REVIEW: ‘Dorohedoro’ Season 2 Episode 6

Dorohedoro Season 2 Episode 6 sees bloody reunions occur when En (Ken’yû Horiuchi, Bartender: Glass of God) catches up with Nikaido (Reina Kondô, Fate/Grand Order) and Caiman (Wataru Takagi, Record of Ragnarok). Also, Fujita (Kengo Takanashi, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom) finds Ebisu (Miyu Tomita, DanDaDan) face-to-face with her demeneted doopleganger. But there may be high prices to pay as actions bear consequences on the various participants in this story. 

The central element of this episode is En’s confrontation with Nikaido and Caiman. Using the link that still connects him to his partner, En can quickly track down his prey. Once he arrives, no time is wasted in engaging Caiman in battle. Despite Caiman’s immunity to magic, he is still sorely outclassed. While En cannot turn him into a mushroom, Caiman is not immune to being battered and beaten by a massive fungal assault. Especially when it comes from inside his own body. 

Dorohedoro Season 2 Episode 6 works in an impassioned moment amid the bloodshed.

Coming to Caiman’s aid, Nikaido strikes at En as well, regardless of their contract. The care she holds for her friend and how important he is to her is emphasized by the effort this act requires of her. When En questions her about it, Nikaido declares that Caiman is the most important thing in the world to her. 

How Dorohedoro Season 2 Episode 6 finds a way to work this impassioned moment amid the bloodshed of En’s assault gives the scene more purpose than pure brutality. Seeing what Caiman means to Nikaido comes with a poignancy that is only amplified given the state that he is in as he struggles to overcome his foe’s attacks. 

As the fight ends and En claims his prize, a pair of bizarre things happen that leave critical questions looming around Caiman. New information concerning who he is comes out, as well as a new twist to the situation, one that quickly finds its way to the Cross Eyes hideout, where it causes more bloodshed and terror on the down-on-their-luck group. 

Dorohedoro Season 2 Episode 6 reveals the aftermath of Ebisu’s confrontation with her double.

The visit this seemingly spectral entity has with the Cross Eyes is pure horror fuel, excellently delivered. From its initial encounter with Risu to its exchange with the rest of the group when they return from an excursion, these moments shape the entity into a terrifying presence within the story. Where it came from and what it wants looms large over the episode, though not quite as much so as its shockingly brutal handiwork. 

Dorohedoro Season 2 Episode 6 also takes time to reveal the aftermath of Ebisu’s confrontation with her double. When Fujita arrives, he finds her standing before the mangled remains of the monster. But his arrival proves a distraction, allowing the doppleganger to get an attack, slicing Ebisu nearly in two. Prompting Fujita to come to her aid. 

Again, Ebisu’s story feels faltering in what it strives to do. The devastating strike the faux Ebisu lands on her is horrendously lethal, but as Fujita himself acknowledges in his panic, he can just ask En to have Noi bring her back. The knowledge that there is little chance for the death to be permanent robs the moment of most of its emotional impact. Though, like the other confrontations in the episode, it does raise a skillfully hinted at question concerning Fujita.

Dorohedoro Season 2 Episode 6 delivers a lot of story-changing beats.

Dorohedoro Season 2 Episode 6 ends on a surreal note. Seemingly, within Caiman’s head, the closing minutes deliver an extremely abstract hallucination/dream that it seems the character is having while clinging to his life, following his confrontation with En.

What is shown is so weird that it leaves little in its wake in the moment but confusion. However, there is enough intriguing imagery and a bit of what feels like important things hinted at that hopefully the sequence will be properly explored in future episodes. 

Dorohedoro Season 2 Episode 6 delivers a lot of story-changing beats, though not every moment manages to land. What will become of Caiman and the nature of the fiendish entity are the biggest elements that will linger after the credits roll. 

Dorohedoro Season 2 Episode 6 is streaming now on Netflix.

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