What is Turbo Granny in Dandadan? Explained

The new Shonen anime Dandadan quickly made waves in the community following its debut in the Fall 2024 lineup. Adapted from Yukinobu Tatsu's acclaimed manga, the series has captivated fans with its unique fusion of aliens and the supernatural.

Among its intriguing characters, Turbo Granny stands out as a significant figure, holding an important role in the story. But many fans still wonder: what exactly is Turbo Granny in Dandadan? Turbo Granny is a yōkai, or supernatural entity, who plays a crucial and impactful part in the Shonen's storyline.

Let's delve into her origins as a yōkai, her role in the series, her abilities, and more.

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Turbo Granny's existence as a Yōkai explained

While the straightforward answer to "What is Turbo Granny in Dandadan?" is that she's a yōkai, it brings up another question: what exactly is a yōkai? In Japanese folklore, yōkai are supernatural beings and spirits, their name translating to "mysterious apparitions."

This term covers a wide range of entities, from ghosts and demons to monsters, shapeshifters, and trickster spirits, known for their supernatural influence on the human world. Yōkai often inspire fear and awe, as they are believed to affect people's lives, sometimes for better or worse.

Seiko explains Turbo Granny's origins as a yokai (Image via Yukinobu Tatsu/Shueisha)

As Seiko explains to Momo, Turbo Granny—formerly notorious as the 100 KMPH Granny—is a modern yōkai known for wreaking havoc all across Japan.

After Momo and Okarun exorcise her, Seiko adds that spirit mediums have long tracked the 100 KMPH Granny and discovered a pattern: Turbo Granny often appears near the spirits of young girls who suffered unimaginably tragic, untimely deaths.

Many believe she roams these areas to offer comfort to these restless spirits, revealing a unique, sympathetic side to her otherwise chaotic presence.

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Turbo Granny's role in Dandadan

Seiko vs. turbo Granny (Image via Science SARU)

After understanding "what is Turbo Granny in Dandadan," her significance in the series is worth noting. She plays a crucial role in the rom-com Shonen, initially appearing as a primary antagonist before evolving into an unusual ally. After Momo and Okarun exorcise her in Shono City, she barely survives and possesses Okarun once more.

However, in a twist, when Seiko and Momo remove her from Okarun's body, her consciousness becomes trapped inside a maneki-neko/stuffed cat doll, while her powers remain sealed within Okarun. Put at a disadvantage, Turbo Granny is forced into a truce with Momo and her group.

Turbo Granny portrayed as a yokai in the anime (Image via Science SARU)

She agrees to return Okarun's kintama (or "family jewels") in exchange for reclaiming her powers. However, since she lost his belongings during their showdown in Shono City, Turbo Granny reluctantly teams up with them to retrieve Okarun's missing items, sticking to the terms of their truce.

Despite her begrudging cooperation, Turbo Granny's defiant personality and her tendency to see Momo's group as adversaries create plenty of comedic tension. Yet, as they join forces against alien invaders threatening Earth, a strange bond forms between them.

Turbo Granny now acts as the main source of Okarun's abilities—similar to Naruto's relationship with Kurama—making her one of the central figures in their adventures.

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Turbo Granny's powers and abilities

Momo vs. Turbo Granny in the anime (Image via Science SARU)

As a powerful yōkai in Dandadan, Turbo Granny commands a range of supernatural abilities. In her Spiritual Form, she can possess her target's body, gaining total control over their actions while retaining her own powers, including her remarkable speed.

This possession skill is versatile, working both on humans and spirits, as shown when she took control of the Earthbound Spirit Crab in Shono City. Turbo Granny also wields a Curse ability: she curses anyone who attempts to flee from her by stealing their genitalia. She can transform her victim's body to mirror her own and also overtake their consciousness.

Additionally, Turbo Granny can fuse with any willing spirits, granting her access to their powers and expanding her abilities. Her Territory Control ability enables her to manipulate the environment within a specified area, making her invincible within her domain.

This power was evident when she merged with the Crab spirit in Shono City, giving her complete control over the surrounding territory and amplifying her overall combat potential.

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Final thoughts

Turbo Granny during the showdown in Shono City (Image via Science SARU)

Turbo Granny's initial appearance in Dandadan introduces a fearsome, bizarre element to the Shonen's story, but her later transformation into a maneki-neko doll—and her unexpected alliance with Momo and Okarun—adds a humorous and intriguing twist.

Now, as the primary source of Okarun's powers, her presence is vital to the story, making her an irreplaceable figure in the strange, distinctive universe of Dandadan.

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