DORORO 2019

DORORO  2019

The remake of the anime adaptation of the manga Dororo which aired in 1969 is coming in the homestretch of the series.

A series that I have been following since the first episode of the 2019 remake and also watched the 1969 version, a product of the legendary Osamu Tezuka.

Will be making a comparison review of both series once the 2019 version has ended. Both version for now is filled with action, blood, gore, flying limbs, mutilation and many more. Character growth and change as well as emotions filled the series as well. There were changes made in the 2019 version and I am still waiting for the series to end and will be watching it again once or maybe twice before making a comparison from both versions. For the manga I am still thinking if I will be making a review on that.

The basic layout of the series is about the young man named Hyakkimaru who was born with almost nothing and literally almost nothing. His body was almost consumed by 12 demons (42 demons in the original anime adaptation) when his father Daigo Kagemitsu traded his first born to the 12 demons in the Hall of Demons in exchange for the prosperity of his land and territory. Hyakkimaru was still unnamed during that time, he was saved by a goddess statue and he managed to survive up to the day he was adopted by an old man who makes prosthetic limbs for both the dead and the living. He was given artificial eyes and limbs as well as arming him with a pair of swords hidden within his forearms which when detached the swords are revealed. He then traveled in search of demons after learning that he can regain his lost body parts every time he manage to kill a demon linked to his lost body parts.

The next character which the series follows is Dororo, the titular character of series, a young orphan thief who survives by stealing from people and his fellow thieves and scamming them. He later meets Hyakkimaru by chance in some small town and began to follow him. From then on both of them traveled together, this changed Dororo from stealing but uses his skills of tongue to convince people that they can help exterminate demons for a price.

Both characters found out each other's secrets as they traveled, both are practically similar to each other a young orphan and the other was cast away by his father after he was traded off to a bunch of demons. Dororo was later revealed to be a girl who was brought up as a boy her parents, no reason was mentioned but by judging the atmosphere of how Dororo and her family were living back when they were all together, she was surrounded by a bunch of thieves and murderers who her father does not seem to fully trust as well and the only way to save Dororo was to bring her up as a boy to avoid some conflicts. Dororo lived a rough life not to mention having to witness many strange things as she traveled with Hyakkimaru, including witnessing many deaths of people samurais or civilians. Dororo had also witnessed things that she cannot even explain if she tells them to Hyakkimaru just like in the incident when she witnessed their female friend whom Hyakkimaru fell in love with was doing lewd business with samurais in order to earn money and survive so that she can buy rice for other orphaned children she lives with.

Doror became the anchor for Hyakkimaru for him to stay sane after all the killing he has done in order to retrieve his body. Along with the old monk who they constantly meet along their travels, a monk who has similar skills as Hyakkimaru, who guides them and teaches them what to do in certain times.

Along his travels he is reunited with his family, his father Daigo who sold him to the 12 demons, his mother Nui no Kata who tried to protect but in the end almost denying his existence as well and his younger brother Tahomaru who at first almost became friends with each other.

 

As the series is nearing the end Hyakkimaru is almost complete in regaining his body but at what cost. His remaining parts are both his arms and both his eyes. Both his arms were given by the last demon to the loyal subjects of his younger brother whom both arms were decapitated by him and both his eyes were given to his younger brother.

Both his arms have been retrieved now only his eyes remain and his brother is in possession of both his eyes being used as tools so that Tahomaru can keep up with his older brother who has gained incredible speed and strength while fighting off demons in his entire life.

Since the prosperity of the land of his father flourished because Hyakkimaru was sacrificed before he was born, what will be the price that has to be paid once he has retrieved his remaining body parts.

Dororo is scheduled for a 24 episode run and episode 23 just aired a few days ago, now we wait for the final episode coming in a few days.

Disclaimer:

I do not own the videos used in the review credits to their respective uploaders/owners

pics from the anime itself