Bungou Stray Dogs is a popular anime that combines supernatural elements with a thrilling detective story. It is a seinen anime, meaning it is intended for viewers 18 years and older. The anime is adapted from a manga of the same name by Kafka Asagiri and illustrated by Sango Harukawa. The manga is published once a month in the Young Ace Kadokawa Shoten seinen manga magazine since 2012. Since its adaptation into an anime in 2016, Bungou Stray Dogs has gained immense popularity among fans. In fact, it was named the best anime of 2019 after Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. With its upcoming fourth season set to premiere on January 4, 2022, fans cannot wait for the return of their favorite characters.
Bungou Stray Dogs centers around the story of Atsushi Nakajima, an orphaned teenager who lives in an orphanage. After being kicked out, he becomes a homeless wanderer, constantly feeling like he is being followed by a tiger. One day, he saves Osamu Dazai from drowning himself in a river. Osamu, a member of the Armed Detective Agency, realizes that Atsushi possesses an extraordinary ability. Atsushi can transform into a tiger. Osamu recruits him to the agency, and that’s when Atsushi finally finds a purpose in life. The anime portrays Atsushi’s journey upon joining the agency.
What sets Bungou Stray Dogs apart is its unique character designs. The costumes are very stylish, combining Western and traditional Japanese outfits. The main protagonist, Atsushi Nakajima, is joined by other characters like Doppo Kunikida, Ranpo Edogawa, Junichiro Tanizaki, Akiko Asano, and Kenji Miyazawa, who also possess supernatural abilities. Together, they confront and fight against Port Mafia, the main enemy of the agency.
Another unique aspect of Bungou Stray Dogs is how the characters are named after famous authors. The characters’ abilities are also named after their renowned literary works. For example, the name Atsushi Nakajima is taken from a famous Japanese author from the 1900s, and his power is called Beast Beneath Moonlight, which is one of Atsushi’s short stories. Osamu Dazai is based on a famous Japanese author who died by suicide in real life. In the anime, he is obsessed with death and suicide, and his ability is called No Longer Human, the title of Dazai’s most well-known work.
Bungou Stray Dogs is not just an anime about action and supernatural abilities, but it also includes literary and historical references. This anime is not only entertaining, but it is also educational for viewers who want to learn more about Japanese literature and culture.
In conclusion, Bungou Stray Dogs is an anime that is loved by many fans worldwide. It is a perfect mix of action, supernatural elements, and literary references. Its unique character designs and storytelling make it stand out among other anime shows. With its fourth season set to premiere soon, fans cannot wait to see what the future holds for their favorite characters.
