"Dororo" is a dark fantasy anime series set in Japan's Sengoku period, a time of constant warfare and social upheaval. The story centers on Hyakkimaru, a young man born without limbs, skin, eyes, ears, or a voice due to a pact his father, the ambitious warlord Daigo Kagemitsu, made with 48 demons. In exchange for granting Daigo's lands prosperity and power, the demons claimed parts of Hyakkimaru's body. Abandoned and left to die, Hyakkimaru is rescued by a kind prosthetics maker, Jukai, who crafts him artificial limbs and trains him to survive. As Hyakkimaru grows, he discovers he can reclaim his body by slaying the demons that took it, gaining a new organ or limb with each victory.

During his journey, Hyakkimaru encounters Dororo, a resourceful and street-smart orphan thief. The two form an unlikely partnership, with Dororo providing companionship and guidance while Hyakkimaru protects them from danger. Their travels take them across a war-torn landscape, where they confront not only demons but also the moral complexities of human ambition, greed, and suffering. Hyakkimaru's quest to regain his humanity is fraught with challenges, as each demon he defeats brings him closer to wholeness but also forces him to confront the consequences of his father's actions and the suffering inflicted on others.

Daigo Kagemitsu, now a powerful ruler, becomes aware of Hyakkimaru's existence and sees him as a threat to his demon-brokered prosperity. This sets the stage for a conflict between father and son, as Hyakkimaru's actions inadvertently destabilize the fragile peace Daigo has maintained. The series explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the cost of power, with Hyakkimaru's journey serving as a metaphor for reclaiming one's humanity in a world rife with corruption and despair. The dynamic between Hyakkimaru and Dororo evolves throughout the series, blending moments of levity with the overarching grim tone of their quest. The narrative is punctuated by encounters with various demons, each representing different facets of human vice and suffering, as well as the broader societal struggles of the era.