Karli Dadan
Karli Dadan is the head of the Dadan family, a group of mountain bandits based at a wooden hideout on Mt. Corbo. She acts as foster parent to Ace and Luffy after Garp places the boys in her care, enforcing strict rules while protecting them during crises such as the fire at Gray Terminal. Dadan is known for her explosive temper toward Garp and the children alongside her underlying commitment to their survival.
Appearance
Karli Dadan presents as a towering figure with curly hair, beads, and checkered pants. She often wears a pearl necklace and smokes a cigarette during confrontations at the hideout.12
During intense moments Dadan displays an angry face marked by sweat drops and an open mouth. Her large silhouette dominates scenes when she charges forward or restrains others.13
Personality
Karli Dadan maintains a harsh demeanor when dealing with the boys, declaring they can leave and starve if they dislike the place. She sets minimal food rules of one bowl of rice and one cup of water daily while warning not to grow without permission.4
Dadan shows reluctance to accept new responsibilities yet ultimately complies with Garp's demands. She protests taking another child while fearing arrest and complaining about Ace's difficulty at age ten.56
Despite outward anger Dadan expresses relief when the boys survive dangers and admits liking the group. She physically prevents Luffy from returning to danger and recounts events with visible distress after losses.78
History
Early years
Young Ace is placed in Dadan's care at the hideout after Garp delivers the boy following the events surrounding Roger's son. Dadan reacts in shock upon learning she must raise the child.910
Luffy arrives next at the Dadan family hideout on Mt. Corbo. Dadan leads the group of mountain bandits housing both boys and imposes new harsh rules including cleaning, laundry and theft work starting the next day.1112
Ace's Arrival
Dadan first receives Ace as an infant when Garp delivers the newborn to the hideout with instructions to raise him. She reacts with immediate shock at the sudden responsibility for the child whose origins tie to the recently executed Gol D. Roger.13
Gray Terminal period
Aftermath
After the fire Dadan suffers severe burns while rescuing the children and hides with the family in the forest. She later attacks Garp upon learning of Ace's death and is stopped by Makino.1617
Following the events at Marineford Dadan confronts Garp in the rubble and demands accountability for Ace's death while striking the marine repeatedly. Makino intervenes to stop the assault as Dadan expresses fury over the outcome.18
After the Fire
Relationships
Karli Dadan interacts frequently with Garp who forces her to choose between jail or raising Luffy. She grabs Garp's collar in anger and later assaults him over Ace's fate while demanding he take responsibility.2122
Dadan serves as guardian to Ace and Luffy, declaring herself their foster parent. She restrains both boys to keep them from danger and orders bandits to tie Ace up when he attempts to leave after Sabo's loss.238
Dadan maintains a tense dynamic with Garp that includes physical confrontations when she learns of Ace's fate. She grabs at him in anger and questions his priorities as a marine hero over family matters.18
Dadan interacts with the villagers of Fuusha Village through indirect mentions where the mayor wonders if she knows about Luffy's activities against the world government. Makino later stops Dadan's attack on Garp during the confrontation over Ace.2418
In later years Dadan dreams of Sabo alongside the other boys reflecting on their time together. She is shown with a stern expression while holding a pipe as the memory surfaces.2526
Major battles
Karli Dadan charges into the pirates at Gray Terminal swinging a massive axe while bellowing to protect Ace. She identifies herself as guardian and sends bandits ahead with Luffy before facing Bluejam's forces alongside Ace.323
Dadan and the family later fight a bear that attacks the hideout area. She orders everyone inside after the beast appears and tends to injuries following the victory.277
Bear Attack
Dadan leads the bandit family in defending against a bear that attacks near the hideout. She orders the group inside after the creature appears and later tends to the resulting wounds once the fight concludes.28