#ASAGIRI RELEASE HIM WHERE IS HE

[rosalinesurvived]

Suehiro “For just five minutes I will place Jouno above justice” Tecchou coming to the slow creeping dawning clinging horrifying realisation that everyone in his group has just been brutally killed off by his captain–who brought them all together for the sake of stopping a war that never even existed, and also everyone in his group-including him-were nothing more than children dragged through the mud for the sake of being ‘slaves to society’.

Suehiro “There is evil that goes unpunished and good that goes unrewarded” Tecchou coming to the very, very, very slow realisation that his friends who fought for years on the side of supposed justice are dead, he is alone, and they never were or will be rewarded because it was their captain who cut them down, who himself turned them from street children and child soldiers into government experiments, lab rats, almost taking away their humanity, has been manipulated for decades, realising that the line between good and evil is so blurred that he can hardly even see it anymore.

The world no longer makes sense to him.

[dazais-guardian-angel]

Chapter 110 is 13 pages long welcome to hell!!! so in a lot of ways this is just more fuel for a theory that I've had for a few weeks now, that's only gotten stronger with each recent season 5 episode, which is that the last episode of the season is gonna end on 110, and that Asagiri/Harukawa and Bones have been collaborating to make this happen, specifically because it's a major turning point that would be the only good place to end the season on.

When we started getting especially long chapters again (like from 25-35ish pages, with the exception of 107.5, the last two being some of the longest we've ever had), at first I just assumed that Asagiri/Harukawa got freed up from some other obligations they'd been having to cause the extremely short/half chapters, like promotional stuff for the anime/Beast movie, or working on light novels. But then 109 happened, with the "supposed" death of Dazai, and heavy emphasis at the end on how literally everyone is at their lowest point right now, and I got to thinking. 11 episodes is a strangely specific number for an anime season -- why not 12, or 13, or even 10, like you'd usually see? Why have we gotten suddenly gotten two 35 page chapters out of nowhere, that's almost unheard of at this point? They're both beautiful chapters, don't get me wrong (as always), and maybe A/H simply just didn't want to cut them in halves because they felt like the full emotional impact wouldn't hit/that there were no good cutoff points in them, but you can't deny that it's surprising, after all the shorter chapters we've been getting. Why has the anime been going at such insanely breakneck pacing for the most part ever since around the Sunday Tragedy chapters, even more so than it has in the past? So much so that it feels dangerously close to overtaking the manga?

Well, maybe, just maybe, it's because..... Asagiri decided a long time ago that whatever happens in 110 is the only point that feels "season finale"-worthy enough, in an arc that still isn't anywhere close to being completely wrapped up, and so both the manga and the anime have been specifically coordinated to reach that part within 2 and a half weeks of each other?

I've seen a lot of people now think season 5 will end with 109, and as much as my sadistic side would find that hilarious, I honestly don't think they'd do that and realistically don't want it to happen; it'd be so cruel to cliffhanger the anime for years like that, and just doesn't feel like a season cliffhanger BSD would do, a series that is ultimately hopeful and uplifting. Seasons 2 and 3 had a positive, conclusive ending; the only reasons seasons 1 and 4 didn't was because they're technically not really full seasons of their own, and are more like the first cour of another "season" that also came out that same year (seasons 1 and 2 both aired in 2016, so they're more like one big season, and seasons 4 and 5 have both aired this year, so they're also more like one big season, again taking into account how episodes 12 and 50 are not satisfying finales like episodes 24, 37, and hypothetically, 61, are). I really can't see season 5 ending with Dazai and Fukuzawa's supposed deaths, Sigma being unconscious and maybe close to death, Atsushi being vulnerable and limbless again, everyone we love still vampires, and the entire world being basically doomed; that's just too depressing and not like BSD at all. However, having said that, if it doesn't end there, there really isn't any good place to end the season before that, either, that feels in any way satisfying or like a finale at all. And so, to me, that only leaves after 109: chapter 110.

I think things are really gonna turn around next chapter. Like I said, everyone is at their lowest point right now, it cannot possibly get any worse, the framing of Dazai, Fukuzawa, and sskk at the end of 109 is telling us that; this is the time for the heroes to finally start winning again, with Aya being so close to pulling out the sword, and for all the thematic reasons other people have talked about to death that I don't need to go into here again. This upcoming chapter being so short again makes a part of me wary of 110 being "the one", so to speak, I won't lie, but at the same time, it's very possible that it needs to be that short because that's all the final episode of the season will be able to reasonably fit in, since it's already gonna be VERY close if they do make it all the way to 109. And at the end of the day, I don't doubt at all that Asagiri and Harukawa can make these the most monumental and game-changing mere 13 pages ever if they wanted to; a chapter does not at all need to be extremely long in order to be an important and impactful one, even if short ones we've gotten in the past haven't felt the most important.

An additional thought I've had, though this is much more crack territory than all this already is, is that since we know from Anime Expo that a Stormbringer movie at some point is highly likely (judging from Asagiri's reaction when someone brought it up), it's possible that chapter 110 and thus the final episode will involve the long-anticipated return of Verlaine and/or Adam, or at least some other major reference to Stormbringer, that would naturally and smoothly lead into a Stormbringer movie to explain things to people who haven't read the novel. It would make a lot of sense, especially since the s4 OP has the Old World sign behind Chuuya, which might be a hint that this has been in the works ever since seasons 4/5 were first in planning with Asagiri. We also know that Dazai and Chuuya's voice actors apparently struggled to record their lines together this season, which probably relates to 101 and possibly 109, but it could be 110 too.... I could be very wrong, as I'm no expert on this kind of thing, but I kinda doubt they would bring Chuuya's actor in for just the vampire growls, and Asagiri placing heavy emphasis on Chuuya's importance this season in that one interview gives me the impression that he's talking about much more than just 101/109. But that's the least solid evidence I have, that's just mostly based on vibes I get.

So basically, I think a lot of factors -- the unusual episode count, how close the anime is to catching up to the manga with three whole episodes left, the seemingly arbitrary recent chapter lengths, and the climactic events of 109 -- can tell us that 110 might be a very, VERY big deal. Again, there's of course no way this arc is anywhere near close to being finished, with so much left to address and resolve, but since it is currently incomplete in the manga, unlike the previously adapted arcs, if the anime was going to adapt it at all, they'd have to find a place that feels satisfying enough to end this season, knowing there won't be more anime for a long time after this, and so I think they specifically planned for that, from both Bones' and A/H's sides. 10 episodes might not have been enough to reach that point, but 12 or 13 might have been too many it wouldn't have been if Bones actually decided to slow down and let the story breathe the way it needs to, but this post isn't meant to criticize the anime, so maybe 11 was just right. And maybe Asagiri and Harukawa specifically pushed to make recent chapters longer than usual, in order to make sure that the manga reached the story content in 110 the monthly release right before season 5 was to end.

