The story follows a boy named Hyakkimaru, whose father, driven by the ambition to dominate a war-torn world, made a pact with forty-eight demons, offering each a part of Hyakkimaru's body. Thus, Hyakkimaru sets out on a journey to reclaim his lost body parts by slaying the demons. Along the way, he encounters a young thief named Dororo, and together they embark on an adventure battling monsters. The narrative carries a strong sense of irony, highlighting the ceaseless wars where only the common people suffer. For instance, after Hyakkimaru kills a monster terrorizing a village, he is driven out by the very villagers he saved, exposing the coldness of human nature. Furthermore, the "Banmon" arc serves as a critique of the Berlin Wall and the Panmunjom.