Hyakkimaru
A boy sold to demons fights to reclaim his stolen body.
Hyakkimaru is the central protagonist of *The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru*, a boy whose body was taken piece by piece by forty-eight demons after his father sold him in exchange for the power to rule. Presumed dead, Hyakkimaru survived thanks to a sage and a series of ingenious prosthetics. Still a child, he embarks on a journey with the young thief Dororo to slay all the demons and recover the stolen pieces of his body. His quest is a direct response to the betrayal of his father, who traded his son's humanity for political ambition during Japan's turbulent Sengoku period.
- Role
- Protagonist
- Setting
- Sengoku Period Japan
- Goal
- Reclaim Body Parts
Lore & Background
Hyakkimaru's story begins before his birth. During Japan's turbulent Sengoku period, his father sold him to a band of demons in exchange for the power to rule. Forty-eight demons took forty-eight pieces of young Hyakkimaru, and the boy was presumed dead. However, with the help of a sage and a series of ingenious prosthetics, Hyakkimaru survived. Still a child, Hyakkimaru embarks on a journey with the young thief Dororo to slay all the demons and recover the stolen pieces of his body. The manga series, written and illustrated by Satoshi Shiki, is a remake of Osamu Tezuka's original *Dororo*. It was serialized in Akita Shoten's *Champion Red* magazine from October 19, 2018, and is ongoing as of 2025.
In Their Own Story
Hyakkimaru was born missing forty-eight pieces of his body, taken by demons as payment for his father's ambition. Left for dead, he was saved by a sage who fitted him with ingenious prosthetics. Now an adult, he travels with the young thief Dororo, hunting down each demon to reclaim what was stolen. Each victory restores a piece of his flesh—limbs, senses, organs—bringing him closer to wholeness. The journey forces him to confront not only the demons but the father who sold him, culminating in a final reckoning during the Sengoku period.
Reader's Guide
Hyakkimaru is the protagonist of *The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru*, a manga series written and illustrated by Satoshi Shiki. He was sold to forty-eight demons by his father during the Sengoku period, losing forty-eight pieces of his body. Presumed dead, he survived with the help of a sage and ingenious prosthetics. Now an adult, he travels with the young thief Dororo, slaying demons to recover his stolen body parts. His goal is to reclaim his humanity piece by piece, confronting the father who betrayed him along the way. The series ran in *Champion Red* from October 19, 2018, to October 18, 2025, and was collected in thirteen volumes.
Did You Know?
- Hyakkimaru was sold to forty-eight demons by his father, losing forty-eight pieces of his body.
- He survived thanks to a sage and a series of ingenious prosthetics.
- The manga is a remake of Osamu Tezuka's original *Dororo* series.
- The series began serialization in *Champion Red* on October 19, 2018, and is ongoing as of 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hyakkimaru?
He is the central protagonist whose body was sacrificed to forty-eight demons by his father in exchange for political power. A doctor saved his life using wooden prosthetics, allowing him to hunt down the spirits that stole his humanity during the Sengoku Period.
What abilities does Hyakkimaru have?
Initially born without limbs or senses, he gains physical abilities like sight and hearing each time he defeats a demon. His fighting style utilizes hidden blades within his prosthetic arms alongside traditional swords.
How does the story conclude for him?
He successfully defeats the demons to recover his stolen flesh and organs, culminating in a confrontation with his father. His journey ends with him choosing to live as a human being rather than remaining a hollow vessel for vengeance.
Why is Hyakkimaru significant to the narrative?
His existence serves as a critique of feudal ambition, representing the innocent victims sacrificed for a lord's greed. The story revolves around his physical and emotional growth as he transitions from a weapon into a person with feelings.
Who accompanies Hyakkimaru on his journey?
He journeys alongside Dororo, a young pickpocket who provides comic relief and human connection during his lonely quest. This partnership is essential because Dororo often reminds Hyakkimaru of the humanity he is fighting to regain.
More in Characters & Demons
Elsewhere in the Dororo universe
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