Upon doing some research, I discovered the image was from a manga entitled Dorohedoro. After reading a brief summary and some reviews of the manga, I remember writing on a sticky note: "Must read Dorohedoro." Well...turns out I never got around to reading it and completely forget about this until five years later when I recently moved into my new house. While moving all my stuff from one house to another, some of my old stuff fell out of one of the files from my desk. Sure enough, one thing that managed to fall out was that same sticky note I wrote five years ago. Upon seeing it, I ended up finally reading Dorohedoro a week later. I'm so glad I did as I can safely that: Dorohedoro has become my personal #1 favorite manga of all time. As such, I intend to write about it more in the future. Let's dive into this brilliant hidden gem of a manga!
*Warning: I intend to talk about Dorohedoro's plot. Spoilers ahead*
Introduction:
Q Hayashida (the female mangaka of this series) is the ex-assistant of famous mangaka Tsutomu Nihei. Nihei is famous for his dark/sci-fi mangas, some of which include:Blame!, NOiSE, Biomega, and Sidonia no Kishi.
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Bearing this in mind, it's not too far fetched to claim that she derived a lot of influence from her time working under Nihei. Reflective in its dark, thematic story and art, Dorohedoro's plot could very well fit into Nihei's list of publications if one didn't know who made it. That's not too say that Hayashida's work is not able to stand by itself as its own original masterpiece; you would be horribly mistaken. Dorohedoro is quite possibly the most (if not, one of the most) original story I have ever read. It tells a riveting, violent, gory, and comedic narrative that devolves into one of the most intriguing and complicated mysteries I have ever been privileged to read. It was the first story I've ever read that effectively combined the genres of horror and comedy. For once, gore was actually funny! So let's take a look at some of its key components.
Setting: The Hole and The World of the Magic Users:
Dorohedoro's universe showcases a world that is split into two realms. The first is know as The Hole. Hole is the home of normal human beings whom are preyed and experimented on by the magic users. As such, deformities and almost creature-like humanoids are commonplace and numerous amongst Hole's inhabitants. Because magical smoke seeps into Hole, strange occurrences such as "The Night of the Living Dead" that occurs every month, in which zombies roam the streets for an entire night devouring anyone they can get their hands on, are very common. The strange occurrences in Hole have been interwoven into its culture. The city/realm itself is very well aware that it plays victim to an entirely separate world of powerful and privileged individuals, and this is something I find quite interesting. The inhabitants seem to accept that their home is poverty stricken and loitered in filth, becoming the very definition of "unideal living conditions." Yet, they carry on with their lives in the hopes that they can live in a simple manner, peacefully; albeit the few inhabitants who are vehement enough to fight and strike back at the Magic users that prey on them, such as our protagonist.
The other world in Dorohedoro is that of the Magic User's realm. As its name implies, this realm plays host to a higher end society encumbered solely of powerful beings both sorcerer and demonic. Everyone with the ability to utilize magic resides here and live a more comfortable life when compared to the inhabitants of Hole. Overlooking all magic users, are the all powerful devils whom have made a home in The Magic User's realm. Devils are powerful beings whose abilities, power, and magic far exceeds that of any magic user. A lot of Dorohedoro's story takes place in both Hole and the Magic User's realm. Thus, readers get to see just how each one directly impacts each other and that is something that is cool. It's also worth mentioning that while normal citizens of Hole can't travel (normally) to The Magic User's realm, the magic users themselves have the means to seemingly traverse from their homes to Hole whenever they please. This imbalance also creates a unique dynamic in this dual-setting story.
Q Hayashida has proven to be a master of world-building, as she expertly fleshes out this dualistic narrative abiding by the rules of two worlds.
Magic:
Magic is something that is handled in both unique and serious ways in this manga. It's certainly my favorite version of magic that I have seen in all of anime, manga, and films. In Dorohedoro's universe, you're either born with the ability to utilize magic or not (it's a biological thing). There are key components to bear in mind when looking at how magic functions in this story
-Every single magic user's particular magic is unique to the individual. Everyone has a unique ability that belongs to them alone.
-Magic takes the form of smoke in this manga. Magic users contain smoke running through their veins along with their blood. It is this smoke that causes the different magical effects to occur in this series. Once the smoke blows over a target, the unique magical effect will take place.
-The source of a magic user's abilities/generation of smoke through the body is a tumor in the brain of a magic user that is shaped like a devil (literally).
- The smoke comes out of an individual through small ducts at the tips of an individual's fingers. Through the fingers, magic users are able to blow out their smoke to use their magic. However, it is possible to obtain an expensive surgery that will allow an individual to also blow out magical smoke from their moths as well. As such, if you were to cut off a person's fingers or damage them in any way, you would stop a magic user from being able to properly utilize their magic.
-Magical smoke can be bottled and sold to people to utilize another person's magic in small bursts. Healing magic is popular in this regard.
-Lastly, magic users offer gifts to devils (who govern the magic user's realm) in order to receive masks which amplify a magic user's magical abilities. As such, the majority of magic users wear these masks.
