Daniel "Dan" Kuso remains the central protagonist through the *Bakugan* series, culminating in *Mechtanium Surge* where he is now 17-18 years old, having aged from 12 since the beginning. Following *Gundalian Invaders*, he resides at the Battle Brawlers Headquarters within Bakugan City. His appearance evolves consistently. During *Mechtanium Surge*, he sports a red jacket featuring a high black collar and black shoulder pads layered over a white and blue T-shirt. He pairs this with dark red jeans, a brown belt, and black fingerless gloves. His footwear consists of black sneakers with red soles and tongues. For athletic pursuits like morning jogs, he switches to a black sportswear ensemble accented with red trims. Hexagonal or rectangular goggles remain his signature accessory. Personality traits established earlier persist but mature. Dan retains his passionate love for Bakugan battles and fierce competitive drive to be the top brawler, yet his earlier impulsiveness and strategic shortcomings have tempered. He demonstrates increased responsibility, especially when addressing team objectives or managing crises, such as directing allies to rebuild shield generators. However, his determination occasionally manifests as stubbornness, particularly when defending his capability to control his partner Bakugan, Drago. His primary partner remains Drago, now evolved into Pyrus Fusion Dragonoid. This evolution stems from Drago’s exposure to Code Eve’s energy in *Gundalian Invaders*, which later fuels *Mechtanium Surge*'s central conflict. This power infusion causes Drago to uncontrollably spawn the Mechtogan Zenthon during battles, triggering destructive rampages. Dan and Drago eventually learn to harness this ability, forming the more powerful Pyrus Zenthon Titan. Additional resources include Bakugan Battle Suits like Pyrus Doomtronic and Haos Combustoid, mobile assault units such as Pyrus Rapilator, and temporary partner Bakugan like Haos Reptak. Notably, Dan and Gunz Lazar combine Fusion Dragonoid and Reptak to create the Pyrus/Haos Aeroblitz Baku Sky Raider. The *Mechtanium Surge* storyline divides into two arcs. Initially, Dan leads Bakugan Interspace as its top-ranked brawler. However, Drago’s unstable powers during a match against Anubias cause unintended destruction, leading to Dan’s disqualification and temporary loss of leadership status. Simultaneously, the malevolent Mag Mel exploits Drago’s energy to break free, deploying the Chaos Army and engineered Chaos Bakugan to threaten Earth. Dan’s journey involves mastering Drago’s new abilities while countering this threat. In the second arc, Dan relocates to the newly established Bakugan City, where humans coexist with Bakugan from New Vestroia. Peace shatters when renegade Mechtogan and the ancient Nonet Bakugan, commanded by the enigmatic Wiseman, initiate attacks. Dan collaborates with recurring allies like Shun Kazami and Marucho Marukura alongside former adversaries such as Spectra Phantom (Keith Fermin) and Mira Fermin. Tensions surface within the team regarding Dan’s handling of Drago’s powers, with Shun advocating caution—which Dan interprets as distrust. External rivalries intensify as brawling factions like Team Anubias and Team Sellon challenge his authority. Key relationships remain foundational. His bond with Drago is tested by power instability but endures through mutual trust-building efforts. Interactions with childhood friends Runo Misaki, Marucho, and Shun reflect deep camaraderie despite occasional strategic disagreements. Romantic undertones with Runo persist from earlier seasons but remain unresolved. The climax involves confronting Wiseman’s ultimate weapon, Mechtavius Destroyer, which annihilates Bakugan City and results in the deaths of Runo, Julie Makimoto, and Mira Fermin. Utilizing the Current of Time, Dan, Shun, and Marucho reverse this catastrophe, returning to a pivotal moment to destroy Mechtavius Destroyer permanently and restore Bakugan City.