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どろろ [Dororo] #1
Dororo, Vol. 1
Dororo is Tezuka's classic thriller manga featuring a youth who has been robbed of 48 body parts by devils, and his epic struggle against a host of demons to get them back.
Daigo Kagemitsu, who works for a samurai general in Japan's Warring States period, promises to offer body parts of his unborn baby to 48 devils in exchange for complete domination of the country. Knowing the child to be deficient, Kagemitsu orders the newborn thrown into the river.
The baby survives. Callling himself Hyakkimaru, ge searches the world for the 48 demons. Each time he eliminates one, he retrieves one of his missing parts. Hyakkimaru meets a boy thief named Dororo, and together they travel the countryside, confronting mosters and ghosts again and again. This the first in a 3 - volume series.
Tezuka's manga and animated films had a tremendous impact on the shaping of the psychology of Japan's postwar youth. His work changed the concept of Japanese comics, transforming it into an art form and incorporating a variety of new styles in creating "story comics."
Daigo Kagemitsu, who works for a samurai general in Japan's Warring States period, promises to offer body parts of his unborn baby to 48 devils in exchange for complete domination of the country. Knowing the child to be deficient, Kagemitsu orders the newborn thrown into the river.
The baby survives. Callling himself Hyakkimaru, ge searches the world for the 48 demons. Each time he eliminates one, he retrieves one of his missing parts. Hyakkimaru meets a boy thief named Dororo, and together they travel the countryside, confronting mosters and ghosts again and again. This the first in a 3 - volume series.
Tezuka's manga and animated films had a tremendous impact on the shaping of the psychology of Japan's postwar youth. His work changed the concept of Japanese comics, transforming it into an art form and incorporating a variety of new styles in creating "story comics."
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
25 people are currently reading
1458 people want to read
About the author
Osamu Tezuka
2,150 books1,291 followersDr. Osamu Tezuka (手塚治虫) was a Japanese manga artist, animator, producer and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. He is often credited as the "Father of Anime", and is often considered the Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney, who served as a major inspiration during his formative years. His prolific output, pioneering techniques, and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such titles as "the father of manga" and "the God of Manga."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
December 14, 2016
I was surprised to find this old manga series at the local library, originally published in 1960s, when the Japanese were still suffering from the memories of WWII. (Tezuka narrowly escaped death when his city was air-raided; he must have seen many dead and wounded people.)
Frankly, there are a lot of flaws, the biggest being that the plot details contradict one another. This happens in serial writing/manga, in which the continuation of the series is dependent on the readers' feedback (and therefore the author doesn't even know how long he can continue the story, and the emphasis is placed on providing creepy scenes in each episode), but it's quite horrible in Dororo.
However, the novelty of the setting--a boy, who can be considered a cyborg of sort, traveling to slay demons/goblins in order to regain his lost body parts in the (loosely) historical Japan--is quite amazing. Another brilliant point is how this weirdo character Hyakkimaru is balanced with the cute trickster Dororo, his traveling companion. Without Dororo, it's just far too dark.
I don't think I'll read the rest of the series--just not my kind of manga--but if you like SF/fantasy manga, you might like it.
Frankly, there are a lot of flaws, the biggest being that the plot details contradict one another. This happens in serial writing/manga, in which the continuation of the series is dependent on the readers' feedback (and therefore the author doesn't even know how long he can continue the story, and the emphasis is placed on providing creepy scenes in each episode), but it's quite horrible in Dororo.
However, the novelty of the setting--a boy, who can be considered a cyborg of sort, traveling to slay demons/goblins in order to regain his lost body parts in the (loosely) historical Japan--is quite amazing. Another brilliant point is how this weirdo character Hyakkimaru is balanced with the cute trickster Dororo, his traveling companion. Without Dororo, it's just far too dark.
I don't think I'll read the rest of the series--just not my kind of manga--but if you like SF/fantasy manga, you might like it.