Is this just copium? Absolutely. Am I going to look like an absolute clown in two days when this post ages like milk? Probably. But the evidence is There, so let me just enjoy my delusions until Sunday, okay 🥂🫡

[sorcerersandskillusers]

Fyodor and the Devil: Analysis of Fyodor's motives and role in the narrative

Asagiri has stated that he based Fyodor not on Dostoyevsky the author but on a specific scene from one of his books The Brothers Karamazov where Ivan Karamazov confronts “the devil” in his room.

(It's a really good book, you should read it if you have time. Also. fun fact, Fyodor and the devil wear the same hat, “His soft fluffy white hat was out of keeping with the season.”)

Having read the book and gone over this scene, I realized that this could be used to find out a lot more about Fyodor as a character than we see in the story, including a potential glimpse at his real motivations.

A bit of context for the scene. Ivan Kramazov is a clever but deeply trouble man who has struggling with the concept of God and rationalising him with the cruelty of humanity, at one point while very sick, Ivan starts seeing a man in his room who claims to be “the devil”. Their conversation is a fascinating look at morality and why evil exists in the world, and if you look at it closely it reveals a lot about the role of a “villain” in a story.

This line from “the devil” is really interesting to me, and seems to explain a lot about Fyodor’s character, as well as align perfectly with how Asagiri has described Fyodor in interviews:

Before time was, by some decree which I could never make out, I

was predestined 'to deny' and yet I am genuinely good-hearted and not at all inclined to negation.

'No, you must go and deny, without denial there's no criticism and what would a journal be without a column of criticism?' 

Without criticism it would be nothing but one 'hosannah.' But nothing but hosannah is not enough for life, the hosannah must be tried in the crucible of doubt and so on, in the same style. But I don't meddle in that, I didn't  create it, I am not answerable for it. Well, they've chosen their scapegoat, they've made me write the column of criticism and so life was made possible.

Basically the devil is saying that he was created because without evil then good means nothing, if everything was perfect then nothing would happen or change, life couldn’t exist, so he was forced to be that evil even though he never wanted to be.

This is so similar to how Fyodor is described in the BSD exposition 2020:

Fyodor is the antagonist, he is the villain of the story, that is the role he plays. This explains why he chooses to commit so many atrocities in the name of  “following God's plan”. It even connects to his line in The Dead Apple, and his ability name. He is both crime and punishment, as “crime” or sin originates with the devil, but it's also the devil who punishes sinners.

(I mean the title of the episode he is introduced in is literally “My Ill Deeds Are the Work of God” by committing evil acts he is fulfilling God's purpose for him.)

And if Fyodor is really based on “the devil” it's very likely he also either does or used to wish for release from this role that was assigned to him, but he knows that he cannot stray from his path or the story will cease to exist. My evidence for Fyodor wanting to be free of his mission is just one interaction, when he kills Karma.

Look at Fyodor's expression here, this is the only time in the entire series where we see him look truly sad. This isn't an act, there is no one there for him to trick, he simply says a quiet prayer for the life of a boy who's only purpose was to suffer and die.

This next part of “the devils” speech actually seems to fit very well for Dazai, it's interesting since he is the narrative foil to Fyodor and clearly is a very similar character.

We understand that comedy; I, for instance, simply ask for annihilation. No, live, I am told, for there'd be nothing without you.

If everything in the universe were sensible, nothing would happen. There would be no events without you, and there must be events. So against the grain I serve to produce events and do what's irrational because I am commanded to.

For all their indisputable intelligence,men take this farce as something serious, and that is their tragedy. They suffer, of course... but then they live, they live a real life, not a fantastic one, for suffering is life. Without suffering what would be the pleasure of it? It would be transformed into an endless church service; it would be holy, but tedious. But what about me? I suffer, but still, I don't live. I am x in an indeterminate equation. I am a sort of phantom in life who has lost all beginning and end, and who has even forgotten his own name. 

This ties perfectly into Dazai and Fyodor’s debate on the nature of God in the sky casino arc.

Dazai here points out that it's not perfection and harmony that make the world move, it's the irrational, it's the foolishness and stupidity of humans who charges into life making a million mistakes but always finding ways to fight on through it. Here Dazai and Fyodor represent the conflicting sides of “the devil” with Fyodor embodying his mission to drive the world and Dazai embodying his secret love for, and wish to join, humanity.

“I love men genuinely, I've been greatly calumniated! Here when I stay withyou from time to time, my life gains a kind of reality and that's what I like most of all. Yousee, like you, I suffer from the fantastic and so I love the realism of earth. Here, with you, everything is circumscribed, here all is formulated and geometrical, while we have nothing but indeterminate equations! I wander about here dreaming. I like dreaming. Besides, on earth I become superstitious. Please don't laugh, that's just what I like, to become superstitious. I adopt all your habits here: I've grown fond of going to the public baths, would you believe it?

And I go and steam myself with merchants and priests. What I dream of is becoming incarnate once for all and irrevocably in the form of some merchant's wife weighing eighteen stone, and of believing all she believes. My ideal is to go to church and offer a candle in simple-hearted faith, upon my word it is. Then there would be an end to my sufferings.”

“"Why not, if I sometimes put on fleshly form? I put on fleshly form and I take the consequences. Satan sum et nihil humanum a me alienum puto."*

* I am Satan, and deem nothing human alien to me.”

This piece from the devil feels like it could be a description of Dazai’s character, his wish above all else to find happiness and love as a human despite believing he is a demon. Both Dazai and Fyodor have strong ties to the Devil, both of them are often described as demonic or inhuman, with emphasis placed on the darkness of their souls and the isolation they feel due to their minds.

But the difference between them is how they dealt with it, Fyodor chose to embrace it and fully commit to his role in the story as the ultimate evil for the greater good, but Dazai has always shown a fasciation with humans and has spent his life trying to connect to them and find meaning in his existence.

Finally, let's look at what we can learn about Fyodor’s motivation. Fyodor is the villain, he is the final obstacle the protagonist has to overcome, he is the driving force behind so much of Atsushi’s life and the reason so much of the series has played out at all. He sent Shibusawa to torture Atsushi as a child, he was an informant to the guild who put the bounty on Atsushi making the mafia turn on him, he was involved in the guild invasion, and obviously he was the master mind behind cannibalism and Decay of Angles.

If he is aware of his position as the antagonist, then he also is probably aware Atsushi is the protagonist, he knew he was the “envy of all ability users” after all, so he knows Atsushi has some significance to the world as a whole.

Atsushi is also the “guide to the book” which is seemingly Fyodor’s end goal, so even though Fyodor doesn’t seem to be focused on Atsushi, he has been indirectly influencing his whole journey up to this point. This also explains why Fyodor is only moving actively now, because the protagonist has appeared and his role as the villain can finally be fulfilled and he, like “the devil” can finally get the “annihilation” he asked for. Hence, Fyodor’s true goal is to erase himself from the narrative.

