In the anime Dororo, the character known as Dororos Mutter is named Ojiya. She is the mother of the young protagonist Dororo and the wife of Hibukuro, a man who led a group of outcasts and former farmers against the oppressive samurai class. Ojiya's background is rooted in the harsh realities of a war-torn countryside, where she and her family were driven from their peaceful farming life into a desperate existence as wanderers.

Ojiya is defined by her quiet strength, gentle heart, and profound moral integrity. Despite the extreme poverty and suffering she endures, she refuses to compromise her principles. In one of the most defining examples of her character, Dororo later recalls that her mother chose to starve rather than sell her body for food, a lesson that deeply shapes her daughter’s own sense of honor. Her personality is one of selfless devotion, particularly toward her child. She is soft-spoken and caring, showing remarkable resilience in the face of loss. Her deepest hatred is reserved for the samurai, whom she blames for destroying her family and the lives of common people.

Ojiya’s primary motivation is the survival and protection of her daughter, Dororo. After her husband sacrifices himself in a conflict with samurai, Ojiya becomes the sole caregiver for the young girl. Her role in the story is largely a tragic, backstory-driven one, as she dies before the main narrative begins. However, her presence is felt throughout the series as her teachings and the memory of her sacrifice guide Dororo’s actions and strengthen her resolve. The most significant aspect of her role involves the secret treasure map. Her husband, Hibukuro, had hidden treasure to be used for the people’s liberation. Unable to bear the burden of knowing the map herself, Ojiya requested that the map be tattooed onto her own back, where she could not see it, ensuring she would not be tempted to use it selfishly. She also ensured part of the map was marked on Dororo, making her daughter the key to a future hope.

Her key relationship is, of course, with her daughter, Dororo. The bond is one of absolute love and sacrifice. Ojiya consistently gives what little food she has to her child, growing weaker until she ultimately dies of starvation. In a particularly devastating moment, Ojiya catches boiling-hot porridge with her bare hands to ensure her daughter can eat, suffering severe burns that symbolize her all-consuming maternal love. Her relationship with Hibukuro is one of partnership in struggle; they share a deep, unspoken understanding of their fight against injustice.

The development of Ojiya’s character is a tragic arc from a hopeful mother to a martyr. She transitions from a farmer’s wife to a wanderer, then to a widow, and finally to a woman in terminal decline, steadfastly protecting her child until her last breath. She dies in a field of red spider lilies, holding her daughter, a poignant visual representation of her life’s end. Her only notable ability is her extraordinary willpower and physical endurance, demonstrated by her ability to walk on burned hands and survive on the brink of starvation purely to keep her daughter alive a little longer.