Explained: What is Turbo Granny in Dandadan?

The recent Dandadan anime, which premiered in the Fall 2024 season, has quickly captured the attention of anime enthusiasts. Based on Yukinobu Tatsu’s praised manga, this Shonen series uniquely blends elements of extraterrestrial life and the supernatural, engaging viewers in a fresh narrative.

One of the most compelling characters in this universe is Turbo Granny. Fans are eager to understand her significance, leading to the question: what is Turbo Granny in Dandadan? This character is categorized as a yōkai, a term for supernatural entities in Japanese lore, which plays a pivotal role in the storyline.

Unraveling Turbo Granny’s Yōkai Origins

To fully grasp what Turbo Granny represents, it’s essential to define a yōkai. In Japanese culture, yōkai encompass a diverse array of supernatural beings, ranging from spirits and monsters to shape-shifters and trickster entities. They are often perceived as influencing the human world positively or negatively, eliciting both fear and fascination.

Saiko explains Turbo Granny's origins as a yokai — Saiko explains that Turbo Granny’s origins are a yōkai (Image via Yukinobu Tatsu/Shueisha)

Turbo Granny, who was once known as the 100 KMPH Granny, emerges as a contemporary yōkai with a notorious history of mischief throughout Japan. Following encounters with characters Momo and Okarun, her legacy reveals a significant aspect: she tends to appear in the presence of spirits of young girls who have faced tragic, premature deaths. This connection indicates that her chaotic nature may conceal a more compassionate side, as she is believed to provide solace to these restless souls.

Turbo Granny’s Role in the Series

Saiko challenges Turbo Granny in the series — Saiko vs. Turbo Granny (Image via Science SARU)

Understanding Turbo Granny’s character in Dandadan unveils her evolution from a primary antagonist to an unforeseen ally. After encounters with Momo and Okarun in Shōno City lead to her exorcism, Turbo Granny survives but eventually possesses Okarun again.

A twist unfolds when Saiko and Momo manage to expel her from Okarun’s body. Rather than vanishing, Turbo Granny’s essence is confined within a maneki-neko doll, leaving her powers stranded within Okarun. This predicament forces her to form a reluctant alliance with the protagonists to recover her missing powers, particularly as they navigate the challenges posed by alien foes.

Turbo Granny depicted in Dandadan — Turbo Granny as depicted in Dandadan (Image via Science SARU)

In exchange for assistance, Turbo Granny seeks to reclaim Okarun’s kintama, leading to humorous exchanges as her challenging demeanor adds a layer of comedic tension to the group’s dynamics. As they work together against common threats, an intriguing bond begins to form between Turbo Granny and her human counterparts.

Turbo Granny’s Supernatural Powers

Momo vs. Turbo Granny in an epic showdown — Momo vs. Turbo Granny in the anime (Image via Science SARU)

As a formidable yōkai, Turbo Granny possesses a variety of supernatural abilities. In her spiritual state, she can take control of other characters’ bodies, wielding her speed and powers while executing this possession skill on both humans and spirits—demonstrated when she commandeers the Earthbound Spirit Crab in Shōno City.

One of her most notorious curses involves reverting her foes’ bodies to mirror her own and stealing their genitalia if they attempt to escape from her grasp. Additionally, she can merge with willing spirits, enhancing her power through this fusion. Her ability for territorial control allows her to dominate specific environments, rendering her nearly invincible within her domain.

Conclusion

Turbo Granny in an action sequence — Turbo Granny during the showdown in Shōno City (Image via Science SARU)

Turbo Granny’s introduction in Dandadan adds a unique, eerie flavor to the narrative, transitioning into a comedic and unexpected character arc. As a crucial support for Okarun’s powers, her character becomes indispensable in this wonderfully peculiar world, contributing significantly to the storyline’s depth and humor.

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