Hyakkimaru

Dororo

“You think you know what it feels like to be given up?! I was given up! I was abandoned!”
^{―Hyakkimaru in the Original Manga, Chapter: Sabame}

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Hyakkimaru (百鬼丸, Hyakkimaru) is the main protagonist of the Dororo Series. He is a ronin searching for parts of his body that were stolen from him by demons and slaying said demons. The demons originally took his body parts as part of a pact with his father and archenemy. After learning the entire truth from his mother, he vows to kill his father and brother and regain all of his missing body parts. He is accompanied on his harsh journey by a young thief named Dororo. Hyakkimaru is displaced in a vile path to achieve his goals until the end. According to Asura, Hyakkimaru is the rightful heir to succeed his father.

Appearance

Hyakkimaru is a Slim, pale youth with a pair of dark brown prosthetic eyes. It is later revealed his actual eyes are also dark brown. He has long black hair that is tied up to a ponytail and bangs that pass his chin, often covering parts of his emotionless face. He bears a strong resemblance to his mother and has thin eyebrows identical as he inherited her own eyebrows. Without his topknot, Hyakkimaru’s long hair seems identical to his mother.

Before the events in the abandoned temple^[1], Hyakkimaru would wear a long scarf along with a tattered cloak during his travels. However, the cloak is burned along with the temple afterward. In the ending of episode 24, he wore sandals. However his last appearance, his hair seems so be longer like his mother’s hair and he grew up into a very beautiful boy.

Underneath is a worn, black kimono with many white anchor-shaped patterns (In episode 23, his sleeves became shorter after regained his arms) and a fundoshi tied around his waist. He initially had many bandages wrapped around his body and a sword equipped on him. To replace his lost limbs, Hyakkimaru is equipped with prosthesis made of wood and colored to look like skin. Before killing the demon that took it, his skin was replaced by bandages and he wore a mask to cover the flesh of his face. They are noticeably mechanical in the 2019 anime, but in most other versions, they look like normal limbs. They are equipped with weaponry, most notably blades mounted inside of the forearms which can be taken off for combat. He loses these weapons as he regains the limbs they replaced. Both of his prosthetic arms were been destroyed by Mutsu. After the siblings’ deaths by his steed, Midoro, Hyakkimaru regained from them his real arms and covered his hands with the bandages from his legs after getting cuts from his blades.

Personality

Anime (2019)

In the beginning, not much of his personality was revealed as he was unable to express himself due to the lack of his voice. With the limited access he has to the world, he was curious, naive and sensitive to his surroundings. Despite that, he possesses an undying determination to regain his body parts no matter the costs. He does have a darker side driven by that same determination.

When Hyakkimaru was shown warmth and comfort for the first time, he immediately grew a liking towards it. This resulted into when the girl whom he was attached to, Mio, was killed, Hyakkimaru was unable to contain his emotions and went berserk. He killed many of Daigo’s troops to avenge her, merciless and brutally; implying that Hyakkimaru can be the brute monster Dororo fears him to be. His rage later simmered down, allowing the two to continue the journey.

After a period of slaying demons with Dororo, Hyakkimaru learned a lot from him during the process. This included acts of generosity and leniency.

However, upon realizing the cruel truth that he was the major threat to the prosperity of his father’s land and many people including his own brother had turned against him for the sake of that land, save for his mother who always loved and treasured him, Hyakkimaru was aggrieved of the unfair treatment he was given. The anger drove him to hunt for demons more vigorously in order to get his body back. It had led Hyakkimaru to lose his humanity and sentiment, as he would not hesitate to destroy those who get in his way. Although he grew cold and merciless, Hyakkimaru still shows concern about Dororo and cares for him. After Dororo got captured, Hyakkimaru became much colder and more merciless than before when slaughtering his father’s troops, who were preparing for war against the Asakura Clan and destroyed their bases to bring destruction to the land. The only way he would regain his humanity and sentiment is from the love and compassion of his mother. In Episode 24 he finally regained his humanity and sentiment when his mother said she always loves him, and becomes kinder with his full body restored to him.

Original Manga

In the original manga, Hyakkimaru has a lot more bravado and is much more self-confident and knowledgeable. He talks a lot more than his version in the 2019 anime, and he has accepted the way that he is (as his present state), with his determination to get his body parts back a little more human-tempered.

Plot

History

During his birth, the demons who made a pact with Kagemitsu took his son’s body parts and limbs but allowed Hyakkimaru to gain demonic powers as side-effects of the curse. As an infant, Hyakkimaru was abandoned by his father but later found by Jukai. Jukai raised him well, training him in sword fighting and giving him his prosthesis as well as his own name. Before the events of the story in the 2019 anime, Hyakkimaru has killed a few dangerous monsters and a demon who devoured his right leg. Prior to setting off on his journey, Jukai gave Hyakkimaru a final upgrade, giving him a new pair of arms with swords attached on them. Once all preparations were completed, he headed out on his journey to kill all 12 demons and regain his body parts.

