Manga Review: Dorohedoro volume 1

Dorohedoro volume 1
Story and Art: Q Hayashida
Rating: Mature

Graphic violence, otherworldly magic, and black comedy combine to once again prove just how much more over the top Japanese comics are than anything you will see in America. Seriously, this is like some unholy union between A Clockwork Orange and Fullmetal Alchemist. It shouldn’t work but somehow Q Hayashida defies the odds and presents us with a fairly intriguing if not downright disturbing premise.

Lizard-headed Caiman is just your average working joe except for the fact that, well, he has the head of a lizard. Every so often, he heads out into the ghetto to track down and assault any sorcerers he happens upon, looking for retribution against the one that transformed him into what he is. Aided by a combat ready cook Nikaido, his nights generally end with a sorcerer’s head in his mouth.

This is in fact the first scene that we’re introduced to upon cracking open the book; Caiman with his jaws digging into another man’s skull while he asks him what he sees. This is due to the fact that living within Caiman is what appears to be a man whose reason for being there is unknown even to hapless lizard man.

Dorohedoro wastes little time in setting up the plot. Right away it’s made clear that Caiman is a victim, having no clue who he is, how he got a lizard’s head, and why there is a man living inside him. His main course of action is beating any sorcerer he finds, demanding answers in exchange for their life. Of course this is done after hours as he still has to find a way to put food on the table for he and his roommate.

Potential buyers should be aware that this is an unabashedly violent book. Every other page features someone either having their head dug into using Caiman’s teeth or fingers flying throughout the air as they are sliced from a sorcerer’s hand. As if that weren’t enough, almost every page has a character cursing for some reason or another. This is not kid friendly.

Hayashida’s artwork perfectly captures the grimy setting of the story. Her overuse of cross hatching and erratic line work the series’ gritty nature. The character designs carry a retro feel, reminiscent of designs you would find in Akira.

Dorohedoro isn’t for everyone. Some will likely be turned off by the excessive violence and the foul language littering each page. Those who do give it a chance might want to buckle themselves in. This is one wild ride that shows no signs of slowing down.

Dorohedoro volume 1 - B