Chuuya Nakahara is not your typical protagonist or supporting character in the anime and manga series, Bungou Stray Dogs. Instead, he is one of the strongest antagonists in the show and is quite popular among fans. In fact, he often outranks the main character, Osamu Dazai, in popularity polls. Chuuya is an executive member of the Port Mafia, having joined the organization at the age of 15 after meeting Dazai. However, after Dazai betrayed the organization and joined the Armed Detective Agency (ADA), they became bitter enemies. But what is Chuuya like beyond his abilities? Let’s find out!
1. More Rational
Despite having a short fuse and being quick to anger, Chuuya is actually more rational than most of the other characters in the show, especially among the antagonists. When given information by ADA leader, Yukichi Fukuzawa, Chuuya immediately stopped attacking and refocused his efforts toward a more productive outcome. Despite harboring great animosity toward fellow traitor, Ango Sakaguchi, Chuuya acknowledged that he owed the man a debt and restrained himself from attacking him until he could pay it back.
2. More of a Kicker
Like other anime characters with shorter statures, such as Mikey from Tokyo Revengers, Chuuya prefers to use his kicks in fights rather than fists. Choosing this method also enables him to keep his gloves on, which helps him maintain his hold on his secret weapon. After facing certain events during the Dark Era storyline, Chuuya pledged to hold back when fighting. Additionally, if he removes his gloves during a fight, he will not be able to enjoy the exhilaration of the battle. Chuuya emphasizes that he must fully defend himself and safeguard his way of life. To him, he feels like a stranger inhabiting a shell rather than a man. Chuuya only removes his gloves when he unleashes Corruption, his ultimate ability.
3. Hates Betrayal
Chuuya despises betrayal – it’s one of the main reasons he loathes Dazai so much. Even when they were partners in the Port Mafia, they were not particularly close, often quarreling instead of working together. After Dazai turned on the organization, Chuuya resents him and considers him a traitor. He wants nothing more than to defeat him.
4. Light Weight
Chuuya is small-framed, weighing only 60 kg at the age of 22 years old. Despite being an adult who can legally consume alcohol, he still gets drunk quite easily. While Dazai can handle his alcohol very well, Chuuya cannot. Although it’s not explicitly stated in the show, his body weight might play a vital role in his inability to hold his liquor.
5. Occasional Smoker
Chuuya is very temperamental, becoming easily annoyed, especially when it comes to Dazai or other characters mocking his height. Thus, he is often under a lot of stress. For some characters in the show, smoking can help alleviate that stress. Chuuya is not a smoker, but he does indulge in it occasionally when experiencing high-stress situations.
Chuuya Nakahara is not just a typical anime antagonist; he is one of the most complicated characters on the show. With his incredibly powerful gravity-manipulating ability “For a Tainted Show” and the unmatched “Corruption,” he is truly a force to be reckoned with. Despite his often rough exterior, he has a surprisingly rational side to him, making him an intriguing character for fans to watch.