Relationship

Jukai

Jukai is Hyakkimaru’s parental guardian after being abandoned by Daigo Kagemitsu. Hyakkimaru was single-handedly raised by Jukai from a newborn to an adolescent and was the first to ever given care towards him. The prostheses built by Jukai had granted Hyakkimaru the ability to move around freely and complete daily needs. However, he soon realized that Hyakkimaru was not born crippled, but in fact, had his body parts stolen by demons. Due to this, Jukai set him off on a journey so as he could regain all of the missing pieces of his body.

Later on, Hyakkimaru was reunited with Jukai soon after being separated from Dororo. Hyakkimaru, who was in an unstable state as his leg prosthetic was severed, temporarily stayed with Jukai to recover. Although Jukai refused to give Hyakkimaru another prosthetic leg fearing that Hyakkimaru will end up suffering from loneliness and became fallacious, Hyakkimaru did not blame nor have a grudge on him. Rather, Hyakkimaru was grateful for Jukai’s deed. Soon Hyakkimaru parted with Jukai in order to rescue Dororo from Itachi and his men.

Dororo

Dororo is Hyakkimaru’s traveling companion. After saving Dororo from a mud demon, the young child approached Hyakkimaru and began to follow him wherever he went. Due to Dororo’s soul which did not indicate a threat, he allowed Dororo to linger around and help him.

As time passed, Hyakkimaru grew fond of Dororo and eventually developed a soft spot for her. Considering Dororo was the ‘only friend’ Hyakkimaru has, Hyakkimaru values her very much and keeps her by his side at all times. When Dororo is taken or missing, Hyakkimaru strives to bring her back even if it means to put a pause in his mission. The attachment towards Dororo begins to warp Hyakkimaru into killing Daigo’s troops when Dororo was captured. Hyakkimaru won’t let anyone harm Dororo.

His Family

After learning the truth from his mother, Hyakkimaru holds an absolute hatred toward almost all of his family and his land. He vowed to kill his father and brother and lay waste to his own birthplace. His mother, Nui No Kata, is the only one family member who cared for him and treasured him as her greatest gift in contrast to her husband and youngest son. Unbeknownst to Hyakkimaru, his mother has betrayed her land and other family members, even her own marriage ties, and saved and sided with Dororo in her search for her son. Hyakkimaru shown sympathy after his mother and brother’s deaths. He showed pity when his father passed away from the side-effects. He seems to let go of his hatred toward his family as he is the last one.

Kagemitsu Daigo

Kagemitsu Daigo is Hyakkimaru’s father and his archenemy who made the pact with the demons, allowing them to “devour” Hyakkimaru’s body. For the prosperity of his land, Daigo cared less about his first son and sacrificed him when the demons had taken pretty much everything from the child. Hyakkimaru oddly recognized his soul to be quite similar to Tahomaru. Later on, after Nui No Kata let him know the truth, he only became aware that his body parts were missing because of Daigo’s deal. After the events with Dororo and realizing how much he needs his body, his hatred towards his father, Kagemitsu, grew more potent. Although father and son, Hyakkimaru would never forgive him and would not hesitate to slay Kagemitsu down, even if it meant bringing the destruction of his own birthplace. After Asura’s defeat and Nui and Tahomaru’s deaths, Hyakkimaru went to the Hall of Hell when his father offered him to do seppuku as his kaishakunin to end him, since Kagemitsu is dying from his pact with the demons being broken, causing fatal blood loss. Hyakkimaru let go of his hatred toward his father, however, placing a statue of the Goddess of Mercy carved by Jukai and letting him pass away.

Nui No Kata

Nui No Kata is Hyakkimaru’s beloved mother. Nui No Kata, as a mother felt horrible guilt for not being able to protect her child when Daigo Kagemitsu abandoned him. During the commotion at the Banmon wall, she attempted to sacrifice herself to the demons which she believes could help Hyakkimaru to bear the weight of the prosperity of the land. She also revealed the entire truth behind Hyakkimaru’s missing body parts and plead Hyakkimaru for forgiveness. Hyakkimaru did not know much about his mother as he only interacted with her merely for a short while, however, her truthful words seemingly worry him. In Episode 22, Nui has an unbreakable love for her son as she searched for him but forced to return. She is the only person who can stop Hyakkimaru’s rage. After Asura’s defeat, Nui hugs Hyakkimaru and apologized for not saving him from his abandonment and that she always loved him. With this love, Hyakkimaru addresses her as “mama”. When she died in the collapsing castle, Hyakkimaru showed sympathy for the loss of his mother.

