1 I’m glad to die before that day comes – Souryo, the priest
Chief Daigo had claimed that the holy path to Buddha is non-existent when he went to make a deal with the 12 devils. The priest, who tried to stop him, did lose his life but he made sure that he left a well-intended reminder before his departure.
2 No matter his appearance, he is our son – Nui no Kata, mother of Hyakkimaru
Daigo had unknowingly bartered their son’s limbs and other senses to the demons in return for the power he craved and wanted nothing to do with a child that was barely breathing. But Nui, the child’s mother, refused to let go of her son and kept protesting despite everyone’s dissent.
3 Human lives were hardly worth more than a stone on the ground – Narrator
War brings people together in the name of violence and makes expendables out of those on the front lines. All the soldiers who are drafted with dreams of victory only end up as casualties in the guise of honor.
4 Are you human?- Dororo
Hyakkimaru wore prosthetics to cover up for his lack of body parts and his body moved with no hesitation due to his inability to feel any pain. His face mask in particular, along with the puppet-like stance and movement made him appear less human and more doll-like.
5 We see some things people with sight can’t see – Biwamaru
The unlikely duo, on their quest to look for the second demon, stumbled upon Biwamaru, who was an old, blind monk. It was Biwamaru who assured Dororo into trusting Hyakkimaru’s instincts despite his lack of sight as some things are visible only to those who cannot see, such as the color of one’s soul.
6 But he has a curious power. The strong power to survive – Jukai
Despite a father who wanted him dead; despite having no senses and limbs, and despite being hunted by ghouls from a young age due to the remnants of demonic traces, Hyakkimaru survived. He lived against all odds.
7 I only wished for one thing: for him to overcome his destiny and live strongly. That was all at first…have I made the wrong decision again?- Jukai
Jukai was not ready to let go of Hyakkimaru, but he understood that the child must get back what was taken from him if he wants to live.
8 I can’t go with you. I’d only be in your way. I couldn’t do anything for you. All I did was teach you to kill – Jukai
Jukai had brought up Hyakkimaru by himself and taught him everything he could. But he understood that he must eventually part ways with the child, and felt guilty that he couldn’t do more for him. He could only teach him the basics of survival, but it takes a lot more than eating and sleeping to be truly human.
9 Hyakkimaru drowned in the flood of sound – Narrator
Hyakkimaru had lived his entire life in silence, and having his ears grow back led to a sudden influx of unfamiliar sounds that completely overwhelmed him. He wouldn’t stop covering his ears and kept getting severely injured during fights.
10 You’re like a wounded beast, hiding in his cave – Biwamaru
Hyakkimaru couldn’t bear the sounds around him, and wouldn’t let go of his ears even when Biwamaru forced him to get used to human voices. Just like a wounded beast who tends to itself while hiding in its lair, Hyakkimaru too had cocooned himself into a tiny space.
11 Mama was admirable, but so are you for staying alive – Dororo
Dororo was uncomfortable after she found out about Mio’s profession but she also understood that Mio was taking care of those children in the middle of a war, hoping that one day they could have their own field of paddy. So Dororo cheered her up as she sent her off to work one last time.
12 I found a red flower and pulled it I found a red flower for her Where shall I place this crimson treasure Nowhere other than in her hair -Mio
Mio claimed that she sang this song whenever she was unhappy, but she also sang it for Hyakkimaru during the time they all resided in that dilapidated hut. This was because her singing was the only sound his freshly grown ears could bear. However, this song has now become a bittersweet reminder of what happened up that mountain during the duo’s absence.
13 Humans and bugs, they’re all the same. Life is life – Yajiro
Joroghumo survived by taking away the life source of humans, but she spared Yajiro, the man who had saved her. In her opinion, he was strange for trying to help and save everyone, but that is also what made her fond of him. He strongly believed that every living creature deserved to live.
14 Mama, is this what hell is like? – Dororo
After being betrayed by Itachi, Dororo and her parents were left to wander alone for their survival. They had to scrounge for food from the dead soldiers who fought in the war, and her mother agreed that hell must not be as bad as what they saw was.
15 The war will end someday, you mustn’t lose to it until then – Ojiya (Dororo’s mother)
Ojiya could only do so much to ensure her child’s survival, and she soon passed away in front of Dororo, probably due to severe winter and starvation. These were her last words to her daughter.
15 Bone-chilling Quotes from Dororo
1. I’m glad to die before that day comes – Souryo, the priest
2. No matter his appearance, he is our son – Nui no Kata, mother of Hyakkimaru
3. Human lives were hardly worth more than a stone on the ground – Narrator
4. Are you human?- Dororo
5. We see some things people with sight can’t see – Biwamaru
6. But he has a curious power. The strong power to survive – Jukai,
7. I only wished for one thing: for him to overcome his destiny and live strongly. That was all at first…have I made the wrong decision again?- Jukai
8. I can’t go with you. I’d only be in your way. I couldn’t do anything for you. All I did was teach you to kill – Jukai
9. Hyakkimaru drowned in the flood of sound – Narrator
10. You’re like a wounded beast, hiding in his cave – Biwamaru
11. Mama was admirable, but so are you for staying alive – Dororo
12. I found a red flower and pulled it I found a red flower for her Where shall I place this crimson treasure Nowhere other than in her hair -Mio
13. Humans and bugs, they’re all the same. Life is life – Yajiro
14. Mama, is this what hell is like? – Dororo
15. The war will end someday, you mustn’t lose to it until then – Ojiya (Dororo’s mother)