#from bsd-bibliophile

[weebsh-t]

What do you MEAN there's a lil sidecomic about Dazai and Kunikida bathing together and KunikIDA'S HAIR IS DOWN... HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS?!?!?

[always-a-joyful-note]

Okay but in honour of Artistic Partisan being released on engstars, I'm going to be very self-indulgent and talk about how Hell Screen (source) coded it is. And yes I'm talking about Akutagawa Ryunosuke's short story about the (spoilers to come) painter obsessed with art and his beloved daughter who got sacrificed in all sorts of ways (then died) in order to inspire him to paint a scene of the Buddhist hell at the commission of his shady patron.

I mean, maybe it's just me but I think Artistic Partisan perfectly captures that line between obsessive creation and passionate artistry, flip flopping back and forth as the line "si vis artem, para bellum" (play on the latin "si vis parcem, para bellum" if you want art/peace, prepare for war) is chanted in the midst of it all. Like how could that not capture the artist's desire for eternity, longevity, beauty while also having the both threatening but invoking intense melody that gives it that edge of action and danger? It's so Hellscreen in the way that Hellscreen is a very bleak depiction of the battle that is art (with questionable beauty being produced but a definite masterpiece of expression regardless). Yes, the artist wants to live forever but, be warned, because the world of art is not one of peace. It is filled with blood and sacrifice and battles. Artistic Partisan is the warning song (but also a praise, almost, of art), Hellscreen is the story of the song ignored (but still proof of how war really does create art).

Just....man. They went hard on this one. If you want art, prepare for war indeed.

[bluemooniegif]

Soukoku's first meeting could not have been written more perfectly. Allow me to explain

A quick note on the manga panels: these are fan translations from BSD Bibliophile. At one stage they refer to Dazai as 'the youngest boss in Mafia history,' and the executive meeting as 'a meeting of five bosses.' This is just a stylistic choice! All of the panels shown here are from chapters 8 (volume 2), 10 & 11 (volume 3)

I love this scene more than life itself, because it is literally the PERFECT introduction to Chuuya, his character, and his relationship with Dazai. Let's talk about it!

First: some context. Dazai seems to be in a bit of a predicament- he's walked right into a trap set by the Port Mafia, an organisation that we don't know much about at this stage in the story. What we do know, and what we can observe, is this:

Dazai is a former executive, and appears to have walked into the trap on purpose

He is now being held in a room that Akutagawa describes very negatively- the fact of being here is dangerous

Dazai reveals that Akutagawa was once his subordinate, and that he thought very lowly of him at the time. He claims to still think of him this way. Akutagawa has a violent reaction to this.

This is a PERFECT example of 'showing, not telling' within a story. Rather than making a bunch of asides, describing what Dazai and Akutagawa are feeling and why, Asagiri & Harukawa have plopped us into the middle of a rather awkward reunion. I feel like I've walked into my friend's Christmas dinner and am now witnessing family politics unfold real time. It's like watching a car crash.

Now, we move between settings a bit, jumping around to watch Yosano DESTROY Kajii, Atsushi rescue Kyouka, and subsequently be injured and kidnapped by Akutagawa. We watch the Agency fall into disarray when Fukuzawa demands that everyone go looking for Atsushi- interesting, considering that Dazai is IN THE BASEMENT OF THE PORT MAFIA RIGHT NOW.

I've had lots of discussions and arguments about the meaning and significance of this. I won't delve too deep into it for now, but the way I see it is this: something the ADA is really REALLY good at is splitting up Mystery-Inc. style and working to solve cases etc., together, but apart. Dazai is also something of a stray dog (... cat), regularly wandering off and reappearing of his own accord. He's been with the ADA for several years at this point, and they would understand the way he operates well. Even if there's no indication whether he explicitly told anyone what he's doing or where he's going (which honestly, does that matter, when Ranpo would know immediately anyway?), we can safely assume that this is more or less a regular thing for them.

Anyway, back to the point. the Agency is not fazed by Dazai's disappearance... and neither, for some reason, is Dazai. He stands chained to the wall in the PM's basement- the same one, we discover later, where he's brutally tortured countless victims and traitors, and he's humming a little tune to himself, smiling, totally relaxed. We as the audience know he's pretty unflappable, and Akutagawa's expression when he sees him confirms this, too.

But. BUT. This doesn't last.

With the ADA descending into chaos, we switch perspectives back to Dazai again. He's bored at this stage, and thinking to himself that they must be searching for Atsushi soon (an indication that he was riling Akutagawa up earlier, btw) when he hears it: A voice that makes his resolve crack. A look of panic on his face that, at this stage, we haven't seen yet.

He turns, and we see Chuuya for the first time! He's got this strange smug look on his face, something deeply vindictive. Here's a current mafia executive, and he's so happy to see Dazai chained to the wall of their Torture Basement that you can't help but wonder... is there something that Dazai did to him, personally, that makes him feel this way? Or is this guy just so deeply involved with the PM that the fact Dazai left is like a personal slight against him?

Now, we don't really have long enough to truly panic over this predicament, because almost immediately these two fall into their old habits. Dazai isn't PLEASED, but he isn't afraid. He goes right into bantering with Chuuya, who surprisingly meets him right in the middle. Their regular dynamic shines right through: it's quick-witted quips, inside jokes, and knowing looks. It's this odd relaxation in their posture. In all of this, we have an acknowledgement of what they were, and evidence to suggest that they still are... whatever that thing is. Whatever you wanna call it: partners, boyfriends, best friends, buddies. That much is up to interpretation; the only undeniable fact is that they once knew each other better than themselves, and still do.

Then, the fight. This, to me, comes across as more of a way to display how powerful they both are individually: Chuuya punches concrete so hard it shatters in several places, Dazai snaps his fingers and breaks out of handcuffs.

We have front-row seats to what is in my opinion one of the best action sequences in early BSD, not just for what physically transpires, but what it tells us: they deeply understand each other on multiple levels. They're constantly predicting each other's moves, and they know where each other's weak spots are.