-It should be noted that magic users are also unable to use their magic when it rains. Rain weakens magic users to the point of uselessness. Thus it never rains in the Magic User's realm, only in Hole.
Characters:
Dorohedoro's characters are some of the coolest characters in manga if only for how complicated and fleshed out they are. I'm going to talk about a few that stand out:
Kaiman/Aikawa/Ai/ Kai
I'm going to try my best to describe the complexity behind our main protagonist. At the beginning of the manga we are introduced to Kaiman (the main character). He is a man who has the head of a lizard/reptile while maintaining a normal human body. He also has a head/face inside of his mouth of which he has no idea how it got there or what it is. Weird stuff ey.......?
Kaiman has lost his memories and was found by his friend Nikaido lying near an apartment complex in Hole. Kaiman is depicted as a violent and constantly hungry man, who seems to genuinely respect few. While he has a strong personality, he does seem to get sheepish only around his friend Nikaido. Yet at his core, buried beneath his rigid personality, lies a kind man who genuinely longs to live a normal life and to exist peacefully (it just takes a little while to come to this conclusion lol).
In trying to remember whom he once was, he embarks on a mission with Nikaido to hunt down magic users in Hole in order to find out who turned his head into that of a lizard/reptile's. As such, the beginning of the manga sees Kaiman's usual routine play out:
-Kaiman finds a magic user
-Kaiman literally forces that magic user's head into his mouth in order for the head inside of his mouth to see the magic user.
-The head inside of his mouth will pass judgement on the magic user (usually stating: "No, you aren't the one").
-Kaiman will take the magic user out of his mouth and ask, "What did the man inside my head say?"
-Upon learning that the magic user wasn't the one who cursed him, Kaiman will kill that magic user.
-Rinse and repeat
-It's also worth mentioning that Q Hayashida takes this ritualistic process seriously and does not abide by any form of magical realism. Kaiman biting down on someone's head causes visible damage (sometimes even brain damage) to the person he is "examining." They're getting bit by a bloody reptile! Little details such as this tend to be ignored in anime/manga and I really appreciate Hayashida's realistic approach.
As strange as this may seem, this is honestly the most interesting, albeit goriest take on the traditional detective narrative I've ever seen. Elements such as this, lend to Dorohedoro's strange, dark flavor of humor that will either resonate with readers or turn them off.
Anyways, as the plot progresses we learn just how complicated of a character or "characters" Kaiman really is. Although not all of the details behind his true identity have been revealed, I'm going to try my best to explain the nature of his condition from what Hayshida has given to readers thus far.
-Kaiman has nine heads inside of his neck. When one head is decapitated, a new head regenerates. Not all of the heads share the same set of memories. Exemplified by the two Kaiman heads (reptile) we've seen so far whom have different memories of the events transpiring in the manga.
-Kaiman seems to also have three other personalities: Aikawa, Kai, and Ai. Aikawa is a man who attended a magic school with his friend Risu, whom is very similar to Kaiman, minus the lizard's head. He is a violent, always hungry human with a laid back personality. I believe Aikawa is a manifestation of what Ai could have been had he not went down the path of achieving power. Speaking of Ai...
-Ai Coleman was a boy in Hole (many years ago) who met with Dr. Kasukbe (a bit on on him later) who wanted to become a magic user (despite being born a normal human). Upon his death via exposure to highly toxic materials in Hole, he asked Dr. Kasukabe as his final wish to perform an experimental surgery on his body, utilizing the corpses of magic users to turn his body into that of a magic user's. Not only did the surgery work, but it warped Ai in a way that would transform him forever. Ascendance into magic is what lays the frameworks for the different personalities of Kaiman as well as the plot's complexity.
-Lastly, Kai is another of Ai's personalities that became the boss of the Crosseyes gang. He is an evil, sinister being whom is obsessed with power. Vehement in his goals, he kills magic users in order to obtain their power and their bodies to utilize them towards his sinister plot.
With this, I can't stress enough just how deeply complex of a character Kaiman really is. The mystery behind his true identity and the multiple roles that he has played in impacting the world of Dorohedoro is vastly interesting. To this effect, he is uniquely both the protagonist and main antagonist of this series. Hayashida has created a new depth to the idea of a multi-dimensional character! Hopefully we will get to find out the very nature of Kaiman's true identity in the final volume of this series being currently written.
Nikaido
Nikaido is my personal favorite character in this manga. Not only is she really cute, amongst a cast of hideous looking fiends; she is a good example of a strong female character. Hayashida allows both men and women to be on equal footing when it comes to who's powerful and who really gets to kick ass. That is something I can appreciate. Dorohedoro is a story about portraying a world in which gender roles are equal as much as it is a story about comedic gore.
Moving right along, I think it's also very touching that the relationship Kaiman and Nikaido share is strictly platonic (but more on this later). Nikaido is a true friend to Kaiman and goes to great lengths to both ease his sufferings as well as go out of her way to save him from the complexity that is his strange design; if only at times with her superb cooking skills (She runs a restaurant!)