July 14, 2011
Awesome shonen adventure with the Tezuka blend of light and dark. Arresting & highly kinetic artwork that stands out even in the Tezuka canon. The demon folklore worked into the story is fantastic.
October 31, 2015
Liking this a LOT better than Ayako, which is the only other thing I've read my Osamu Tezuka. I still don't like his signature cartoon style though. I get it but I don't like it.
September 29, 2021
You know I think this Tezuka guy knows a thing or two about manga. Simply a classic adventure story with gorgeous art that is both funny and thrilling.
June 18, 2021
This is a sob story about Hyakkimaru, who is on a journey to kill forty-eight demons made off with his body parts and restore his body to its normal state. On his ordeal, he meets a child thief, Dororo who keeps following him after their encounter and battle monsters over and over again.
"𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓷𝓸 𝓼𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓼 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭. 𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓭𝓸 𝓲𝓼 𝓻𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓸𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯."
The artwork is very similar to the Astro Boy and I’m not into this kind of artwork tbh. The plot is great but the execution doesn’t seem any good. If you consider that it's published way back in 60's then it's truly a big feat all on its own!
"𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓷𝓸 𝓼𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓼 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭. 𝓐𝓵𝓵 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓭𝓸 𝓲𝓼 𝓻𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓸𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯."
The artwork is very similar to the Astro Boy and I’m not into this kind of artwork tbh. The plot is great but the execution doesn’t seem any good. If you consider that it's published way back in 60's then it's truly a big feat all on its own!
April 9, 2019
This was the beginning, 1967-68, of a years-long serial that was published in Japan in "Shukan Shonen Sunday". It spawned an animated tv series and a Playstation game. It combines slam bang hero action, exciting graphics, supernatural elements, and some Tezuka humor. The first third was less strong, but as the two main characters developed and their histories were revealed, it pulls you into the story more and more. From losing interest, I was captivated into the manga so that I am ready for Volume 2. There are an enormous number of them, thankfully in King Count Library.
July 5, 2020
I'm not verse in manga, but evidently this is a classic. Serialized in the late 1960s, the art is a mixture of the Sunday funnies and more modern manga. The story is a bit tropey, but excellent fun. Demons, sword fighting, feudal Japan, what's not to love?!
January 3, 2019
Despite being old the story is nice, i disliked the art tho so i will give it 3/5.
April 29, 2021
The best part was how hyakkimaru’s hair always looked like it was going somewhere 👀
November 17, 2022
The premise of the story is really interesting but the dialogue seemed like it was trying to be hip in a setting that doesn't make sense for, and Dororo was occassionally annoying.
October 2, 2012
I don't know why it is, but something about Tezuka's work really draws me in. This was no exception and while I don't think it's the deepest or best of his manga, the theme of everyone having a weakness within themselves which they can either try to overcome or give in to, as well as the emphasis on the importance of having people you care about for good or ill, really rang with me.
Overall, this first volume is pretty heavy on action, unusual for one of Tezuka's manga in my experience, but unlike some later action comics is pretty easy to understand even in the heat of battle. The characters are a little flat, but interesting, and the little dashes of humor and pop culture are amusing. :)
Overall, this first volume is pretty heavy on action, unusual for one of Tezuka's manga in my experience, but unlike some later action comics is pretty easy to understand even in the heat of battle. The characters are a little flat, but interesting, and the little dashes of humor and pop culture are amusing. :)
November 30, 2020
Second Printing
A very good on-the-road action-coaster alternating fun and tragedy by turns jarring all types of DEEP human feelings and "scaring up" insecurities.
I tremendously enjoy studying the excellent 4-7 page spreads that my sensibilities see as masterful execution of sequential art. Within them bask some really breathtaking 2-3 page spreads-> check out 252-253!
A very good on-the-road action-coaster alternating fun and tragedy by turns jarring all types of DEEP human feelings and "scaring up" insecurities.
