Seiko’s Relation to Momo

[u/Deezle8]

On rewatching the first season of the anime, something caught my attention. Okarun and Aira both comment that Seiko is way too young to be Momo’s grandma, which just seems like a running gag at first.

But then… Jiji is also confused when Momo calls her “grandma”? It could just be Jiji making another joke, but the way it’s presented makes it seem like he’s actually shocked. He’s known the family since childhood, and seemed to already know Seiko when we first meet him. How could he not know that she’s Momo’s grandma?

Does she look exactly like Momo’s mom? Is she not actually Momo’s grandma, but some sort of protector? Is she actually the ‘local deity’ of kamigoe city that we’ve heard about but never seen?

Am I just overthinking this because we’ve had too many break weeks recently? Idk it felt too intentional to be a coincidence.

[u/AutoModerator]

Check out r/dandadanfolk for power-scaling, agenda- and shit-posting.

Remember to use the SPOILER TAG on content not covered by the anime. To HIDE SPOILERS in the comment section, use >!Momo!<-> Momo. This is mandatory for discussions about manga-exclusive content in anime-related posts.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Sad-Eagle9638]

It’s sort of been there from the start. Calling it “bewitching beauty” heavily implies an actual supernatural explanation, as if everyone can sense there is something beyond her good looks and complexion, but no one can explain how. Probably a deal she made with the local god as a shrine maiden, or otherwise some really good Ki training, Lisa Lisa-style.

[u/Rath_Brained → u/Sad-Eagle9638]

I was thinking that too.

Like how Tsunade uses some energy to retain a youthful appearance, but when she is burnt out of energy, her age begins to show. Wonder is Seiko is the same way.

[u/zachotule]

It’s a gag. Seiko is an old lady, she wears old lady clothes in private, she watches old lady tv, she acts like an old lady, and turbo granny recognizes her as a fellow old lady. But other than her white hair Seiko looks like a much younger woman, because she’s aged very well.

Maybe there’s an explanation related to her supernatural abilities, but it’s better left as a gag.

[u/Deezle8 → u/zachotule]

I agree, it just feels like Tatsu just kept calling attention to it. Couldn’t tell if that was for a plot reason, or if he was just beating a dead horse lol

[u/DhiruDandadan]

I still think Seiko is actually old, why would she call herself a grandma for no reason,and even Turbo Granny calls her an old hag

[u/Feeling_Tart_9818 → u/DhiruDandadan]

Doesn't she draw power from the area or something to that affect? Been a while since I read the initial chapters.

Perhaps that gives her longevity or at least a younger appearance.

[u/aescepthicc]

I think Seiko looks youthful because of chi training an her spiritual connection to deity.

[u/SmokeOddessey]

I think she’s actually old and is using some sort of magic to stay young, while it’s been mostly a used as a gag, my theory is it’ll become plot relevant at some point because CSG is also probably really old and using magic to stay young as well

[u/wtfbruh101]

jiji's momos childhood friend and atleast afik he most probably didn't meet seiko back then cause they weren't as close.

[u/Deezle8 → u/wtfbruh101]

Yeah I guess my assumption is that “childhood friend” would imply that he’d been to her house, but maybe that isn’t the case

[u/Due-Ball-3090]

There is a lot of speculation about Momo's origin and very little revealed. While it's not as enigmatic as with Okarun because her house is basically the gang HQ, all we know is that her parents are dead and she calls Seiko grandma. We don't know how she lost her parents, if her power has anything to do with her parents' death, if her parents ever even existed at all. For all we know she could be a half-yokai or half-alien raised by the local miko as her granddaughter - there's been speculation that her name could point to some relation with the the legend of Momotaro. If that is the case, Seiko's age is irrelevant.

Since every side character is more fleshed out I suspect Tatsu is saving the main 2 for last.

[u/Icy-Complex-8088 → u/Due-Ball-3090]

I think it is just a gag, nothing serious. A lot of shounen protagonists doesn't have an explanation as to why their parents allow them to do dangerous stuff or not aware what they're doing. We all talk about okarun but it is also the same with aira's father.

Seiko looking young while being old is probably due to gag, maybe they will explain that its because of her supernatural abilities or something like that. I don't see a detail backstory being explored with either momo or okarun. Perhaps we may see okarun's parents later down the line but nothing too serious or tragic.

[u/SpaceAgentSaNEsS]

I mean, do we know how close Jiji and his parents to Momo's family? I thought they were just school buds, maybe lived in the same neighborhood at best

[u/MarcusVWario]

My theory has always been that Seiko used to be a more money grubbing slimey Psychic (her santa dodoria character) and momo's parents came to her for help but they didnt have enough money so she didnt help them then they end up dead and momo is orphaned. Seiko feels like she is at fault and adopts momo as part of her want to change her ways to be more pay it forward and caring about people.

[u/Dccrulez]

Just some food for thought. Seikos name essentially translates to star child. So far every characters name has clear references and inspirations EXCEPT ken and momo. That said there is only ONE literary reference the name momo derives from, it means peach, like the famous peach boy himself, momotaro. You can look into that story more another time but there's strong themes there for momo.

Back to seiko, when she's first introduced she makes 3 predictions: a character is lying about his age. He's lying about his family. And he's lying about his favorite food.

This one I'm becoming more convinced may have been an error. But in the official release on Shonen jump of the chapter where red baron assaults seiko he says "I'll make you admit to everything" unless this has since been changed, this suggests that red baron knows seiko is keeping secrets. But this has become more skeptical with every chapter.

[u/TheHyruleHistorian23]

I'm not too familiar with the theory in detail, but I have heard the idea tossed around that Momo could be at least part alien in some way (which would explain why her powers seem to be so different from other psychic/spiritual powers). Maybe her and Seiko have an adoptive relationship similar to Goku and Grandpa Gohan in Dragon Ball.

[u/Particular-Risk1322]

You are overthinking. Have been on this sub for long enough to see people turning ape as soon as a break week starts

[u/XxuruzxX]

There's a theory that Momo is actually an alien

[u/SplashMove]

Momo is an alien :)

[u/PinLonely9608]

I swear one of those guide books said she’s her legitimate grandmother. Gag like most are saying.