Dorohedoro - Q Hayashida
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Dorohedoro is a unique work that masterfully blends violence, dark humor, and a dystopian setting. Q Hayashida paints a world where magic and brutality coexist, delivering a reading experience that is both disorienting and gripping.
The story follows Caiman, a man with a reptilian head and no memory, who hunts down sorcerers in an effort to discover who transformed him. Alongside his friend Nikaido, he roams the alleys of Hole—a city ravaged by magic and decay. Each encounter is a desperate step toward reclaiming his lost identity.
The narrative unfolds across two distinct worlds: Hole, a grim slum plagued by magic, and the sorcerers’ realm—a stratified society where magical power determines status. Sorcerers use Hole as a testing ground, transforming residents into grotesque beings or killing them without remorse.
Hayashida’s gritty, detailed art style reinforces the oppressive atmosphere of the universe. Characters, each with a distinct and bizarre design, move through chaotic and organic settings. The ever-present dark humor offers a strange sense of levity amid the overwhelming violence.
Originally serialized in Monthly Ikki from 2000 to 2014, then in Hibana until 2017, and finally in Monthly Shōnen Sunday until 2018, Dorohedoro spans 23 volumes. In France, the series is published by Soleil Manga, with a new 12-volume “Chaos Edition” set for release in 2025.