I tremendously enjoy studying the excellent 4-7 page spreads that my sensibilities see as masterful execution of sequential art. Within them bask some really breathtaking 2-3 page spreads-> check out 252-253!
September 27, 2010
Just fine, Tezuka. Great mythical monsters, very traditional setting, non-robot bionic dudes, wacky tiny sidekick. Nothing really new but nicely done and not quite as manic as usual.
July 28, 2020
What a deeply weird book. The story is about Hyakkimaru and Dororo, a ronin and orphan thief operating during the Sengoku period, which Wikipedia tells me was a time of near constant civil war in Japan, ranging from 1467 to 1615. Before he was born, Hyakkimaru's father makes a pact with 48 demons to take his son in exchange for granting him power. Hyakkimaru is then born without 48 body parts, including eyes, legs, arms, ears, and eyes. Abandoned to the river, he's picked up by a doctor who raises him. Hyakkimaru grows up, demonstrates psychic powers that allows him to talk and see and hear, and starts becoming a magnet for demons. The doctor wants none of that, and sends him on his way, but not before giving him prosthetic limbs with extra features such as the blades on his arms.
Hyakkimaru soon runs into Dororo, and saves him from being executed (this will become a series standard). As we eventually learn, Dororo has his own tragic backstory, where his parents were forced into banditry when the local lord abandoned them, then betrayed by their clan of bandits when they refused to join up with a new samurai lord. They were both killed, and now he's alone; he tags along Hyakkimaru initially to steal his sword, but the two fall into a grudging friendship.
That's the basic set up. The story's appeal comes in large part from its strange juxtapositions. Tezuka's art is extremely cartoonish, and he leans in to this style in a number of ways, including some exaggerated expressions on the part of the demons, and some fourth wall-breaking humour from Dororo. But at the same time, it's intensely a story about war and suffering. Besides our origin stories, the two chief episodes of this set are one where a demon manipulates townfolk into a cycle of harvest and dependency so it can devour them at its leisure, and another where a man is ensnared by a cursed sword after he uses it to slaughter the defenseless at the behest of a warlord. And in both cases, our heroes are not thanked for the actions but driven out of town. (It's got kind of a Witcher vibe in that sense, though I suppose the vibe inheritance would go in the other direction.) It is a story of fantastic demons, but the worst demons just enhance the cruelty and evil that men are already doing. On that level, it's a story about the tragedy of war and the evil of humans. But also there's a weird disability narrative and the occasional madcap pratfall. Very strange. I enjoyed it.
Hyakkimaru soon runs into Dororo, and saves him from being executed (this will become a series standard). As we eventually learn, Dororo has his own tragic backstory, where his parents were forced into banditry when the local lord abandoned them, then betrayed by their clan of bandits when they refused to join up with a new samurai lord. They were both killed, and now he's alone; he tags along Hyakkimaru initially to steal his sword, but the two fall into a grudging friendship.
That's the basic set up. The story's appeal comes in large part from its strange juxtapositions. Tezuka's art is extremely cartoonish, and he leans in to this style in a number of ways, including some exaggerated expressions on the part of the demons, and some fourth wall-breaking humour from Dororo. But at the same time, it's intensely a story about war and suffering. Besides our origin stories, the two chief episodes of this set are one where a demon manipulates townfolk into a cycle of harvest and dependency so it can devour them at its leisure, and another where a man is ensnared by a cursed sword after he uses it to slaughter the defenseless at the behest of a warlord. And in both cases, our heroes are not thanked for the actions but driven out of town. (It's got kind of a Witcher vibe in that sense, though I suppose the vibe inheritance would go in the other direction.) It is a story of fantastic demons, but the worst demons just enhance the cruelty and evil that men are already doing. On that level, it's a story about the tragedy of war and the evil of humans. But also there's a weird disability narrative and the occasional madcap pratfall. Very strange. I enjoyed it.