But there's also been a lot of growth. Dazai surprises Chuuya a few times, and vice-versa. Despite their apparent closeness, it's still clear that they haven't been together like this for a long, long time.

Then, they reach checkmate. It appears as though Chuuya has won, and we're fed some more Dazai lore- he was the youngest executive the PM ever saw.

This is how Chuuya remembers Dazai. Again, I want to remind you that this is the first time so far we're seeing PM-zai, and he is worlds away from the Dazai we've grown to know so far.

Though Chuuya seems to have driven Dazai into a corner, the roles are quickly reversed when Dazai claims to know something about a meeting between all five of the Mafia's executives. Chuuya quickly realises this is one of his 'predictions,' further proving the depth of their mutual understanding.

With hindsight, we know just how big a deal a meeting of this scale is, and knowing a certain stormbro (who I won't reveal just in case of spoilers) will be there makes me lose my mind, personally. It clearly affects Chuuya, as well, which was undoubtedly Dazai's goal.

With the power balance disrupted again, they quickly fall back into that same bantering dynamic. The volatile nature of their relationship is so perfectly portrayed within this short scene that it actually makes me sick, I genuinely don't think it could have been more perfect

Anyway. Chuuya has realised, at this stage, that Dazai had multiple goals when he allowed himself to be kidnapped, and one of those was to piss Chuuya off (which is something I think he could've managed even if Chuuya wasn't physically there). This, in turn, pisses Chuuya off, especially when he realises the predicament Dazai has left him in- let him escape, or the Mafia suffers. A test of loyalty, Chuuya's greatest weakness. Do you understand why I am tearing my hair out and howling at the moon??? This is fucking insanity.

And then, the final moment! The part we all know and love! Not only does Chuuya choose to err on the side of caution, allowing Dazai to escape- he also leaves with the repetition of another inside joke. And Dazai laughs- he looks genuinely happy, too.

That is all. I'm gonna go cry now ಥ_ಥ

read this original thread on twitter

[bsd-bibliophile]

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Buy the collection Retrogression by Dazai Osamu on Amazon.

Translations Page: where you can find translations of literary works by Dazai Osamu, Satō Haruo, and Tokugawa TsunayoshiBiographies Page: where you can find short biographies on a variety of authors related to the translations.

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Dazai’s School Notebooks: Dazai Osamu attended Hirosaki High School from 1927 until 1930, and many of his school notebooks from this period, complete with the inky doodles of a bored schoolboy, are currently being held in various University and Museum archives.

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[stazzzie]

Bsd Masterlist

Main manga / Alt link (new chapter on 3rd of every month)

Bungo Stray Dogs Wan / Alt link (new chapter on 16th of every month)

Extra manga content:

Wan Special Chapter

Wan Season 5 Shorts

Wan vol 12 bonus side story (Part 1 / Part 2) and omake

Anthology Chapters Masterlist

Raws of anthology 1-5 if anyone wants to translate

Omake / alt link+ wan special chapter

Bungou Stray Dogs: Chopsticks and a Spoon

Light Novels

Dazai’s Entrance Exam

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era

The Untold Story of the Founding of the Detective Agency 

55 Minutes

Beast

Dazai, Chuuya, Age 15

Stormbringer

Dead Apple

Bungo Stray Dogs Another Story (Gaiden) (Fan translation)

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

there is no official or fan translation because it just came out recently but there are fan translation of booklet so here (it doesn't contain illustrations from light novel and can be a little different, if any changes are made in the light novel)

Side A / Side B

Side A is about how cannon Dazai first met Odasaku and Side B is about how Beast Dazai first met odasaku so I recommend reading Beast light novel before reading Side B.

Side Short Stories:

Kunikida and Katai's Brilliant Days

The Heartless Cur

Manga adapted from light novels

Bungo Stray Dogs Beast

Dazai, Chuuya, Age 15

Stormbringer (New chapter on 26th of every month)

Gaiden

Dead Apple

The Untold Story of the Founding of the Detective Agency (New chapter on 4th of every month)

Live Action

Beast Movie (if it is not available in your country, turn the vpn on and change the region to France)

Stage Plays

Bungo Stray Dogs on Stage

Dark Era (check the tutorial for adding subtitles)

Three Companies Conflict (if it is not available in your country, turn the vpn on and change the region to France)

Untold Origins of the Detective Agency

Dazai's Entrance Exam

Dead Apple

Dazai, Chuuya, Age 15

Stormbringer (if it is not available in your country, turn the vpn on and change the region to France)

Cannibalism Arc

You can find rest of the stage plays in this file but sadly there are no english subs

Other Stuff

CD Dramas

Character Songs

Stage Play Behind the Scenes

Bsd va Radio

Uemura's Detective Agency

You can find almost all of this on BSD-Bibliophile and if anyone has subtitled file of stage plays tell me so that i can add it here

[pepper-steam-milkshake]

Every Instance of Dazai's Ability Being Used, and the Few Times it Doesn't Work

Because I really wanted to look into the logistics of Dazai's ability, I decided that I wanted to look through every source of media (barring BEAST) I could for when his ability has been used. This includes:

Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen (Light Novel)

STORMBRINGER (Light Novel)

DEAD APPLE (Light Novel, pre-manga)

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era (Light Novel)

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam (Light Novel)

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga

DEAD APPLE (Light Novel)

55 Minutes (Light Novel)

This list does not include:

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

The Untold Origins of the Detective Agency (no instances)

BEAST (Did not use)

Any instances in the anime

Any instances with general descriptions ('a guy who used his ability to nullify', 'he used his ability', etc. Was looking for instances with explicit explanation/visuals of what he does)

Spoilers ahead for all the above, and the manga through Chapter 101. Read at your own discretion.

The First Time we See it Used (Chronologically) - Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen

The first instance that Dazai's ability is ever used is on Nakahara Chuuya in Phase.01, as written below.

