We Explain Who Trubo Granny Is And What Okarun’s Powers Are in Dandadan
The Dandadan anime was very well received by both manga and anime fans. That’s why we will explain who Turbo Granny is and what Okarun’s powers are.
The Dandadan anime has been very well-received by fans. You can now watch the first episode on both Netflix and Crunchyroll, with new episodes dropping every Thursday. I’ve already briefly outlined the plot of the manga and anime (at least the beginning), but did you know that Turbo Granny (also known as Turbo Babaa or Turbo Banchan), who appears in the first episode, is actually based on an urban legend? Here, I’ll explain the story behind that legend and dive into what Okarun’s powers are, as they’re closely tied to Turbo Banchan.
Table of contents:
Who is Turbo Granny?
In Japan, there’s a legend about a driver traveling on the highway at night who catches a glimpse of an elderly woman in their rearview mirror before she suddenly vanishes. In most versions of the story, the driver only gets a brief look at Turbo Granny before she speeds away. Other versions describe her following someone or knocking on their car windows to cause an accident.
This urban legend first emerged near the highways of Mount Rokko in Hyogo Prefecture and quickly gained popularity. Turbo Babaa is always described as an elderly woman driving at dangerously high speeds on highways late at night. She often appears out of nowhere, following drivers and aggressively honking at them. While the origins of the legend are unclear, some believe it’s a cautionary tale meant to warn against reckless driving. The story serves as a reminder of the dangers of speeding and bad behavior on the road.
As I mentioned earlier, the legend became so popular that it even inspired other works of fiction, such as the movie The Crone, directed by Eisuke Naito or even a commercial, which you can watch above. Fun fact: Turbo Granny is voiced by Mayumi Tanaka (real name Mayumi Abe), who also voices Luffy!
What are Okarun’s powers?
WARNING: Beware of minor spoilers!
Okarun’s powers are closely tied to Turbo Babaa. As you might know from the manga or anime, Okarun (Ken Takakura) was possessed by the Granny, giving him her spiritual power and allowing him to transform into a hybrid of yokai and human. In this form, Okarun's hair turns white, he gets two vertical stripes across his eyes, and a dark jaw mask with multiple teeth. His body also becomes more muscular, and his personality shifts to a more brooding, depressed state. In addition to these physical changes, Okarun’s yokai form grants him incredible speed, and he can use a special attack called "All-Out."
