Nuinokata

Nuinokata is a beautiful woman with gentle features. Many who see her notice that she closely resembles her son, Hyakkimaru. Her kind appearance reflects her caring and patient nature.

Nuinokata is soft-spoken, kind-hearted, and considerate. She is deeply empathetic, often putting others’ feelings before her own. Among the Daigo family, she is the most sensible and compassionate. Even after her first son is taken from her, she cannot let go of her love and keeps him in her thoughts. When faced with difficult choices, she struggles between her responsibilities and her maternal feelings, showing great inner conflict and sorrow.

Nuinokata is the wife of Kagemitsu Daigo and the mother of Hyakkimaru and Tahomaru. She was heartbroken when her husband ordered Hyakkimaru to be abandoned as an infant. Unable to move on, she spent years praying for her lost child, using a headless statue as a stand-in for her baby. She also cares deeply for her second son, Tahomaru, but struggles with guilt over his feelings of neglect.

• Hyakkimaru: Her lost son, whom she loves dearly. She never stops thinking about him and wants only to be called "Mother" by him, but circumstances keep them apart.
• Tahomaru: Her second son, who loves her. However, he senses her deeper sorrow for Hyakkimaru, which causes him to feel insecure.
• Kagemitsu Daigo: Her husband, whose actions caused her great pain but whom she remains loyal to as required by her position.
• Dororo: She helps Dororo escape and leaves the castle with her, sharing a journey that changes both of their lives.
• Jukai and Biwamaru: They help her in critical moments, especially during the final conflicts.

Forced to Abandon Hyakkimaru

Nuinokata wanted to keep her first son, Hyakkimaru, but followed her husband’s cruel order to abandon him. She could never accept this, and always felt regret and sorrow.

The Headless Statue and Her Wishes

She keeps a headless Buddha statue, refusing to repair it, and offers prayers for her lost child. The statue holds special meaning, showing her grief and her hope for Hyakkimaru’s safety.

Reunion with Hyakkimaru

When Nuinokata finally meets Hyakkimaru again, she realizes she can’t fully support him. Torn by love and duty, she tries to apologize and even attempts to take her own life out of guilt but survives and becomes bedridden for a long time.

Seeing the Fragility of the Daigo Domain

After waking up, Nuinokata tells her husband that the prospering of their land is doomed now that the statue is broken and the spiritual deal is ended. He ignores her warning.

Saving Dororo and Escaping the Castle

She helps Dororo escape from captivity and escapes the castle herself, unable to ignore her hopes of seeing Hyakkimaru again. Their boat overturns, and they end up in the birthplace of Midorogo, continuing their journey together.

Witnessing the Battles

Nuinokata watches as Hyakkimaru and Tahomaru have a fierce and desperate fight. She understands that the supposed blessings of their land were based on a fragile deal with demon gods.

Final Moments at the Castle

When Daigo’s castle is burning, she decides she must witness her sons’ fate. With help from Biwamaru and Jukai, she reaches the place where Hyakkimaru and Tahomaru are. After Hyakkimaru leaves, she apologizes to Tahomaru for his loneliness, cradling him in her lap as the castle collapses around them.

Exile and Aftermath

After a peasant uprising, she and her husband are exiled from their land, marking the end of their rule.

“Call me Mother.”

• The headless Buddha statue that Nuinokata prays to appears green to the spiritual senses of Hyakkimaru and Biwamaru. Its true meaning is never explained.
• In both the original and new anime, Nuinokata and Hyakkimaru are noted for looking very much alike.
• In the old anime, she is killed by Kagemitsu while protecting Hyakkimaru and asks him to call her “Mother” with her dying breath.
• In the new anime, she tries to make up for losing Hyakkimaru by helping others and caring for Dororo and villagers.
• Jukai instantly recognizes Nuinokata as Hyakkimaru’s mother upon seeing her.

Nuinokata’s character is unique for her deep emotional struggles as both a mother and noblewoman. Her story brings out the conflicts between duty and love, and she is remembered for her remorse, courage, and endless care for her children.