I read Dorohedoro and instantly fell in love with every intricate detail, quirk, and aspect of its world. It quickly became one of my favorites. I loved how, despite the show's bizarre moments, everything made perfect sense, and I was never once confused. If there was something I didn't know, I had absolute confidence that I would find out later in the manga. The art was gritty and detailed, perfectly complementing the story. The mystery was crafted beautifully and concluded satisfyingly, which is something not many manga can achieve. Most manga that rely on mystery as their central hook build up an intriguing plot but often fail to deliver a strong ending.
Additionally, I can count on one hand the number of times I've genuinely loved an entire cast of characters without exception. One of the antagonists, En, is forever one of my favorite villains of all time. His backstory, the way he treats his underlings, his fears, aspirations, pride, personality, and charisma are all just so awesome and lovable.
My only complaint would be with the ending. I felt it could have used an epilogue, given how well-developed the characters were. A proper conclusion for everyone would have been ideal. The ending itself could have been better; it felt as if the manga was 95% complete, and the author decided to cram the last 5% into the final four chapters.
In this series, individuals capable of using magic are born with a special organ that enables them to release smoke from their fingers or mouths. In contrast, ordinary humans reside in an area known as the Hole, depicted as a ghetto-like zone. The narrative primarily follows two perspectives: Kaiman and Nikaido's adventures within the Hole, and Shin and Noi, two magic users assigned to hunt down Kaiman. As the story progresses, it expands to include En's family and various factions. Over time, these viewpoints converge as characters meet and interact, showcasing a manga with a large ensemble cast.
According to Wikipedia, Dorohedoro is serialized in Ikki, a magazine specializing in underground or alternative manga, and it certainly fits that description due to its quirky and stylish nature. Writing a review to explain why this manga is so captivating is challenging because much of its charm lies in its visual style.
Categorizing this title under a specific genre is difficult. Manga Updates labels it as Biopunk, but it also carries Gothic elements. Perhaps the best one-sentence description is that it feels like a collaboration between Tim Burton and Quentin Tarantino producing a manga. This analogy fits well given the personalized masks worn by magic users and the eerie atmosphere filled with curses, devils, and death gods, reminiscent of a darker Halloween Town and Beetlejuice. En's family, dressed in suits, adds a mafia-like vibe to the Halloween setting, while Shin and Noi evoke memories of Jules and Vincent from Pulp Fiction. The imagery is bizarre yet undeniably cool.
Generally, I am not fond of gore. Titles like Berserk and Gantz are far from my preferences, and I avoid manga with excessive violence, such as Shigurui. However, I enjoy dark comedy, and Dorohedoro resonated with me despite its brutal scenes, including a character whose magic revolves around disemboweling. Despite the bleak setting, there's ample well-executed comedy. The stylized violence and the characters' nonchalant attitudes create a grim yet humorous tone, leaning towards dry humor.
Great visuals alone aren't enough for me to consider a manga a favorite; the characters must also be compelling. Given the Gothic nature and grim setting, distinguishing between "villains" and "heroes" is futile. With each group receiving characterization and screen time, labeling some as "protagonists" or "antagonists" is complex. Despite the large cast, core characters remain intriguing, and supporting characters shine. Even though characters oppose each other, I find myself rooting for some regardless. Additionally, the trippy elements enhance the story's appeal, especially as the plot thickens and mind-bending twists emerge, supported by the macabre art style.
One aspect I admire about Dorohedoro aligns with my appreciation for Narita Ryougo's works: multiple viewpoints creating a seemingly chaotic yet engaging story. As Gustav St. Germain from Baccano! aptly puts it, "Depending on who you place in the same situation, the characteristics of said incident change kaleidoscopically. In other words, there is one incident. However, there are as many stories explaining it as there are people involved in it."
Overall, Dorohedoro may require time to adjust to its surreal style, but once acclimated, it becomes a wickedly engaging manga. Definitely worth reading.
Dorohedoro, a series renowned for its plot twists, is quite challenging to describe succinctly. It unfolds in a gritty magic-punk dual world: the high-class realm of magic users and the Hole, a slum-like world inhabited by non-magic users. The narrative revolves around Kaiman, a man with a lizard head and no memories. He hunts magic users, consumes their heads, and then someone inside his mouth evaluates them as he searches for a specific person. And that summary barely scratches the surface of what the series entails.