There is actually quite a lot of evidence for this. The obvious part is that Fyodor wants to rid the world of ability users while he himself is an ability user, he cannot exist in his perfect world. 

Then there’s the fact that in the Dead Apple, Fyodor calls himself “crime” if Fyodor is “crime” or “sin” then a world free of sin would not contain him at all

Even when Fyodor talks about sin, he says how humans are easily manipulated into killing each other, while he constantly manipulates characters into killing each other, he is the cause of the sin he fights.

A really strong bit of evidence is this interview with Asagiri and Harukawa

Not only does Asagiri reiterate Fyodors role as the person who moves the story, Harukawa specifically mentions that Fyodor might be trying to create a world without ability users because he thought it was a “bad thing to do” aka the action a villain would take that would lead to a hero stopping them.

“Dos-san is the biggest villain in the story so far, but I have continued to draw him with spaced out eyes that are neither righteous nor evil for a long time. The only time I drew his eyes completely white was when he said he would create a world without skill users. It was because, in reality, we would decide what is evil or not by our own scales, but I wasn't sure if he himself was doing it because he thought that was a bad thing to do.”

This also connects to how Fyodor was able to understand Gogol when no one else could, Gogol is chooses to fight against the way the world is to prove to himself that he truly is free. Fyodor, who is bound to play a part in a narrative, would understand that feeling and that longing to be truly free.

To be clear, I don’t think that Fyodor is really a good person whose just been trapped in an awful position against his will, we see many times that Fyodor revels in his cruelty and enjoys killing and torturing others. Its the same with “the devil” in the book, although he hates the job he was given, he tells Ivan stories of the people he’s corrupted and seems very proud of himself for it.

My personal interpretation is that the sadistic zelot personality Fyodor displays is a mixture of a mask and a coping mechanism, kind of similar to Yosano developing a sadistic side to help her deal with the guilt of half killing people in order to heal them. I think it makes sense that after centuries of cruelty and manipulation a person would become detached and stop really caring about the lives he destroys.

This analysis is partially unfinshed but I wanted to post it now and see what other people think of it.

[umikawa]

a/n: commission for an anon who gave permission to post (thank you again!!! ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡)

gen asagiri x gn!reader | 1.7k wc | no warnings, modern day, y/n is an assistant for another magician, gen is hopeless and a little too relatable to me I fear, erm yeah 👍

Gen’s stuck. 

Figuratively and literally. A magic trick gone wrong, as well as an entirely useless (flakey) assistant who he’s sure was only after a good paycheck, left him dangling by his legs. 

God. It really cannot get worse than this.

“Gen?” 

Oh, for ucks-fay sake. 

At the sound of your voice, he’s quick to sputter, trying to look as cool and calm as possible in this situation. “Ah, Y/n, my dear! What a pleasure seeing you here. Are you in need of assistance?” 

“I’m not.” You laugh nervously, watching him swing from side to side with his hands tucked into his sleeves. “Are you…okay?” The question comes out with hesitation. Though you knew the answer, part of you wanted to see if he’d come up with some excuse.

“I’m perfect! This is all a part of an elaborate trick of mine– but I can’t release the etails-day yet, can’t have you stealing it, hahaaa!” His voice goes out near the end, and he watches your lips quirk up into an amused smile– of course, Gen’s an entertainer. He’s not the type to ask for something so blatantly. 

You step back, and Gen’s hands reach out instinctively when the heels of your feet come close to the edge– as if he could do anything to help in his predicament. “How do I get you down from there?” 

“Er–” he assesses himself, looking backstage at a comical outline of where his assistant stood. “In the back, over there— they may be a lever that lowers me down.” You waltz over to it, eyes raking over the miscellaneous levers until you spot the one with a tiny doodle of his face. 

“I’ll let you down easy.” 

Gen smiles to himself. He hopes that’s the only time he’ll hear those words. “Thank you, dear.” 

The rope holding him swings his body the second you begin lowering him down. He panics on the inside, but the suave smile he always keeps on his face remains intact. He feels the ground beneath him, thanking whatever force brought you to him. 

Huh. 

He looks to the side when he sees your shoes come into sight, trailing his eyes towards your face. He sputters when your hand touches his forehead, heat creeping up his neck. “Y/n?” 

“You were upside down for a while, weren’t you?” You squat down to his level, brushing the hair away from his face. “Is your head okay?”

“I’m…” he trails off, heartbeat suffocating in his ears. You’re too close. Dazed and confused by his emotions, he looks off to the side– it’s too much. “I’m quite alright!” He laughs, picking himself up from the floor hastily. “I eally-ray owe you one, Y/n! I’ll see you later, bye.” 

You watch as he leaves with haste, sending one last smile before pushing open the double doors to exit the building. A frown makes its way to your face at his departure– were the rumors true? 

Did Gen really not like you anymore?

———

In the solitude of his apartment, Gen nearly falls to his knees the moment he steps foot inside, embarrassment and guilt rushing into him at the remembrance of leaving you alone so abruptly. 

He had to. 

He always felt weird around you. He couldn’t decipher it as jealousy or— 

No. That couldn’t be it, could it? Surely not! He laughs, holding his head in his palm– maybe he did suffer from being upside down. 

Yes, that’s it. Definitely nothing else. Definitely. 

He picks himself up from the ground, toeing off his shoes, and shuffles to the bathroom– rolling his eyes at the sight of his flushed face after thinking of you. It’s from hanging upside down. He reminds himself. 

The shower faucet drips to life, rushing water spewing out while the filter does little to suppress the pressure. He’d have to call that in soon. As he steps under the water, his hair annoyingly sticks to his face before he can clip it away; he wondered frequently if he should cut it off, but– 

You really liked it. 

You saw it as a trademark, braided it, and messed with it during break periods before he started avoiding you, saying it was what made him: him. 

He was grateful for you, always cheering him up after an unfulfilling show, being there for him when he needed it– being you. 

Gen lowers his head with a sigh, letting the water wash away the thoughts irritatingly consuming his mind. He had other things to worry about and figure out– he couldn’t let everything drift back to you, even if it did. 

It always does. 

Frustration fills his body, and his fist knocks against the shower wall. He hates this. It isn’t like him at all. He was supposed to be suave, smooth-tongued, and a manipulator. 

Was this what falling in love was really like? 

——

The next day, you catch Gen taping ‘help wanted’ signs on the theater’s front window, a distant look on his face, tired– in multiple ways. His eyes drift to the side, to you, and you replace the frown that sets on your face with a welcoming smile, hoping to crack one out of him. 

His lips curve upward slowly, cheek twitching like it was physically painful for him to simply smile. He adds a small wave, tracking you as you enter the building. 

“Good morning, Y/n.” His voice sounds like usual. Sweet, smooth, enthusiastic. More importantly, he’s not trying to run away. 