Nikaido's magic is also an important element to her character. Initially hiding the fact that she is a magic user from Kaiman (fearing what he may think of her), we come to learn that Nikaido bears the rare ability to manipulate time. This ability alone makes her highly sought after by the other magic users in order for her to be utilized in unique ways. Nikaido suffered greatly in the past when she accidentally erased her childhood friend from existence not understanding the nature of her magic. In this regard, it was really cool to see her later accept her magic and really come to understand its use. Nikaido is a great character that Hayashida has set up for really any reader to adore in her dark, gritty world.
Shin
-His magic allows him to cut up people limb from limb while still keeping them alive. They could have their heads cut off, but still be breathing and speaking.
-He is the only character so far who has been revealed to be half human/half magic user.
-Has a traumatic past in which both his parents were killed and he was hunted. Thus, propelling him to enjoying fighting and killing.
-Oddly, one of the most reasonable/level-headed characters in the manga for how violent he can be.
-A cleaner for the En family.
-He fights with a bloody hammer!
Noi
-Her magic allows her to heal any physical injuries (which is used quite often btw)
-Interestingly enough in her past, she was about to become a devil but due to certain circumstances, ended up staying as a magic user.
-She is Shin's partner. She really adores him! She's also taller than him.
-Another cleaner for the En family.
-She's a badass!
En
-Kind of the mafia boss character of the series. He's not really a traditional villain character per say, as he isn't depicted as such technically.
-His magic allows him to transform anything his smoke touches into mushrooms.
-He REALLY likes mushrooms lol.
-He drives the story in interesting directions.
-Has a business selling "broomsticks," which in the magic user's realm is the equivalent of a car (albeit a giant, mechanized broom that can fly).
Ebisu
-The manga likes to make use of her to drive some of the dark comedy. This is exemplified by her mutilation and brain damage that is constantly portrayed throughout the manga.
-She is one the youngest characters in this story at 13.
-Member of the En family.
-He magic allows her to turn people or herself into reptiles.
The Crosseyes Gang
-A gang of normal humans who hunt down magic users and try to establish the view that magic users are not superior to humans.
-Make use of an illegal substance known as "black powder" that amplifies or bestow magical abilities to whom who utilize it. Though it is highly addictive.
-They are masters at handling knives.
-They serve under Kai unquestionably, not realizing the extent of his evil plans.
Platonic Relationships
Another aspect of this story that I have to talk about is the idea of platonic relationships. This manga is riddled with many male/female pairings in which both people are very close but never succumb to sexual desire and/or love. There is an absolute absence of sexuality and romance (although romance is implied/poked at ever so slightly in maybe two or three instances) beyond Dr. Kasukabe's relationship with his wife Haru (and even then their sexuality which is only "hinted at" is completely off screen). Pairings such as the genuine/true friendship of Kaiman and Nikaido and Shin x Noi is something that either will fly with readers of the manga or completely piss them off. On one hand, romance and sexuality are natural emotions that are typically called upon in a lot of manga. As such, the very absence of these elements amongst the characters in Dorohedoro can be something jarring and frustrating. However, I abide by the view that this story would simply not be the same if the focus was Kaiman falling in love with Nikaido or Shin (an already morally fucked up character) giving into random lust for Noi. Q Hayashida's already unique story is bolstered even higher as a manga that stands out beyond the rest with this idea of strictly platonic relationships. She doesn't need love or sex to draw readers in. Instead she vies for a dark, humorous, and riveting narrative that makes use of a lovable cast of characters to bring in the masses.
^ this is relevant
Art Style
If I haven't already convinced you that the artwork is unique and eerily dark, based on all the pictures in this post already...well then I don't know what to say... Hayashida's art is the type of art that one will either love/appreciate (that's me) or simply hate. Her rough sketched, dark shaded style approach to art plays direct homage to her days as Tsutomu Nihei's assistant. Yet, her art is able to stand apart from Nihei's as uniquely her own. I personally love the clearly hand-drawn nature of her art. I feel it directly lends to how successful her story translates to readers. The amount of detailing in her backgrounds is stellar to say the least. When she wants you to get a good look and feel of a particular situation, she will go out of her way to flesh out every ounce of detail. I love the art of Dorohedoro, but I understand it is not one that will resonate with all.
Conclusion:
Dorohedoro has without a doubt become my personal second favorite manga of all time. I can't stress how unique this story really is. It is the most original thing I've been privileged to read in quite a while. If any of you have disregarded spoilers and have found any of what I've said here interesting: please do yourself the favor and read this fantastic series. As of right now, new chapters are going to begin to appear a little more frequently now that Hayshida has successfully transferred the series to a new magazine for serialization. She is also currently on the final volume of the series so we may finally see a proper conclusion very soon. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this post and as always have a wonderful day!
-Nights Off
crosseyes are indeed magic users btw-- albeit weak ones
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