Q Hyashida excels at crafting plot twists. Indeed, this series is packed with one twist after another, yet it remains coherent. Unlike some series where the author seems to create on the fly based on a cool premise, Dorohedoro, despite its chaotic twists, follows a very deliberate path.
The characters are outstanding and serve as the backbone of the entire story. Although Kaiman and his friend Nikaido are ostensibly the protagonists, the series dedicates roughly equal time to all key characters from various sides of the central conflicts. They are all well-developed and endearing, often leaving you unsure who to support during the battles.
The term frequently used to describe Dorohedoro is "gritty," and indeed, it is. Particularly in the art style, which is thick and dark, featuring cluttered environments and an abundance of greys. It might take some getting used to, given its somewhat unconventional style and occasional anatomical quirks early on, but once you adjust, you'll come to appreciate it.
While the series is gritty and violent, it's not as bleak as one might anticipate. A genuinely offbeat sense of humor runs throughout, providing balance. I've always enjoyed series that skillfully blend darkness and light, and Dorohedoro achieves this admirably. Another departure from conventional grittiness is that the characters are largely lovable. They're mostly anti-heroes, yet nearly everyone has a good or adorable side. There are no overly angsty or purely murderous characters. The creator describes it as "a song with really dark lyrics, but a melody that's so happy you want to dance to it," and I couldn't phrase it better.
Overall, Dorohedoro is undoubtedly one of my favorite manga series. If you appreciate unique worlds with compelling art and an engaging story, it's definitely worth checking out. Additionally, it's reportedly nearing its conclusion soon, which is something to consider.
If you enjoy a large cast of characters with engaging and fun interactions, an intriguing mystery that's both haunting and complex, and don't mind some graphic content, then this is the manga for you.
There are no clear-cut good guys. The morality in this story is extremely gray. Almost every character does something wrong, often involving violence. Despite this, the characters remain likable and share humorous moments even during intense situations. There's also a subtle romance, primarily between Noi and Shin, with occasional hints involving the main pair, Nikaido and Kaimon. Their relationship is built on a strong friendship that's evident throughout the story, leaving it open to interpretation as either platonic or romantic.
The manga features consistent gore in each chapter, and it's always brutal. However, the overall experience is worth enduring the graphic scenes. Most of the gore involves body horror and sometimes mutilated corpses, but characters tend to survive due to... magic. While it can be ignored while reading, it's unavoidable if you're sensitive to such content.
The story takes a psychological horror turn, especially as we approach revelations about Kaiman's identity and origins. However, it's not as intense as Silent Hill or Oyasumi Punpun. The psychological elements make the gore more tolerable.
The art starts off messy but improves over time, like many mangas. The color pages are visually appealing. Be aware of nudity, including female fanservice and some male examples from the cast.
The story is incredible. That's all there is to say. It's complex, with details revealed gradually as the plot progresses. The world-building is solid, and nearly every character gets their moment to shine, despite Kaiman being the protagonist. It might be confusing at times, but that's part of the mystery. To uncover the truth, you need to read. To understand better, you must keep reading.
The biggest downside is that the manga isn't complete, and you have to wait at least a month for new chapters. But that's pretty standard, right? If you decide to read, I wish you luck and patience as you reach the latest chapter!
For the first 20 chapters, you might be completely lost in this world, but credit to the writer for maintaining such an enigmatic atmosphere. Once things start falling into place, it's truly astonishing!
You're introduced to a character with a lizard head—no, I'm not kidding! He's a human with a lizard head, just as bewildered as you are. The story unfolds through a cast of incredible characters and a mystery so compelling that it remains shrouded until much later in the series.
I can't promise you'll love it, as it can be incredibly confusing and may leave you disoriented while trying to piece it together. However, if you enjoy puzzles, this was absolutely perfect for me!
NOTE: Dorohedoro is a series best approached with minimal prior knowledge. The author seems to intend for readers to know as little as possible. It's an 8/10 series, and this review is spoiler-free.