(Dazai) placed a hand on Chuuya's neck. "Sorry, but gravity is no longer yours to control." Dazai's skill also activated when he touched his target. He had the power to halt and nullify all skills. It was the ultimate anti-skill, no exceptions.

Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen, Phase.01, Page 23

This is a classic example of Dazai's ability working traditionally, where he has direct skin-to-skin contact with Chuuya. Since Chuuya's ability is internal, as long Dazai touches him, he cannot use it.

Then, near the end of the novel, he uses his ability to nullify Arthur Rimbaud's ability against Nakahara Chuuya.

In (Dazai's) left hand was a piece of fabric: a garland he'd used as decoration for Chuuya's fake party. The long garland dragged along the ground, cleverly hidden in the shadows of floating debris. One end of the cloth was stuffed inside Chuuya's clothes. "I told Chuuya to pick up this garland when you destroyed the nearby building," Dazai said with a child-like grin. "Then I tied it to myself using my skill," Chuuya added with the scythe still piercing his arm. "I wrapped it around my entire body and made sure it was hidden underneath my clothes." "After that, I simply touched the other end." Dazai held up the cloth. "Want to guess what happened then?" "The skill affecting the cloth you touched... was nullified."

Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen, Phase.04, Page 115

For that instance, instead of physical contact with the ability user, Dazai extended his ability across an object to Chuuya. This made the object nullified against Rimbaud's ability, forming a shield of sorts to block his skill from attacking further.

The First Time it's Used On a Singularity - STORMBRINGER

NOTE: I own a copy of STORMBRINGER, but at the time of making this post, I was loaning it out to a friend. With that said, I used a translation that I have read previously. If you wish to locate it, go to bsd-bibliophile's Tumblr and search from there. I don't want to directly link it for obvious reasons.

Dazai's ability is seen twice in STORMBRINGER. The first instance is near the beginning of it, as written in the translation below.

(Dazai) casually grabbed Chuuya's arm and lifted it up. At that moment, the abnormal gravitational field that surrounded them immediately disappeared, along with the insufferable pain Chuuya had felt.

STORMBRINGER, [CODE ; 01]

Like before, we have yet another example of Dazai using direct skin-to-skin contact to nullify. However, in this instance, it is used to nullify a partial singularity, as Corruption has not been fully unleashed here. (At least, that is how I am interpreting it.)

Then, near the end of STORMBRINGER:

Chuuya limply drifted in the air for several seconds before the black wings on his back slowly lowered him. Dazai caught his body. The minute he touched his body, Dazai's ability nullification activated. The self-contradictory singularity energy that sustained him retracted in on itself as the singularity's power outlet decreased. He eventually returned to normal and his gate closed. The red marks plaguing Chuuya's body pulled away. The field of gravity disappeared and the stillness of night was restored.

STORMBRINGER, [CODE ; 04]

Yet again, nullification through direct skin contact. This instance doesn't provide an exact idea of where they touched, but it's reasonable to assume he touched Chuuya on his back or something.

This is the first time Dazai's ability has been used related to a singularity.

Singularity Time - DEAD APPLE Prologue

Dazai continues to use his ability to nullify Chuuya's singularity as seen in the prologue of DEAD APPLE. Though this is not shown in the light novel or in the movie, it can be seen in the manga, as shown here:

DEAD APPLE Manga, Volume 3, Chapter 10

Dazai touches Chuuya's face to nullify corruption.

Other Instances Before Dazai Joins the ADA - The Heartless Cur and BSD Manga Chapter 12

The Heartless Cur is a short story provided in the sixth volume of the Bungou Stray Dogs Manga, which tells of how Akutagawa and Dazai first met. Akutagawa attempts to use his ability on Dazai as written below:

Akutagawa turned his own sleeve into a wide blade, and thrust it into the boy's neck without a shred of hesitation. "Not bad," Dazai said, quietly. Akutagawa was stunned. He was sure the boy should have died. However, Akutagawa's blade had vanished like mist right where it would have touched the boy's neck.

The Heartless Cur, Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #6

Then, a flashback is shown from when Dazai was mentoring Akutagawa. During that, Akutagawa attempts to use his ability against him.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #3, Chapter 12

As seen here, Dazai directly touches Rashoumon with his hand, nullifying the ability upon contact.

Dazai Gets Tested and Tests Others - Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam

Dazai gets to use his ability a whopping four times in this Light Novel, which can also be seen in the remarkably inaccurate two-episode Azure Apostle arc in the anime.

It's used twice on Kunikida in a short period of time, as shown below:

The bullet tears through the air until it hits (Dazai) right between the eyes.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 127

I take the pistol I shot earlier and toss it at Dazai. He catches it, and almost instantly, it transforms back into a piece of notebook paper in his hands.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 129

Since the bullets were also created using my skill, they were nullified and vaporized by Dazai's own skill on contact.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 130

Again, direct contact with Dazai's skin gets rid of the bullets, vaporizing them, while turning Kunikida's pistol back to its original state. This is interesting to me in how Dazai's ability impacts them differently. Because the bullets were created with the pistol, the bullets vanished. However, when Dazai touched the pistol, it reverted back to notebook paper with whatever Kunikida wrote on it.

This is also the second instance where Dazai touches an object and uses his ability on it.

Then, his ability is used twice on the numbers terrorist.

"Why...?! Why won't any numbers appear?! I can't accelerate, either! Why, why, why is this happening?!" "You should've done your homework. Skills don't work on me."

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 150

What I find interesting about this is that he isn't touching an object or the ability user here. I'm assuming that since it would require to impact Dazai's skin, that is where the nullification occurred. If the ability didn't show up on his skin, would it still have been nullified? We shall never know.

However, him nullifying the ability against himself does not nullify it against anyone else. This is further encouraged by the below:

Dazai's right fist connects with the young man's face, spinning him a full 180 degrees.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 150

(Kunikida's POV) Then I look at my body to find that the numbers have vanished. Dazai must have defeated that skill user.

