Daigo Kagemitsu, who works for a samurai general in Japan's Warring States period, promises to offer body parts of his unborn baby to 48 devils in exchange for complete domination of the country. Upon its birth, Kagemitsu orders the newborn thrown into the river.

The baby survives. Calling himself Hyakkimaru, he searches the world for the 48 demons. Each time he eliminates one, he retrieves one of his missing parts. During his search, Hyakkimaru meets a boy thief, Dororo, and together they travel the countryside, confronting monsters and ghosts again and again.

Story and art by Osamu Tezuka.