Dorohedoro is set in a dystopian universe filled with magic and devils. It’s uniquely and grittily crafted. The story follows a lizard man who has lost his memories along with his female friend Nikado. He puts a sorcerer's head in his mouth, and the man inside says "you are not the one," resulting in the sorcerer's death. Sorcerers live in another world—an alternate dimension. They visit the MC's world, called the HOLE, where non-sorcerers reside, and experiment on them. This has created significant animosity between sorcerers and non-sorcerers. I think the author wanted to make a racial standpoint where neither side is entirely right or wrong... kind of.
I love the setting of Dorohedoro. It's very dark and gritty, giving a vague and sad outlook on life. The author makes it clear early on that this is a messed-up world. Monsters and death are always nearby, so why not live each day smiling? However, I'm a bit confused about the world. For instance, the food is top-quality stuff. Most of the food and its quality remain the same in the HOLE, which is weird because everything else is run-down and distraught. Why did the food survive? No one knows... easily the biggest mystery in the entire series. The Magician's world is more different, resembling the early 1900s. There are two hierarchies: people who excel at magic (the rich), and those who don't (the poor). They're essentially like people from the HOLE but born as sorcerers. This contrast is fascinating to watch unfold, though I can't reveal more details.
The story of Dorohedoro is completely insane. It fills in gaps slowly. This series gives answers, and we're meant to think of the questions. It's complicated, gritty, and confusing. There are small details you need to look at closely or you'll miss them. Many questions are actually hidden in the art—you just need to focus on it. As far as mystery reveals go, besides a few, they haven't made me jump or feel shocked. Neither did Dorohedoro itself. But that doesn't change the fact that the twists were very well-written and thoroughly enjoyable. I believe the author left some questions open-ended. Whether intentionally or not, I don't care—it feels like lazy writing. It makes me seem like the author couldn't think of answers themselves and left it to the audience. Though the main reveals aren't affected by this, I do think the author left some questions unanswered. I'd rather she forgot them than make up your own conclusions.
The characters in Dorohedoro are easily my favorite part of the series. They're all very charismatic, especially En, who is like the main villain. I really loved his character. I would say he carried the series, but that implies everyone else sucked, which isn't true—they were fantastic too. Caiman is a great male protagonist, and I loved his unraveling. He was so enjoyable to watch, and even his comedy was mostly on point. I didn't like Ebisu, though. She was a horrible character—boring, unfunny, and lazy. I actually wished she would disappear. It's sad that she's a big side character because she pulled the series down. Another thing I didn't like was Nikado, but not because of her exactly. It's how the author used her for so much fanservice. Honestly, it was boring. When drawing nudity, there should be a certain angle or style. There's no real sense of style or eroticism when it comes to nudity here. Some scenes were nice, but most were just randomly drawn naked. This is an issue with other characters as well. Additionally, Nikado isn't utilized well. She cooks for the protagonist and, despite being strong, constantly ends up as the damsel in distress. It's honestly upsetting.
The art in Dorohedoro is an issue for me. I get that people like sketchy art, but I don't. It feels like a sorry excuse for a talentless author trying to draw. I didn't hate the artstyle most of the time, but the art just isn't that great, especially the backgrounds. Sometimes it looked like the author put some ink on paper and sneezed. In Berserk, you can clearly see what's what in that dark gritty world, but in Dorohedoro, you can't always make heads or tails. That's why I really liked the anime adaptation for this aspect—it was good because you could tell the difference. Nonetheless, the characters are drawn well, so it's not completely bad. I've also been told calling the author talentless is a bit excessive. Many say this is incredibly pretentious, so let me try to put it another way. I think she's wasting her talent by drawing sketchy-like. If that's the point, I don't care. It pulls down the series. When you look at series like Berserk, you can see how gritty and dark it is without looking like someone sneezed a blotch of black ink. I absolutely think the author has talent. But just because the reason is to draw sketchy-like doesn't mean it's good.
Dorohedoro doesn't really have romance, which I find genuinely odd. There are loads of hints and potential for relationships, so I wonder why the author never explored more.
Dorohedoro TLDR: I loved it, but there are just too many issues for me not to knock off 2 points. Also, there are open-ended questions which might annoy some people. Overall, I think this is a great read that everyone should experience, especially those who love darkness and violence.
