Dororo stands as one of the most popular anime series in the dark fantasy genre in recent years. Originally based on a manga written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka, the anime has captured the attention of anime lovers worldwide. While many are familiar with the 2019 adaptation, the original Dororo anime first aired in 1969. But, this article focuses on the 24-episode series produced by MAPPA Studio, which was released globally via Amazon Prime from January 7 to June 24, 2019.
MAPPA, one of Japan’s leading animation studios, is also behind popular titles such as The God of High School and Jujutsu Kaisen, which gained widespread success in 2020. The initial season of Dororo enjoyed critical acclaim, leading fans to eagerly anticipate the possibility of a second season. As we reflect on the show’s journey so far, the burning question remains: Has Amazon renewed Dororo for a second season? Let’s take a closer look at the series and explore what we know about a potential continuation.
Dororo Season 2: What is expected?
A samurai lord sacrifices his newborn son’s organs to twelve demons for battlefield supremacy, but the child survives with the help of a doctor. The young hero embarks on a quest to reclaim his body, encountering an orphan known as Japan’s greatest thief along the way. The anticipation for Dororo Season 2 is high, with unresolved mysteries from the first season. Will Dororo and Hyakkimaru reunite, and what will their future hold? Hyakkimaru predicted their reunion, and the final episode hints at it. In a key scene, Hyakkimaru smiles at Dororo against a golden backdrop, signaling their eventual meeting. Biwamaru’s closing narration suggests their destinies are not marked by bloodshed, pointing to a hopeful future despite the dark world they inhabit.
In Season 2, the bond between Hyakkimaru and Dororo will deepen, with Dororo growing into a young woman. The season will explore how their separation shaped them and the emotional weight of their reunion. But as light and darkness coexist, unexpected characters and changes, including Dororo’s potential demonic transformation, will influence their journey. Hyakkimaru may choose forgiveness over vengeance, but this path will come with consequences, setting the stage for gripping adventures ahead.
Will There Be a Second Season of Dororo?
The first season of Dororo aired between January 7 and June 24, 2019. As of December 27, 2024, neither studio MAPPA nor Amazon Prime Video has officially renewed the anime for a second season. Despite the passage of more than five years since the first season concluded, no official announcement has been made regarding a new season. While it’s been a significant amount of time, long gaps between anime seasons are not uncommon in the industry, and there have been instances where shows were greenlit even after a hiatus of over five years. The chances of a second season depend on some main parameters. The anime’s popularity and the availability of source material which is pointing the manga series that the anime is adapted from. Let’s take a deeper look at these aspects to understand the potential for renewal.
The Popularity of the Dororo
In terms of popularity, Dororo has performed notably well. The anime is currently ranked 108th in terms of popularity on MyAnimeList, positioning it among the top-tier anime of recent years, alongside other well-known titles such as Demon Slayer and Fire Force, both of which were released around the same period. Furthermore, the anime generates significant search interest online even today, with searches for “Dororo” and its potential second season.
However, despite its international popularity, Dororo does not boast an exceptionally large following in Japan. As of now, the official Twitter account has approximately 52k followers. And they have lost many followers during this silence period. While this figure is respectable, it is important to note that anime series that are typically renewed for new seasons tend to have a social media following exceeding 100,000.
Dororo is produced by the renowned studio MAPPA, widely recognized for its work on Jujutsu Kaisen and several other high-profile anime series. MAPPA has established itself as one of the most successful studios in the industry, known for its impressive capacity to manage multiple high-quality projects simultaneously. While the studio is currently focused on Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 and other ongoing anime projects, it is unlikely that they would pass up the opportunity to revisit Dororo for a new season. In terms of both the anime’s popularity and the studio’s track record, the outlook appears promising. However, despite these factors, what potential challenges could prevent the production of a second season?
Dororo Manga Status
As previously mentioned, Dororo is an anime adaptation of the classic manga series written by Osamu Tezuka. The original Dororo manga was serialized between 1967 and 1969, spanning four volumes. In recent years, Satoshi Shiki has been illustrating a modernized version of the manga, published in Champion Red magazine. This remake retains the core story and tone of Tezuka’s original work, though the characters’ designs have been updated for a contemporary audience.
While the manga remains a beloved part of anime history, it’s important to note that the source material is limited, with the original manga no longer ongoing. The first season of Dororo (2019) adapted most of the original 4-volume manga by Osamu Tezuka, which was serialized between 1967 and 1969. While the anime followed the core plot of Hyakkimaru’s quest to reclaim his body parts from demons, it expanded the story with additional content, characters, and deeper themes such as morality and redemption. The anime restructured certain events and introduced new material not found in the manga, providing a more comprehensive narrative while staying true to the original story. Given this, the prospects for a direct second season of Dororo seem unlikely since no material can be adapted for a second season.
Can the Remake Manga Series Lead to a Second Season of Dororo?
The original Dororo manga is a concise four-volume series that ran from 1967 to 1969. It tells a complete story that was fully adapted into the 2019 anime. The narrative concluded in a way that felt definitive, with no loose ends or unresolved plotlines. As a result, the first season of the anime covered all the major events and character arcs of the manga, leaving not much room for further development.
The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru, the ongoing remake by Satoshi Shiki, offers an updated version of the original story with modernized artwork and minor character changes. While it provides a fresh visual style, it largely follows the original narrative and doesn’t introduce significant new plot elements. The remake doesn’t expand the story in a way that would easily lead to a second season, as it remains faithful to the original manga’s conclusion. This makes it difficult for the anime to continue based on the remake manga. Although the remake brings new artistic interpretations, it doesn’t offer enough fresh content or plot developments to warrant a direct continuation of the anime.
While The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru provides an updated version of the original story, it doesn’t offer the necessary material to support a second season of the Dororo anime. The first season already adapted the complete story with a satisfactory ending, and the remake doesn’t expand upon it in a way that would justify a continuation. As such, a second season based on the remake manga seems unlikely, and the story of Dororo may remain complete in the anime’s current form.
