「無常岬の巻」 (Mujou Saki no Maki)
“The story of the cape of no mercy”

Our latest episode of Dororo reunites Hyakkimaru and Dororo as they try to maneuver their way around the island. But as they try to get back to civilization, they and the bandits face heavy opposition from an incoming ambush from Tahoumaru. On top of all of this, they’ve incurred the wrath of Shiranui, who is thoroughly upset that the humans have once again stomped on his happiness by killing both of his sharks.

The main attraction of this episode was the reunion between Hyakkimaru and Dororo. It was very heartfelt with Hyakkimaru relaying much of the compassion he learned from Jukai onto Dororo with the same head-holding expression of endearment that they shared in the last episode. Through this gesture, Dororo was overwrought with emotion as she still deeply missed him in spite of how he acted towards the village he left in ruin with the moth demon’s demise. But what Hyakkimaru’s visit with Jukai helped solidify was the fact that Dororo was his closest link to humanity as a whole. The time he spent with Dororo gave him a sense of belonging and companionship that invigorated the emotional core of Hyakkimaru that the demons were never able to take away from him.

Because Hyakkimaru is emotionally attached and invested in his time with Dororo, it strengthened the more introspective side of Hyakkimaru that evaluates his motivations towards protecting Dororo as well as learning about those around him. Although he rationalizes Tahoumaru as his enemy, it is through his own questioning that led him to this conclusion. Whereas he could’ve just kept swinging in whichever direction his vision took him, he was more apt to ask Tahoumaru and his retainers why exactly they want to kill him. The fight was easily the most visually impressive action we’ve seen in the second half, but the impression I received from this episode’s central conflict is the pendulum swinging with Hyakkimaru embracing his personal feelings as Tahoumaru closes off his own. At this point in time, raiding an island to kill off anyone in sight isn’t off the table for Tahoumaru, and while he still felt tension when his retainers were injured, the direction he’s charging in at this point is not looking bright for him.

Itachi might not have entirely changed in this episode, but with his death inching closer and closer, he continues to straddle the line between showing some form of sympathy for Dororo and being self-absorbed in his pursuit of her father’s treasure. Throughout the episode, he’s constantly switching motives, whether it be trying to help Dororo escape to safety or restlessly aiming to pursue the treasure no matter the casualties. Although Dororo kept trying to stop him from mindlessly chasing after the treasure, much of her growth came from being able to put aside any of the animosity that she has towards Itachi. As he breathes his last breaths of air, she intends on respecting his wish to see her father’s treasure before Shiranui causes the rockslide. After Itachi dies, she even goes as far as pray for his soul, hoping that he doesn’t cause trouble for her father in the afterlife. Even though they didn’t take the treasure with them, Dororo learns in this part of her journey that she wants to have more time to learn about the correct path before she returns to claim her fortune.

4 Comments

  1. https://randomc.net/image/Dororo/Dororo%20-%2018%20-%2032.jpg

    There was no treasure in the manga. All Itachi and Dororo find is an empty pot with a written message from Hibikuro saying he didn’t trust Itachi, so he’d hidden the treasure in another location to fund a people’s uprising. Tezuka never addressed the treasure or gave more clues after that, since the manga ended shortly after.

    Tezuka may have intended an ironic outcome for Itachi’s greed, but it does create inconsistency that Hibikuro would’ve risked his beloved child’s life for a risky ruse.

    https://randomc.net/image/Dororo/Dororo%20-%2018%20-%2025.jpg

    Manga Shiranui never blew himself up to get revenge on everyone. Instead he challenges Hyakki to a duel to the death to avenge Jiroumaru; Hyakki wins. A dying Shiranui asks he be buried with his pet sharks. Dororo and Hyakki tie Shiranui’s body to Jiroumaru and set the 2 adrift to sea.

    https://randomc.net/image/Dororo/Dororo%20-%2018%20-%2010.jpg

    Instead of Tahoumaru’s army, the manga has a random army led by a random magistrate seeking Hibikuro’s treasure. They’d been secretly following Itachi hoping he’d lead them to the treasure.

    zztop
    1. As always, thanks for the comparison between the source material and the current adaptation.

      So we’ve pretty much run out of source material to cover with 6 episodes left (!!)
      Tahoumaru doesn’t seem to be aware of the treasure, which means Dororo and Hyakkimaru still have a chance of getting some semblance of a comfortable life in the future.

      A decisive battle between Daigo’s sons looms over the horizon, and it’s hard to predict how it will end.

      Kudos to the writers for this excellent adaptation.

      Magnus Tancred
      1. There’s still source material left to cover, about 4 more chapters.
        The question is whether the last 5 episodes will cover them, since Ep 19 looks to be wholly anime-original.

        zztop
  2. FWIW, I think Itachi and Dororo were close all along. While Itachi is obviously driven in his pursuit of the treasure, in every other respect, he looks fondly upon Dororo, like a nephew or niece (depending upon when). And Dororo has a comfort level with him despite what happened between Itachi and her parents. He was a pretty good character.

    The contrasting development of Hyakki and Tahou has been interesting to watch.

    Mockman

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