Dorohedoro aims to present a messy, chaotic world that we explore and learn more about, featuring a cast as wild as the world they inhabit. However, despite seemingly achieving this, it doesn't fully commit, seriously wasting its potential.
The good: The overall art and character designs. The art is quite good, and the appearance of characters continues to captivate and maintain interest throughout all 23 volumes.
The bad: For this kind of story, the plot is surprisingly restrained. There are no real thrills. A bit of mystery here and there, but no substantial narrative.
In essence, it looks good. I'll admit it has a nice aesthetic, but that's really the only thing it succeeds at.
This is a one-of-a-kind work that you should probably check out because there's nothing quite like it. It is a comedy, a tragedy, slice of life, horror, sports, and a mix of many other genres, featuring a rather complex overarching story and a fairly large cast of characters. The art style is also quite uncommon; in an era dominated by simplified visuals with child-like or teen-like characters, this stands out as different. While it is certainly in the manga style, it heavily incorporates black tones, has a slightly messy appearance, and leans towards realism. It resembles the works of Nihei Tsutomu (Blame!, Ningyo no Kuni, Sidonia no Kishi) due to its focus on more realistic visuals and "fuzzy" sketch-like yet highly detailed drawings. Another standout feature is its bizarre world, which slowly unfolds for the reader.
Overall, I felt that the story could have had more impact in certain places, and I thought the anime adaptation presented it in a slightly better way. However, the uniqueness of the setting, black humor, distinct art style, and a complex story along with likable and believable characters made up for it. So, I can say that I enjoyed this one.
It should be noted that this manga contains violence, gore, dismemberment, and nudity. Mostly, there's a lot of horror gore and black humor, which may not appeal to everyone.
I recommend checking it out if you get the chance.
7/10 Story, 7/10 Art, 8/10 Characters, 7/10 Enjoyment, 8/10 Overall (due to its uniqueness).
Settings directly from a post-apocalyptic series. A world brimming with all kinds of anomalies. Characters blending futuristic cyberpunk elements with magical fantasy adventures. Artwork crafted by an assistant of BLAME, relying solely on increasingly bizarre new ideas. The story revolves around the daily lives of our diverse and colorful cast, yet at its core, it is essentially an action comedy. No one could have ever anticipated Dorohedoro because it's simply too original and specific to fulfill any particular demand.
There are several reasons to appreciate this series:
- A substantial number of original ideas provide fresh perspectives. For instance, concepts like "curse" or "disease" aren't necessarily the same as we understand them in real life but can range from living beings to inanimate objects. It plays with language and wit.
- The series remains faithful to its unique world until the very end. It discards many norms and conventional ideas, presenting its own take on practically every concept it addresses.
- Our cast is nothing short of memorable. From their personalities and character designs to their badassery and food preferences, there's a great deal of detail in their characteristics and character-centric narrative. Liking the characters can carry the entire series through its less engaging parts due to their strength.
- The artwork effectively captures the atmosphere of the world, making Dorohedoro immersive and visually appealing. Mostly strange, yet undeniably beautiful.
- The fusion of different genres creates a narrative that can greatly appeal to readers tired of seeing the same old tropes.
There are also several reasons to criticize it:
- Some of the weirdness seems to exist merely for the sake of being odd.
- It disguises common occurrences and clichés as unique by leveraging its extraordinary setting and cast, but it never fully reaches its potential. For example, there's always a convenient magical power that resolves the current issue and steers the story in the desired direction.
- A significant portion of the dialogue and text boxes contains what could be considered irrelevant filler. This hampers the reading experience, making some parts skippable due to boredom.
- "All of this and more in the chaotic limbo that is Dorohedoro." The manga is repetitive and acknowledges it, yet it doesn't make efforts to counteract this repetitiveness. There are noticeable differences in quality.
Enjoyment:
The first 50 chapters were a delight for me. I could say the same about events around the 70th chapter mark and the 100th chapter mark. The remaining parts made me reconsider my stance more than once. Dorohedoro was supposed to conclude over 5 years ago, but it was extended over the following years. Some parts feel forced, raising the question: Was this length truly necessary for the work? Spoiler: It wasn't. It could have been both more entertaining and meaningful by simply being shorter. This series is worth reading for anyone who considers themselves a manga fan, but I wouldn't call it a must-read.
