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In January 2020, the anime series Dorohedoro captivated audiences with its vivid depiction of a dark, dystopian world known as The Hole. This underground society lives in constant fear of the magic users who dwell above them. Central to this gritty narrative are the characters Caiman, who mysteriously has a lizard’s head, and his companion Nikaido. Their mission is straightforward yet dangerous: identify the sorcerer responsible for Caiman’s transformation, force them to reverse it, and then exact revenge.
Dorohedoro, much like other successful anime adaptations, skillfully leverages its source material to deliver a compelling storyline filled with dynamic characters and gripping plot twists. The first season left fans eagerly anticipating more, and after a six-year break, the series is finally returning for a second season. This comeback is set to thrill both loyal followers and newcomers alike, especially with the promise of broader availability.
News of the second season’s release was met with additional good news for anime enthusiasts: the first season of Dorohedoro, previously exclusive to Netflix, is now accessible on Crunchyroll. This expansion allows a wider audience to catch up on Caiman and Nikaido’s adventures before the new season premieres, making it easier than ever for fans to immerse themselves in this unique and captivating universe.
Dorohedoro Ends Netflix Exclusivity to Join Crunchyroll’s 2026 Roster
Upon learning that Dorohedoro would return for its second season, another major announcement followed that left many anime fans celebrating. Season 1 of Dorohedoro was a Netflix-exclusive series, meaning viewers had to have a Netflix account to be able to enjoy the adventures of Caiman and Nikaido. Following the Season 2 announcement, Crunchyroll also gained access to Season 1 of Dorohedoro, making it more available to the public ahead of the second season.
The announcement was a major win for the anime community, as not everyone with a Crunchyroll account cares to have a Netflix account to watch anime. An even kinder gesture from Crunchyroll was the fact that the platform made the entirety of Season 1 available on March 7, giving everyone a month to catch up and watch all 13 episodes before the second season is released. This gives everyone ample time to enjoy Dorohedoro‘s successful debut, be it for the first time or for returning viewers looking to refresh themselves.
The second big win from the announcement is that Season 2 of Dorohedoro will also be available on Crunchyroll, which means nobody should have to miss out on MAPPA’s excellent adaptation. Netflix users will still have access to Season 1 and 2 of Dorohedoro, as the series isn’t leaving the platform. Instead, it’s available to more of the anime community than before, and it’s a promising sign for future anime with exclusivity rights.
It’s quite clear that Dorohedoro has been on the radar of Crunchyroll, as it was previously nominated for multiple awards at the 5th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2021, including Anime of the Year, Best Antagonist, Best Girl, Best Boy, Best Ending Sequence, and Best Fantasy. While it failed to walk away with a single win, Dorohedoro at least received the recognition it rightfully deserved.
Dorohedoro Season 1 is a Must-Watch Ahead of Season 2 Release
For those who haven’t gotten the chance to watch Dorohedoro, whether it slipped under the radar and remained on the back burner, now is the time to jump in. Dorohedoro is an excellent action-adventure seinen that mixes dark fantasy with comedic undertones that help push along the pace at an entertaining rate. Caiman is a lovable main character that can be stubborn at times, but always has his heart in the right place.
His sidekick and partner in crime, Nikaido, is a sweet character that tags along with Caiman on almost every adventure and provides tremendous support. Like Caiman, Nikaido is an excellent fighter, excelling at close combat by using her quickness and strength. Caiman, on the other hand, is all brute force and can overwhelm anyone that takes him too lightly. Together, the duo feels unstoppable, a point that is driven home immediately, in the first few moments of Episode 1.
Through simple yet raw and beautiful animation, and utilizing 3D modeling at just the right times, Dorohedoro manages to capture the grunginess of The Hole, and the darkness that encompasses its inhabitants. Equally, so are the wonderful portrayals of magic, and the powers that Caiman and Nikaido continue to run into throughout Season 1. The pace of each episode feels perfect and walks the viewer down each turn with meticulous detail, leaving no stone unturned.
The mystery behind Caiman’s real identity, who changed him, and how he goes about attempting to identify the culprit are just a few things that truly help Dorohedoro stand out. The emotions felt during each failure, the hope that arises from a potential new lead, and the dangers that lie ahead all make Dorohedoro‘s universe feel real and raw. While the magical powers and behemoth-like strength bring out the dark fantasy aspect, the depth and emotions of many characters are the story’s strongest points.
Dorohedoro Season 2 Part of a Star-Studded Spring 2026 Lineup
Dorohedoro might be one of the most-anticipated seinen series arriving in the Spring 2026 lineup, but it’s not the only one looking to garner attention. Titles like Liar Game and Snowball Earth also aim to make an impact with their debuts, while The Drops of God hopes to turn a simple idea of wine tasting into a grand story of earning an inheritance through identifying the most magnificent of red wines. That’s not including the dozens of shonen and isekai series making a big splash either.
The thing that Dorohedoro has going for it apart from the other seinen series making their way to the screen in April is the six-year absence. Season 1 of Dorohedoro left the viewers off on a major cliffhanger, with several of the story’s main characters hoping to escape the clutches of En and his hold on Nikaido’s fate. With the help of some devils playing both sides of the fence, the stakes feel higher than ever before, and it’s been six years since Dorohedoro continued its story.
Many questions still loom over the main cast of characters, and Dorohedoro Season 2 will hopefully get the audience closer to finding out who cursed Caiman, and if they can turn his head back. There are several plot points that were seemingly half-answered, but left ambiguous enough to leave some level of uncertainty. It’s the type of situation that leaves an audience split, with many believing the answer is right in front of their eyes, while others hope to get more evidence before jumping to a conclusion.
For newcomers to the franchise, Season 1 is now available on both Netflix and Crunchyroll, and there is plenty of time to catch up on Dorohedoro‘s story, or re-live it for a second time. As the Winter 2026 season is drawing closer to an end, Spring 2026 promises to pick up where its predecessor left off and continue a dominant year for anime. Now is the time for the audience to sink their teeth into Dorohedoro before Season 2, and everything else 2026 has in store comes knocking at the door.