Ep 13. The story of the Blank-faced Buddha

In the thirteenth installment of the first season of Dororo, viewers are in for a treat as they witness the mystifying tale of the Blank-faced Buddha. After the mind-boggling events of the previous episodes, the audience is ready to delve into the intricacies of the Buddhist monk's story.

The episode starts with Dororo and Hyakkimaru entering a strange and eerie valley. As they move forward, they come across a group of travelers who warn them to turn back, citing the dangers of the valley. Still, our protagonists decide to brave ahead and reach a village they believe is the source of the evil that plagues the land.

Once in the village, the duo is greeted with hostility and resentment from the villagers. Tensions run high as they learn of a prophecy that states that whoever cuts down the village's bamboo forest will face severe consequences. Despite this warning, Hyakkimaru decides to continue with his mission of killing demons, even if it means destroying the bamboo forest.

Soon, they encounter an old woman who tells them the story of the Blank-faced Buddha, whose statue resides in the heart of the village. According to legend, the Buddha is responsible for ensuring the village's prosperity and is the key to keeping the surrounding demons at bay. But with the statue's face missing, its powers have weakened, and the village is doomed to destruction.

Hyakkimaru and Dororo learn that the statue's face was stolen by a group of bandits and taken to a nearby mountain. The duo decides to retrieve the statue's face and return it to the village to restore its powers.

On their way to the mountain, they encounter the bandits but manage to defeat them with ease, retrieving the statue's face in the process. But as they return to the village, they realize too late that they had fallen into a trap set by the villagers.

The villagers reveal themselves to be demons who had taken human form and had been using the Blank-faced Buddha to keep the surrounding demons away. The bamboo forest served as a barrier that kept out the demons, and Hyakkimaru's earlier actions had caused the forest to start decaying. The villagers had tricked him into removing the barrier that kept them safe, leading to their ultimate destruction.

The discovery sends Hyakkimaru into a fit of rage, and he unleashes his full power on the demons, cutting down everything in his path. Dororo watches in awe as he realizes the extent of Hyakkimaru's powers.

The episode ends with Hyakkimaru and Dororo leaving the devastated and demon-inhabited village. The Blank-faced Buddha's story serves as a reminder that sometimes, what appears to be good and pure is not always so. The villagers had used the Buddha's powers to keep the demons at bay, but it was at the cost of human lives and deceit.

The episode's biggest highlight is Hyakkimaru's rage after realizing his mistake. Until this point, he had been a silent observer who only spoke when necessary. Still, his fury at the demons and the villagers is a significant turning point in his character. It shows that his calm exterior hides a deep-rooted anger and a willingness to protect humanity at any cost.

Overall, The Story of the Blank-faced Buddha is a well-crafted episode that serves to expand the show's lore while showcasing Hyakkimaru's true power. The animation and voice acting are top-notch, encapsulating the eerie and mysterious aura of the village and its inhabitants. Viewers are in for a treat as they witness the depths of darkness surrounding the village and the consequences of misguided intentions.