Review of Dororo

Anime is such a hit and miss with these recycled shounen plots and reincarnated angsty protagonists, ear bleeding cry babies and forced comic relief but once in a while, we get a gem. Dororo is that gem. Set in Muromachi times of war and strife, the anime explores some pretty dark and complex themes of land, prosperity, sacrifice, war and its victims. Dororo alone is enough reason to watch this, the child has more wit and common sense in her pinky than many of the characters put together. Unlike her similarly aged obnoxious stereotypes, Dororo's calm, thoughtful and mature disposition helps to propel the plotand forward the duo to their ultimate goal. Hyakkimaru’s character complements her well and his development goes beyond his physical skill and prowess, we watch as he learns how to do the most basic of things like eat fish, smile and say names to comprehension of his broken identity and moral contemplations involving the value of his parts against his family who wronged him and those who currently thrive upon his sufferings.

There are some nice fight scenes, basic politics, family tension and a lot of cute light hearted banter and antics from an amazingly level headed Dororo to balance it all out.

Well written, paced and wonderfully animated by mappa makes this anime a damn good anime.