Why Jiji and Zuma are the key to Momo and Okarun's relationship in Dandadan, explored

Modified Jan 07, 2025 05:30 GMT

Why Jiji and Zuma are the key to Momo and Okarun's relationship in Dandadan, explored (Image via Yukinobu Tatsu/Shueisha)

Momo x Okarun is one of Dandadan's favorite ships for various reasons. However, there is no telling whom the female character might end up with the introduction of old acquaintances like Jiji and new rivals like Zumo. Could this mean that Okarun might see Momo becoming the girlfriend of some other boy? Surprisingly, the introduction of rivals might see Okarun get his love.

Unlike Jiji and Zuma, who could be considered selfish given their desires, Okarun is a selfless boy who has tried his best to help others. A key giveaway is how Okarun never opted to kill Jiji and Zuma because Yokai possessed them. This property connects the male protagonist to Takakura Ken, Momo's crush, and could see Momo and Okarun officially start dating.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the Dandadan manga series and has the author's opinion.

Dandadan: Exploring how the introduction of rivals might see Okarun and Momo dating

Jiji's body possessed by the Evil Eye (Image via Science SARU)

Jin Enjoji (more commonly referred to as Jiji) was introduced in Dandadan's Cursed House Arc. He was the childhood crush of Momo and a handsome boy. Given his appearance, Okarun was immediately sent into the phobia that he wasn't suited for Momo. So, he started ignoring her. However, their misunderstanding was soon cleared and these two boys became fast friends.

Soon Jiji was possessed by Evil Eye, a yokai who despised humans because his parents never gave him the attention he wanted. Before possessing Jiji, Evil Eye made Jiji a friend and Jiji never tried fighting the yokai. However, in a last heated battle, Jiji was beaten by Okarun. Afterward, Jiji's transformation could be held back through warm water.

Zuma's body possessed by the Umbrella Boy (Image via Yukinobu Tatsu/Shueisha)

Unji Zuma was introduced in Dandadan's Danmanra Arc when Momo and Okarun visited Renjaku High School. The reason behind their visit was to acquire Okarun's last kintama which was witnessed in this school (making this arc the last arc from the Kintama Hunt Saga). While they expected to acquire the last kintama, they faced a whole gang.

While fighting the gang, Momo was accidentally sent to the Danmanra board. In Momo's first encounter with a chess piece, Zuma saved her. Zuma resembled Takakura Ken (Momo's crush) and the series might see him enter the love rivalry soon.

Okarun's body possessed by the Turbo Granny (Image via Science SARU)

However, just like Jiji, Zuma was also possessed by a yokai named the Umbrella Boy. Moreover, as this yokai was the soul of his late brother, he also never tried to fight it back. In these two is Okarun, the latest person Momo developed a crush on in her high school days who was possessed by Turbo Granny and soon acquired her powers.

However, Okarun is someone who doesn't have much confidence in himself, due to which he never expresses jealousy openly (Just like what he did in the introduction of Jiji, Momo's childhood crush). However, these new love rivals might make the chances of Momo and Okarun having a relationship increase even more.

Momo and Okarun as seen in the anime (Image via Science SARU)

Jiji (Evil Eye possessed) and Zuma (Umbrella Boy possessed) were defeated by none other than Okarun (Turbo Granny possessed). However, the defeat wasn't because the male protagonist wanted to remove rivals from his way, but because he cared for his friends. So, after defeating them, Okarun always assured Momo that he would bring her friends (Jiji and Zuma) back to humanity.

Surprisingly, this characteristic belongs to Takakura Ken, the first crush of Momo Ayase. So, even though the introduction of love rivals might give Okarun a tough time, this might be only for his development to become a person worthy of Momo's love (similar to Takakura Ken).

Final thoughts

Another giveaway might be the yokai that possessed each boy. While Jiji and Zuma were possessed by selfish yokai, Okarun was possessed by a yokai who wasn't un-evil but hated bad people. So, Okarun and Momo might be destined to meet at the end of Dandadan.

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Edited by Tiasha