Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
YamiLoon
Dororo was one of the best anime experiences I've had in my 6 years of watching anime.
We have the story of a boy named Hyakkimaru whose life showed him no mercy from the very first second he came into this world... But despite everything, he refused to give up and decided to take back what was rightfully his. Along the way, he meets Dororo who joins him on his journey and basically acts as his eyes and ears. But Dororo is more than just that. In a way, Dororo becomes the soul of Hyakkimaru, giving him another reason to keep going on his difficult journey to reclaim what's rightfully his.
But this show isn't just about a boy trying to get his body back. It also makes you think about what it really means to be human and whether the end can ever justify the means. It makes you wonder if sa…
Read at the sourcePrincius
The first half and second half of the anime are completely different in terms of pacing, quality, and direction. The first half had the classic episodic antagonist of the week plot line. Which is fine since they managed to tell a good story overall. The second half continues this structure but is unable to execute to the same level of pacing or direction. The animation quality of the show also took a major hit in the second half. The story overall was good, although the ending left much to be desired. Some of the character fates, while tragic, were rushed in a way that made it hard to resonate with.
Overall, a worthwhile watch, if nothing else but for the classic story being conveyed.
Read at the sourceKittycatsamurai
This is my fourth review on MAL.
I had this anime sitting on hold ever since it aired seven years ago, and I'm so glad I finally came back to it. What I expected to be a good series turned out to be an absolute masterpiece.
The storytelling is exceptional, with every event feeling meaningful and carefully connected. The character development is one of the show's greatest strengths—watching the cast grow through their experiences feels natural and rewarding. The soundtrack perfectly complements the emotional highs and lows, and the character writing is consistently excellent.
Beyond its engaging plot, the series delivers a harsh yet honest portrayal of war, sacrifice, and the devastating impact they have on ordinary people. It doesn't glorify conflict; instead, it focuses on the human co…
Read at the source555february
Dororo is an anime that could have been a true masterpiece with a little more refinement. Its pacing, storytelling, and fight scenes are all remarkably well executed, making it a highly enjoyable series. However, considering it was released in 2019, I expected stronger animation and a more memorable soundtrack.
One of the series' greatest strengths is how vividly it portrays the darkest aspects of its era, immersing the audience in feudal Japan. I especially appreciated this atmosphere. At the same time, the story presents its moral conflicts through shades of gray, making it difficult to completely side with either faction (with the exception of Hyakkimaru's father).
Since I haven't read the manga, I couldn't compare the adaptation directly, but it felt as though the story had been comp…
Read at the sourceDarleths
If you are looking for a dark fantasy that is both brutally heartbreaking and deeply beautiful, Dororo is an absolute must-watch.The premise hooks you right from the start. We follow a young man who was robbed of almost everything at birth and his journey to reclaim what is rightfully his. What makes this anime so special isn't just the bloody demon hunting, but the emotional core of the story. The dynamic is the absolute heart and soul of the show. Their bond feels incredibly organic, bringing a much-needed warmth to an otherwise cruel and war-torn world. Visually, MAPPA did a fantastic job. The soundtrack, especially the first opening theme, is an absolute banger.
Read at the sourceappleslices32
i made this account purely to talk about how much i loved this anime. an anime hasn't made me feel this way in SO LONG! so i'm gonna list eeverything i loved! :)
- I love how the monsters in this show are come from japanese mythology! It was so interesting and fun to learn about.
- i loveee dororo and hyakkimaru's relationship actually i love ALL the relationships in this show oml
- i love yk what actually i dont want this to contain spoilers so just know I LOVE EVERYTHING about this anime i'm like that one song i looove, i lo huhu veee i love i love i love
if you didnt like this anime i think you should be medically evaluated for insanity cause thas how bomb.com this anime is
Read at the source_Bubassotto_
A modern recreation that not only respects the original work but also manages to give it an even more striking emotional weight.
Dororo is based on Osamu Tezuka's classic, originally adapted in 1969. Even though it's an old story, this version manages to sound extremely current, both in the way it conducts the narrative and in the depth of the themes it addresses. And, for many, this adaptation ends up being the true gateway to this universe.
The premise starts off heavy: Hyakkimaru is born without essential body parts, sacrificed by his own father, Daigo Kagemitsu, in exchange for power and prosperity for his land. Surviving against all odds, Hyakkimaru embarks on a journey to recover what was taken from him, facing demons that carry fragments of his body.
