Description
Dorohedoro takes place in a grimy fantasy world split between Hole, a city of humans, and the sorcerers’ world. Sorcerers visit Hole to practice their magic on its residents. Caiman has a lizard’s head and no memory of who he was. With Nikaido, his friend who runs a gyoza restaurant, he hunts the sorcerer who transformed him. His strangest clue is a man inside his mouth who may recognize the culprit. Their search brings them into conflict with En, a powerful crime boss in the sorcerers’ world.
Dry jokes and shared meals give the friendships warmth, even among En’s crew. The story often switches sides, letting you get to know the people hunting Caiman, while its tangled identity mystery asks you to keep track of small clues. The mood can be playful and affectionate, but some scenes are sad or disturbing. Expect graphic dismemberment, grotesque transformations, and nudity.
Pros
- Dense, grimy artwork makes the settings feel lived-in.
- Friendships and distinct personalities make both sides of the conflict engaging.
- Small clues gain meaning as the mystery unfolds.
Cons
- Shifting identities and subplots can be hard to follow.
- The pacing can drag in later stretches.
Main characters
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Caiman
カイマン
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Nikaido
ニカイドウ
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En
煙
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Shin
心
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Noi
能井
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Fujita
藤田
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Ebisu
恵比寿
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Kasukabe
カスカベ
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Risu
栗鼠
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Kikurage
キクラゲ
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Chidaruma
チダルマ
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Johnson
ジョンソン
