Dan Kouzo is the main protagonist of his series and a resident of Los Volmos. He is a twelve-year-old boy of Caucasian heritage, possessing an athletic build and medium height. His appearance is defined by spiky dark hair that features a distinctive natural red streak, as well as blue eyes. His style is described as having an urban daredevil flair, typically wearing a red t-shirt under a dark red cropped jacket, dark blue jeans with reinforced knee patches, and notable red sneakers along with gloves and pads that complement his active lifestyle.

Dan is the embodiment of a charismatic and energetic force of nature, often seen as the Talent within his friend group, the Awesome Ones. He is naturally athletic, outgoing, inclusive, and supportive, which makes him a natural leader even though he does not consciously consider himself one. His personality is marked by a never-say-die optimism and intensity. While he is prone to overconfidence and impulsiveness, particularly in the heat of the moment, his core values revolve around friendship and loyalty. He holds a personal rule that conflicts among friends must be resolved before the sun goes down, reflecting his commitment to maintaining strong relationships. He approaches life as a game, but his primary motivation is participation and discovering what he is capable of, rather than a singular focus on winning.

Dan shares a deep, fiercely loyal bond with his two best friends, Wynton Styles and Lia Venegas. Together with their dog Lightning, they form the core of the Awesome Ones, a group dedicated to creating videos for their ViewTube channel. His most significant relationship is with his guardian Bakugan, a Pyrus Dragonoid he nicknames Drago. Their partnership begins during a life-changing event when the second Great Collision occurs at Pinpoint Park, leading to Dan meeting Drago for the first time. Beyond Drago, Dan later earns the loyalty of another Pyrus Bakugan, Cyndeous, after demonstrating honorable conduct by protecting children from the Bakugan's uncontrolled attacks during a confrontation with a cruel brawler named Marco. Over the course of his journey, his team of Bakugan expands to include partners like Gillator and the Geogan Arcleon.

Dan’s role in the story is that of a defender who protects his neighborhood and the interconnected world of Vestroia. Initially depicted as a skilled video creator, his life shifts when he discovers the Drome battlefield and begins to pioneer the use of BakuCores to enhance Bakugan abilities. Alongside his friends, he confronts a variety of antagonists, including the thief Aay, the destructive Rowdy Reds, the anti-Bakugan activist Kravitz, and rivals like Magnus Black. His development sees him grow from an instinctive and power-driven brawler into a more strategic thinker. While he retains his boldness, he learns hard lessons about accountability, such as when his desire for views leads him to prank his Bakugan, an action he later reverses to regain trust. In later story arcs, his role expands significantly when his partner Drago ascends to a council of powerful Bakugan, further cementing Dan's importance to the fate of both Earth and the Bakugan dimension.

Dan possesses several notable abilities both as a brawler and as a character. Specializing in the Pyrus faction, he uses fire-based attacks in battle. His most defining ability is his immense charisma and leadership, which allows him to inspire his friends and even his Bakugan to perform beyond their limits. He is known for his tactical creativity in battle, often using the environment and BakuCores to his advantage in high-stakes situations. His physical agility and willingness to put himself in harm's way, such as running directly through a battle to give Drago a BakuCore, demonstrate his courage and unorthodox, yet effective, approach to brawling.