Dororo is a young orphaned thief and the deuteragonist of the story, whose fate becomes inextricably linked with that of the warrior Hyakkimaru. Born to a pair of bandits, Hibukuro and Ojiya, Dororo’s early life was marked by tragedy and loss. After Dororo’s father was killed by samurai, his mother perished from exposure, leaving the child entirely alone in a war-torn and unforgiving world. Before her death, Dororo’s mother used her final moments to draw a map to a hidden treasure on her child’s back, a secret bequest that would become a personal quest for survival.

Living by their wits, Dororo adopted a scrappy and resourceful persona, becoming a self-proclaimed master thief. Initially, Dororo presents as a cheeky, brash, and mischievous child, often displaying an arrogance that belies a desperate need to survive. Despite a rude and cynical exterior, this personality masks a deep-seated loneliness and a fierce determination to live. Dororo is curious, daring, and shows little fear, even in the face of the supernatural, which is what allows the child to approach the eerie and prosthetic-laden Hyakkimaru without hesitation.

Dororo’s primary motivation shifts from mere survival to a quest for a place of belonging. After being saved from a mud demon by Hyakkimaru, Dororo decides to follow the enigmatic ronin, initially claiming to want to steal his sword or profit from his demon-slaying abilities. However, this arrangement quickly evolves into a genuine partnership. For Hyakkimaru, Dororo acts as a guide to the human world, handling social interactions, securing food and lodging, and verbally translating the moral complexities of the situations they encounter since Hyakkimaru cannot initially see, hear, or speak. In return, Dororo finds in Hyakkimaru the first sense of security and family experienced since losing their parents. The traveling companion becomes the warrior’s voice and eyes to the world, while the warrior becomes the child’s protector.

Dororo’s relationship with Hyakkimaru is the emotional core of the narrative. What begins as a convenient partnership based on mutual need deepens into a profound sibling-like bond. Dororo affectionately calls Hyakkimaru aniki, a Japanese term for an older brother. This bond is tested as Hyakkimaru regains his body parts and experiences human emotions like rage and sorrow for the first time, sometimes becoming consumed by a violent, inhuman bloodlust. In these moments, Dororo serves as Hyakkimaru’s tether to his remaining humanity, pleading with him not to become the very monsters they hunt. Similarly, Hyakkimaru’s rare moments of tenderness, such as learning to speak Dororo’s name or showing frantic concern when the child is ill or captured, demonstrate the deep, unspoken care that grows between them. Other significant relationships include the brief but impactful connection with the blind musician Biwamaru and a unique alliance with Nui No Kata, Hyakkimaru’s biological mother, who helps Dororo escape captivity and reaffirms her love for her son.

Throughout the journey, Dororo undergoes significant character development, transitioning from a selfish child focused solely on stealing to survive into a compassionate and morally grounded individual. The harsh realities of the world, where the destruction of a demon that has taken Hyakkimaru’s body parts can simultaneously destroy the false prosperity of an entire village, force Dororo to mature quickly. Dororo begins to question the cost of their quest and struggles with the ethical dilemmas of sacrificing a community’s peace for Hyakkimaru’s physical wholeness. This internal conflict represents a major step in the character’s growth from a pure survivor to someone who understands sacrifice, empathy, and the weight of difficult choices.

Regarding abilities, Dororo has no supernatural powers or formal combat training. The primary skill is an exceptional accuracy with throwing rocks. Despite a small frame, the character wields a strong throwing arm capable of hunting small game for food or disarming armed samurai and demons in critical moments. Dororo is also noted for possessing a powerful and startling vocal cry that can momentarily stun or disable nearby enemies, providing a crucial distraction in combat. Beyond physical prowess, Dororo’s greatest strengths are street smarts, pickpocketing, negotiation, and a keen observational sense, all of which are essential for navigating the dangerous landscapes of a feudal Japan plagued by war and demons. In the original manga, it is revealed that Dororo was born female but was raised as and lives as a boy for the entire story, a facet of identity that adds depth to the character’s navigation of a brutal, patriarchal society.