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Page 151

It appears that if Dazai wants to end an ability user's ability on everyone at that moment, he has to touch that ability user physically. So, to be clear, Dazai's skin can nullify the effect of an ability on himself. Dazai touching skin-to-skin with an active ability user nullifies the effect of their ability on everyone.

Examples We See in the Present - Bungou Stray Dogs Manga

Dazai uses his ability quite a few times at the beginning of the series, but it begins to be many more chapters between once we finish with the Guild Arc. It goes from less than twenty to twenty, then, fifty. The last time (as of posting this) that Dazai has used his ability was in Chapter 101. Make of that what you will.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #1, Chapter 1

Direct skin-to-skin contact. Atsushi returns to his original human form.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #1, Chapter 4

ATSUSHI - Direct skin-to-skin contact. Atsushi returns to his original human form.

AKUTAGAWA - Skin-to-ability-infused-object contact. Rashoumon vanishes.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #3, Chapter 9

Skin-to-ability-infused-object contact. Rashoumon vanishes after cutting through Dazai's bandages to his neck.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #7, Chapter 25

Skin-to-ability-infused-object contact. Q's doll disintegrates, and the ability deactivates against Atsushi.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #7, Chapter 29

Skin-to-ability-infused-object contact. Q's doll disintegrates, and everyone affected by the ability is released from it.

Note: Touching those affected by the ability would not nullify its impact on them. He would actively have to touch the catalyst of the ability (the doll) or Q themself.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #8, Chapter 30

Skin-to-skin contact. Because Steinbeck's vines are in the middle of being created and used by him, Dazai touching him on the neck nullifies them and causes them to disintegrate.

I explain this because there is an instance in the future where Dazai touches Steinbeck's vines and they don't disintegrate, which I will attempt to explain.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #8, Chapter 31

Skin-to-skin contact. Dazai nullifies Chuuya's Corruption.

We Will Now Take a Break From Our Scheduled Programming - DEAD APPLE

Dazai uses his ability three times during DEAD APPLE.

The moment his fingers touched the crystals, their hard gem-like surfaces cracked, and they melted away. Drip. Trails of light suddenly transformed into a liquid-like blood, swirling around and mixing together in the air. The two lights melted into one and spun until they formed a single sphere.

DEAD APPLE, Interlude-3, Page 126

In this, he is touching Shibusawa's ability-infused objects. At least, that is how I'm interpreting it. It doesn't change the fact that the users behind them are dead, but it means they are no longer being contained.

Then, in a classic instance that I'm sure everyone will recognize:

The viscous liquid slid down Dazai's throat until eventually, long, slender fingers touched Chuuya's ghastly, corrupted face. When they made contact, it instantly nullified his skill.

DEAD APPLE, 5-4, Page 154

Skin-to-skin.

The next instance, however, is considerably interesting to me.

"Get off me," he demanded, but Dazai kept him still. "Don't move." "The hell?" Chuuya grimaced as Dazai held his head down. While glancing around, Dazai admitted, "Looks like the fog hasn't completely cleared yet, and I'd rather not have to protect you from your skill right now."

DEAD APPLE, 5-4, Page 155

By maintaining skin-to-skin contact with Chuuya, Dazai prevents Shibusawa's ability (the fog) from affecting Chuuya. Since Chuuya's ability is nullified, there is none to steal in that moment.

And Back to the Manga! - Bungou Stray Dogs Manga

This instance is not a very explicit one, but it is heavily implied that he is using his ability in this moment.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #12, Chapter 51

As per usual, skin-to-skin with Atsushi, and skin-to-ability-infused-object with Akutagawa (well, potential, as it's not active at that moment).

The next instance is in Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #22, Chapter 101. There's no specific panel or image of how exactly it works, because it's not tangible.

To be clear, Dazai nullifies the cat burglar's time control ability's effect on him. The reason for this is assuming that if it affects a certain amount of space (as stated, a few kilometers within her radius), it is technically tangible, and therefore can be viewed as touching everyone within that space. If it touches Dazai's skin, it won't impact him.

I had to think about this a lot more than I thought I would. Initially, I thought, 'it has no corporeal form or anything, it's not as if he's touching her... there's no rational explanation for why he can nullify it.' This thought was further encouraged by the fact that Fukuchi turned back time repeatedly, and Dazai couldn't have been not impacted by that.

Then, I realized that Asagiri specifically stated that there is a limited space in which her ability can take effect. By giving it a spatial limit, it is implied that it has to make some sort of barely visible contact to freeze everyone in time, as it doesn't do that for everyone else.

Asagiri, you clever son of a bitch. For fuck's sake.

These are all the instances where Dazai's ability has been successfully used. However, there are times where it fails to work. I want to explore those moments and explain why. Some are more self-explanatory than others.

He's Only Human - Dazai's Entrance Exam, BSD Manga, and 55 Minutes

There are six different points where Dazai's ability doesn't activate. I think it's important to look at them, because it shows exceptions to his ability.

The first instance is in Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam. You're going to laugh at me for putting this example in, but I feel it is necessary.

"Heh-heh. What surprised me the most was the fact that Ranpo's 'skill' isn't actually a skill at all." ...Huh? "Don't be ridiculous. As if someone without a skill could really do something like that." "That's what makes it so amazing! Listen to this. When Ranpo was thinking, I sneaked up behind him and pinched some of his hair."

Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam, Chapter 3, Pages 110-111

It goes without saying, but Dazai's ability can't impact an ability that doesn't exist. Ranpo's Super Deduction is imaginary, and thus, Dazai can't nullify it.

Next is a few instances in the manga.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #2, Chapter 7

Because Kyouka purposefully does not touch Dazai's skin, she could activate her ability, Demon Snow. Now, could it be said that theoretically, Dazai could've blocked this by extending his ability to his coat? Maybe. Considering previous examples, it's fair to say that if Dazai didn't want to get abducted here? He probably could've avoided it easily. Just some food for thought.