It's a simple story in struct…
Read at the sourceOlorin666
Feudal Japan. A local ruler sacrifices his newborn son to demons in exchange for the prosperity of his country. The demons literally eat him, he has no arms, legs, ears, or nose, and yet he survives. He is taken in and raised by a kind man, who creates artificial limbs for him and teaches him to fight. For an as yet unexplained reason, he can see the demons he attracts. Along the way, he meets a child named Dororo. Together they try to survive in a cruel world and uncover secrets.
Objectively, the series is one of the best in recent years. It has all the elements that make it a good show. The structure of the series is already well known, and that is why it works perfectly. We have a through story that is presented in portions, but most of the episodes are small independent stories. The ma…
Read at the sourceguy239
This show is really boring, tried to hold out to the end to see if it was worth it, it was not worth it. Super boring and unsatisfying ending. Would not recommend. go watch Samurai shamploo or Katanagatari. They are also slightly episodic and about sword fighting. And just way better written.
The pacing is slow, the episodic episodes are really boring, in the overarching plot has a really unsatisfying ending. Main character is quiet and uninteresting. Fight scenes are kind of boring.
This show is really boring, tried to hold out to the end to see if it was worth it, it was not worth it. Super boring and unsatisfying ending. Would not recommend. go watch Samurai shamploo or Katanagatari. They are also slightly episodic and about sword fighting. And just way better written.
The pacing…
Read at the sourceNEEDY_SPY
Dororo is an incredible mix of emotion, tragedy, and raw storytelling. It follows Hyakkimaru .. a boy born without body parts because of a dark pact and Dororo, a spirited orphan who travels with him. Together, they carve their way through a cruel world, piece by piece, both literally and emotionally.
The story is powerful and beautifully paced, with every episode showing how much humanity can cost and how much it’s worth. The characters are deep, the moral questions hit hard, and the art style fits perfectly with the grim yet hopeful tone.
I’d honestly call it near perfect ..the only reason it’s not a 10/10 for me is the ending. It felt a little strange and rushed compared to the build-up, but it still fits the themes and emotion of the story.
A dark, emotional journey with amazing cha…
Read at the sourceblackrage27
Dororo is one of those anime which i believe had such a high potential where it could have been a 9/10 or perhaps even a 10/10. However this is pretty much damped by the second cour and some predictable storylines that could have been fixed.
First the Good things about the anime all arise from the 1st cour which had such beautfiul animation and art and such pretty fight sequences and a story which was paced good and mostly non-predictable and still mysterious. The main characters were pretty good to be honest and had the meaninful depth to them. Also one should also understand that the manga was written through 1969 while it doesnt excuse the predictable-ness to the story but it provides an explaination to "why" as many popular stories at the time were rather simpler. Good thing is that…
Read at the sourceAbhinandan108
DORORO is a good underrated Anime that you should watch if you didn't. It contains 24 Episodes with nice pacing.
The plot is simple but unique. The storyline is good and most episodes have their own arcs.
What really stood out to me were the dark, gritty, greyish visuals-they give the show a unique and intense vibe.
The fight scenes and actions are well animated.
The first opening and ending songs are awesome while second ones are okay okay. This show doesn't shy away from brutal, gory moments and heavy themes like war, survival, family, life, and philosophy, which add a lot of depth.
My favourite Episodes are 6, 9, 12, 18, 23 and 24.
The ending felt a little bit unsatisfying to me, but it was good.
One thing that felt odd was how Hyakkimaru, who's been deaf, mute, and blind since b…
Read at the sourcehcoctopus2
This is the first anime I completed in years , I think. they removed the rating thing on MAL and I'm surprised and kind of disappointed, it made sense and was systematic. I'll still use my own way of rating then. The last anime I finished was actually digimon ghost game, which connects nicely to Dororo. because well. Ghosts. Monster of the Week. I really enjoyed the scary demons in this show. this is the demon hunter show that actually interests me.
Story 7: The story is simple and interesting to me. In fact this anime singlehandedly made me interested in Japanese history. i used to find it boring and confusing, but now thanks to this show, I'm probably going to look things up. I was cheering for the main characters and wishing for their enemies' downfall. maybe because i am a hater... bu…
Read at the sourceTamaraZ
First let's say 10 episodes are somehow 10/10, but after that show drags on and gets worse.
