Episode 22, The Story of Nui

Tahomaru and his group return home with Dororo now captured. Daigo is preparing to fight against the Asakura Clan at Banmon. Finding out that Dororo has been kidnapped, Hyakkimaru becomes enraged. His anger attracts the demonic horse. Oku decides to free Dororo because she became the friend of Hyakkimaru. Oku leaves with Dororo. They are caught in a current and their ship is destroyed. They are rescued by Daigo refugees, Biwa-Hoshi is among them.

Oku decides to remain with the group and help the sick and wounded. Meanwhile, Hyakkimaru riding on Midoro is slaughtering Daigo’s soldiers in search for Dororo. Mutsu, the sister of Hyogo offers herself to the demon’s in the temple in exchange for the protection of the land and people. Her offer is rejected. However, when Tahomaru, Mutsu and Hyogo encounter Hyakkimaru their wounds are healed. This is due to the demon, and the demon has given them the arms of Hyakkimaru and both his eyes.

---

Episode 23, The Story of the Demons

As the villagers prepare for war, Hyakkimaru fights Tahomaru, Hyogo and Mutsu. Oku and Dororo arrive at the battle. They are stopped by Biwa-Hoshi. Midoro attacks Mutsu and Hyogo. However, Midoro is distracted when her foal arrives. Midoro decapitates Hyogo and crushes Mutsu. The demon still has control over their bodies and uses the arms it gave them to mortally wound Midoro. After Mutsu and Hyogo die, Hyakkimaru’s arms return to him. Leaving Tahomaru heartbroken, then enraged.

He grabs the two sword blades with his new arms and clashes with Tahomaru. Hyakkimaru flees when he’s senses Dororo and Oku’s sadness. As he runs away he asks himself “what is a human.” He and Tahomaru fight again, only this time Hyakkimaru’s reach is longer. Dororo, Biwa-Hoshi , Oku and the villagers discuss the value of one (Hyakkimaru) and the many (the villagers). Hyakkimaru and Tahomaru clash in the castle, knocking over a candle. As a fire starts, Hyakkimaru fights for his last two parts. Oku and Dororo rush towards the burning castle.

Dororo is reaching it’s end and I’m not sure what will happen. The major theme of this series now seems to be the lives of the few verses the lives of the many. The series introduces some Buddhist concepts regarding human desires and the costs of such desires. The question I have is if Hyakkimaru dies does what would happen to the prosperity? Regardless, I think this season will end with some devastating death.