There's no visual of it in the manga, but I brought this up earlier. In Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #8, Chapter 31, Dazai and Chuuya go to rescue Q. They are entrapped by Steinbeck's roots, and Dazai has to cut them out of it. Please keep in mind that when I say this, this is based off theory alone and no direct proof, panel, animation-wise or otherwise. I believe that when Dazai is cutting Q out of the roots, odds are, he probably brushes against them with his knife-holding hand a little. Since these roots were all created together, wouldn't it be reasonable to think that they would disintegrate under Dazai's touch? Which brings up another point: why wouldn't Dazai just touch the roots if that was the case? That would be far easier than cutting them all away, unless he's intentionally trying to annoy Chuuya (which is incredibly possible but time-consuming). This makes me think that Dazai's ability can stop ability-created objects if they are still actively being made or used by the ability user, but if they are no longer attached to the user (activity-wise) and were not created from an object (like Doppo Poet or Dogra Magra for example), they remain existing.

Anyways. Sorry about the rant. Back to actual examples.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #8, Chapter 31

As Dazai will clearly state himself after recovering from this, Lovecraft's tentacles are not an ability. If it's not related to an ability, he can do nothing against it.

Then, we have 55 Minutes, which introduces this fascinating tidbit:

(Wells) "Skills that nullify other skills will not activate if the user is dead. In other words, Dazai--or rather, his body--won't be nullifying any skills since his heart has stopped."

55 Minutes, Page 186

First, when Dazai's heart came to a stop, the blood supply to the brain would cease, and Dazai would die. When this happened, his skill would cease to exist, and other skills would start working on him again. Therefore, his wounds needed to be swiftly treated, and he'd need immediate resuscitation afterward--even the kind of resuscitation they perform at any ordinary hospital through electric stimulation. And if that worked, Dazai would going from being "dead" to being "on the brink of death." After that, Yosano could use her skill to completely heal his wounds. In other words, it should be possible to heal Dazai as long as he was on the brink of death.

55 Minutes, Page 186-187

Yeah, so if he's dead-ish? Abilities will work on him. Albeit, it's a very, very short time-frame, but it does in fact exist.

Bungou Stray Dogs Manga #21, Chapter 95

In this panel, Nikolai uses his ability, The Overcoat, on Dazai. This shows that yet again, as long as the ability does not touch him directly skin-to-skin, it will work as intended.

SUMMARY

Dazai's ability can be used against anyone or anything that he can touch. Examples being:

Ability users he is touching skin-to-skin with

Objects he is actively touching and willing his ability into

Abilities that are infused into external objects (ex: Rashoumon in Akutagawa's jacket, a gun created from a sheet of paper in Kunikida's notebook)

Abilities that would have direct contact with his skin (ex: the numbers skill from Dazai Osamu's Entrance Exam)

Dazai's ability cannot affect:

Skill users he is not touching skin-to-skin (ex: Kyouka grabbing his jacket when abducting him so she can continue using Demon Snow)

Objects that are no longer actively a part of an ability (ex: Steinbeck's vines on Q) [ASSUMPTION]

Not abilities (Ranpo, Lovecraft)

Abilities he is not touching with his skin (ex: Nikolai's ability)

Abilities when his heart isn't beating/he's dead

So. Do with this information what you will.

Also, for shits and giggles, here's a running tally of how many times his ability has been used on an individual, and who it has failed to impact.

SUCCESSFUL NULLIFICATION

Nakahara Chuuya: six

Akutagawa Ryuunosuke: five (one time implied)

Nakajima Atsushi: three (one time implied)

Kunikida Doppo: two

Numbers Guy from DOEE: two

Q: two

Shibusawa Tatsuhiko: two

John Steinbeck: one

Arthur Rimbaud: one

Cat Burglar: at least once

FAILED NULLIFICATION

Edogawa Ranpo

Izumi Kyouka

John Steinbeck [ASSUMPTION]

Lovecraft

Yosano Akiko

Nikolai Gogol

[anne-bsd-bibliophile]

Takaoka's Travels by Shibusawa Tatsuhiko Translated by David Boyd

Since he was already fated to die, what was left to fear? Why should he not indulge in the beauties of the world to whatever extent possible?

Who can say if beautiful things are beautiful because they are twisted, or if they are twisted because they are beautiful?

For the Prince, his dreams were memory itself; if he was unable to return to them, then his dreams were as good as dead. What a lifeless way to wake up, always empty-minded... If he had to live like this - dreaming night after night, but never remembering - what kind of life would that be?

While the thought of death was certainly on his mind, it wasn't something that filled him with dread or fear, only a vague anticipation - as if it were something he was looking forward to, a new adventure.

From the Translator's Afterword:

"As a close friend of the author's once told me, this book is best read as a 'cabinet of curiosities' - a record of a lifelong obsession with all things strange and exotic." - David Boyd

***spoilers for the end of the novel below*** "It's worth mentioning here that the end of Takaoka's life is made to mirror that of the author. Shibusawa was dying as he wrote this book. He had laryngeal cancer, and had to have his vocal cords removed. Toward the end of his life, he could communicate only through writing. He died by the time Takaoka's Travels won the Yomiuri Prize in 1987." - David Boyd

Shibusawa Tatsuhiko has also been updated in the BSD-Bibliophile Online Library!

You can find more information about Shibusawa Tatsuhiko-sensei on the following pages:

Articles and Essays Quotes and Facts Collection Fun Facts

[youroriginalsublimecupcakestuff]

Warning it's full on rambling and maybe many mistake too :

I though that in fanfiction and in canon even in work like beast kyouka and atsushi are always together, it's an inevitability best friend or siblings no matter what , no matter the universe power or no power even with differents backstory they will always find a way to each others.

But i did my research and from what i found irl kyouka and atsushi never met , i don't even think that they have a connection which link them together unlike akutagawa and kyouka which while i think that they never met , akutagawa read kyouka work and was inspired by or admired kyouka ( i read that akutagawa worked hard in order to have Kyoka’s complete works published.)