I really liked the historical aspect of the show and that every episode had some story and something to offer. Seeing Hyakkimaru develop at the beginning was so satisfying, and the way their relationship was developing was heartwarming.
I appreciate how they depicted war in this anime and that we basically can feel how it hurts to live in that time and conditions.
Some moments were so awesome and at the beginning I was so invested. I wish they made the story shorter or something to keep the same quality through the whole anime. Because this is quite worth watching but again I can see a lot of people having bunch of complains.
Animation was ok,and artstyle had something quite unique that I really…
Read at the sourceYamiLoon
Peak show, Dororo completely blew me away.
I went in expecting a decent action anime, but what I got was a beautifully crafted story about loss, identity, and what it means to be human.
The bond between Hyakkimaru and Dororo grows naturally and you feel every step of their journey. There’s a lot of pain but also warmth and hope.
The show doesn’t hold your hand; it lets the emotion hit you quietly, and it works so well.
What stood out to me the most was the art style. It embraces its roots, with a rougher, old-school look that gives the world a unique atmosphere.
Add in some great fight scenes, a hauntingly good soundtrack, and an ending that sticks the landing, and you’ve got something really special.
For me, Dororo isn’t just a story about demons and swords; it’s about the human cost o…
Read at the sourcejuxyper
This was a decent piece of medieval storytelling. A bit aimless at certain points, but the main idea rings clear: what is it to be human? What separates good human beings from the bad behavior that corrupts and fails society time and time again?
The story puts virtues and sins on a scale and then tosses all of that out of the window as being human is a more delicate subject than typecasts.
We also get quadruplegic Demon Slayer - very well animated if not as well, and with a much better story to add.
My only quip (a significant one at that) is that it falls short on delivering for the promise of a story building up for so long. I wasn't very satisfied when I saw the "End" screen. This could definitely go longer.
Oh, also the horse bomb was a hilarious scene. You'll love it when you see it.
Read at the sourceAnik5087
Dororo is the most emotionally powerful anime I’ve ever watched. Period.
Hyakkimaru’s journey — from a hollow shell of a human to someone rediscovering life, pain, and purpose — broke me. Every episode adds weight. Every regained body part is a piece of stolen humanity, reclaimed with blood and tears. Dororo, the little fireball beside him, is not just comic relief — she’s his anchor to the world.
The themes of identity, suffering, revenge, and redemption are handled with haunting beauty. The atmosphere is grim but poetic. It’s a tragedy that hurts, but also heals. No other anime hit me this deeply on a personal level.
Story: 10/10
Art: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Emotion: 10000/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
Read at the sourcedaylilyyy
If you are looking for a meaningful anime, be sure to watch this anime.
Dororo (2019) is a gripping and emotionally powerful anime that blends action, adventure, and deep philosophical themes. The series masterfully explores themes of identity, humanity, and the cost of ambition, while the dynamic between the stoic Hyakkimaru and the lively Dororo provides emotional depth and heart.
The animation is stunning, with fluid action sequences and a haunting visual style that complements the dark narrative. With a haunting soundtrack and richly developed characters, Dororo offers a profound exploration of sacrifice, fate, and self-discovery, making it a must-watch for fans of deeply emotional and visually captivating storytelling.
Read at the sourceStridertheRanger
During the Sengoku period, a time of famine, war, and disease, a feudal lord has his newborn son's organs and limbs sacrificed to twelve demon gods in exchange for the prosperity of himself and his people. The baby is abandoned but found by the doctor Jukai who specializes in giving people prosthetic limbs. Jukai, a man plagued by his past and seeking redemption, adopts the baby and gives him limbs as an act of atonement for all the lives he allowed to die. When the child grows up, he vows to regain his body parts by defeating the demon gods, but that means that the prosperity of the land also begins to diminish, and the demons wreak havoc upon the land.
This story tackles many complex, varied questions about morality, honor, revenge, and the human condition. It explores the complexities…
Read at the sourcequezgot
( HOOD REVIEW)
When I started this anime, I knew nothing about it. I was very skeptical. But from episode one I had a feeling that I would like the anime. To sum it up it’s about a guy that was sacrificed to Demons when he was a baby, but not like sacrificed as him killed, but as he lost all his senses, his skin, his arms and legs . But still has the wheel to live when grows older every time he kills a Demon boss he gets stronger, story was pretty predictable. But you fall in love with the characters for sure
Read at the source
