Mama was admirable, but so are you for staying alive – Dororo

Original title: どろろ (Dororo)
Studio: MAPPA and Tezuka productions
Episodes: 24
Genre: Action, adventure, supernatural, historical, drama
Year: 2019

Can you imagine being born in feudal Japan but having your father, a feudal lord, make a pact with 12 demons to have power and prosperity over his land and you being the sacrifice? This is the case of our protagonist, Hyakkimaru. He was born without skin, eyes, legs, arms or organs. Because of this, the newborn was abandoned and left for dead; although the meeting with a doctor who will build him an artificial body saves him.
Years later, the boy goes on a journey killing the demons and recovering all his body parts. On this journey he meets a young orphan, Dororo. Together they travel through a feudal Japan full of monsters, cruel humans and in search of what it means to be truly human.

• Hyakkimaru: He is the protagonist of the anime. Although from the beginning, due to his father's pact, he is almost unrecognizable; as he grows and undertakes his journey, he recovers physical features such as his brown eyes, his long limbs and whitish skin. Just as he recovers physically, he has an emotional or moral advance, which means that the character has a constant evolution; not only physical, but internal as well.
• Dororo: She is the co-star of the play. She is a petty thief with a defiant, cunning attitude and a sharp tongue. But behind that attitude, she is a girl who suffered in the past with a tragic story and still has immense willpower. Despite being a girl, she presents herself as a boy in order to survive in the dangerous world she lives in.

This anime is not just the typical samurai anime of the boy who kills demons for revenge, it is a story more focused on philosophy and human beings. Topics such as self-identity are highlighted; what makes us human and the value of life despite dark circumstances. Other themes that are also represented throughout the story are war and its consequences, physical and emotional. Many of the characters that we are introduced to throughout this show are victims of it, from the lower class to the most privileged classes.

The music is composed by Yoshihiro Ike, who mixes traditional Japanese instruments with orchestral ones and makes the moments deeper and intensifies the emotions.
Dororo consists of 2 openings and 2 endings. The main opening, and the one that stands out the most, is “Kaen” by Queen Bee; it is explosive and has a catchy rhythm that likes to a lot of people. The second opening, “Dororo” by Asian Kung-Fu Generation; it has a more nostalgic and reflective vibe. Although the endings are not usually to the taste of many, the second of them, “Yamiyo” by Eve, stands out for its serenity and the voice of its singer, being famouse for other anime openings. The first ending, “Sayonara Gokko” by Amazarashi, is deep and moving; with a nostalgic and moving tone.

Make a mention of one of the most beautiful songs through the show, “Akai Hana Shiroi Hana”, which is based on a traditional Japanese song where it tells the love story of a young man who gives a red flower to his girlfriend and when he puts it on his head she becomes as beautiful as the sun, and when he gives her a white flower and puts it on her chest she becomes as beautiful as the moon. This song is sung by Mio, one of the characters in the anime.

MAPPA is known for its animation in other animes adapted from well-known mangas, which stands out for its visual effects and incredible use of fluid details that make the scenes visually impressive. Dororo is not far behind in these characteristics and offers us that fluid and detailed style, especially in the action scenes. The scenery also manages to reach the viewer, with beautiful backgrounds and landscapes where nature stands out; and like nature, the war scenes and their desolate landscapes are very well done.

Dororo is both a visual and emotional gem. It is not only an action anime where there are fights, but it also deals with philosophical themes that make you think twice certain things about life and yourself, relationships that are not linked by blood and the consequences of the actions that humans do; whether good, bad, whimsical or self-destructive. Along with this, the incredible soundtrack makes the experience more immersive and the feelings that the character wants to convey can reach you, stirring you inside.