( but maybe they did have a connection i just never found it ( same for nakajima atsushi and akutagawa ryuunosuke by the way i searched if they have a connection even if it's small but i never found it ( except that nakajima atsushi was nominated for the akutagawa prize in 1942. ( And i just found from bsd-bibliophile that akutagawa ryuunosuke and nakajima atsushi we're compared ( in one of they post they have an extract from the Afterword of The Moon Over the Mountain and Other Stories we're they're compared).

( I didn't found that either for fukuzawa and ranpo or yosano and ranpo ( and i can be wrong for what i say about akutagawa and kyouka i found that they never meet but in others hand i also found a picture of akutagawa ryuunosuke and izumi kyouka together).

And by connection i mean even something like one of them read the others work or admired the others, it don't even mean that they have to have met each others even once, i was just curious one two author who seemingly have no connection ( from what i know, i don't read japanese and never went to japan so maybe i just missed it and they're a connection) are so much linked together in bsd ( it's also why i rambled about akutagawa and kyouka connection it's because i can understand kyouka and akutagawa connection in bsd but i'm clueless for atsushi and kyouka) .

Maybe they're just no need, they're relationship is cool anyway but it make me think that they're so much possibility for angst, i plan to write it better later this post is just rambling :

For exemple What if chuuya is hit by an ability unlike irl all the characters live in the same time but they have the same relationship that irl, he call kouyou ane-san and she doesn't know him or dazai oda is somehow hit by an ability oda is alive but who is kazuo dan and why does he act like they're close also why don't he find any information about the armed detective agency and the port mafia, tanizaki jun'ichiro or akutagawa ryuunosuke come to a world we're gin or Naomi doesn't exist or mori ougai is swapped with author mori he can't feel elise and he don't understand why they're no hostility in yosano behavior toward him ( plus the whiplash when he find that he have children).

But my initial idea was atsushi is hit by an ability , his lung hurt, he find that he can empathise with akutagawa about that which he try not to think about, the first things that he did was search for the ada but it's like it never existed, he also feel empty, he can't use his ability, but what hurt him was when he finally found kyouka she act like she never met him, they're not any sign of recognition in her eyes .

He though that it was a joke at first even if it wasn't like her to play prank like that but then he saw her with ozaki kouyou following her and he though that it understand what happened that the other woman was fooling them all when she appeared like she let kyouka go and that it was her fault why kyouka acted like he was a stranger.

So he confronted her but what happened hurt him to his very core he have never seen kyouka look at him with so much hostility, she was acting like she needed to protect ozaki from him like he was crazy, they're was none of the usual warmth that kyouka have towards him.

So he ran , he searched the others too but when he found them, it was weird everything that wrong, he have never seen a picture of oda sakukonosuke but he remember the name from when he was with dazai san when he visited his grave, he also remember the quiet and rare moment when dazai san would mention him but here he was alive with sakaguchi ango from the special ability division and a man that he never met but was obviously close to the others three especially to dazai san, but what shocked him the more was the expression that he saw dazai san make, he never once have looked like that with them.

So he gave up talking to his mentor and went to ranpo he must know what to do, ranpo san know everything or so he though because this ranpo san looked at him weirdly when he talked about him as being a detective, like kyouka chan he looked at him like he was mad, so he tried to mention the others in the ada to get his help but he didn't even seem to reconnize the name of the president and yosano sensei.

So he ran again even if his lung we're killing him, he went to find yosano sensei to find her laughing with the port mafia boss, he don't know their relationship but from what the others say when he noticed that she was never in the office when he was here it's that yosano sensei doesn't like him and it have something to do with her past so seeing them laughing together was wrong, the blond girl that was always with the port mafia boss wasn't here too.

So he went the others way again, kunikida san was the least diffents to him but it was obvious that he didn't reconnize him, so he left, he saw tanizaki without naomi so when he asked him he was shocked again when he learned that they're no Naomi in this world, his personallity was so differents too everything here was weird, so he ran again and later saw akutagawa and tanizaki acting friendly debating about litterature, he was also shocked to see dazai san intensely watch akutagawa but hearing dazai call akutagawa , akutagawa sempai was his last straw.

Before coming back he talked with akutagawa and even he was differents, everything was wrong.

When he came back he avoided everyone to their surprise and they reassured him that everything was fine, he hugged kyouka and kunikida san and even was weirdly understanding to akutagawa which making look like he was losing it when he talked about his lung.

[kaurwreck]

I want to start organizing my bsd resources, reading list, and notes more sustainably and in a way that's easier to access.

Would anyone be interested if I did this in a Discord server and then made it publicly accessible as a bsd reference library? It would be for use as a resource for fanwork creators, acafans, and anyone else with an interest in the subject matter. In addition to compiling and organizing resources, the server would allow for asking each other questions to pool knowledge and get research help.

The idea comes from an mxtx reference server that I'm in, although the bsd server I'm contemplating would initially be built around the resources I've already collected.

some qualifications:

This would not be a social server but rather a reference catalog to be used for fanworks and personal interest, to which others can also contribute their knowledge and resources.

Because it would be a reference catalog, anything shared must be a source or be cited to a source to maintain the integrity of the information; this would not be a place to share theories or speculation, or to ask about theories and speculation.

Great reference catalogs like bsd-bibliophile already exist, and this wouldn't be a replacement or mirror of those, although there may be overlap. Relevant resources would include resources related to specific authors and other materials relevant to bsd's cultural and historical contexts, themes, locations/setting, influences, and literary references. And it wouldn't just be for text resources either— it would include multimedia resources like podcasts.

I will likely organize my materials using a private server anyway, but if there's interest in another bsd reference hub, I can design it for public accessibility.

[a-stray-wretched-dog]

why does shin soukoku date always happen everywhere except for in the canon universe

i read it here (page 35-41)

i got it from here (love this website it's super cool, i also follow them on tumblr @bsd-bibliophile)

[zestylemonsz]

I think bsd fics should show more of the actual authors work in it.

Like, you can make the bsd character be themselves, but it be coolor if you showed the character have thoughts their author or character they're based off of thought too.

