What is Seiko Ayase's age in Dandadan? Explained

When it comes to talking about an overpowered character in Dandadan, we have to talk about Granny Seiko. She was initially introduced as the grandmother of the teenage protagonist Momo Ayase; Seiko defies all expectations of what an elderly character should look or act like. With her youthful appearance, combat prowess, and rich knowledge of the supernatural, fans have been left wondering: Just how old is Seiko Ayase?

The creator of Dandadan has kept it a mystery. But the manga and anime provide numerous clues. Momo Ayase is around 15 or 16 years old, so the minimum plausible age for Seiko would be at least 51 years old in the best-case scenario. However, this is purely speculative, based on the earliest possible legal or biological parenting age.

Seiko isn’t a background character who pops in with wisdom and vanishes; she is central to the group’s survival against supernatural threats. She’s also the comic relief, the emotional anchor, and often, the only adult who treats Momo and her friends like equals.

She trained Momo as a child, taught her the spell routines (even though Momo was embarrassed and bullied for them), and later helped reconcile their broken relationship when the truth about her powers became clear.

Whether it’s building strategies to trap evil spirits or creating fire-igniting mystic barriers, Seiko is the MVP of any paranormal conflict. Her bat “Nessie,” charm nails, and spiritual talismans are just as iconic as her chain-smoking, sarcastic attitude.

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Seiko Ayase’s personality: More than just looks in Dandadan

It’s easy to focus only on Seiko’s youthful appearance, but what truly makes her an iconic character is her multi-dimensional personality. She takes people into her home, fights terrifying yokai to protect others, and often refuses payment, asking only that others “pay it forward.”

She has no patience for pretentiousness, but her emotional intelligence is incredibly high. One of the most touching arcs shows her feeling guilty when she couldn’t protect someone as promised. Her pride also prevents her from asking for help, making her feel real and vulnerable despite her supernatural might.

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Why her true age may never be revealed in Dandadan

There’s a good chance Yukinobu Tatsu has intentionally kept Seiko’s age vague in Dandadan. Why?

1) Shock Value: The humor and surprise of revealing that the “hot lady” is actually a grandma never gets old.

2) Mystique: By leaving her age ambiguous, Seiko remains a character of intrigue and debate, which keeps fans talking.

3) Narrative Flexibility: The ambiguity allows the author to bend time and reality slightly when it suits the story.

This decision feels less like a cop-out and more like a creative tool. It allows Seiko to exist as both an awe-inspiring supernatural entity and an everyday grandma who just loves cooking and watching TV.

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Parallels to other anime characters

Think of Tsunade from Naruto, who used Transformation Jutsu to appear young while being in her fifties. Similar logic could apply here. Seiko’s powers in Dandadan allow her to borrow spiritual energy from the deity of Kamigoe City. Given her mystical knowledge and expertise, it’s entirely plausible that she is using a fraction of her borrowed energy to preserve her appearance.

Nothing has been confirmed in the manga so far, but this theory holds water. It would explain why Seiko’s beauty remains unshaken even during battle or emotional turmoil. It could also justify why she visibly loses power or gets worn out faster outside her hometown, possibly because maintaining her looks and performing exorcisms both draw from the same limited spiritual well.

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Final thoughts

Seiko Ayase is probably between 53 to 70 years old in Dandadan. But the real answer is more nuanced. Her age doesn’t define her. Whether she’s using godly powers, advanced skincare routines, or just good genes and nutritious food, Seiko defies time both physically and narratively. She’s proof that age in anime isn’t just a number; it’s a tool for storytelling, surprise, and subversion.