September 4, 2019
I only know of Tezuka through his massively popular manga Astro Boy. The animated version was my favourite ‘cartoon’ as a kid, and I read the manga as an adult and still enjoyed it thoroughly. I was surprised to find that Tezuka had written another darker and supernatural manga as well and I had to check it out when I heard about it. I wasn’t disappointed at all! Dororo is actually quite good. Tezuka’s signature style (which may not be everyone’s taste) is present, as well as familiar themes that are also very prevalent in Astro Boy, but in this story is much darker and more violent. Although Tezuka also manages to put in moments of humour as well and a lot more heart than I was expecting (although I don’t know why- Astro Boy was all heart). It may seem ‘typical’ by today’s manga standards, but there is something unique about Tezuka’s storytelling that manages to worm its way past the ordinary and becomes something just a little bit more special. I really enjoyed the mix of fantastical/supernatural, sword fights, journey/adventure and the growing comradeship between Dororo and Hyakkimaru. I think it’s well worth a read especially if any of the above is your thing.
July 20, 2019
Desde los 7 años, he estado involucrado en la enseñanza de las artes marciales y la cultura japonesa en varias dimensiones. A los 15 años, comencé a interesarme en subculturas, como el manga, la danza y el ánime. A mis 40 años, podría decir que he visto muchas expresiones artísticas e historias de buen nivel. Había escuchado la leyenda de Osamu Tezuka, pero no me había aproximado directamente con su arte, ahora con la serie de ánime, propuesta por Amazon Prime Video, fuí descubriendo su trabajo y lo único que puedo decir es, que la historia es creativa, disruptiva y brutal.
Me ha encantado, a decir verdad, muestra matices de la cultura y ciertos razgos de unos valores profundos y complejos, además del interesante desarrollo de sus personajes.
Ampliamente recomendado para adultos que gusten de estas historias.
Me ha encantado, a decir verdad, muestra matices de la cultura y ciertos razgos de unos valores profundos y complejos, además del interesante desarrollo de sus personajes.
Ampliamente recomendado para adultos que gusten de estas historias.
December 12, 2024
So there's a guy walking around fantasy Japan, hunting down demons and taking back his body, one part at the time. That's a cool premise that could lead for a whole lot of interesting and revolutionary storytelling, but the thing is, he doesn't seem to need to get anything back. He's functioning just fine without it: his wooden puppet-limbs work about as well as flesh and blood, he doesn't need to see because he can detect spirits or something, and he can speak without a tongue because he has telepathy.
The story beats still hit right and there's some good fight scenes and a lot of tension, it's been a nice bit of reading so far - but the basic premise isn't taken nearly to the full extent it could be. A great big missed opportunity.
The story beats still hit right and there's some good fight scenes and a lot of tension, it's been a nice bit of reading so far - but the basic premise isn't taken nearly to the full extent it could be. A great big missed opportunity.
June 6, 2025
Stumbled on this at the library and thought I'd give it a read since I heard Osamu Tezuka was the god of manga. I didn't look it up beforehand so I didn't realize this is that story of the kid with no arms, eyes, or legs. The boy's name is Hyakkimaru and he lost 48 parts of his body when his dad made a deal with 48 demons in order to conquer Japan. He's hunting them down one by one to get his body back in once piece. He winds up with another boy named Dororo and they're trying to find a place that will accept the two of them. The story is simple and depressing.
This manga gives me such whiplash because the artstyle looks like Popeye/ Astroboy but people are frequently killed/starved/beheaded. Its cartoony but gruesome and I can't tell if I should be laughing or not. It occasionally breaks the fourth wall to make modern jokes. I've heard there's an anime that's less slapsticky. I don't know if I like this but I want to see how the story progresses. I'm doubtful it will have a happy ending. Hyakkimari is very nonchalant about life but serious in battle. Dororo doesn't seem to take threats to his life seriously. Or at least has learned to laugh through the pain. There's quite a few orphaned children wandering around. Japan is war torn and literally no one is having a good time.
