Bungou Stray Dogs, a seinen series, is not like any other detective story in anime. It is known for its characters who are endowed with sharp minds that can solve any problem in front of them. The story takes place in Yokohama, and most of its characters rely on their strategic abilities to outsmart their opponents.
The anime is known for its manipulative, cunning, and charismatic characters. The majority of them possess impressive observational skills that keep them sharp and rarely caught off guard. There are very few true heroes or villains, making each psychological battle and scheme more enjoyable.
Here are the top 10 smartest characters in Bungou Stray Dogs, according to CBR.
10. Atsushi Nakajima
While Atsushi may not be the most intelligent strategist or impressive detective, he brings something new to the Armed Detective Agency (ADA). Atsushi is emotionally smart, having experienced a lot of abuse while in the orphanage. He can relate to people like Kyouka Izumi and even Osamu Dazai because he knows what it feels like to carry a significant emotional burden.
Atsushi never leaves his moral compass behind and reminds himself that his worth is based on how many people he can save. His lack of confidence sometimes holds him back in fights, but he never loses sight of why he joined ADA.
9. Doppo Kunikida
Most of Doppo Kunikida’s explosive anger is used as a hilarious comedy in Bungou Stray Dogs. From his obsession with scheduling his days down to the minute to being easily fooled when Osamu Dazai gives him nonsensical advice, it’s easy to forget that Kunikida is the backbone of ADA.
Organizations will crumble without him. He is very organized and abides by his moral code, guiding his ADA friends to several victories. Kunikida also grows significantly during the series, realizing that his ideas won’t save him from his deepest fears.
8. Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe has a unique ability called Black Cat in the Rue Morgue. This ability allows him to send people to any novel setting he chooses as long as the target has recently read it. As Poe wrote many mystery murder novels, many of his victims cannot solve his mysteries. If they die in his novel, they die in real life as well.
Poe’s novels are written with precision and compact mystery that seems impossible to solve. Most people cannot solve anything Poe creates. However, his natural enemy is Ranpo Edogawa. Though he tries his best to outsmart Ranpo as if his life depended on it, it usually leads to embarrassing defeats every time he challenges the world’s greatest detective. In Bungou Stray Dogs season 4, Poe works together with Ranpo.
7. Nobuko Sasaki
Nobuko Sasaki is not threatening at first glance. She appears relaxed and friendly, but her guilelessness is her greatest weapon as it allows her to get close to people and manipulate them. She is also one of Raja Azure’s most loyal followers.
Sasaki infiltrates ADA, using her charm to bring down the organization from within as revenge for her boyfriend’s death. While she may seem friendly, Sasaki is ruthless when she focuses on her goals. Her efforts to avenge her boyfriend also become her reason for living. She even admits that her boyfriend never loved her, and she feels nothing after ruining ADA’s reputation.
6. Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott is undeniably a genius. However, her flaws make her more human and relatable than some of the other smart characters in Bungou Stray Dogs. Louisa stutters and gets confused easily, but she remains an impressive strategist who is very loyal to The Guild and Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald.
Louisa may stumble over her words, but no one can match her deductive and planning abilities in her organization. Her main weakness is that she cannot do much without a reliable lead.
5. Ougai Mori
Ougai Mori is one of the most enigmatic and intelligent characters in the series. Mori is known for his training, which allows him to become a perfect businessman, called The Fixer. He always wears black gloves and keeps his emotions in check.
Mori is strategic, always looking for ways to take advantage of his opponents’ weaknesses. He is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if it means sacrificing his subordinates. Mori is the mastermind behind several major events in Bungou Stray Dogs, so much so that some fans believe he is the true protagonist of the series.
In conclusion, Bungou Stray Dogs is an anime series that highlights several smart and strategic characters. These characters are the backbone of the show, providing its viewers with spectacular strategic insights and battles.
