Conflict To Okarun & Momo

Right away, Okarun and Momo fit the continuous niche pairing of misfit high school boy-meets-gyaru romantic pairing found elsewhere like in My Dress-Up Darling and You and I Are Polar Opposites. The charm is in the apparent incongruity of their relationship, but beyond that, Tatsu pushed their romance along a bit too quickly upon Momo's combination of shared trauma with Okarun and the realization that he shares a name with her celebrity crush. There wasn't so much of a conflict pushing their romance, so much as the story continuously throwing obstacles like the Fairy-Tale Card's curse and plot-elongating memory erasure. Aira presents at least some conflict now.

Whether or not it's Tatsu's intent, the latest chapters indicate at least an attempt to make this bond, which is clear to the readers, feel earned on the two protagonists' part. Jiji's hand-holding moment with Momo is more innocent and fitting of their childhood friendship, regardless of his initial cruelty toward Seiko, with Momo expressing comfort, but not overt romantic attachment. Aira, though, is finally showing actual intent towards Okarun, despite previous flirtatious coaxing and being caught in a compromising position with him. In rehearsing dinosaur trivia to impress Okarun, she took an interest in one of his niche hobbies, injecting at least some modest bonding.

But Dandadan clearly intends for Okarun and Momo to at least meaningfully confront their feelings in the same room. Momo knows Okarun's feelings for her, and feels hurt when the two see each other holding hands with someone else. Everything could be resolved with some simple communication between all parties, but interestingly, some crucial honesty from Okarun about his feelings is needed, and that may be what the plot is leveraging for its next major development.

Okarun May Have A Reason He Can't Be Honest About His Feelings Now

Despite asking Momo on a date even after she lost her memories encompassing the plot of Dandadan, including her feelings for him, Okarun played this off as a joke in chapter #221. This is easily explained on one level as simple teen angst, fear of romantic failure when backed into a corner and thus lying to escape the emotional turbulence of being romantically vulnerable. But on another, as is claimed in chapter #228, the Dragon Knights of the Delacroix Family, part of the mysterious Black Paladins, are targeting Okarun, believing him to have the power of the Adventures of Pinocchio, the classic puppet yearning to be a real boy and fiction's most infamous liar.

There is still virtually nothing known about Okarun's past or family, and the implication that he has anything in common with a sentient wooden puppet adds an air of tragedy and mystery to him. It recontextualizes why he felt so lonely and wanted to meet aliens, as he'd be too different from others around him. But most importantly, it leads back to why he suddenly can't be honest around those he cares about, especially Momo, instead settling for comforting alternatives like potentially dating Aira. The Dragon Knights imply this, too, when they approach him seeking Turbo Granny's powers, and despite seemingly knowing he doesn't have them anymore, they declare him a liar.

This doesn't necessarily address the entire story's timeline, though. Okarun was able to confess to Momo in times of crisis, and make meaningful romantic strides with her in previous arcs. Having a home to grow up in, childhood memories, and a documented obsession with occult magazines strongly suggests he's not literally Pinocchio, but merely exhibits some of his traits. Confronted by the Dragon Knights and a peculiar sea lion power user, the truth of Okarun's powers, and the implications of them as a curse, could very well be unearthed soon in Dandadan, giving some much-needed answers.