The Bottom Line
Now that we've been introduced to Hyakkimaru and his pint-sized sidekick Dororo in Dororo Volume 1, Volume 2 turns up the family drama a notch, and brings in some astounding demons inspired by Japanese mythology. Tezuka's artistry is still in full effect, as he shows readers numerous examples of his eye for panel and page composition.
The downside to this second volume is that Dororo and Hyakkimaru's adventures start to fall into a predictable pattern. It's still a great read, but here's hoping that Volume 3 ups the ante in the plot twist department.
Pros
- Tezuka turns up the family drama as Hyakkimaru is reunited with his parents and brother
- More action-packed fight scenes with an amazing array of demons, including a nine-tailed fox
- Includes many examples of Tezuka's innovative panel and page composition style
- Themes of a country senselessly divided by war and class warfare mirror the turmoil of the '60s
Cons
- Dororo and Hyakkimaru's adventures start to follow a predictable pattern
- Hyakkimaru's introduction to his long-lost family seems too convenient, and over too soon
- Dororo's comical, exaggerated gestures seem out of place in the story's more serious moments
- Tezuka tends to portray women as either evil man-eating succubus or demure, self-sacrificing saints
Description
- Original Title: Dororo (Japan)
- Author & Artist: Osamu Tezuka
- Publishers:
Vertical Inc. (US)
Shogakukan (Japan) - ISBN: 978-1934287170
- Cover Price: $13.95 US / $15.95 CANADA
- Age Rating:
Not rated, but suitable for OT – Older Teens, Age 16+ for graphic violence
More about content ratings. - Manga Genres:
- Shonen (Boys') Manga
- Action / Adventure
- Fantasy
- Historical
- Paranormal / Supernatural
- Samurai Action
- US Publication Date: June 2008
Japan Publication Date: 1967 - Book Description: 300 pages, black and white illustrations
- More Manga by Osamu Tezuka:
Guide Review - Dororo Volume 2
With the formalities of introductions and origins out of the way in the first volume, Dororo Volume 2 kicks up the family drama a notch for both Hyakkimaru and Dororo. The two orphans get (kinda) reunited with their parents and new secrets about their past are revealed to make their journey together more meaningful. We also see their relationship develop into humorous, brotherly bantering.
But the best part about Dororo Volume 2 are the demons, and what demons they are. A shape-shifting nine-tailed fox. A statue that steals faces. A moth woman from another world. When these supernatural creatures come into the scene, Tezuka gives readers some dazzling character designs, action-packed fight scenes, and numerous examples of his cinematic style of panel and page composition.
After so many generations of manga artists who have been inspired by Tezuka's innovations, it can be easy to take his talent for granted. I had just read Tatsuo Yoshida's Speed Racer: Mach GoGoGo, which was created at about the same time. When I compared the two, it became clear: Tezuka's artistry was leap years ahead of his time.
But after several similar adventures, Dororo's episodes falls into a pattern: Find demon. Fight demon. Defeat demon. Get new body part. Get chased out of town by ungrateful peasants. The women of Dororo also fall into two predictable archetypes: the man-eating succubus who seduces the ignorant, and the self-sacrificing mother-saint who'd give up her life to protect her young. But if you've read much of Tezuka's other works, you won't find this too surprising.
Still, those are minor distractions from Tezuka's considerable artistic talents, his storytelling skills and Dororo's overall entertainment value. Dororo Volume 2 is well worth picking up, and is sure to inspire readers to stick around for Volume 3.