It's really fun. Read it please and have fun.
MyAnimeList won't let me write less, so I'll just say that I dislike how anime and manga fans can sometimes be incredibly insufferable. Even football fans seem more enjoyable to be around in comparison.
Stop being overly annoying and learn to enjoy things. They don't need to be the absolute best in the world for you to appreciate them. That doesn't mean you shouldn't critique what you consume; it means you should stop being such a whiny little person about entertainment and try to understand the various contexts in which different works exist.
Dorohedoro is a world akin to Pratchett's, yet darker in tone. Its humor and storytelling share similarities. The narrative introduces numerous characters, showcasing events that, though involving only a few, impact all of them.
Up to chapter 60, the story has minimal flaws; however, it later becomes somewhat stretched and less focused. Unfortunately, by the end, a couple of plotlines are either forgotten or resolved unsatisfactorily. That said, these issues aren't immediately obvious—you need to reflect on them to notice.
The artwork feels genuine and beautifully enhances the story. Dorohedoro, with its captivating atmosphere and vibrant world, grips you and keeps you hooked until the very last moment. It's an exhilarating rollercoaster ride—perhaps not profound enough to leave a lasting impression, but still a work of remarkable quality.
Very good, although the last volume was somewhat disappointing...
Some readers might find the "over the top" world in this story problematic. There's a lot of blood, gore, and humor mixed together, which could be either annoying or disturbing for certain people. At times, the graphic content is quite intense, and there are also scenes involving nudity.
I wasn't particularly fond of the final chapters. The buildup was strong, but the climax felt lackluster to me.
Overall, it's an enjoyable read that isn't difficult to get into. The story follows a solid main plot with plenty of surprises. It's worth checking out.
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Additionally, I can count on one hand the number of times I've genuinely loved an entire cast of characters without exception. One of the antagonists, En, is forever one of my favorite villains of all time. His backstory, the way he treats his underlings, his fears, aspirations, pride, personality, and charisma are all just so awesome and lovable.
My only complaint would be with the ending. I felt it could have used an epilogue, given how well-developed the characters were. A proper conclusion for everyone would have been ideal. The ending itself could have been better; it felt as if the manga was 95% complete, and the author decided to cram the last 5% into the final four chapters.
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According to Wikipedia, Dorohedoro is serialized in Ikki, a magazine specializing in underground or alternative manga, and it certainly fits that description due to its quirky and stylish nature. Writing a review to explain why this manga is so captivating is challenging because much of its charm lies in its visual style.
Categorizing this title under a specific genre is difficult. Manga Updates labels it as Biopunk, but it also carries Gothic elements. Perhaps the best one-sentence description is that it feels like a collaboration between Tim Burton and Quentin Tarantino producing a manga. This analogy fits well given the personalized masks worn by magic users and the eerie atmosphere filled with curses, devils, and death gods, reminiscent of a darker Halloween Town and Beetlejuice. En's family, dressed in suits, adds a mafia-like vibe to the Halloween setting, while Shin and Noi evoke memories of Jules and Vincent from Pulp Fiction. The imagery is bizarre yet undeniably cool.
Generally, I am not fond of gore. Titles like Berserk and Gantz are far from my preferences, and I avoid manga with excessive violence, such as Shigurui. However, I enjoy dark comedy, and Dorohedoro resonated with me despite its brutal scenes, including a character whose magic revolves around disemboweling. Despite the bleak setting, there's ample well-executed comedy. The stylized violence and the characters' nonchalant attitudes create a grim yet humorous tone, leaning towards dry humor.
Great visuals alone aren't enough for me to consider a manga a favorite; the characters must also be compelling. Given the Gothic nature and grim setting, distinguishing between "villains" and "heroes" is futile. With each group receiving characterization and screen time, labeling some as "protagonists" or "antagonists" is complex. Despite the large cast, core characters remain intriguing, and supporting characters shine. Even though characters oppose each other, I find myself rooting for some regardless. Additionally, the trippy elements enhance the story's appeal, especially as the plot thickens and mind-bending twists emerge, supported by the macabre art style.