Like Dazai, thinking things like Yozo does, or Dazai the author himself does. Or even the other works he has made.

Dazai, thinking "I wonder how it would be if I let go and yielded myself to depravity." from The Setting Sun.

Not just "Mine has been a life much of shame. I can't even guess myself what it must be to love the life a human being." from No Longer Human.

even check @/bsd-bibliophile for the quotes they post and use those.

[sh1nsoukoku]

“I am lonely. I feel terribly lonely. I feel as if I were standing alone on a lonely star, staring at the night of the pitch black, cold, empty world. Stars have always made me think of eternity or infinity, so while I cannot avoid looking at the stars, I find it hard to deal with my feelings.”

- Nakajima Atsushi, “On Admiration: Notes by the Monk Wujing” from The Moon over the Mountain and Other Stories

Quote sourced from @bsd-bibliophile

[pompompurin1028]

My favourite Dazai literary papers compiled:

Note: Most if not all the papers I have are accessed either via my university library or from @/bsd-bibliophile 's online library so I apologize if they are behind paywalls :") Also, I am partial towards essays which push the boundaries of Dazai-sensei's typical reputation, therefore most of them are perhaps of such nature

My Favourites that I have either finished or have been reading:

A Religion of Humanity: A Study of Osamu Dazai's No Longer Human by Yukihito Hijiya - I personally think it is a rather different view of NLH than other interpretations I have seen

"Art Is Me": Dazai Osamu's Narrative Voice As a Permeable Self by Phyllis I. Lyons - this paper investigates the notion of self in Dazai's works especially due to the autobiographical nature of his work

Dazai Osamu's Otogizoshi: A Structural and Narratological Analysis by Kazurni Nagaike - a thesis so it's very long, it investigates Otogizoshi as a work which blends I-novel elements and metafictional elements

"Dazai Osamu Laughing at the End" from Studies in the Comic Spirit in Modern Japanese Fiction by Joel R. Cohn - Although I have yet to finish this chapter of the book, I think it has a really interesting perspective of looking at Dazai's work from a comic perspective and interesting notes on a book of Dazai's I enjoy - Otogizoshi

After the Silence by Ralph F. McCarthy - Pushes against the idea of Dazai only being able to write I-novels or novels which feature Dazai-like figures

Entering history through ‘weak’ prose: Dazai Osamu's ‘Sange’ by Yukiko Shigeto - this paper explores Dazai's short story Sange (Fallen Flowers) which features juxtaposing tales of the narrator’s two friends’ deaths: one died a quiet, ‘personal’ death at home and the other a heroic death in the battle of Attu near the end of the Pacific War

Dazai Osamu by James O'Brien - O'Brien's book which introduces readers to Dazai's life and his works

The Critical Study Section from The Saga of Dazai Osamu by Phyllis I. Lyons - looks at Dazai's works from a very interesting angle where they believe that a series of Dazai's autobiographical-esque works belong to something called The Osamu Saga, the book is accompanied by translations of those works

[bluemooniegif]

the chronological order of the BSD light novels

anon asked: hi! i think you've said before that it doesn't really matter what order the light novels are read in, but i plan to read them chronologically, instead of publishing order but i'm a bit confused about what the exact order would be. i know fifteen would be before stormbringer and i believe dark era after that? and beast can be read at any time, i assume? i was just wondering if one were to read them as chronologically as possible, if you knew what exactly that order would be? i hope that makes sense and i apologize if this is an inconvenient or silly question! thank you!

this is one of my favourite things to talk about so don't worry! also, something you need to be aware of is that a lot (like the majority) of these lns depict parts of the timeline that are really far removed from the main story being discussed! but it'd be really counter-productive to say something like 'read pages 16-52 of x novel and then begin y novel and then go back to x' so salijfsall

anyway, here's the chronological order: 

volume 3 (The Untold Origins of the Detective Agency) this novel begins with an excerpt from the present 

volume ?? (The Day I Picked Up Dazai) currently not available in English, but you can read the fan translation on BSD Bibliophile! Side A is set in the canon universe and Side B is set in the Beast universe

volume 7 (Dazai, Chuuya, Age 15)

volume 8 (Stormbringer) has flashbacks to ~ the same time as Untold Origins

volume 2 (Osamu Dazai and the Dark Era)

volume 1 (Osamu Dazai's Entrance Exam) again, this novel begins with an excerpt from the present

volume 6 (BEAST) this novel is set in an alternate universe, but appears to take place at the same time as season 1

volume 4 (55 Minutes) & volume 5 (Dead Apple) both these novels take place in the present, sometime after the Guild Arc

volume ? (Bungou Stray Dogs: Another Story) this also hasn't yet been translated into English, but is available on BSD Bibliophile- and the manga is being translated into English, too. the timeline is a little unclear, but it must take place well after Dazai joins the Agency I hope this helps!!

[Smile or comment on the answer here](https://retrospring.net/@bluemoonasks/a/112088195064598460)

[bsd-bibliophile]

Top 5 Quotes by Ueda Akinari

These quotes received the most votes:

Tied for 3rd:

"It can be said that an inability to express even a fragment of one’s thoughts is more moving than the feelings of one skilled with words." - Ueda Akinari, "The Reed-Choked House" from Tales of Moonlight and Rain

“Reduced to this pointless existence, how long should I drag out my life, and for what, lingering in this distant land, depending on the generosity of people with whom I have no ties of blood? It is my own faithless heart that has let me pass long years and months in a field overgrown with the grass of forgetfulness, unmindful even of the fate of her I left at home." - Ueda Akinari, "The Reed-Choked House" from Tales of Moonlight and Rain

2nd Place:

“We may be thieves, but we do value our own lives. Riches are easy to steal, but life is hard to hold on to. If you know the secret of how to steal a hundred years of happiness, then tell us all about it." - Ueda Akinari, "Hankai" from Tales of the Spring Rain

Tied for 1st:

"No one else can know the resentment of one who dies of longing, waiting for another to come." - Ueda Akinari, "The Reed-Choked House" from Tales of Moonlight and Rain

“Our lives are like foam on the water— we cannot know but what they might fade away..." - Ueda Akinari, "The Chrysanthemum Vow" from Tales of Moonlight and Rain

.