Tahomaru

Tahomaru is Hyakkimaru’s younger brother and sworn enemy. At first, Hyakkimaru was curious about Tahomaru’s presence as it was different compared to others. Later on, he found out that Tahomaru was actually his brother. Hyakkimaru never understood why his brother would fight him until Mutsu enlightened him of Tahomaru’s resolve for the land’s “peace”. Seeing that Tahomaru perceived things the same way as their father Daigo Kagemitsu did, Hyakkimaru grew furious towards his own brother. Although they were siblings, Hyakkimaru would not hesitate to slay Tahomaru and bring the destruction the land of Daigo if he remains headstrong to stop him from regaining his body parts. Tahomaru was furious both when Hyakkimaru cut out his right eye and his servants’ arms, hating him even more. When they went to the demon statues, Tahomaru and his servants received Hyakkimaru’s eyes and arms to replace their own. Hyakkimaru defeated Tahomaru but did not kill him. They ended their feud then and there when Tahomaru removed his brother’s eyes from his head as Asura attempted to possess him using them. After his brother died in the collapsing castle, Hyakkimaru showed sympathy for his death.

Mio

Mio was Hyakkimaru’s first love. Enamoured by her melody and kindness, Hyakkimaru had fallen in love with the girl and soon confessed his feelings towards her. Before he could fully understand why Mio pushed him aside, Mio was killed by Daigo’s men. This led to Hyakkimaru’s rage and devastation, and her death left a scar in his heart.

Biwamaru

Biwamaru is a traveling blind monk who befriended and recognized Hyakkimaru. He advised him to get used to anything when regaining his body parts. After learning that Hyakkimaru killed Kagemitsu’s men, Biwamaru tells him to be careful when involved with bad people.

Power & Abilities

• Enhanced Physical Abilities – Due to the side-effects of his father’s offering for his body parts to the 48 Demons, Hyakkimaru possesses demonic strength and enchanted senses that help him kill demons and the demonic power that is stronger than normal humans even as a child. This demonic power has kept him alive after when he survives from his abandonment by Kagemitsu during his birth. He is also very agile, able to dodge attacks quickly and position himself. He has immense reflexes to block anything coming toward him such as an arrow. Getting the powers from the help of Midoro, Hyakkimaru became more powerful than before with the red aura consumed through him making him unstoppable and seemingly invulnerable with his powers that hold no equal and that Daigo’s troops cannot stand a chance against him even in large number. According to Dororo, his demonic flame inside of him gets gradually stronger, meaning that Hyakkimaru might transform into a “demon” if Dororo and Nui cannot stop him. When presumably become a demon, Hyakkimaru would gain immortality and more invulnerable to all threats and his strength would be more compounded than an ordinary human. The only way to stop this rage is his mother’s compassion and love. He also has extraordinary healing factor and regeneration, His wounds heal quicker and his right leg that Arijigoku cut off also regrow in a short period of time after killed the demon. Due to this curse, he doesn’t feel anything and the injuries he took are just temporary even from Mutsu’s arrow and Tahomaru slashed him even fall from the cliff. No one can stand a chance against him even in large number as Hyakkimaru is more powerful than anyone who would face him.

• Soul Sight – Although he is born-blind, he can still see the colour of others’ souls, which allows him to indicate evil beings. However, after he regained his eyes, Hyakkimaru no longer sees souls anymore.

• Telepathy ^{(Manga Only)} – Before he had his voice, Hyakkimaru used telepathy to communicate with others. ^[2]

• Prosthetic Body – Majority of his body are prosthetic, this allows him to prevent any injuries if the blow was hit on his prostheses. His prosthetic parts are mostly weaponized. His arms have swords hidden in them, which he can easily slip them off and fight. His legs are filled with caustic chemicals that are corrosive to demons and monsters ^{(Manga Only)}. He also has a detachable prosthetic nose that is explosive ^{(Manga Only)}. All the prostheses were built and given to him by Jukai. However, his mask, prosthetic legs, nose, ears, spine, what’s left of his arms and eyes pop off after regaining his body parts. But letting both of his prosthetic arms to be destroyed when fighting Tahomaru and his servants. Hyakkimaru loses these prosthesis as he regains his body.

• Sword Proficiency – Hyakkimaru had learned swordsmanship when he was a child. ^[3] He can wield his swords with ease and cut down enemies swiftly as well as break weapons such as swords, spears and arrows into pieces and cut through armour. He easily defeated his brother, Tahomaru as he slashed his right eye without sustaining any injuries and left a scar on Tahomaru. ^[4] However, his blades became rusted and one of them broken when against Tahomaru and his servants until a blacksmith, Munetsuna, fixed and sharpened his blades made them more powerful. His newly forged blades are much more powerful than before when he killed Nue and Saburota. With his newly demonic powers imbued his blades after losing Dororo, Hyakkimaru single handily killed Daigo’s entire troops without any difficulty, tearing them to shreds. Even regaining his arms, he can use his blades with his bare hands with great skill. Any humans who would challenge Hyakkimaru would end up being killed by him with nobody able to defeat him, not even his father and brother. He left his blades in Asura’s crystal-like heart after slaying it.

Gallery

Anime (2019)

Trivia

• When Hyakkimaru saw Dororo for the first time, Dororo looked surprisingly cuter than what he had pictured in mind. ^[5]
• Hyakkimaru made an appearance in Young Black Jack, which he is an alternate character named Hyakki Maruo who is a doctor that lost all four of his limbs.
• Hyakkimaru’s name in kanji (百鬼丸), when directly translated to English, means “Hundred Demon Circle”.

References

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