Your eyes trail over his face again, piquing his curiosity and prompting him to tilt his head. “How are you, Gen?” 

“Ah~ I'm doing well, my dear. Just an estless-ray night– new neighbors, you know how that goes.” You hum. He can tell you're not convinced– not even the slightest bit. 

Instead of pressing further, you point back to the flyer he hung up, “Fired that assistant, I presume?” 

“Well, leaving me dangling sort of goes against my terms of service. It was a reasonable termination.” He smiles in amusement, raising a hand to his hand over his mouth. “Why do you ask? Could it be that you’re interested?” 

“Yes.” 

Gen freezes, lowering his hand slowly– shakily. “Pardon me?” 

“I’m interested.” He blinks, confused and dazed. Unsuspecting of your words, genuinely caught off guard. “That is– if you don’t have any reason to deny me.” 

“I–” He hesitates, biting his tongue when you look at him expectantly with your arms crossed. “I don’t know what to say.” 

“That’s the first.” Gen blinks. Your voice is strained. Resigned. As if you wished you didn’t have to say that. “It’s fine. I should go.” 

His fingers latch around your wrist before he can even comprehend his own actions, and only when you gasp in shock does he realize what he did. He lets go quickly, stammering out an apology while you just stood there staring at him– analyzing him– like he was a museum display. 

And then you speak. Once again, he’s caught off guard by your words—a question he never thought you’d ask him. 

“Why don’t you like me, Gen?” 

God, your tone of voice feels like something had ripped his heart out and stomped on it. He doesn’t say anything for a moment. He can’t say anything– nothing came to his mind at all. 

“I miss how we used to be.” You say, eyes cast to the floor, brows furrowed– like you were angry. “When you weren’t avoiding me– I–” A pause, likely to gather yourself before you started ranting. “What did I do wrong?” 

“Nothing!” It comes out before he can think, another painful silence casting over both of you. He fidgets, hands twitching at his sides as sweat forms along his hairline. He had to think. 

You raise a brow when he chuckles quietly, lowering his head into his palm. “My dear, it’s quite the opposite.” His tone shifts, calm and timid, with a barely noticeable shake. “I get quite restless around you.” 

“Because…?” You trail off, heartbeat picking up when he steps closer, attempting to make himself appear taller as he looks at you. Your eyes snap to his arm that curls around your waist, then you feel it,

He’s trembling. 

“I didn’t know what it was at first, though maybe I did, but it pissed me off to no end.” Your eyes dart over his face, an agitated grin on his lips. “The irritable feeling in my chest whenever you were around, how I couldn’t stop thinking about you, the avoidance.” 

Your hand grabs his bicep, his eyes snapping to it before he pulls you closer. “It all made sense to me when I stopped denying it.” His grip falters slightly when you squeeze, loosening his hold on you. “The feeling I had for you wasn’t dislike.” 

“I was falling in love. Genuinely this time, I’m sure.”  

 Gen releases you slowly, taking a step back to give you space to absorb the confession he just dropped. Your expression doesn’t change from shock, hand still raised like you’d become frozen by his words. He takes it gently, lowering it to your side– he was getting restless, but he’d stand there for hours waiting for a response if he had to. 

“Being in love with me pisses you off?” Gen raises a brow, looking to the side as he tries to justify his words. But before he could, you start to speak again, “I guess I shouldn’t apply to be your assistant then.” 

“Eh?”

“I mean– if you’re so pissed off by just loving me, who knows what you’ll be like when we work together as a couple.” 

Gen blinks. Did he hear that right?

“You can't possibly mean–”

“I do. But you wouldn’t have noticed it since you were avoiding me.” He frowns at the blunt jab at his wrongdoings, nodding in dismay and accepting his actions. “We won’t be some magician 'it couple.' It’s too cliche for me.” 

“Of course, I wouldn’t be able to pay you as much as your current magician anyway.” He shrugs in dismissal, smiling at the quick shift of conversation. “So it’s official? I’ve successfully manipulated you into falling for me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself too much, Gen, or make yourself seem like a bad guy.” He jolts when your hands reach his face, cupping his cheeks gently. “You wouldn’t need a hint of manipulation to make me fall for someone like you.” 

[weretiger-be-my-horse]

so a while ago i read a theory on reddit (can't recall the user, sorry) that said that asagiri purposely shortened the manga chapters after season 4 was released so that the anime adaptation caught up to the manga. if you are a manga reader, you already know this is true and that season 5 episode 11 goes in fact beyond the manga plot.

this reddit user gave various reasons for this. one (and perhaps the most plausible one) said that it was to force manga readers to watch the season 5 finale. but i think i recall that another option may have been to tie up the manga and the anime, since parallel worlds have a special and pivotal role in bsd (we literally have the beast universe there) and therefore asagiri would be treating the manga and anime storylines as parallel worlds/universes.

and i can't help but worry because i was so relieved when dazai and fukuzawa came out of the conflict alright and everyone started to wake up. we got the detectives back, the hunting dogs (except for yosano, tachihara and jouno) and some port mafia members such as akutagawa and chuuya. both enemies (fyodor and fukuchi) were defeated AND killed. this puts the entirety of the fandom at ease.

the last few seconds of the episode show atsushi and akutagawa fighting against an ame-no-gozen wielder, who has fukuchi's scars and is also wearing a mask similar to the one he's wearing in an official art. so it's HEAVILY hinted that it's him.

now, the thing is, what if the manga takes another direction? what if that fukuchi is there because in the manga the ada loses and fukuchi/fyodor uses the book to jump into the reality where they don't win, which is the anime?

like now we manga readers are sort of relieved because the anime showed us how the arc ends, right? we just watched it. we will read that in the october chapter, right?

but what if

[fyozaibrainrot]

FYOZAI ANALYSIS

Heya bsd fandom! Welcome to my fyozai analysis that no one asked for. If you're an anti, please feel free to skip this post, I'm not a fan of shipping war. If you're not caught up to the manga and don't want to get spoiled, you can also skip because this contains manga spoilers.

Now, I want to say in advance that I have nothing against other zai and fyo ships (I like skk — I even edit them — and fyolai — thanks to Creantzy), I'm merely stating things as I see it. And if you agree with me, then we have something in common.

Background

Their similarities and differences

Their relationship

They hate each other vs. it's nothing personal

Their view of each other

How they treat each other vs. how they treat others

Why is fyozai a good ship?

How they feel about one another

fyozai is NOT skk 4.0 or fyolai in a different flavor

Their connection

Their abilities

Background

In chapter 37, after the fall of Moby Dick and before Dead Apple, Dazai told Hirotsu that he met Fyodor before the present timeline, and he also hinted that he knew Atsushi is the tiger from the very start. It's a popular headcanon that they met after Dazai left the Port Mafia, but until today, we still don't know how they met and their circumstances at that time.

