Dorohedoro (OVA) – Bonus Curse or Extra Evil
Dorohedoro: Bonus Curse or Extra Evil is a series of shorts that expand on the world of Dorohedoro, but will they give us the answers we’re looking for or just leave us with more chaos?
Dorohedoro (OVA) – Bonus Curse or Extra Evil
What did you watch?
After finishing season one of Dorohedoro, I decided that I would fully commit to the cause and watch the thirteenth episode which was actually a compilation of six shorts. I can’t say that I particularly enjoyed Dorohedoro, but I’m going to at least give it every chance to impress me. Anyhow, here are my thoughts on each of the shorts. I’ll try to keep it short…
Kamen Kakusa
In this one, we see how the sorcerers get their masks, although, I’ve yet to see an explanation as to why everyone wears a mask. We see that Shin and Noi get preferential treatment because of their power and status. The devils make them a mask and pamper them while they wait. Fujita, however, has to bring an offering and hope that it pleases the devils. It does not, so he’s forced to make his own mask once more. It was fine, but I still want to know the true purpose of the masks.
Tenpo For You
This short shows us how Nikaido got the Hungry Bug cafe. She was selling gyoza on the streets of the Hole when she found a shop selling tea and sweets. It was quiet, but she soon learned that it was busier at night when the sorcerers would come to visit. That put the owner at odds with the local humans who called him a traitor. Nikaido beat them away and then offered to be the bouncer for the shop. However, one day she came to work and found the shop had been destroyed. The owner was leaving to work for his favourite client and left the shop for Nikaido. Also fine, but nothing special.
Shitappa Seishun Graffiti
Ebisu has become infatuated with En’s family photos and wants to get one of herself made, however, En tells her that they are only for his dear friends and family. She is not either! Regardless, she won’t give up and tries to track down the photographer. In the end, Fujita finds Ebisu and tells her that they are going to be in a photo. She’s excited but then learns that it’s all of En’s staff and not his family or friends. This pretty much summed up the whole slice-of-life style of this series as it was a nothing story and nothing really happened.
Anata no Shiranai Gyoza no Kai
The Gyoza Fairy lives in the Hungry Bug, ensuring that everyone respects the gyoza that Nikaido makes. Anyone who doesn’t gets stabbed with a toothpick and since they can’t see the Gyoza Fairy, it’s quite unsettling. When Nikaido can’t work because of the rain, the Gyoza Fairy makes sure the place is clean for when she’s ready. A very strange and unusual tale that added nothing to the overall story or the world.
Odoru Ma no Utage
En is holding a masquerade ball where everyone has to dance in pairs to please the devils. If they fail, they get stabbed in the butt by the devils. Of course, En didn’t tell Shin that the first time they had one. Desperate to escape from a devil’s pointy fork, Shin asked a mysterious girl to dance with him. Now, he’s hoping that she will be there again, but he has no idea that it was Noi all along. This was a little more fun.
Yokaze ni Fukarete Ooba Kinenbi
Nikaido makes gyoza with Caiman, detailing the whole process like a cooking show. Might be interesting if you want to learn how to make gyoza, otherwise, it’s fine. Sadly, fine pretty much summed up this OVA experience. Unless you’re a hardcore fan of the series, I don’t think there’s much to be gained from watching this OVA series.
Series Information
| English Title | Dorohedoro |
| Japanese Title | Dorohedoro |
| Genres | Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Gore, Horror |
| Demographic | Seinen |
Anime
Season One
| Season | Season One |
| Released | Winter 2020 |
| Animation Studios | MAPPA |
| Episodes | 12 |
OVA
| English Title | Dorohedoro: Bonus Curse or Extra Evil |
| Japanese Title | Dorohedoro: Ma no Omake |
| Released | Spring 2020 |
| Animation Studios | MAPPA |
| Episodes | 6 |
I don’t know which is a waste of resources when something interesting didn’t happen at all or give vital clues to the story’s premise: OVAs or recaps with a significant teaser visual. I remember 86 anime didn’t need to have an unnecessary recap in the first cour because 1) no main seiyuu was in need of recovery; 2) teaser visual featuring a newly-designed robot is the wrong way to make anime-only audience get excited for the next cour.
Now the two elements I’ve just mentioned is why I like how SoLev did (and hopefully Taito Ban won’t go overboard that puts his precious voice in danger next season) though I think the other rumoured reason is because they needed to fill in another week’s slot due to not having a 13th episode.
Anyhow, I’m just glad 86 don’t have OVAs at all because I feel it’ll be unnecessary stuff if there’ll never be any foreshadowing of future arcs/plot points.
I don’t mind OVAs being mindless fun or completely off the topic of the main story as they are often bonus content that comes with the physical copy or specials for the website. That said, they still need to be interesting or at the very least fun. I’m sure my thoughts about the series carried through to the OVA. Basically, this is for the super fan and I’m sure they’ll get more out of it than I did.
As for recap episodes. I’ve seen some that were done incredibly well and others that are just a big waste of time. Shounen seems to be the worst offender when it comes to recaps. Of course, I’m never going to get upset if it’s where a VA needs time to recover from illness or over working. I do have an issue with the way these shows are made though. Surely, it makes more sense to make the entire season and then release it. It’s a crazy idea, I know!