Momo Ayase is a strong-willed high school girl who believes in ghosts, while Ken Takakura (Okarun) is a shy, kind boy who believes in aliens, and their supernatural debate quickly grows into a deeper bond.
Momo likes Ken Takakura because he fits her ideal image of a calm, tough, dependable man, making him feel safe and admirable from a distance.
That crush also shapes how she handles romance; especially when her feelings grow for the real Ken in front of her, leading to protectiveness.
Read the full ManhwaClan guide below to explore Why does Momo like Ken Takakura? and how their bond grows from a supernatural rivalry into something much deeper.
Who are Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura?
Momo Ayase
Momo is a high school girl raised by a spiritualist grandmother. She believes firmly in ghosts but dismisses aliens as nonsense. Strong-willed, independent, and emotionally intuitive, Momo values honesty and courage more than appearances.
Ken Takakura (Okarun)
Ken is shy, introverted, and socially awkward. He believes in aliens but initially denies the existence of ghosts. Despite his lack of confidence, Ken is kind, loyal, and deeply sincere; traits that slowly draw Momo closer to him.
Their relationship begins as a debate about the supernatural, but quickly evolves into something much deeper.
If you’re wondering who is Ken Takakura in Dandadan, he’s the boy Momo nicknames Okarun: shy, introverted, and socially awkward, yet quietly kind and deeply loyal.
He believes in aliens and initially doubts ghosts, which sparks their first clashes and sets up their early dynamic.
But as they face stranger and more dangerous situations together, his sincerity and courage stand out, and that supernatural debate quickly turns into a bond that feels much deeper than friendship.
Why does Momo like Ken Takakura?
Momo likes Ken Takakura because he matches her “ideal man” image, calm, tough, dependable, and quietly respectful. In DanDaDan, that celebrity crush is not just a random detail. It shapes how she thinks about romance, how she protects her feelings, and how she reacts to the boy in front of her who happens to share the same name.
Below is the clear, on-topic explanation, written in a straightforward way and focused on what the story is doing with that idea.
Ken Takakura represents Momo’s ideal “type”
Momo’s attraction is less about a specific movie scene and more about a persona. Ken Takakura is known for the “cool, stoic, principled” vibe, someone who does not talk big, but still feels strong and reliable. That is exactly the type of masculinity Momo is drawn to.
From the start, Momo is not impressed by flashy guys who try too hard. She responds to the opposite: restraint, confidence without arrogance, and a sense of backbone. Ken Takakura, as a famous archetype, fits that fantasy perfectly.
So when people ask why does Momo like Ken Takakura, the most direct answer is:
- He embodies the kind of man she thinks she can trust.
- He looks like a “real deal” adult figure, not a trendy, unserious crush.
- He feels safe and stable in her imagination.
The crush is a safe place for her feelings
A celebrity crush is emotionally convenient. You can admire from a distance without risk. Momo can keep her standards high and her emotions controlled because the object of her affection is unreachable.
That matters for her personality. Momo is confident and outspoken, but she does not always want to be exposed emotionally. Idolizing a celebrity gives her:
- A clear “type” she can mention without vulnerability.
- A way to avoid admitting she is interested in someone real.
- A shield against embarrassment or rejection.
In other words, the crush works like a protective layer. It lets her talk about romance while staying in control.
Why Momo defends Ken so strongly
Momo defends Ken so strongly because she hates seeing him被 judged unfairly. She has seen his sincerity and effort, so the jokes feel wrong to her. She reacts fast because she respects him, not because she pities him.
As her feelings deepen, she protects more than his safety. She cares about his dignity when others mock him in public. She steps in to stop the embarrassment from becoming a label that follows him.
This is also a clear romance signal. She is emotionally invested in how Ken is treated and how he feels. Defending his dignity shows he matters to her in a personal way.
Is Momo aware of her feelings?
Interestingly, Momo does not immediately recognize her feelings as romantic. Her affection develops gradually and subtly. She shows concern, jealousy, and protectiveness long before she consciously acknowledges that she likes Ken.
This slow-burn development makes their relationship feel natural and believable, rather than forced by the plot.
Does Ken know Momo likes him?
For most of the story, Ken remains largely unaware of Momo’s deeper feelings. His low self-esteem makes it difficult for him to believe that someone like Momo could like him romantically.
This emotional gap creates tension and humor, but also highlights how differently they see themselves.
Like many Dandadan characters, Ken doesn’t immediately pick up on Momo’s deeper feelings for most of the story.
His low self-esteem makes it hard for him to believe someone like Momo could genuinely like him romantically, so he often misreads her reactions.
That emotional gap creates both humor and tension, while showing how differently they see themselves and the relationship.
FAQs
Before we jump into the FAQs, let’s quickly recap the core idea behind Why does Momo like Ken Takakura and what it reveals about her feelings.
The questions below cover the most common points readers ask, from her “type” to why her reactions around Ken feel so intense.
Why does Momo call him Okarun instead of Ken?
Because saying “Ken” hits the exact emotional nerve she is trying to avoid: her celebrity crush and her growing feelings colliding in real time.
Is her crush meant to be taken seriously?
Yes and no. It is used for comedy, but it also reveals her values and explains her emotional defenses.
Does Momo like Okarun or only the celebrity?
The story uses the celebrity crush to show her starting point, then gradually challenges it as she experiences someone real.
At its core, Why does Momo like Ken Takakura? is about more than a crush; she’s drawn to his quiet courage, sincerity, and the way he keeps showing up even when he’s afraid. What starts as a simple “type” slowly turns into real attachment as she begins protecting not just his safety, but his dignity.
If you want to see that slow-burn bond unfold chapter by chapter, read the story now on ManhwaClan.