I'm assuming it will be revealed in the coming chapters before Fyodor is defeated to make us cry, maybe from Sigma's POV, or Asagiri-sensei will release a new LN. (It's also possible Asagiri-sensei will leave it at that for us to do what we want in fanfiction.) Either way, it's clear that they got to know each other pretty well during that time, since Dazai is already familiar with Fyodor and his ways even before they reunited again.

Speaking of reunion, there's a detail that wasn't specified in the Dead Apple — in the movie, at least. I haven't read the manga or LN — but supposedly, Dazai teamed up with Fyodor against Shibusawa, but Fyodor was pals with Shibusawa and sold Dazai for his ability only for Fyodor to also betray Shibusawa. In short, it's a circus of clowns and demons.

Anyway, this means that Dazai had a way of reaching out to Fyodor to be able to team up with him beforehand. Of course, that went up in flames during the cannibalism arc. (It'll be hilarious if Dazai casually called Fyodor to ask him where he is and Fyodor hung up on him though.)

Moving on to communication, the two of them talked to each other enough to create their own language. And by enough, I mean a lot, they must've had a lengthy conversation during the DA and before that. Otherwise, how the fuck can they use a lot of words in prison? Because their meetings during the cannibalism arc and their on-screen time in the movie sure as hell wasn't enough to make up their language.

We don't know enough about their personal background yet and their history together is still up in the air so we'll leave it at that.

Their similarities and differences

Dazai and Fyodor are so similar. That's established since their first interaction in the main manga. They are both highly intellectual geniuses who feel alienated from society. Dazai feeling alienated? Not a shocker if you've read his ability and it's shown in the 15 arc. (i.e. him shooting that guy from GSS over and over, and going “ah right, that's the right way to think" after Chuuya stopped him.) But Fyodor? Well, yes. It was practically stated by Ango during the DA and confirmed by Fyodor with his iconic counseling hour bit. That panel is not just for fun and giggles. It's Fyodor admitting that no one can quite understand him. Just as they can't understand Dazai.

They view themselves as being different from the rest of society; Dazai views himself as being below the other humans, and Fyodor views himself as being above and closer to God.

Both are also willing to go to great lengths to achieve their goals. Getting captured, killing, manipulation, using people, betraying allies, the list goes on and on. As they said in the alley, they are alike. And that's the reason they are each other's worst enemy. They are not yin and yang like Akutagawa and Atsushi, no, they are the opposite sides of the same coin. The reason why it's opposite? Well, aside from them being on opposing side of the war, it's because of their one difference.

Dazai found beauty in people being sinfully stupid while Fyodor despised it. Fyodor wants to cleanse that sin, but Dazai accepts it as part of people's humanity. But you know what's interesting?

“He is stupid. I am not disputing that, but perhaps the normal man should be stupid, how do you know? Perhaps it is very beautiful, in fact.” — Notes From The Underground

This is a line from one of IRL Fyodor's novels. I think that their conversation about stupidity comes from this. Who knows? Maybe Fyodor will have a change of heart in the end.

Their relationship

-They hate each other vs. it's nothing personal

I think it's clear by now that Dazai and Fyodor don't hate each other. There's nothing personal in their fights. It's Dazai wanting to fulfill Oda's last words and doing his job for the ADA, Fyodor is an enemy so he has to dispose of him. It's Fyodor wanting to achieve his goal, but Dazai is in his way so he has to eliminate him. They are rivals, sure, but they don't have the animosity sskk used to have.

It's all business. If Fyodor ever becomes like Verlaine, I doubt that Dazai will still kill him without a reason. If Dazai ever joins Fyodor's side, I don't think Fyodor will kill him either unless given a reason.

In fact, it looks like Fyodor doesn't even want to kill Dazai. Before you guys call me delusional, bear with me and read until the end, it will make sense. Of course, this is all speculation on my part.

In the Dead Apple, before Dazai merged with the dragon, Fyodor could have stopped him by dragging him down before he's high enough. Or he could stab him lethally to make sure he's dead and not rely on Shibusawa's poison. But he didn't. Fyodor just let everything play out as though he's testing Dazai. (And for entertainment)

In the alley scene, Fyodor knew Dazai would come for him and he ordered the sniper not to hit Dazai anywhere vital, but he didn't have to do that. Fyodor rationalized his action by saying that Dazai still had to tell the Armed Detective Agency about the fight against the Mafia. Did he need Dazai specifically to be his messenger though? He sent the Port Mafia a letter! Can't he do that for the ADA? Fyodor could have ordered his sniper to kill Dazai (Dazai still came anyway even knowing there's a sniper, he's suicidal like that lol or maybe he just knew Fyodor wouldn't kill him) and order someone to give the Agency the letter, but he didn't do that. Basically, they just exchanged information and Fyodor got Dazai out of the way, albeit temporarily, without killing him.

And then there's Meursault. Mushitaro said that Fyodor let himself get captured, although he looked genuinely shocked when Dazai caught him, and that may be because Dazai getting arrested was already planned from the moment Fyodor recruited Mushitaro.

Once again, getting Dazai out of the way without killing him, Fyodor planned to send him away from Yokohama. And so Dazai also let Jouno arrest him in order to get closer to Fyodor. But then, Nikolai came into the picture and started the prison break.

Now, if Fyodor really doesn't want to kill Dazai, then for what reason? It's simple. He wants Dazai to be his other half. And when he deemed Dazai unfit for it, after the whole prison break, he went to Atsushi.

-Their view of each other

Earlier, I mentioned how they view themselves, now it's how they view each other. Fyodor put Dazai on a pedestal and vice versa. Why? Because they view themselves as being different from the rest of society, but as the two outcasts who share a mutual understanding, they see each other as being the same kind. They said it time and again throughout the manga.

It's more apparent with Fyodor singling Dazai out of the world, but Dazai also regards him highly out of his every other enemy, because Fyodor is someone who can match him. Dazai's actively putting in effort and using everything he can (government, Port Mafia, The Guild, and even Sigma) to defeat Fyodor. They view each other as equals and don't treat each other as mere pawns. And that leads me to this next point.

-How they treat each other vs. how they treat others

Dazai treats Fyodor differently from the others. ie. Kunikida, Chuuya, Sigma, and Ango

Dazai has a habit of annoying his partners, withholding information, and manipulating them. He does it to Chuuya, Kunikida, and later on Sigma who he admits is a replacement for Kunikida. It's called the Dazai effect.

But he couldn't do that with Fyodor. Why? Because Fyodor is calm and rational like him, Dazai wouldn't be able to easily manipulate him. First, Fyodor wouldn't yell and punch him. Second, Fyodor would guess what information he's withholding rather than wait to be amazed or mad by it. That's literally their whole shtick. They would guess and anticipate the other's plan until they got surprised and then repeat. And third, unlike the rest who will still trust Dazai and even put their lives on the line for the sake of his plan, Dazai won't be able to just simply utilize Fyodor, as proven in the Dead Apple when Fyodor turned on him.

