I’ve long been of the belief that female mangaka, on the whole, have a better batting average with dropping certified classic manga than their male counterparts. Look no further than Rumiko Takahashi, who is doing it like this Inuyasha, Ranma 1/2And Urusei Yatsura; or Hiromu Arakawa, making full Metal Alchemist. Takahashi’s works continue to influence the modern landscape of manga, with series such as gokurakugai And punishment-punishment Paying homage to the series in their DNA. Meanwhile, Arakawa’s FMA Still widely and justifiably regarded as a masterpiece that fans easily recommend to people at the beginning of their manga and anime journey, to give them a taste of what the medium has to offer.
But one thing that is extremely rare to see is a mangaka who can bridge the gap that exists between science-fiction and fantasy fans with works that excel in both. So far, no one is doing it like Kyu Hayashida with his dark fantasy series, dorohedoroand his science-fiction epic, Dai Dark.
In fact, the first is what Fujimoto himself said jokingly chainsaw man (with) there was a deception of Jujutsu Kaisen) when their series was adapted into an anime by Mappa. While the two share Mappa as an animation studio, there’s a lot of truth in Fujimoto’s joke when you look at the series and how it goes from horrifying to hilarious in an instant. So, in that spirit, let’s find out what dorohedoro It’s all about firsts.
dorohedoro It has been described as a manga with a split personality, moving between ultra-violent dark fantasy and deadpan comedy. It follows a man named Kaiman who awakens with no memories, the head of a giant lizard and a mysterious being living inside the void of his mouth. Believing that his current predicament is the work of wizards who are notorious for crossing through the dimensional gates of the Hole, a slimy, dense city that Kaiman calls home, to test on humans, he teams up with his best friend Nikaido to hunt down every wizard they can find.
Their plan: stuff a shaman’s head into the caiman’s mouth and let the person inside declare if they were the one who cursed him. Their investigations (if we can call them that) put them in the crosshairs of N, a powerful wizard crime boss whose subordinates are increasingly turning up dead. So, En sends his enforcers, Shin and Noi, to eliminate them, starting a chaotic cat-and-mouse war between the two worlds that gets stranger, bloodier, and funnier as it progresses.
While the anime adaptation of Mappa’s series is great with its unique fusion of 2D and 3D CG The animation, a soundtrack that’s a real bop, and with a second season coming later this year, there’s honestly no comparison For the artistry of Hayashida’s manga. pound for pound, dorohedoro More disgustingly read than the league chainsaw man It has a wizard feel when it comes to massive destruction. Like, we’re talking mortal Kombat-Level gore. Plus, its panel work is truly amazing to look at, delivering sharp clarity on every ghoulish inanimate equivalent to the writing skills of the late Kentaru Miura. fearless.
Don’t let the series’ grim dark fantasy fool you. dorohedoro It’s as full of grotesque physical horror as it is charming, disarming charm. In fact, it may be the closest we come to a physical embodiment of the extremely thin line between horror and comedy in manga. Just as they’re often blowing out lights across the aisle from each other, they’re also shooting shit, cooking gyoza, eating under the loving warmth of kotatsu, or making movies of their adventures. Its cast is absolutely fantastic, from its gentle Hibo bruisers, Kaiman and Shin, to its stunning muscle moms, Noi and Nikaido.
You’re bound to find someone to like in the group (I’m partial to Ann) as the series has a lot of spinning plates, but it doesn’t fail to make everyone play likeable and white-knuckled characters when they inevitably cross each other’s paths. Plus, its disgusting world filled with wizards, bounty hunters, giant insects, and demons feels so alive, with world-building so engrossing that it feels like a miracle to see it get better with each chapter.
🦎Dorohedoro Season 2
Streaming worldwide begins April 1st!
Check out the brand new chaotic and stylish key visual.Season 1 will be available on even more platforms on March 8th, so check back before Season 2 starts!
Stay tuned for more updates!#dorohedoro #TOHOanimation pic.twitter.com/m93P8Rhh8T
– TOHO Animation EN (@TOHOanimationEN) 8 February 2026
It’s no wonder fans have been racking their brains for years, begging more people to read it and praying that Mappa will put all of his other projects on hold and get back to this as soon as possible. Thankfully, curious folks have plenty of time to check out its manga and watch the first season of the anime, which will soon be released from Netflix jail until season two arrives in April. But if you’re looking for something with more of a sci-fi edge, look no further than dai dark.
Whereas dai darkWhile the cover gives the impression that this is another dark fantasy series, it actually takes place in outer space while still maintaining that wonky quality. dorohedoroUnique art style in a different story, reusing his “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” character designs in a similar style to mangaka Hiro Mashima fairy tale. Like dorohedoroIt also follows a teenager named Zaha Sanko. Only this time, instead of searching for answers to a widespread mystery, Sanko is being searched across the galaxy. You see, legend has it that Sanka is made differently. More specifically, there is a rumor spreading across the galaxy that whoever collects his bones, Dragon Ball-Shelly, any of his wishes will be fulfilled.
Sanko teams up with Avakian, his sentient skeleton backpack; Shimada Death, the gender-ambiguous physical embodiment of, well, death; and Hajime Damemaru, an immortal man. Together, they are the “Four Little Fuckers”. They travel across the stars, fighting religious cults and tracking down the man who cursed them. yes, it seems pretty much so dorohedoroBut trust me when I say so dorohedoro As good as a campus in space dorohedoro Is in oneself.
Whereas dai dark There’s a touch more aimless fun than dorohedoroWith a clear logline for where the story is going, the series spends so much time dedicating to its misfits, which is a big part of its charm. If anything, those sidequests are ignoring the main quest for fun – like making a “meepwitch”, debating over naming a pet spider, or striking bargains to sell the bones of your potential attackers as currency. resident Evil 4-Looking ass businessman, Misatani Box, as they blast off in their dog-sized spaceship – is big farscape Energy, wrapped up in a scary-cute manga package.
the only caveat dai dark Is it still ongoing (and currently on hiatus). So if you’re interested in getting in on the ground floor with a creator that Fujimoto jokingly admitted to “snapping”, we recommend checking out dorohedoro First, there’s a lot more going on, and then changing lanes to check dai dark Before hitting Hyattsville. Although if you’re more biased towards science-fiction than fantasy, then by all means crack the spines. dai dark First. The more people who know how much of a GOAT Hayashida is, the better.
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