When it comes to post-apocalyptic fiction, Dorohedoro is one of the best pieces of fiction aesthetically and story-wise. Whether it's the characters that are introduced throughout the series, or the immensely detailed surroundings around them, every scene oozes a dark and grungey style. Dorohedoro can be pretty gory too at times, as the anime deals with heavier subjects and violent tendencies. The perfect blend of dark comedy and horror makes it an extremely enjoyable watch.
With characters such as the entertaining duo, Caiman and Nikaidou, it's hard not to crack a smile at their witty interactions even when the world around them is so incredibly gloomy. Even the 'bad guys' are pleasant to watch, with Noi and Shin's loyal friendship, and Ebisu's quirky antics. The unique and grisly artwork of Q Hayashida is brought to life, with each character featuring their own individual style and characteristics as they navigate their way through their macabre world.
The Aesthetics
What makes Dorohedoro special is the fact that it strays from the usual pastel cuteness of other shows. It's a refreshing break from the typical anime setting, with meticulous attention to detail of the overall atmosphere of the areas explored within the show. Viewers can sense just how desperate those who reside in the Hole must be, with the run-down buildings and establishments, mixed with the dreary ambiance as the citizens traipse around.
Their world is dangerous too, with magic users, or sorcerers as they're called in the anime, hidden in the shadows as well as the ever-elusive Cross-Eyes. Every episode feels like a fever dream, in a good way. The magic users have unique powers too, such as En's mushroom magic and Noi's healing abilities, making them a tough pair to beat during battles with those who do not wield magic.
The Hole
Dorohedoro largely takes place in the Hole, a post-apocalyptic industrial city where Nikaido and Caiman live. It's where humans reside to stay away from the risk of magic users, but that doesn't mean these sorcerers won't come to pay a visit. From the get-go, viewers can tell just how bad the conditions of the Hole are, with the buildings looking completely run-down and the entire area looking decrepit. The sorcerers come to the Hole to test their magical powers on innocent humans, meaning the residents of the Hole are living in constant fear of being the next test subject.
These experiments affect the human body in many ways, due to the wide array of magical abilities that sorcerers hold. The aesthetic of the Hole perfectly encapsulates the feeling of peril, with the dark, looming, broken buildings packed closely together to create an abundance of grim alleyways where danger could be waiting. It's certainly not a pleasant place to live in and is clearly viewed as a forgotten wasteland by those who are at the top of the hierarchy.
The Magic User World
Alternatively, the location where the magic users occupy seems a lot more refined and cared for than the Hole. En's huge mansion can also be found here, representing his power and prestige within the magic user world. This environment is luxury compared to the squalor of the Hole, further cementing the fact that humans are seen as the lowest of the low. Despite how evil magic users can be, they certainly live a much better lifestyle than humans. The threat they pose to their human test subjects allows them to remain near the top of the hierarchy, with Devils being at the top.
In Dorohedoro, Devils are god-like beings who were also magic users in their past. In the anime adaptation, viewers see Noi working hard towards becoming a Devil herself, which doesn't exactly pan out the way she wanted. Magic users worship the Devils, and they respect them to the highest degree. Any rudeness or discourtesy to Devils is a one-way ticket to death, making the Devils a feared entity in the magic user world. While the magic user world has better living conditions than the Hole, it's still an awfully hazardous place to dwell. With no law, all crime can be done without punishment. Magic users aren't afraid to use their powers against their fellow sorcerers, and with no legal repercussions for their deathly actions, all is truly fair in love and war.
Magic users also wear masks when adventuring outdoors, as these masks enhance their magical powers, making them a useful accessory for any sorcerer. The magic users who are the wealthiest can obtain masks that are personally made by Devils, whereas those lower in the magic user hierarchy stick to purchasing theirs from stores. This is clearly an unfair advantage, with the richest sorcerers having superior masks that allow them to become much stronger compared to their poorer counterparts.
The Gruesome Contracts
There's also a certain event that takes place every four years called the Blue Night Festival, which is a special event for those who wield magical abilities. It's portrayed as a fun festival, resembling a carnival with games and stalls that are located on En's estate. The entire purpose of the Blue Night Festival is the Contract Exchange, where two sorcerers become partners. That seems pretty normal at first until viewers are treated to the morbid reality of just how grotesque the contract process is.
Once two sorcerers have decided to become partners, a Devil will stab a sharp handle into their chests to open them wide open, revealing their internal bodies and ribcage. The Devil then reaches inside to pull out an organ that resembles a fleshy piece of paper, which is then signed by their partner and placed inside their partner's chest. It's a gruesome watch and reaffirms just how macabre the world of Dorohedoro really is.