Daniel Kuso, also known as Danma Kuso, is the main protagonist of the original Bakugan anime series and its subsequent seasons. A human brawler, his actions in the first season elevate him to a living legend among brawlers from Earth, Vestal, Neathia, and Gundalia. At age fifteen during New Vestroia, he wears a gold-trimmed long-sleeved overcoat with dark shoulder pads over a light blue sleeveless shirt, the sleeves extending past his wrists in a slight upward V-shape. His outfit includes white pants with grey pinstriped patches outlined in blue, tucked into black boots, a white and blue belt with a square buckle, and suspender-like straps with golden buckles. He retains black fingerless gloves from the first season. Driven by a deep love for Bakugan battles, Dan aspires to be the strongest brawler—a goal he achieves by the end of the first season. His impulsive, rash, and overconfident nature often leads him into trouble. He is easily frustrated and eager to brawl, complaining when forced to wait or hide, though he outgrows this habit by the third season. Initially relying solely on raw power without strategy, his approach caused a significant argument with his partner Drago, leading Dan to throw him into a river. After losing a battle to Ryo and reuniting with Drago, Dan learned that Bakugan involves more than power and began incorporating strategy. He lives in Wardington with his parents, Miyoko and Shinjiro Kuso, for the first two seasons, near his friends Runo Misaki, Marucho Marukura, and Shun Kazami. He later moves to Bayview in Gundalian Invaders, where Julie becomes his neighbor. Dan was the number one brawler in Bakugan Interspace until disqualified in a brawl against Anubias. He eventually moves to Bakugan City in the second arc of Mechtanium Surge, residing in the Battle Brawlers Headquarters. His partner Bakugan is a Pyrus Dragonoid named Drago, who evolves into Fusion Dragonoid. In New Vestroia, his Bakugan include Pyrus Neo Dragonoid, evolving into Cross Dragonoid and Helix Dragonoid. He uses Silver JetKor, Pyrus Scorpion, and several trap Bakugan taken from others: Pyrus Spyderfencer, Aquos Grafias, Ventus Spitarm, Subterra Grakas Hound, Haos Brachium, and Darkus Dark Hound. He also temporarily uses Ventus Atmos, Haos Freezer, and Pyrus Apollonir. In Gundalian Invaders, his Bakugan include Pyrus Helix Dragonoid, evolving into Lumino Dragonoid, Blitz Dragonoid, and Titanium Dragonoid. His equipment includes Silver JetKor, Silver Explosix Gear, Silver Axator Gear, and Mobile Assault Vehicles like Pyrus Raytheus and Pyrus Jakalier. He obtains Pyrus Dragonoid Colossus and uses Bakugan taken from others: Darkus Venoclaw, Ventus Ziperator, Darkus Ramdol, and temporarily swaps Ventus Hawktor with Shun. During Mechtanium Surge, he uses Pyrus Titanium Dragonoid, evolving into Pyrus Fusion Dragonoid. His equipment includes Gold Sonicanon, Mechtogan like Pyrus Zenthon and Pyrus Zenthon Titan, Bakugan Mobile Assaults like Pyrus Zoompha and Pyrus Rapilator, and BakuMutant combinations. In the second arc, he temporarily partners with Haos Reptak, leading to the combination Pyrus/Haos Aeroblitz with Gunz. He also uses Mechtogan Destroyer like Pyrus Dragonoid Destroyer and Bakugan Battle Suits such as Pyrus Doomtronic, Haos Doomtronic, Pyrus Defendtrix, and Haos Combustoid. His battle record shows three losses in both Battle Brawlers and New Vestroia, three losses in Gundalian Invaders, and eight losses in Mechtanium Surge. Key events in New Vestroia include Dan returning to help Drago save the world from the Vestals. New to the brawling system, he quickly adapts and ties with Ace to join the Resistance. He temporarily loses Drago to Spectra but reunites with him after a determined effort. Dan helps destroy the Alternative Weapon System with friends and allies, preventing the destruction of Earth and Vestal. He has a good relationship with his parents; his mother is a yoga enthusiast, and his father enjoys pudding and shares a similar, though more clueless, personality. A Fender Telecaster guitar in his bedroom suggests a possible interest in music. His popularity increases in later seasons due to his role in defeating major threats like Naga and King Zenoheld. His relationships are significant, particularly with Runo Misaki. They argue frequently but care deeply, going on a date by the end of the first season. Dan is shown to forgive former enemies, offering second chances to characters like Masquerade and Spectra Phantom.