This week Dororo returns to its episode demon slaying, as our intrepid duo combat a cursed blade! We have flashbacks, family issues and regained body parts galore! And you know what? I loved it all, so lets jump right in.
Now, last week I was a bit nervous about Dororo. I found some of the washed out visuals and scrappy animation to be a let down. This week, while it hasn’t gotten rid of those issues, Dororo made me realize that they won’t be as prevalent as I had feared. The chosen color palette has its uses, the limited animation will be… limited, and the however episodic it might be, everything will come together. I will, of course, hit on each of these as we go, but before we get out of technical aspects, I want to say I enjoyed the layout of this episode. Dororo started and ended on the same note, Hyakkimaru standing in the rain, yet the context of each was completely different. Its hard to say he is the same person as he was at the start, because he grows over the episode. I loved it.
Starting off, I want to hit on the opening and closing once again. I thought the bookmarking with Hyakkimaru standing in the rain, comparing the start and the end, worked really well. In the beginning he is experiencing rain on his skin, with his nerves back, for the first time. Hyakkimaru has so many new experiences available to him. Its a solemn sort of scene. Dororo ends on him once again standing in the rain, hearing for the first time in his life, another new experience. And the first thing he hears is the sound of a woman crying in the rain over a man he just killed. Where moments before she called out to him, and he couldn’t hear her words, and so failed to stop. Its tragic in a way, and I thought it was a really good way to start and end an episodic story.
As for the episodic story content itself, I enjoyed it. I thought the initial ambiguity as to the soldiers fate was clever. I wasn’t sure if he had attacked the Lord, finished the execution or committed seppuku. It left me curious and wondering as the soldier, Tanosuke, returned into the story. Gave what was otherwise a standard monster of the week story an air of mystery, at least for awhile. Another aspect I liked was that Tanosuke wasn’t completely gone. As if he was, while away from the sword, recovering a bit. Dororo showed this with the paper crane he made and placed next to Osushi’s. It turned him from an irredeemable monster to a more convincing, tortured man, trapped by a cursed blade. A victim in this whole affair just like those he murdered.
As far as Tanosuke and Hykkimaru’s fights, I thought they looked great. Dororo doesn’t have Mob Psycho’s explosive, bombastic color or crazy camera angles, but it does have good cinematography and choreography. For instance, the fact that Hyakkimaru’s fake body parts came into effect and were used against a human opponent. Sacrificing a fake leg he can fix to disarm his opponent. Not only was it a clever use of what was at hand, but it fit Hyakkimaru’s goal as well. He was never aiming to kill Tanosuke, but the sword. To disarm him. We see this when he doesn’t finish him off, when fighting Dororo when he has the sword, and also in the finale when all of his strikes are aimed at the blade. In fact, I do not believe we have seen Hyakkimaru purposely kill a human yet, which makes scenes in the OP even more interesting.
For the previously mentioned color palettes, I compared it to Mob Psycho, and in last episode derided it a bit. Dororo made me decide this week that this is a clear stylistic choice. It’s not accident, but a deliberate choice, and this episode made that clear. Dororo clearly isn’t afraid to use bright colors, we saw them in the flashback’s and on the sword. Unlike Mob Psycho however, which bathes the viewer in bright colors, making it look unlike any other series on TV, Dororo uses these colors sparingly, with purpose. Painting the blood a bright red, the flowers a striking blue, the swords runes a royal purple. It uses these colors to draw the eye to the important parts, taking a very “less is more” approach. Personally, I think Dororo is doing this well so far. I still have the sunset frames from last episode stuck in my head.
Finally, Hyakkimaru and Dororo’s relationship. This was a curious one to me. Dororo is clearly starting to understand Hyakkimaru more. Letting him stand out in the rain, not bothering him. I enjoy seeing their relationship progress, almost as much as I enjoy seeing Hyakkimaru develop more as a person. We saw a, rather obvious, hint of it this very episode. As Dororo has the sword and is running away, thinking Hyakkimaru was trying to hurt him. Hopefully this lets our little thief start to realize they can trust our walking muppet, as trust is a clear issue for him.
All in all, Dororo did a good job this week. Made me realize that some of my issues from last week were actual stylistic choices, rather than mistakes. I do think there were some continuity issues though sadly. For instance, how did they get here? What happened to the old blind man? Episodic is great when your not trying to tell a larger story. Yet Dororo is clearly trying to do just that with the cuts to Hyakkimaru’s father, as he learns his child still lives. Dororo want’s a clear through line, yet is only vaguely connecting some episodes. Its a small complaint, but it is there and it does concern me. With an expected 2 cour run though, Dororo has plenty of time, so there is no need to rush. And personally? I am looking forward to whats to come.
What do you think though? How does Dororo’s use of colors make you feel? Is the episodic nature a sticking point for you? Let me know below, and I will see you next week!
I really loved this episode, especially the ambiguity involved in Tanosuke’s story that you mentioned. I think the fight animation was really good too! Much better than I expected.
Personally I love the colour palette, kinda reminds Yimou Zhang’s movie ‘Shadow’ with the usage of muted/bleak colours. I guess that in a way this is to help us better understand Hyakkimaru’s perspective of the world around him where he can only see in shades of grey/red. It’s too early to say if the episodic nature of the show but I find it refreshing to not go through too much of the minutiae of travelling from point A to point B! Based on what we’ve seen of the show so far its very likely that they’ll return to Hyakkimaru’s connection with the old man in another episode or two.
Great episode review Lenlo I found it very insightful 🙂
Thank you!
The point about Hyakkimaru’s perspective of the world is an interesting one, I had not considered that, its a good idea. I suppose we will see what happens when he inevitably gets his eyes back wont we?
For the travel, you make a good point. I agree, the lack of travel time is a bonus. It would be dull to see them spend 5-10 minutes walking each week. I suppose I just wanted it addressed is all. So we get a sense of time and where everything is in relation to each other. Its a nitpick at worst, but with how good Dororo is doing, nitpicks are all I really have.
I appreciate the comment and glad you enjoy the show!