Dororo
Summary: The greedy samurai lord Daigo Kagemitsu's land is dying, and he would do anything for power, even renounce Buddha and make a pact with demons. His prayers are answered by 12 demons who grant him the power he desires by aiding his prefecture's growth, but at a price. When Kagemitsu's first son is born, the boy has no limbs, no nose, no eyes, no ears, nor even skin—yet still, he lives.
This child is disposed of in a river and forgotten. But as luck would have it, he is saved by a medicine man who provides him with prosthetics and weapons, allowing for him to survive and fend for himself. The boy lives and grows, and although he cannot see, hear, or feel anything, he must defeat the demons that took him as sacrifice. With the death of each one, he regains a part of himself that is rightfully his. For many years he wanders alone, until one day an orphan boy, Dororo, befriends him. The unlikely pair of castaways now fight for their survival and humanity in an unforgiving, demon-infested world.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
The greedy samurai lord Daigo Kagemitsu's land is dying, and he would do anything for power, even renounce Buddha and make a pact with demons. His prayers are answered by 12 demons who grant him the power he desires by aiding his prefecture's growth, but at a price. When Kagemitsu's first son is born, the boy has no limbs, no nose, no eyes, no ears, nor even skin—yet still, he lives.
This child is disposed of in a river and forgotten. But as luck would have it, he is saved by a medicine man who provides him with prosthetics and weapons, allowing for him to survive and fend for himself. The boy lives and grows, and although he cannot see, hear, or feel anything, he must defeat the demons that took him as sacrifice. With the death of each one, he regains a part of himself that is rightfully his. For many years he wanders alone, until one day an orphan boy, Dororo, befriends him. The unlikely pair of castaways now fight for their survival and humanity in an unforgiving, demon-infested world.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Dororo Trailers
Dororo Pictures
Dororo Review
Dororo — The greedy samurai lord Daigo Kagemitsu's land is dying, and he would do anything for power, even renounce Buddha and make a pact with demons. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Action, Adventure, Fantasy conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.26). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Dororo offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Action, Adventure, Fantasy, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Dororo
Main
Suzuki, Rio
Japanese
Dororo
Main
Moore, Chaney
English
Dororo
Main
Leisner, Amira
German
Hyakkimaru
Main
Suzuki, Hiroki
Japanese
Hyakkimaru
Main
Gibbs, Adam
English
Hyakkimaru
Main
Wunderlich, Christian
German
Bandai
Supporting
Koyama, Mami
Japanese
Bandai
Supporting
Bonasso, Joanne
English
Bandai
Supporting
Fischer, Edda
German
Biwamaru
Supporting
Sasaki, Mutsumi
Japanese
Biwamaru
Supporting
Belcher, James
English
Biwamaru
Supporting
Belle, Ekkehardt
German
Denkichi
Supporting
Seko, Takamaru
Japanese
Denkichi
Supporting
Gremillion, John
English
Denkichi
Supporting
Jacobs, Tom
German
Hibukuro
Supporting
Miyake, Kenta
Japanese
Hibukuro
Supporting
Morrison, Josh
English
Hibukuro
Supporting
Langner, Jochen
German
Hyogo
Supporting
Matsuda, Kenichirou
Japanese
Hyogo
Supporting
Love, Andrew
English
Staff
Matsunaga, Masato
Producer, Production Assistant, Production Coordination
Ootsuka, Manabu
Producer, Planning
Yamamoto, Kouji
Producer, Planning
Furuhashi, Kazuhiro
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard
Koizumi, Kisuke
Sound Director
Arai, Nobuyoshi
Episode Director, Storyboard
Hata, Masami
Episode Director
Hatsumi, Kouichi
Episode Director, Storyboard
Ishida, Takafumi
Episode Director, Storyboard
Kawana, Kana
Episode Director
Kobayashi, Osamu
Episode Director, Storyboard, In-Between Animation, Key Animation, Digital Paint, Director of Photography
Koike, Takeshi
Episode Director, Storyboard, Animation Director
Matano, Hiromichi
Episode Director, Storyboard
Nishihata, Yuuki
Episode Director
Nishiyama, Hiromi
Episode Director
Oomine, Teruyuki
Episode Director, Storyboard, Animation Director, Key Animation
Satou, Takeru
Episode Director, Storyboard
Shimizu, Hisatoshi
Episode Director
Suzuki, Takuo
Episode Director
Yoshimura, Fumihiro
Episode Director, Storyboard