Its always interesting to see where things began. Dragon Ball was the oldest manga I read before this.
This manga gives me such whiplash because the artstyle looks like Popeye/ Astroboy but people are frequently killed/starved/beheaded. Its cartoony but gruesome and I can't tell if I should be laughing or not. It occasionally breaks the fourth wall to make modern jokes. I've heard there's an anime that's less slapsticky. I don't know if I like this but I want to see how the story progresses. I'm doubtful it will have a happy ending. Hyakkimari is very nonchalant about life but serious in battle. Dororo doesn't seem to take threats to his life seriously. Or at least has learned to laugh through the pain. There's quite a few orphaned children wandering around. Japan is war torn and literally no one is having a good time.
Its always interesting to see where things began. Dragon Ball was the oldest manga I read before this.
August 14, 2020
A friend of mine suggested this- good taste too- and I'm glad I read this.
When I read chapter 1, I thought it wasn't anything new. Plus the art wasn't eye catching.
However as the series progresses, you see how amazing this series is. If you think there's anything clichéd here, remember that this is one of the mangas that made that idea cliché.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. I appreciated the fact that the boys weren't welcome anywhere as they depicted some darkness. The fighting and the general backstory of the characters were dope.
When I read chapter 1, I thought it wasn't anything new. Plus the art wasn't eye catching.
However as the series progresses, you see how amazing this series is. If you think there's anything clichéd here, remember that this is one of the mangas that made that idea cliché.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. I appreciated the fact that the boys weren't welcome anywhere as they depicted some darkness. The fighting and the general backstory of the characters were dope.
August 9, 2023
Not my favorite Tezuka work by any stretch, but still enjoyable enough due to the charm he manages to infuse into the storytelling. Dororo is pretty standard fare fantasy with demons and samurai amidst the feudal Japan setting, but Tezuka takes a bit of a comic strip approach to it to keep things fresh and moving along. The story isn't all that memorable, but at least the spurts of humor and nice action sequences keep things moving along nicely.
August 8, 2021
Hyakkimaru must kill 48 demons to regain parts of his body who were gifted to the demons when the boy was born.
I'm not a fan of this book. The art is more cartoony than I like. Dororo of the title is the comic relief - a thief boy who becomes Hyakkimaru's sidekick. I won't be reading more of these.
I'm not a fan of this book. The art is more cartoony than I like. Dororo of the title is the comic relief - a thief boy who becomes Hyakkimaru's sidekick. I won't be reading more of these.
July 16, 2020
The overall art style display obvious comic manga art from the publish date of the 90s. It does live up to its dark fantasy genre, I personally found the witty and humorous parts to be hilarious. Recommend for manga readers and anime lovers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2024
❤
I love this premise so much.
Great characters, especially Dororo, who was annoying in the beginning but grew on me and became my favorite.
I was surprised this manga was so old, it doesn't feel like it, except for the artstyle.
Sadly, the ending is rushed and unsatisfying, I wanted more.
❤
I love this premise so much.
Great characters, especially Dororo, who was annoying in the beginning but grew on me and became my favorite.
I was surprised this manga was so old, it doesn't feel like it, except for the artstyle.
Sadly, the ending is rushed and unsatisfying, I wanted more.
❤
February 26, 2019
Nội dung lạ mỗi tội nét vẽ kiểu cổ nên ko đẹp. May là anime đã cải thiện tạo hình nhân vật rồi.
April 3, 2019
3.5 stars
April 14, 2019
Very playful, but enjoyable.
October 2, 2019
Tezuka really proves why he is the king of manga in this series. Some of the villains are a bit meh, but the bromance between Hyakkimura and Dororo makes it all worthwhile.
May 22, 2020
Not great but not horrible manga, the art style was different and alright and decent story 😤😁❤️❤️
August 31, 2021
Tập đầu chưa hay lắm, nhưng mà càng về sau càng epic
October 8, 2021
Very good book want to read other serious
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews