Dorohedoro is an anime that manages to create a coherent chaos from a post-apocalyptic fantasy world, mystery, action, horror, and a hefty dose of humor that is just fun.
What exactly is Dorohedoro? Dorohedoro is a dark fantasy anime by Studio Mappa, which was also responsible for Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Chainsaw Man. The first season of the anime premiered in May 2020 on Netflix and will eventually receive a second season in 2025 after 5 years.
The story of Dorohedoro revolves around a man named Caiman, who was left with a lizard head and no memories of his past after a magical attack. The only small clue to his past is a cryptic, strange man who lives in his mouth and seems to know the truth. To break the spell and unravel the mystery, Caiman travels with his friend Nikaido into the world of magicians to hunt down the sorcerer who did this to him.
But that’s just a fraction of the content.
Here you can see the Japanese trailer of the anime:
A dark, post-apocalyptic world full of fantasy
What makes the anime so good? Finding a single reason for this question is easier said than done. Dorohedoro does not rely solely on a strongly realized component, but primarily shines through the interplay of its genres and themes. Brutal action and a dark world mix with vibrant, almost psychedelic imagery and the most ruthless killers turn out to be big softies (which definitely applies to the protagonist Caiman).
An absurd but still coherent world-building
First, there is the place referred to as “the Hole.” It is a dark, industrial place where people live. It is dirty, dystopian, and covered in dust, where it seems to always rain. The world is constantly attacked by sorcerers who want to train their magic on people in the Hole – either experimentationally, for practice, or simply for pure entertainment. This might also explain the fog in the Hole, as sorcerers use black smoke to perform their magic.
The world of the sorcerers is completely different: The sorcerers and their world were created by devils, whom they worship and owe their magic to. These devils are real in the world and can occasionally fly around in the sky. Every sorcerer also has a little devil in their brain, which is seen as the soul of a sorcerer.
It is a colorful place that exists in stark contrast to the Hole. The defining aspect of this world is the smoke of the sorcerers. The more smoke a sorcerer produces, the stronger and more respected they are. The smoke is also used for trade and technological advancement.
There are rules like a magic system, different cultures, and temporal events that don’t always make sense but still must be accepted. The world is as it is simply because that’s how it is. Those who can engage with this as viewers will be rewarded with a world full of absurdities and fantasies.
The characters are not only badass, they have a lot of heart
Alongside Caiman and Nikaido’s shared mission to take down any sorcerer in their way, their friendship is also at the forefront. Nikaido always cooks Caiman’s favorite dish (gyoza) in her diner in the Hole, and they continuously show each other respect, compassion, and genuine affection.
But this also applies to the antagonists. The antagonists are treated with great care as well. It’s a lot of fun to see how they spend their free time, how they understand and appreciate each other, and engage in quite funny activities. The team that has taken it upon themselves to kill Caiman is like a small family, bound by a shared past and a deep friendship (and sometimes even more).
The relationship of two of the antagonists, Shin and Noi, is an important focus of the series. Although they are not characters you should root for, you empathize with them. They care for each other, support each other, and are – when not smashing heads – loving and genuine individuals.
Brutality is not everything – The anime is actually full of humor
Alongside the theme of class conflict, crime, murder, and graphic violence, Dorohedoro still possesses an amazing sense of humor, whether through its quirky characters, funny situations, or the willingness to not take itself too seriously.
To enlist the help of the man in his mouth, Caiman has to shove potential sorcerers into his mouth so that the man can see them. This happens in several instances with different people, and no one (not even Caiman himself) seems to completely get used to it.
There is an invisible gyoza fairy that ensures the beer in Nikaido’s diner is always cold and adds chili paste to the guests’ sauce if they forget.
But one episode that deserves special mention is a baseball episode. A bit strange but a nice interlude in the world of the Hole. During the game, things go awry as two infiltrating antagonists try to kill Caiman while still trying to remain inconspicuous, while one of them cheers for the team as a shark mascot.
On the side, a player in the baseball match is a giant cockroach from the sewer named Johnson, who previously attacked Caiman mistakenly but is actually quite tame.
Dorohedoro is definitely a recommendation for those who are willing to immerse themselves in a wild story without needing to understand everything. Instead, one can let the imaginative world, the action, the humor, and the interesting character dynamics sink in. Those particularly interested in well-written villains can find satisfaction with Dorohedoro, but whether they actually want to do good like the characters from this list, you will have to find out for yourself: 7 villains from animes who actually mean well
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