Jukai the mass murderer
The Story of Jukai reveals how Dr. Jukai came to learn and provide prosthetics. During war Jukai worked for the Shiba Clan, crucifying wounded enemies. Until his loved one is killed by a soldier. Traumatized, Jukai jumps into the sea. Years later Jukai becomes a Doctor that helps the poor for free. He is aided by a orphan named Kaname. After Jukai gives a boy that had his arm cut off by a samurai a prosthetic arm, Kaname is told of the rumor of Jukai’s past. When confronted, Jukai tell’s the truth. He reveals that he was saved by a ship when he jumped of the cliff. Kaname becomes furious, as Jukai murdered his father. Jukai doesn’t beg for his life but just a chance to make a prosthetic for the boy. Kaname then removes his prosthetic leg and limps away.
Saving Hyakkimaru
Jukai finds Hyakkimaru and raises him. We fast forward 6 years as Hyakkimaru is seen swing through trees. He appears to have had powers from the beginning. He gives him prosthetics and names him, Hyakkimaru. While searching through the woods, we see that Hyakkimaru pulls a flower from the stem. By removing the flower it seems to lose its life force and goes from a green aura to red as it dissipates. He’s attacked by a wolf like demon, but is saved by Jukai. The demons appear to be attracted to Hyakkimaru’s powers. Jukai then teaches him to fight. Dororo gives us a glimpse of the life of the brother of Hyakkimaru.
Fearless and Painless
Hyakkimaru masters the techniques that Jukai taught him. He goes on to slaughter many demons. Jukai notes that because he “doesn’t feel pain, he doesn’t have fear and no hesitation towards slashing and killing.” When he kills a demon, Hyakkimaru leg grows back. Jukai realizes what likely happened to Hyakkimaru, he makes him sword embedded prosthetic and sends Hyakkimaru on his way. Dororo and the Old Priest discuss the deal that was likely made. They can’t decided why demons would want his body parts. Hyakkimaru returns having regained his sense of pain. He steps on the fire seemingly testing his pain tolerance.
This episode was largely straight forward, explaining how Jukai came to be the doctor he is. While, focusing on Jukai may seem odd considering that Jukai isn’t a main character but he is the only character that knows what happened to Hyakkimaru and can speak. What this episode does leave us with is a question. How will Hyakkimaru handle fighting demons now that he can feel pain. It’s a new wrinkle in this series.
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