Dorohedoro episode 10 begins with Vaux attacking the mushroom monster with a bat. It does nothing. The monster then spits an acidic liquid on Vaux, melting him into a mushroom. Dr. Kasukabe rushes to rescue Vaux. Meanwhile, Johnson attacks the monster. Gouging out its eye and ripping off its arm. Everyone runs to the second floor. Thirteen bandages Nikaido’s back. She heads to a secret room, while the monster bangs on the door. In a flashback, we witness her receiving a mask that will enhance her magic. This mask is located in the secret room. Nikaido contemplates becoming a sorcerer again.
The moment of truth finally arrives. Dorohedoro has created a conflict with Kaiman’s unwillingness to accept that Nikaido is a sorcerer and her refusal to use magic. In the last episode, it seemed that Kaiman was less hostile to sorcerers. His boss and coworker both seem to have had changed his perspective on sorcerers. Whether he accepts the fact that Nikaido lied is another matter altogether. Nikaido puts the mask on and quickly dominates the monster. She kills it. However, when the blood from the monster pools underneath them it turns into a sorcerers door. Sending Nikaido, Johnson, Dr. Kasukabe, and 13 into En’s mansion, where he welcomes them.
Lonely Kaiman and a brutal contact ceremony
Elsewhere, Kaiman and Fukuyama discuss his failed search for Risu. Kaiman wonders if Risu is even in the sorcerer’s world. Back at the mansion, En uses the remains of the monster to bind Nikaido. 13 yells at En, but is merely turned into a mushroom. Before he can question her, En is interrupted by the devil, Chidaruma. A devil with a skull-like head, gargoyle wings, and a long tongue sticking out, he quickly confirms that Nikaido is the sorcerer that can control time. Suddenly, Nikaido, the devil, and the En family are in the house. The devil is preparing to start the contract ceremony between Nikaido and En. The men and women are separated and Noi heals her back.
Apparently contract ceremonies don’t need the consent of any kind. After begin washed up, Nikaido is forced to sit. Chidaruma takes a handle with a spike protruding out of the bottom and stabs her in the chest. He pulls it like a door handle, opening her chest cavity. Chidaruma pulls a bloody piece of paper or flesh like paper and has En sign it. Nikaido is forced to sign it as well. Meanwhile, both Noi and Shin happily sign their contracts with each other. Unfortunately, for Fujita and Ebisu the Blue Night ends before they could sign. The next day it major news that En found the time sorcerer. In a dungeon, Dr. Kasukabe is being tortured for info on Kaiman. He doesn’t seem phased at all.
President Tanba will help
Kaiman is troubled by nightmares and can’t sleep. He heads outside where President Tanba joins him. Kaiman tells him why he’s into the sorcerer’s world. Seeing that he’s in need Tanba offers to help. He tells Kaiman that he knows a guy with “cross marks on his eyes.” They head to a prison where the cross-eyed, Shimizu’s is expected to be executed. Kaiman bites his head, exposing him to “Risu” inside. He’s not the one. Before he can tell Kaiman anything he’s pulled to hell by a monster. Kaiman grabs his legs trying to keep him from going. However, the devil Asu interferes. Cutting Shimizu at the ankles, forcing Kaiman to drop. He then tells Kaiman about Nikaido.
The next day Kaiman arms himself. President Tanba and Fukuyama tell him about En. We already knew that he was a big shot, however, Fukuyama informs Kaiman of the “Death Shroom Incident.” Six years ago, the city of Mastema was enveloped in black smoke. When it cleared all the living creatures were turned into mushrooms. Tanba warns Kaiman that he’s “going to die.” He then suggests that Kiaman use his pie wagon. Elsewhere, in the dungeon, it turns out that Johnson can communicate with roaches. One frees them.
Nikaido loses her free will
Chidaruma notices that Nikaido was wearing one of Asu’s masks. Exposing his secret. He makes another mask for Nikaido. Noi notices that she’s become obedient. En informs them that devil contracts can let you “control your partner.” In the courtyard, Johnson and Dr. Kasukabe cause a seen. Stealing Fujita’s gun, they take the food from a merchant. Ebisu and Fujita try to save the merchant, but when Ebisu turns into a lizard she can only manage to turn into a small one. Shockingly, Noi and Shin arrive. Noi stops Johnson and Shin cuts off Kasukabe’s arm. He asks him, which does he want him to “gouge.” His “head or his heart.”
It’s obvious that the En family has the upper hand now. What I love about this series is I don’t know who to root for. At least not all the time. I want Nikaido to get free and I don’t want Dr. Kasukabe or Johnson to get killed. While I don’t really care that much about 13 he seems too nice to kill. Furthermore, I like Fujita and Ebisu and I didn’t want them to get killed. I’m fine if En dies. I do wonder, however, if the reason he wants Nikaido is to reverse the effects of the “Death Shroom Incident.” Does he want to save the victims? Is there a more selfish reason? It’s possible that he will free Nikaido when she reverses it right? This series keeps me guessing and excited about the future.