Daniel "Dan" Kuso emerges as the central protagonist of the *Bakugan* franchise, evolving from a brash 12-year-old brawler in Wardington into a battle-hardened leader across multiple interdimensional conflicts. His early impulsiveness and fixation on overpowering opponents strain his bond with Drago, his Pyrus Dragonoid partner, culminating in a heated river-side confrontation after reckless tactics banish allies to the Doom Dimension. A pivotal clash against Ryo forces Dan to embrace strategic teamwork, mending his partnership with Drago and igniting his growth toward disciplined leadership. His visual progression mirrors this journey—starting with a fiery red overcoat and hexagonal goggles, later adopting a gold-trimmed jacket in New Vestroia, and finally armored knight gear during the Gundalian wars. At 15, he joins the Vestal Resistance, temporarily losing Drago to Spectra Phantom before reclaiming him with aid from the Legendary Soldier Apollonir. Here, he masters Battle Gear like Silver JetKor and coordinates assaults with allies Mira Fermin and Baron Leltoy to dismantle Vestal superweapons. By 16, facing Gundalian invaders in Bayview, Dan confronts betrayals like Ren Krawler’s duplicity while Drago ascends to Titanium Dragonoid. Their synergy peaks with Mobile Assault Vehicle Pyrus Raytheus, countering threats like Phantom Dharak. In *Mechtanium Surge*, now 17–18, Dan battles失控 (loss of control) as Mag Mel corrupts Drago’s link to Mechtogan Zenthon. Temporarily exiled from Bakugan Interspace, he harnesses time travel to regain command, taming Fusion Dragonoid and uniting with Gunz Lazar to vanquish Mechtavius Destroyer. Key relationships anchor his arc: simmering tension with Runo Misaki, camaraderie with strategic foil Shun Kazami, and the eccentric support of parents Miyoko and Shinjiro—the latter’s pudding obsession underscoring their quirky dynamic. His arsenal expands through seasons, integrating BakuNano, Mechtogan, and Battle Suits, while allies like Reptak and Dragonoid Colossus bolster his roster. Despite eight losses in *Mechtanium Surge*, his resilience cements a legacy as the universe’s top brawler, credited with saving Vestroia, New Vestroia, and Neathia through tactical ingenuity and unyielding resolve.