That's not to say fyozai don't get silly though. The prison arc is enough proof that they can. Their silliness is just on another level that others couldn't reach or understand. So to speak, Dazai is both more mature and childish when dealing with Fyodor. He's more natural and not putting on a happy-go-lucky mask.

Then there's Ango. Though he's not usually ship with Dazai, Ango and Fyodor have one similarity, that is that they both have a history with Dazai in the past. Unlike with Fyodor, we already knew what happened between Ango and Dazai, and even when they started talking again their friendship wasn't quite mended. What's interesting to compare here is their reunion. With Ango (and Mori in extension), we can still see a hint of hostility from Dazai, but there's none of that during the Dead Apple or the alley scene during the cannibalism arc with Fyodor. They're casual with each other. What can we take from that? That their previous meeting didn't end on a particularly bad note to warrant a resentment from Dazai.

Fyodor also treats Dazai differently from the others ie. Nikolai, Ivan, Shibusawa, Fukuzawa

Like Dazai, Fyodor is manipulative towards the people around him, whether they're allies or not. Fyodor always has control over the others, and as Dazai said, he can't trust those he cannot control, and that's why Fyodor has no real allies (compared to Dazai), they're just pawns for him to control. He manipulated everyone who ever got close to him (Shibusawa, Ivan, Nikolai, Fukuchi — to name a few) but there's an exception to that, because just as Dazai couldn't easily manipulate Fyodor, Fyodor also couldn't easily manipulate Dazai. And it works so well in their dynamic.

Now, on to his enemies. Fyodor has shown a lack of interest in his enemies, even the president of the ADA which is where Dazai currently belongs to, with the exception of Dazai and Atsushi. Although, Fyodor's interest in Atsushi has less to do with Atsushi himself, but to him being a bookmark, and that's what makes Atsushi and Dazai different. Because Dazai is not the bookmark, what makes him any different from Fukuzawa, who by all rights based on hierarchy should be the bigger fish? It's that Fyodor put Dazai on a pedestal. This also further proves my earlier claim of how they view each other.

Fyodor now thought that Dazai isn't fit to be his other half, but what happened when he went to Atsushi?

He's dissatisfied and disappointed because Atsushi didn't live up to his expectations and went on yapping about Dazai. And what can we take from that? It's that Fyodor wants Atsushi to surpass the standard Dazai set, especially since he houses the bookmark, to be his other half.

Why is fyozai a good ship?

-How they feel about one another

Do I need to say more? Really? Is that not good enough evidences?

Sounds familiar? If you're an MTP fan, it does. Fyozai is like a darker and doomed Sherliam.

-fyozai is NOT skk 4.0 or fyolai in a different flavor

As I stated above in their relationship, Fyozai is different from the rest of the ships. Of course, every ship has their own uniqueness to them. Soukoku with their unbreakable trust, Kunizai with their differing sense of justice and morality, Sigzai with their damsel in distress and knight in a criminal uniform, Dazaku with their codependency, Fyolai with their Judas theme, Shibufyo with their ghost bride shit etc etc. But the thing is, Fyodor and Dazai both treat each other differently than when they're with the rest. Dazai isn't constantly messing with Fyodor and Fyodor isn't controlling Dazai's moves. They stood on equal ground and planned each other’s downfall.

Also, Fyodor wants a challenge. Simply put, he's sick and tired of his monotonous life. Dazai's someone who can give him that and in return Fyodor can give Dazai a challenge to live for.

He smiled when he saw Dazai in prison!

Now, some might say “but they're toxic!" All of their respective ships are toxic tbh, but fyozai is actually good for each other because they bring out their humanity together, and like I stated above, they're both manipulators who can't manipulate each other easily. “But they tried to kill each other!" And so did the others. It's out of necessity and not because they hate each other. There is a reason why their ship is enemies and lovers duh.

-Their connection

Everyone likes to say that SKK understands each other, and while I admit that SKK matches each other perfectly (there's a reason why it's the most popular ship in the fandom), I hate to break it to you but fyozai is the one who truly understands each other. They relate to each other at a much deeper level; in their alienation from society, their shared intelligence, morality, and humanity.

“Living itself is the source of sin." — No Longer Human

This is a prime example of that. In Stormbringer, Chuuya hallucinated Dazai, and that Dazai was naturally created from his view of him in his mind. However, Chuuya didn't think the same way as Dazai and didn't agree with him, like he later on said. But you know who does?

Yes, everybody. It's your host Fyodor Dostoevsky!

“Dazai doesn't give a fuck about Fyodor!" you might say. But this point is still debatable due to a lack of POV from Dazai's side. However…

Dazai didn't look happy when Fyodor died. Like, his smile disappeared as soon as the helicopter moved, and then his expression went blank. Even his eye seem empty.

Then, if we based Dazai to Yozo from NLH, then he's someone who cannot love someone he cannot relate to. That's why he claims to hate Chuuya. Because Chuuya is so human.

Even if Dazai and Fyodor didn't spend years together, it's undeniable that they have a strong connection with each other. And that connection is also related to their abilities.

-Their abilities

No Longer Human

-Nullifies any ability with a touch

*Crime and Punishment

- The crime is killing Fyodor and the punishment is Fyodor taking over the killer's body

-In DA, Fyodor claims that he is Crime and his ability is Punishment, working side by side, however, in NLH Dazai supposes that Crime and Punishment are not synonymous, but antonymous. How will that work? We will put No Longer Human into the equation.

Punishment is not the result of crime, but the opposite of it. Fyodor's crime is living a long life as a consequence of the sin that's his ability, and so his punishment is death that can be granted by No Longer Human, releasing him from sin. However, there's another question that arises here. If death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it — the last part, the first part being birth — then what's the opposite of life? Well, I still don't have the answer to that other than non-existence. And if Fyodor dies he will cease to exist. Idk if I'm making sense. But that's it.

It's also possible that Fyodor wants Dazai to kill him in order for him to be at peace (aside from Atsushi who can tear through abilities with his claws, Dazai is the only one who can possibly kill Fyodor) and that may be part of the other half thing. It doesn't seem like Atsushi will kill Fyodor since from what we've seen they're still fighting the higher being two hours later. Unless, the higher being can move independently even if Fyodor's dead.

And Dazai will see that as courting! (Mentioned in the Dark Era about Gide 'courting' Oda) Also, Dazai started talking about double suicide after Oda died, so maybe he really doesn't want to die alone because it's lonely. If that's the case then a double suicide with Fyodor will satisfy the both of them.

And that's enough yapping from me. I won't call Fyozai underrated, but it definitely deserves more love and appreciation. I just wish that I did them justice with this analysis.