One aspect I admire about Dorohedoro aligns with my appreciation for Narita Ryougo's works: multiple viewpoints creating a seemingly chaotic yet engaging story. As Gustav St. Germain from Baccano! aptly puts it, "Depending on who you place in the same situation, the characteristics of said incident change kaleidoscopically. In other words, there is one incident. However, there are as many stories explaining it as there are people involved in it."
Overall, Dorohedoro may require time to adjust to its surreal style, but once acclimated, it becomes a wickedly engaging manga. Definitely worth reading.
Q Hyashida excels at crafting plot twists. Indeed, this series is packed with one twist after another, yet it remains coherent. Unlike some series where the author seems to create on the fly based on a cool premise, Dorohedoro, despite its chaotic twists, follows a very deliberate path.
The characters are outstanding and serve as the backbone of the entire story. Although Kaiman and his friend Nikaido are ostensibly the protagonists, the series dedicates roughly equal time to all key characters from various sides of the central conflicts. They are all well-developed and endearing, often leaving you unsure who to support during the battles.
The term frequently used to describe Dorohedoro is "gritty," and indeed, it is. Particularly in the art style, which is thick and dark, featuring cluttered environments and an abundance of greys. It might take some getting used to, given its somewhat unconventional style and occasional anatomical quirks early on, but once you adjust, you'll come to appreciate it.
While the series is gritty and violent, it's not as bleak as one might anticipate. A genuinely offbeat sense of humor runs throughout, providing balance. I've always enjoyed series that skillfully blend darkness and light, and Dorohedoro achieves this admirably. Another departure from conventional grittiness is that the characters are largely lovable. They're mostly anti-heroes, yet nearly everyone has a good or adorable side. There are no overly angsty or purely murderous characters. The creator describes it as "a song with really dark lyrics, but a melody that's so happy you want to dance to it," and I couldn't phrase it better.
Overall, Dorohedoro is undoubtedly one of my favorite manga series. If you appreciate unique worlds with compelling art and an engaging story, it's definitely worth checking out. Additionally, it's reportedly nearing its conclusion soon, which is something to consider.
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There are no clear-cut good guys. The morality in this story is extremely gray. Almost every character does something wrong, often involving violence. Despite this, the characters remain likable and share humorous moments even during intense situations. There's also a subtle romance, primarily between Noi and Shin, with occasional hints involving the main pair, Nikaido and Kaimon. Their relationship is built on a strong friendship that's evident throughout the story, leaving it open to interpretation as either platonic or romantic.
The manga features consistent gore in each chapter, and it's always brutal. However, the overall experience is worth enduring the graphic scenes. Most of the gore involves body horror and sometimes mutilated corpses, but characters tend to survive due to... magic. While it can be ignored while reading, it's unavoidable if you're sensitive to such content.
The story takes a psychological horror turn, especially as we approach revelations about Kaiman's identity and origins. However, it's not as intense as Silent Hill or Oyasumi Punpun. The psychological elements make the gore more tolerable.
The art starts off messy but improves over time, like many mangas. The color pages are visually appealing. Be aware of nudity, including female fanservice and some male examples from the cast.
The story is incredible. That's all there is to say. It's complex, with details revealed gradually as the plot progresses. The world-building is solid, and nearly every character gets their moment to shine, despite Kaiman being the protagonist. It might be confusing at times, but that's part of the mystery. To uncover the truth, you need to read. To understand better, you must keep reading.
The biggest downside is that the manga isn't complete, and you have to wait at least a month for new chapters. But that's pretty standard, right? If you decide to read, I wish you luck and patience as you reach the latest chapter!
You're introduced to a character with a lizard head—no, I'm not kidding! He's a human with a lizard head, just as bewildered as you are. The story unfolds through a cast of incredible characters and a mystery so compelling that it remains shrouded until much later in the series.
I can't promise you'll love it, as it can be incredibly confusing and may leave you disoriented while trying to piece it together. However, if you enjoy puzzles, this was absolutely perfect for me!
