The Unofficial Age Of Dandadan’s Grandma: Why Seiko Ayase’s Youthful Appearance Is A Supernatural Mystery

The age of Seiko Ayase, the formidable and surprisingly youthful grandmother in Yukinobu Tatsu’s hit manga Dandadan, remains one of the series' most engaging and long-running mysteries. As of late 2025, the author has yet to officially confirm her precise age, a deliberate choice that enhances her enigmatic aura and the running gag about her appearance. However, based on the established timeline and her relationship with the protagonist, Momo Ayase, the consensus among fans and analysts places Seiko’s age within a very specific and likely range.

While the exact number is a closely guarded secret, the most widely accepted and plausible estimate for Seiko Ayase’s age is between 55 and 60 years old. This range is derived from the fact that her granddaughter, Momo Ayase, is a high school student generally accepted to be 16 years old. This makes Seiko an adult in her mid-to-late fifties who looks suspiciously young, which is a major source of curiosity and a key part of her character's charm and power.

Seiko Ayase: Biography and Character Profile

Seiko Ayase is far more than just a supporting character; she is the backbone of the main cast and a central figure in the ongoing battle against supernatural threats. She provides the intellectual and spiritual foundation for the group, particularly in their understanding of the occult and the paranormal. Her profile is a blend of domesticity, deep spiritual knowledge, and formidable fighting prowess.

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• Full Name: Seiko Ayase (綾瀬 星子)
• Role: Maternal Guardian, Occult Specialist, Exorcist
• Relationship: Grandmother of Momo Ayase
• Estimated Age: 55–60 years old (Unofficial)
• Beliefs: Staunch believer in the occult, spirits, and yokai (unlike Momo, who believes in aliens/UFOs, and Okarun, who believes in aliens/UFOs but not ghosts at first).
• Key Abilities: Highly skilled and knowledgeable exorcist; utilizes powerful spiritual techniques and talismans; possesses immense spiritual power (Rei-ryoku).
• First Appearance: Chapter 1 of the Dandadan manga.
• Creator: Yukinobu Tatsu.

The Math Behind Seiko’s Estimated Age

To understand the 55–60 age range, we must first look at the age of her granddaughter, Momo Ayase. Momo is consistently portrayed as a 16-year-old high school student.

• Momo’s Age: ~16 years old.
• Minimum Plausible Mother’s Age: To have a child at 16, a mother would be at least 32 years old.
• Minimum Plausible Grandmother’s Age: To have a grandchild at 16, the grandmother (Seiko) would be at least 48 years old (assuming two generations of teenage pregnancy, which is unlikely).
• Realistic Grandmother’s Age: Assuming a more standard timeline where Momo’s mother had Momo in her mid-20s (say, 25), and Seiko had Momo’s mother in her mid-20s (say, 25), Seiko would be approximately 25 + 25 + 16 = 66 years old.

Given her surprisingly youthful appearance, the most common fan consensus and analysis suggests a slightly younger age, settling on the 55 to 60 range. This age bracket allows her to be a grandmother to a 16-year-old while still being young enough to justify the running gag about her looks, which is the core of the mystery.

The Mystery of Her Youth: Why Seiko Looks So Young

The question of "how old is the grandma in Dandadan" is inextricably linked to the mystery of her appearance. Seiko Ayase is frequently noted for her striking beauty and youthful demeanor, which is a sharp contrast to the stereotypical image of a grandmother.

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This youthful look is a deliberate narrative device by Yukinobu Tatsu, possibly to preserve the shock value of her character and her unexpected power. It serves several purposes within the story:

• Character Contrast: It highlights her unconventional nature as a powerful, modern-day exorcist who defies expectations.
• A Running Gag: The gap between her appearance and her status as a grandmother is a source of humor and surprise for other characters, like Okarun (Ken Takakura).
• Topical Authority: It establishes her as a unique and powerful entity in the supernatural world. Her youthful vitality might even be a subtle hint at the sheer spiritual power she wields, suggesting an almost ageless quality.

She is the only adult in the main cast, and her age remains a mystery and an ongoing gag, making her one of the most intriguing characters in the series.

Seiko Ayase’s Critical Role in the Dandadan Storyline

Seiko Ayase is much more than just the protagonist's guardian; she is a crucial mentor and a formidable fighter. Her deep knowledge of the occult is the primary source of information for Momo and Okarun as they navigate the terrifying and bizarre world of yokai and spirits.

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The Occult Specialist

Seiko is a highly respected and experienced exorcist. Unlike the younger characters who often rely on their newly acquired powers and brute force, Seiko utilizes ancient knowledge, powerful talismans, and strategic spiritual techniques. She is the one who educates the team on the nature of the spirits they face, from the Turbo Granny to the Serow. Her expertise is essential for both defense and offense.

A Spiritual Powerhouse

While she may not always be on the front lines, her spiritual power (Rei-ryoku) is arguably the greatest among the main cast. She can sense, contain, and banish powerful entities. Her calm, collected demeanor, even in the face of terrifying supernatural phenomena, serves as an anchor for the often-panicked younger generation.

Entity List: Key Yokai and Spirits Seiko Ayase Has Encountered/Handled

Seiko's history is steeped in encounters with various supernatural entities, showcasing her experience and the depth of her knowledge. This list establishes the topical authority of her character within the Dandadan universe:

• Turbo Granny (Tābā Bā-san): The first major spirit antagonist she helps contain and manage, becoming a key ally.
• Serow (Kashima Reiko): A malevolent spirit that possesses Okarun, which Seiko helps to manage and eventually use for the group's benefit.
• Evil Eye (Jashin): A powerful yokai with immense spiritual energy.
• Dolphin-Kans: The alien entities that also play a role in the series' paranormal side.
• The Flatwoods Monster: An alien entity that further complicates the distinction between yokai and extraterrestrials, a key theme Seiko helps navigate.
• The Man with the Face of a Cat: A minor, but recurring, supernatural entity.

The Lasting Enigma of Seiko’s Age

Ultimately, the exact age of Seiko Ayase is a deliberate choice by the mangaka, Yukinobu Tatsu, to maintain an air of mystery and power around the character. By keeping the number vague, Tatsu allows the focus to remain on her strength, her wisdom, and the striking contrast between her youthful looks and her status as a seasoned grandmother and exorcist.

The best answer to "how old is the grandma in Dandadan" is that she is old enough to be a grandmother to a 16-year-old, but young enough to be mistaken for a much younger woman. The prevailing estimate of 55–60 years old is the closest fans will get until the author decides to officially lift the veil on this enduring Dandadan mystery. Her character proves that in the world of yokai and aliens, age is just a number, and spiritual power is the true measure of a person.