[fatkish]

Husband Tsukasa and Gen HC’s

Shishio Tsukasa:

Since he’s strong, he’ll happily provide for you and will use his strength to do what he can for you

If you like to play with his hair then he’s more than happy to let you, his hair is yours to play with

He loves scooping you up in his arms and he’ll happily carry you

He’ll happily massage any of your sore muscles or your feet if they’re sore

He’s more than happy to tend to your needs and is always at your side.

He’s definitely a snuggly guy. If you’re cold then he’ll happily let you snuggle up to him, after all, he’s got plenty of body heat to spare

NSFW

Since he’s so strong, he’s more than capable of holding you up while he thrusts into you

He’s a very gentle and sensual lover. He’ll slowly work you to an orgasm at a slow pace before speeding up at the last moment

He’s got a 9 inch cock with 2 inches in girth. There’s a slight upwards curve to it and has some veins. The head is a pretty pink-ish red.

He loves seeing you cum on his cock and fingers, he’s very skilled at using his fingers to make you cum

He highly prefers to give than receive, he’s happier to give you pleasure but isn’t going to fight you too much if you want to give him pleasure. But he will return the favor

He remembers everything that makes you cum and remembers where each sensitive spot on your body is

Asagiri Gen:

Since he knows and understands the language of flowers, he’ll bring you small bouquets of flowers and will have you try to guess what each flower means

He’ll teach you the language of flowers and tests you on it as well as teaching you origami

He definitely teases you, be it with words or by tickling you if you’re ticklish

Writes poems for you and leaves origami for you to find

If you ask, he’ll perform magic tricks for you just to see your smile. Seeing your face full of shock and wonder at his tricks is something he loves to see

If you like to draw, then he’ll always carry extra paper with him for you to draw with

NSFW

Using his slight of hand, he’ll happily walk past you and discreetly slap your ass

He uses his silver tongue to not only say the dirtiest things, but he’s also skilled with using it for ‘other’ things

He’s got a decent 6 1/2 inches with a 1 1/2 inches in girth. There’s little to no veins and no curve but the head is a slight pink

He loves receiving blowjobs and he’s actually pretty vocal when receiving them. He’ll moan and groan and if it encourages you then he’ll moan even more

He doesn’t have a preference when it comes to giving or receiving pleasure but he definitely won’t argue if you prefer to give

He’s definitely a tease. He loves to tease you and bring you to the edge just to deny you of that sweet release, unless you do what he asks

[imadethisonlyfor-reblogs]

I JUST REALISED THAT THE THINGS HAPPENING ARE ACTUALLY STARTING TO MAKE SENSE AND ASAGIRI HAS BEEN COOKING IT SINCE THE RELEASE OF BEAST (a silly lil theory :3)

So in BEAST, Dazai revealed that only two people could know about The Book's existence, which is obviously not the case in the main universe. So maybe those who know about the existence of The Book will have to die, except maybe Atsushi and Akutagawa since they're the ones who know about The Book in BEAST too. Also, Dazai may have already known about it due to him knowing about it in BEAST and we know that he was the one who created all those other universes where Oda lives. So maybe it's the shit fire happening in the manga is the consequences of multiple people knowing about The Book's existence meaning most of the main cast go boom

You definitely are cooking something over here 🤯🤯🤯🤯

I haven't read BEAST in a while but it does leave the space for Asagiri to connect the two universes this way. Especially since the manga and anime has caught up and its years before we get another season. Which means he can greenlight a BEAST anime adaptation before S6. Where we can connect the BEAST universe to the current universe, which will explain the shit show going on right now. With the ending of season 5 showing Aku and Atsushi fighting the divine being alone. Everyone's been dying in the recent chapters, which might stop until it's just Atsushi and Akutagawa alone. While Dazai and the rest are important characters. I believe Aku and Atsushi are the MAIN characters of the story. BEAST follows Akutagawa, and the OG manga follows Atsushi, the stories overlapping will not be a mistake. What if everyone "dies" in the current universe and we are left with Aku and Atsushi finding out about the BEAST universe and trying to save everyone?

It's the

"Just you and me?"

"Do we need more?"

Asks answered for: @osa-hates-ricetbh

[whimsical-kitty1]

Fyodor Is Alive. A Bungo Stray Dogs Theory.

The recent episode of Bungo Stray Dogs season 5 presented to us the supposed death of the main antagonist of the series - Fyodor. However, I'd like to argue that he is, in fact, very much alive. Due to the impossibility of Studio Bones being able to animate the last chapters shorty after their release, I'm going to go by the narrative that Asagiri has informed them of what should be animated beforehand, and so the final episode of the season is canon.

My first argument, which should go without saying, is that this is not the first time we have been death-bated. There are too many examples to count, where characters seem to have no way of avoiding their demise. However, that was never the case. For that fact, I believe that this will be the same situation once more.

Secondly, an argument which was quickly brought up by many fans is Fyodor last words - 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?'

The words are a direct quote from the Bible, meaning 'My God, my God, why have Thou forsaken me?' That was the last sentence Jesus Christ uttered before finally dying on the cross. As we all know, however, he came back to life 3 days later, which raises suspiciousions if Fyodor would also come back or not.

The next thing I would like to mention is that Fyodor's cut-off arm looks incredibly fake.

Fyodor was in the helicopter, which crashed and immediately after that set on fire. If that arm was his, it would've been burnt and dark, and if that arm was an actual limb, it would have cut off blood vessels hanging from the end where it had been previously chopped off. The use of a fake arm had already been performed by Dazai in season 2, when him and Chuuya were fighting against Lovecraft, so it is very much possible that this once mentioned detail holds a certain importance later in the story (Chekhov's gun or something like that).

Moreover, when Fyodor was in the helicopter, he was not alone. He was with another vampiresed guard. As soon as the vehicle set on fire, it exploded. Fyodor could've pulled the guard to himself, protecting himself from the explosion, just like Kunikida did with Tetchou in the previous season.

However, I am slightly uncertain of this argument since both of them were inside of the exploding helicopter, and it'd be difficult to protect yourself from such a thing. I do still think that it is worth suggesting that the guard might have been of use for Fyodor to survive.

The next thing I'm bringing up is that when Bones animated Dazai's "death" scene, it appeared much more dramatic than in the manga, and it actually seemed fatal. (This is a bit of a dumb argument, but I'll still go with it.)

The manga panel of Dazai's headshot looks faked, but what Bones animated doesn't. When the chapters of the manga that were just animated come out, it might give us the opportunity to form more theories regarding Fyodor's supposed death.

Another thing I wish to point out is that season 2 of the anime ended with Fitzgerald's "death".

Of course, in season 3, we find out that he was alive all along. He used to be the main antagonist of the series up to that point and before Fyodor took over that title. Studio Bones could've waited for more chapters and content to come out for them to animate, especially since this season has been the shortest one yet, but they chose to end season 5 with Fyodor's death, leaving us on a cliffhanger. This leads me to believe that they're purposefully doing that, so in the next season, they can shock us when Fyodor comes back alive.