Dorohedoro is set in a dystopian universe filled with magic and devils. It’s uniquely and grittily crafted. The story follows a lizard man who has lost his memories along with his female friend Nikado. He puts a sorcerer's head in his mouth, and the man inside says "you are not the one," resulting in the sorcerer's death. Sorcerers live in another world—an alternate dimension. They visit the MC's world, called the HOLE, where non-sorcerers reside, and experiment on them. This has created significant animosity between sorcerers and non-sorcerers. I think the author wanted to make a racial standpoint where neither side is entirely right or wrong... kind of.
I love the setting of Dorohedoro. It's very dark and gritty, giving a vague and sad outlook on life. The author makes it clear early on that this is a messed-up world. Monsters and death are always nearby, so why not live each day smiling? However, I'm a bit confused about the world. For instance, the food is top-quality stuff. Most of the food and its quality remain the same in the HOLE, which is weird because everything else is run-down and distraught. Why did the food survive? No one knows... easily the biggest mystery in the entire series. The Magician's world is more different, resembling the early 1900s. There are two hierarchies: people who excel at magic (the rich), and those who don't (the poor). They're essentially like people from the HOLE but born as sorcerers. This contrast is fascinating to watch unfold, though I can't reveal more details.
The story of Dorohedoro is completely insane. It fills in gaps slowly. This series gives answers, and we're meant to think of the questions. It's complicated, gritty, and confusing. There are small details you need to look at closely or you'll miss them. Many questions are actually hidden in the art—you just need to focus on it. As far as mystery reveals go, besides a few, they haven't made me jump or feel shocked. Neither did Dorohedoro itself. But that doesn't change the fact that the twists were very well-written and thoroughly enjoyable. I believe the author left some questions open-ended. Whether intentionally or not, I don't care—it feels like lazy writing. It makes me seem like the author couldn't think of answers themselves and left it to the audience. Though the main reveals aren't affected by this, I do think the author left some questions unanswered. I'd rather she forgot them than make up your own conclusions.
The characters in Dorohedoro are easily my favorite part of the series. They're all very charismatic, especially En, who is like the main villain. I really loved his character. I would say he carried the series, but that implies everyone else sucked, which isn't true—they were fantastic too. Caiman is a great male protagonist, and I loved his unraveling. He was so enjoyable to watch, and even his comedy was mostly on point. I didn't like Ebisu, though. She was a horrible character—boring, unfunny, and lazy. I actually wished she would disappear. It's sad that she's a big side character because she pulled the series down. Another thing I didn't like was Nikado, but not because of her exactly. It's how the author used her for so much fanservice. Honestly, it was boring. When drawing nudity, there should be a certain angle or style. There's no real sense of style or eroticism when it comes to nudity here. Some scenes were nice, but most were just randomly drawn naked. This is an issue with other characters as well. Additionally, Nikado isn't utilized well. She cooks for the protagonist and, despite being strong, constantly ends up as the damsel in distress. It's honestly upsetting.
The art in Dorohedoro is an issue for me. I get that people like sketchy art, but I don't. It feels like a sorry excuse for a talentless author trying to draw. I didn't hate the artstyle most of the time, but the art just isn't that great, especially the backgrounds. Sometimes it looked like the author put some ink on paper and sneezed. In Berserk, you can clearly see what's what in that dark gritty world, but in Dorohedoro, you can't always make heads or tails. That's why I really liked the anime adaptation for this aspect—it was good because you could tell the difference. Nonetheless, the characters are drawn well, so it's not completely bad. I've also been told calling the author talentless is a bit excessive. Many say this is incredibly pretentious, so let me try to put it another way. I think she's wasting her talent by drawing sketchy-like. If that's the point, I don't care. It pulls down the series. When you look at series like Berserk, you can see how gritty and dark it is without looking like someone sneezed a blotch of black ink. I absolutely think the author has talent. But just because the reason is to draw sketchy-like doesn't mean it's good.
Dorohedoro doesn't really have romance, which I find genuinely odd. There are loads of hints and potential for relationships, so I wonder why the author never explored more.
Dorohedoro TLDR: I loved it, but there are just too many issues for me not to knock off 2 points. Also, there are open-ended questions which might annoy some people. Overall, I think this is a great read that everyone should experience, especially those who love darkness and violence.
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The good: The overall art and character designs. The art is quite good, and the appearance of characters continues to captivate and maintain interest throughout all 23 volumes.
