How to Become a Devil in Dorohedoro: Ritual & Exam Process Explained
If you’ve spent any time watching or reading Dorohedoro, you already know one thing: this world doesn’t hand out power for free. It chews you up, spits you out, and then asks if you want more. And at the very top of that chaotic food chain? Devils. As a longtime anime fan, I’ve seen plenty of “ascension” systems—Super Saiyan forms, cursed techniques, awakening powers—but nothing quite compares to what Dorohedoro does with its Devil transformation. It’s not just about strength. It’s about breaking yourself completely and rebuilding into something… not human anymore.
Let’s unpack how this twisted process really works—and why it’s one of the most fascinating systems in anime.
What Does It Mean to Become a Devil?
In Dorohedoro, Devils are basically immortal chaos entities. They’re not just stronger sorcerers—they’re on a completely different level of existence. We’re talking about true immortality with very rare exceptions, reality-bending abilities, and a zero consequences lifestyle. But here’s the catch: becoming one isn’t a reward—it’s a trial by suffering.
Step One: You Don’t Choose the Path—It Chooses You
Before anything else, a sorcerer needs to be noticed. Not everyone gets the chance. You need insane magic potential, recognition from a Devil who effectively sponsors you, and the kind of personality that can survive losing your humanity. And yes—you have to stop using magic for over a year. That alone is wild, because it forces you to abandon the very thing that defines you.
The Devil Exam: Where Things Get Seriously Messed Up
The Armor That Breaks You First
You’re forced to wear extremely heavy armor ranging from 150 to 300 kilograms almost all the time. You eat in it, sleep in it, and suffer in it. This isn’t just physical training—it’s psychological torture, as the armor can even manifest your fears and push you toward insanity. The horns on the helmet aren’t decorative either, they reflect what you are slowly becoming.
The Tasks That Feel Like Punishment
You’re constantly being tested through bizarre and dangerous assignments. These include taking care of massive, aggressive bats, enduring hallucinations and fear-induced breakdowns, and performing exhausting labor under extreme stress. One of the most disturbing aspects of the process is consuming Devil flesh, which accelerates the transformation but adds a grotesque layer to the entire experience.
The Hole vs The Sorcerers’ World: Decoding the Dystopian Aesthetics of Dorohedoro
The Final Transformation
If you manage to survive everything before this stage, the final transformation begins. Your body mutates into a massive, monstrous form, your mask permanently fuses to your face, and your human identity essentially disappears. At that point, you are no longer just a sorcerer—you become something entirely different.
Quick Breakdown of the Process
| Stage | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Selection | A Devil approves you | Only elite sorcerers qualify |
| Abstinence | No magic for a year | Builds discipline and resets identity |
| Armor Training | Constant physical burden | Strengthens the body and breaks the mind |
| Trials | Dangerous tasks and fear exposure | Eliminates the weak |
| Devil Flesh | Consumption of higher beings | Accelerates transformation |
| Final Form | Complete mutation | Birth of a Devil |
The “Shortcut” That Isn’t Really a Shortcut
There is also an alternative system involving gifts and masks. A sorcerer crafts an item and presents it to a Devil in a ritual setting. If the Devil approves, they consume the gift and produce a substance that can be shaped into a mask, increasing the sorcerer’s power. However, this method does not replace the full transformation and instead acts as a step toward greater strength.
Why Would Anyone Go Through This?
The answer is simple: the reward is overwhelming. Devils possess near-invincibility, total freedom, and authority over parts of Hell itself. But from a fan perspective, the real appeal lies in the transformation rather than just the power, because it represents a complete departure from humanity.
Fan Perspective: The Dark Genius of Dorohedoro’s System
What makes this concept so compelling is how uncomfortable it feels. Most anime glorify power-ups, but Dorohedoro forces you to question whether power is worth the cost. Characters like Nikaido and Noi highlight different sides of this journey, with one embracing the process for a purpose while the other delays it due to personal bonds. This contrast adds emotional weight and makes the transformation feel meaningful rather than just another upgrade.
Final Thoughts
The Devil transformation in Dorohedoro stands out as one of the most unique systems in anime and manga. It is brutal, grotesque, and deeply symbolic. It is not simply about becoming stronger, but about becoming something entirely different and surviving the cost of that change. That is exactly what makes it so memorable.
