Seiko Ayase is one of the most memorable characters in Dandadan, a manga mixing humor and the supernatural. She’s 62 years old but looks far younger, with energy and charm that make her unforgettable. As Momo Ayase’s grandmother, she plays a key role in the story, acting as both a protector and a source of comic relief.
Background and Personality
Seiko works as a spirit medium in Kamikoshi City. People know her by the nickname “Santa Dodoria.” Her home is a refuge for anyone dealing with ghosts or aliens. She has a rough way of speaking but is kind-hearted and selfless. Seiko often helps others without asking for anything in return. She believes adults should carry burdens so the younger generation can grow freely.
Despite her tough exterior, she’s wise and empathetic. She’s proud and doesn’t like accepting help, even when she needs it. Her humor and confidence make her approachable, but her wisdom gives her a reassuring presence. Seiko understands spirits well and deals with them strategically.
Powers and Abilities
Enhanced Strength and Speed
Seiko’s physical skills are incredible, especially for her age. She’s strong, fast, and very agile. Her movements are smooth and precise, letting her dodge attacks or close in on enemies with ease. She fights using her bat, Nessie, which is like an extension of her own power. With it, she can crush spirits and yokai, creating craters with her strikes.
Mystic Barriers
As a medium, Seiko can create magical barriers to trap or destroy spirits. She borrows energy from local deities to make them strong. These barriers can become lethal when reinforced with charm nails, burning spirits on contact. However, their power depends on the strength of the nearby gods, so she has to adapt to her surroundings.
Communication with Spirits
Seiko doesn’t just fight spirits; she talks to them. She tries to understand their pain and resolve conflicts peacefully when she can. Her ability to connect with spirits shows her compassionate and wise side.
Precognition
Seiko has the rare ability to sense events before they happen. This lets her predict attacks and prepare defenses in advance. For example, she once set up a barrier in time to block a surprise attack from the Turbo Granny, knowing exactly how the yokai would move. Additionally, in a TV show, she used this power to find out more about a popular Japanese idol named Shoma, successfully predicting his age and even revealing that he has a child.
The Power of Words
Seiko’s most unique ability is her Power of Words. By speaking with focus and intent, she can change reality. She uses this power to enhance her strength or boost the power of Nessie, turning her bat into a devastating weapon. This ability shows her strong will and discipline, as it depends on her emotional focus and conviction.
Participation in the Story
Seiko works with the protagonists serving as a important support character.
Seiko in the Turbo Granny Arc
In the Turbo Granny’s arc. Seiko used her expertise to weaken the curse while teaching Momo how to handle her newly awaken powers. Seiko also is the one to elaborate the plan to get turbo granny by attracting her to far away from her domain, and attracting the yokai to a trap.
Seiko Ayase in the evil eye arc
Seiko initially sets the tone for her involvement by establishing strict protocols to manage the curse of the Evil Eye. She allows Jiji limited freedom of movement, provided he avoids contact with cold water, and equips Momo, Okarun, and Aira with thermoses filled with hot water, a precaution against Jiji’s transformation into the Evil Eye. Her foresight proves essential during dinner when a single drop of soy sauce triggers Jiji’s transformation.
While the chaos caused by the Evil Eye disrupts the Ayase household, Seiko remains composed and resourceful, directing efforts to contain the threat while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
Understanding Over Eradication
When professional exorcists, the Hayashi, arrive to purge the Evil Eye, Seiko supports their performance but remains attentive to Jiji’s perspective. As Jiji pleads for the Evil Eye to be spared, citing its suffering and promising to control it, Seiko shows empathy. Despite the potential danger, she honors Jiji’s request and cancels the exorcism, signaling her belief in collaboration over destruction. This decision demonstrates Seiko’s deep sense of trust and her willingness to balance supernatural threats with humanity.
Mentorship and Guide
Following the exorcism’s cancellation, Seiko transitions into a mentoring role. She trains Jiji to better suppress the Evil Eye, emphasizing the importance of self-control and vigilance. Her teachings become critical when the curse is accidentally triggered again due to a minor mishap involving cold water. While the house sustains additional damage, Seiko remains patient, redirecting her focus to finding long-term solutions.
Balancing Practicality and Supernatural Chaos
Seiko’s pragmatic side emerges as she takes charge of managing the extensive destruction to her home caused by the Evil Eye. Instead of immediately worrying about repairs, she prioritizes her family and friends’ mental and physical well-being, even suggesting a visit to a bathhouse to decompress. However, Seiko also demonstrates adaptability when Okarun and the alien Ludris offer assistance with advanced technology. She reluctantly accepts their help, allowing her home to be remodeled with nanoskin, a decision that highlights her practicality amidst extraordinary circumstances.