The bad: For this kind of story, the plot is surprisingly restrained. There are no real thrills. A bit of mystery here and there, but no substantial narrative.
In essence, it looks good. I'll admit it has a nice aesthetic, but that's really the only thing it succeeds at.
Overall, I felt that the story could have had more impact in certain places, and I thought the anime adaptation presented it in a slightly better way. However, the uniqueness of the setting, black humor, distinct art style, and a complex story along with likable and believable characters made up for it. So, I can say that I enjoyed this one.
It should be noted that this manga contains violence, gore, dismemberment, and nudity. Mostly, there's a lot of horror gore and black humor, which may not appeal to everyone.
I recommend checking it out if you get the chance.
7/10 Story, 7/10 Art, 8/10 Characters, 7/10 Enjoyment, 8/10 Overall (due to its uniqueness).
There are several reasons to appreciate this series:
- A substantial number of original ideas provide fresh perspectives. For instance, concepts like "curse" or "disease" aren't necessarily the same as we understand them in real life but can range from living beings to inanimate objects. It plays with language and wit.
- The series remains faithful to its unique world until the very end. It discards many norms and conventional ideas, presenting its own take on practically every concept it addresses.
- Our cast is nothing short of memorable. From their personalities and character designs to their badassery and food preferences, there's a great deal of detail in their characteristics and character-centric narrative. Liking the characters can carry the entire series through its less engaging parts due to their strength.
- The artwork effectively captures the atmosphere of the world, making Dorohedoro immersive and visually appealing. Mostly strange, yet undeniably beautiful.
- The fusion of different genres creates a narrative that can greatly appeal to readers tired of seeing the same old tropes.
There are also several reasons to criticize it:
- Some of the weirdness seems to exist merely for the sake of being odd.
- It disguises common occurrences and clichés as unique by leveraging its extraordinary setting and cast, but it never fully reaches its potential. For example, there's always a convenient magical power that resolves the current issue and steers the story in the desired direction.
- A significant portion of the dialogue and text boxes contains what could be considered irrelevant filler. This hampers the reading experience, making some parts skippable due to boredom.
- "All of this and more in the chaotic limbo that is Dorohedoro." The manga is repetitive and acknowledges it, yet it doesn't make efforts to counteract this repetitiveness. There are noticeable differences in quality.
Enjoyment:
The first 50 chapters were a delight for me. I could say the same about events around the 70th chapter mark and the 100th chapter mark. The remaining parts made me reconsider my stance more than once. Dorohedoro was supposed to conclude over 5 years ago, but it was extended over the following years. Some parts feel forced, raising the question: Was this length truly necessary for the work? Spoiler: It wasn't. It could have been both more entertaining and meaningful by simply being shorter. This series is worth reading for anyone who considers themselves a manga fan, but I wouldn't call it a must-read.
MyAnimeList won't let me write less, so I'll just say that I dislike how anime and manga fans can sometimes be incredibly insufferable. Even football fans seem more enjoyable to be around in comparison.
Stop being overly annoying and learn to enjoy things. They don't need to be the absolute best in the world for you to appreciate them. That doesn't mean you shouldn't critique what you consume; it means you should stop being such a whiny little person about entertainment and try to understand the various contexts in which different works exist.
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Up to chapter 60, the story has minimal flaws; however, it later becomes somewhat stretched and less focused. Unfortunately, by the end, a couple of plotlines are either forgotten or resolved unsatisfactorily. That said, these issues aren't immediately obvious—you need to reflect on them to notice.
The artwork feels genuine and beautifully enhances the story. Dorohedoro, with its captivating atmosphere and vibrant world, grips you and keeps you hooked until the very last moment. It's an exhilarating rollercoaster ride—perhaps not profound enough to leave a lasting impression, but still a work of remarkable quality.
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Some readers might find the "over the top" world in this story problematic. There's a lot of blood, gore, and humor mixed together, which could be either annoying or disturbing for certain people. At times, the graphic content is quite intense, and there are also scenes involving nudity.
I wasn't particularly fond of the final chapters. The buildup was strong, but the climax felt lackluster to me.
Overall, it's an enjoyable read that isn't difficult to get into. The story follows a solid main plot with plenty of surprises. It's worth checking out.
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