Because there was a tie for first place in the main poll, I set up a poll on my side blog to vote for your favorite of the two top quotes:

https://www.tumblr.com/anne-bsd-bibliophile/783275982468628480

[daz4i]

thank you! and yes ofc, any input is welcome! okay, so i've seen some people talk about how many fics get chuuya and dazais dynamic wrong, but i've not actually seen any specific critiques, so i was wondering if you have any tips to avoid, for lack of better term, to write one of the "bad ones"?

also, i don't have money for the light novels, is it generally frowned upon to write skk without having knowledge of how they are in the light novels? i don't if they're that different, but i've seen comments like "if you just read stormbringer, you'd understand" so just wondering if i'm missing out on A Lot.

and for fic posting, this is not that important, but is there some popular fic boosting tags if i wanted to promote it on tumblr?

oh these are great questions!! lemme try to answer it in an organized way (edit from myself after typing the answer up: i am so sorry for this monster of a post askjdfgh hope it's not too overwhelming 😭🙏)

skk dynamic:

one thing i think is important to keep in mind is that it has layers, and that they're not quite honest in their interactions. a good example for what i mean is like when they're rescuing q and chuuya talks about how he can't stand dazai, but then later when dazai is attacked by lovecraft chuuya is immediately concerned and runs after him to make sure he's okay, being shocked and worried when he sees his arm missing, etc. (dazai is even worse in that regard lmao)

i can speak on my own personal pet peeve with skk fics is where their personalities are flattened, and thus their relationship is as a result as well (for example, reducing chuuya to a tsundere, or making him stupid, while making dazai some dark edgelord etc) this can lead to missing one key thing in their relationship: they're equals

soukoku even just as a fighting duo isn't just "dazai thinks up strategies and chuuya fights", the whole reason they're considered unbeatable to their enemies is because they're both strong - they can both fight, and they're both smart and good at thinking quickly on their feet. it's just that chuuya is better at fighting, and dazai's strategies are more airtight. this way they're enhancing each other's abilities. so, translating that into their general dynamic is also important

another way in which they're equal that i think shows this last part^ even better, and smth that i think ppl tend to miss, is that dazai never really manipulates chuuya or forces him into situations he doesn't want to take part in - he always asks for chuuya's final word on the matter. chuuya follows his plans because he too knows they're likely the best option. this is how they maintain their trust in each other

(honestly the only time i think you can argue dazai tries to manipulate chuuya is in their reunion in the dungeon, but really it's more for shits and giggles on his end, no real malice, and chuuya probably knows that too, i think)

light novels:

first off!! even if you can't afford them, bsd-bibliophile has them right here!!! i really recommend checking it out :)

i don't think you HAVE to read them but like. it's good to know what happens in them at least generally, and it can definitely help the nuance of their dynamic. the sb comment is kind of right bc it helps figuring out one of those layers i mentioned in the beginning

i actually haven't finished strombringer myself hehe but one thing i got from it so far and from reading analysis of it (which can also help if you don't mind getting spoiled!) that i think is important, esp if you're writing about their mafia days, is that chuuya does hate dazai in the early stages of their relationship, but like. because he sees himself in him. and he sees despair he doesn't want to give in to. at least back then, dazai kind of embodies his negative thoughts about himself, even if not literally and just in his mind.

also on a more basic level both of them (tho esp fifteen) offer some shenanigans of them being silly teenagers. also dazai cringe compilation. actually this is an important part of it i think dazai should always be at least a little bit pathetic when chuuya's around (but that might also be just my own personal take :P)

tldr for the light novels thing, i think it really depends on what sort of fic you're planning to write. canonverse, and esp mafia days, i'd say it's fairly important. aus, not so much, but it can help. relationship explorations, probably. silly fluff or pwp, not really. yknow :?

posting:

hmmmmm i don't know any particular tags (except like, basic stuff, fandom / ship / main characters / "fanfiction" / maybe key tropes you're using? tho it's def not a must) but some general tumblr hacks:

posting at the right hours and days helps; around the afternoon or early evening in american timezones, on the weekends, is probably the best time to gain most traffic

use ao3's automatic sharing or post the fic as the link post format, rather than a text post or picture with a link inserted into the text. idk if it still exists, but it used to be that posts with links in the text would be hidden from search results, especially if you're a new blog (i think it was mostly removed but the new blog thing might still be relevant)

don't use swears and esp not "fuck" and its variations in the tags. hides posts from search results (i think "shit" and such is okay?? but i'm not entirely sure so. to be on the safe side, better to avoid) also don't use "nsfw" or any other possibly nsfw tags even if it's needed

speaking of. while it's probably responsible to use community labels. i'm p sure tumblr hides mature posts from search results 😭 i saw artists complaining abt their posts getting flagged and even getting shadowbanned over it iirc so. unfortunately it's probably better to avoid 😔 save the warnings for the fic itself

this might be a bug only i have lol but after making a post with quite a few tags, wait a few seconds before refreshing the tab or moving to another page. i noticed that otherwise it can hide the post from everywhere except your own blog (it might also be only relevant to image posts? but again, to be on the safe side, it won't hurt to do it)

okay i think that's all. i will say that everything i said abt skk might be just my own personal interpretation hehe so don't take my word as gospel!!! i'm sure there are many other fans and writers who view them in an entirely different light, and at the end of the day, it's up to you to choose your own version to write

and with that, i'm also turning this post to my followers, if you want to add anything, or if you have links to good analysis posts that could answer one of these questions, please go ahead! :D

as for you anon, i wish you good luck with writing, and mostly i hope you have fun with it!!! :3 just bc you see some of us complaining abt fics sometimes doesn't mean you should walk into it scared, actually please don't!!! you can do whatever you want really, and i'm sure there will be an audience for your work no matter what you create! <3