First Impression – Dororo Episode 01 Review

• Directed by: Kazuhiro Furuhashi
• Produced by: Twin Engine
• Studio: MAPPA
• Licensed by: Amazon (streaming)

Dororo episode 001, The story of Daigo begins with a woman giving birth. Sir Daigo heads to the “Hall of Hell.” When he enters he’s meet by a old priest that warns him that “one who steps into Hall of Hell has made a choice.” He begs Sir Daigo to “hear him out,” if he abandons Buddha, he will no longer be human and only hell awaits. Daigo then murders the priest with his katanna.

He then prays to 12 demons. He wants more power and is willing to give then anything for it. It turns out this was a flashback and Daigo had already made this deal. As his son is born, lightning strikes leaving a horrifying sight. The newborn infant was left with no limbs, eyes, nose or skin. Daigo is initially shocked, but once her realizes that the demons granted his wish he no longer cares. The boys mother still wants her child regardless of what he looks like, however, Daigo leaves her crying as he demands that she bare him another child.

The child is grotesque looking, as the old woman puts the child in a boat she is eaten by a demon. Who is then killed by an old blind man. Daigo land begins to prosper as he was promised. We flash forward 16 years, during a war. Jukai is doctor that give the dead his prosthetic prototypes. We are introduced to Dororo, a little theft. He steals from a gang of men that end up beating him up and attempting to drown him. While, being assaulted the now grown up child of Daigo, Hyakkimaru arrives. However, he’s not interested in saving Dororo, he’s focusing on a demon.

The demon looks like garbage to the men, then it attacks eating them. When it grabs the boy, Hyakkimaru attacks. He removes his prosthetic limbs revealing sword like arms underneath. He quickly defeats the demon, using quick abilities, cutting down the bridge around them. As the boy thanks him his skin on his face returns, forcing the boy to ask him are you human? Dororo isn’t a new series. It was original released in the late 60’s which explains why I had never heard of it. Dororo is considered to be one of the first Shonen series. I love thing episode.

The animation is great, the story (while dark) is profoundly interesting. The action is subtle, but effective and enjoyable. Dororo seems like he or she (it’s not that clear) will be the main source of joy for this series. However, Hyakkimaru may have a sense of humor, you know when he gets his mouth back or maybe his throat or lungs, probably all three. Anyway, Dororo has everything, a evil villain (Daigo), sympathetic characters with (Hyakkimaru, his mother, Dororo), action, a badass old man, an a captivating story. I’m hooked.