Review of Dororo

Ended about as perfectly as I could've imagined. Felt earned and right in how we left them. Happy tears at the end for how sweet it was. This show has been an absolute ride to watch these past six months. I remember when this remake was announced last year and I read the manga and loved it but felt there was more to tell, especially with how that ended. This remake is the premium example of how to do one right. Who'd have thought fifty years later we would've gotten a Tezuka anime like this. From a cancelled manga no less. Truly incredible how thiswas even made. Immense gratitude to the producers and animators and anyone who even had just a touch in making this for handling it this way.

From the very first episode when we see a cloaked and shut off Hyakkimaru swoop in and slay that first Demon I was hooked as a lot of people were. It captivates you to hear a story like this. We all love a redemption tale. Hyakkimaru fighting the demons to get his body back put him and Dororo, and us all, through so much. Those early days of meeting Dororo herself and then Mio with the tragedy that befell her to the first clash at the demon wall with Tahomaru then the shark boy island adventure to finally this ending dual between brothers. Been a rollercoaster and a half I'll tell you. Hyakkimaru is going to be one of the best characters this year easily. I love him to death now. It's easy to relate to his pain. Dororo being there for him, easing his pain by just being there by his side was so sweet. Their bond being the heart gives it that aspect that can elevate a story. All the supporting characters showed out as well. Jukai, Nui, Bewaimaru, Mutsu, Hyogo, and All the others we meet as complementary pieces filled those roles gave us memorable moments.

All the aesthetic aspects of the show were handled really well. Barring maybe that one episode, the animation looked smooth as can be in the action scenes and you can tell mappa poured a lot into this to make it work. These past few episodes even dialed it up farther with the brother be brother sword fights. The only real flaws I'd say with this show are it's pacing feels off sometimes with the episodes. But I believe that if you enjoy the characters then one off side story episodes shouldn't be much of a problem. Since I did, they weren't really too much. The music to the show added to each scene it was in. Mostly subtle music but effective. All openings and endings rocked too.

Overall I loved this show. The journey Hyakkimaru and Dororo went on sent my heart on a journey with them. So much pain and tragedy but they rose above and chose to be better despite it. Hyakkimaru even sparing his father at the end showing that up front how far he's come. No longer a demon but a human who's path does not lead there. We have to be better than the cruel world we're in. We shouldn't rely on the suffering of others to prosper ourselves. The messages of the show are as easy to love and understand as the characters are. Which is probably why I myself loved them so much. Going to be one of my tops of the year, even with all the heavy hitters coming up. It's a classic story that now has its proper conclusion, something we don't get in a lot of anime really. So we have to cherish that when it's done right.

9/10