Danma Kuso, commonly called Dan, is the central protagonist of the Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia anime. At the start of this season, he is fifteen years old and hailed as a legendary brawler on Earth for his role in saving the planet and the dimension of Vestroia in the previous year. He lives in the town of Wardington with his parents, Miyoko and Shinjiro Kuso. His mother is a yoga enthusiast, while his father shares Dan's exuberant personality and has a notable obsession with pudding.

Personality-wise, Dan is driven by a deep and passionate love for Bakugan battling, always aspiring to be the strongest. He is characterized by his impulsiveness, rashness, and overconfidence, which frequently land him in trouble. His eagerness to brawl makes him easily frustrated when forced into situations requiring patience, such as waiting or hiding. While he begins with a tendency to rely on raw power, his experiences teach him the value of strategy, allowing him to temper his brashness with calculated thinking. Despite his flaws, he possesses a strong sense of justice and is known for offering redemption to former enemies.

Dan's primary motivation in New Vestroia is to rescue the Bakugan. He is summoned by his partner, Drago, to help liberate their homeworld from the Vestals, an alien race that has invaded and is suppressing the Bakugan's consciousness using mind-control devices called Dimension Controllers. His mission is to free the enslaved Bakugan and restore peace to New Vestroia.

In the story, Dan arrives back on New Vestroia to join the Bakugan Brawlers Resistance, a small group of Vestal rebels led by Mira Fermin. Despite being new to the updated brawling system, which includes Life Gauges and Bakugan Traps, he quickly adapts. His journey is marked by significant challenges, the most impactful being the capture of Drago by the powerful Vestal brawler Spectra Phantom. This loss sends Dan into an emotional crisis, but his determination to recover his partner never wavers. His resolve leads to a pivotal reunion and battle alongside the Legendary Soldier Apollonir, which allows Drago to evolve into a more powerful form. Ultimately, Dan leads the Resistance in a final assault to destroy King Zenoheld's Alternative Weapon System, a machine capable of destroying both Earth and Vestal.

Key relationships define his journey. His most profound bond is with his Guardian Bakugan, Drago, a Pyrus Dragonoid. Their partnership is built on mutual growth, and they share a unique destiny link. Within the Resistance, his rivalry with Ace Grit, a Darkus brawler, begins with friction but develops into grudging respect after a trial brawl that ends in a draw. He also takes on a mentorship role with Baron Leltoy, a young Vestal brawler whom he trains. Dan maintains a close friendship with his human companions from Earth, including Runo Misaki, with whom he shares a strong, often arguing, but caring relationship, and his childhood friends Shun Kazami and Marucho Marukura.

Throughout New Vestroia, Dan undergoes significant development. He evolves from the brash and impatient boy of the first season into a more measured leader. The trauma of losing Drago forces him to confront his weaknesses and teaches him the weight of his responsibilities. He learns to collaborate effectively with new allies and former adversaries, demonstrating a matured understanding that victory requires more than just individual strength.

Notable abilities in Dan's arsenal include his skill as a brawler, which allows him to use various Ability Cards to unleash Drago's attacks. He wields a battle gauntlet, which he activates with the command Gauntlet, Power Strike. In New Vestroia, his abilities expand to include the use of Bakugan Traps, mechanical support units that can combine with his main Bakugan. He also learns to master the Perfect Core ability, a powerful energy source that allows Drago to perform extraordinary feats and evolve into forms such as Cross Dragonoid and, later, Helix Dragonoid.