Finally, we know nothing about Fyodor's origin, ability, etc. It would be anticlimactic, and I'd even consider it as poor writing. Even if Sigma survives, which I think he will, and he goes to share the information he got out of Fyodor, it wouldn't be as satisfying to know all of that once Fyodor is actually dead. In a way, there's no reason for us to care about his backstory once he has died.

Also, not long before the incident occurred, Fyodor spoke about Dazai being his greatest foe since that man. However, nobody has any clue who 'that man' is.

This leaves another question unanswered and another reason for Fyodor to survive.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Thank you so much for reading my theory! It is the first time I have ever written one, so I'm hoping the arguments I've brought made the least bit of sense.

[misslaevna]

A little rant about episode 11

Just finished watching episode 11, and to be honest I am so, so disappointed. I'm not one to complain openly about something, but right now I feel like it's time to.

Spoilers below, also tw: personal opinion, if you can't take that, please do not read this.

Also I'd like to state that I like bsd. I love bsd, I wouldn't have a blog and a tiktok account dedicated to the series if I didn't - this isn't to hate on the series nor on Asagiri, just my two cents regarding the plot.

I have voiced my concerns to friends and mainly on discord how the current direction of the manga and the plot worries me, and I am beyond stunned that my biggest fear actually came true.

All the 'Fyodor is my comfort character' personal stuff aside, I feel like since the prison break arc started, the quality of the writing and the plot hit an all time low.

From my perspective, we got this huge buildup about Fyodor being this absolutely genius of a character. He is smart, he accounts for every possibility and there is no detail that he could possibly miss.

On the other hand, we have Dazai, who is, well, just as smart and perceptive as Fyodor.

So, we have two very smart characters up against each other, which I get why is challenging from a writing perspective, however (especially) since the intrudction of Time Cat Lady, I feel like the writing went from a carefully and logically built up plot to throwing in deus ex machinas and a looot of explanations afterwards to conveniently give the upper hand to Dazai.

I have no problem with Fyodor dying and Dazai emerging as winner (actually I kind of do because I would've loved to see the Agency or Atsushi or Ranpo take him down, but what else could have possibly happened anyways? Dazai is a fan favourite, we don't kill the money machine), however I have a bone to pick with the execution.

I think I would've loved to see a more carefully constructed plot where I can actually root for characters and actually worry for them. Asagiri pulled way too many 'oh they look dead but oh wait actually this and that happened which the reader wasn't aware of so they're not dead' shenanigas to the point where, in my opinion, as readers we simply just couldn't take any major character 'death' seriously - they'll somehow be resurrected anyways or it's gonna eventually be revealed that they weren't even dead to begin with.

And this was the case with Dazai and Chuuya here as well. To me this feels more like trying to put out a fire because of being cornered and having created characters so smart that they prove to be too difficult to write (at least in a pace fast enough for monthly chapter releases?) than actually putting effort into the plot.

All the 'well actually Chuuya wasn't even a vampire' bullshit to me was just way too fucking convenient. I'm happy that Chuuya is alive and well, but this too just served as a convenient plot point to give Dazai the upper hand while dumbing Fyodor significantly down.

I'm sorry but I didn't interpret Fyodor's character so careless (especially for someone who's very sensitive about his physical health) as to not take the antidote as soon as he got out. I didn't get to know Fyodor who would just fall for that trick Dazai pulled.

I really feel like we missed out a LOT on Fyodor with no backstory or whatsoever provided. His character stayed shallow and empty, and I'm actually really mad at Asagiri about this because he was supposed to be this very dangerous and complex villain but I feel like what we were teased with was just not delivered.

I really hope we get a more refined manga ending or that this will be better executed in the upcoming chapters.

Once again, I'm not mad about Fyodor dying, I'm rather disappointed by the way it was delivered. It feels rushed, it feels empty and it didn't live up to my expectations at all.

[gold-pavilion]

Give me your take, is Fyodor dead? I'm panicking

HAHA I KNEW WE'D HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS

THANK YOU

But anyways, from me it's an absolute no.

I'm not worried, to be honest. I mean, with BSD I hardly am, 'cause it's not a series where main cast characters die just like that. But as for Fyodor in particular...

His storyline isn't over at all, so the story isn't at a point where it can release him yet. That's the biggest sign. For his storyline to be covered and wrapped up, there are a couple of things that have yet to come up.

Plot point 1: We've had a huge, huge buildup to unveiling the mystery of his ability. It's been dangled before us for so long, it'd be suuuuper counter-intuitive to get rid of him before the big reveal. Of course, the fact that it was kept unsaid all this time leads me to think what his ability is will be the key piece of some puzzle or another.

Maybe it has to do with immortality/revival, thematically keeping his likeness to a god or godlike figure. Maybe trading life. Maybe something dealing with blood itself. Could be a million things, that might as well ensure his survival here.

Only Sigma would know now, right?

Plot point 2: Asagiri has, so far, not left any of his villains' motivations hidden. Everyone gets their time in the spotlight to expose why they were doing what they were doing, from Mori to Fitz to Guide to Shibusawa to Fukuchi to everyone.

At this point, we don't know Fyodor's motivations beyond a shallow level. He hasn't yet exposed why he sees ability users as such sinful beings. We don't know his story, background or anything about him - we just plain don't know a thing about the guy, haha.

That's my reasoning. But, a couple of observations I'd add:

Fyodor doesn't like to lose. He also hasn't shown an inclination to dying at all (he enjoys that Nikolai wants to try it, but that's different), he has his great mission to accomplish. Would he really look peaceful as he asks the lord why he's forsaken him?

Other than that, how convenient is it that the recognizable, bandaged arm was what came out of the wreckage? It's so perfectly convincing, but so scarce.

This one's a bit more could-be-couldn't-be, but Nikolai was really quiet and out of shot while the helicopter was taking off and crashing. Next moment we see him, he's clearly in a state of emotional shock. How early did the shock of realizing maybe he will lose Fyodor right now set in? Would he have had time to do anything, in a panicked moment? This one's very "maybe not, probably not", but I'm throwing it out here.

But, one last thought: the scene took place at night, the night of the full moon, when the Page was supposed to come into action. Fukuchi was executed at sunset, but Fyodor "died" at night. Could anything be happening behind the scenes at that time?

I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on this stuff!

Thanks for the question anyways, I'm really happy to be talking bout BSD again!! YOU GUYS MAKE ME FEEL SO AT HOME.

[mayday505]

scrolling through bsd tumblr and seeing people making theories abt why bones animated xyz light novels in the order they did and squinting bc i thought it was obvious they did it for context reasons.

Like Dark Era was animated in the beginning of season 2 because thats when Ango enters the story, and if the viewer didnt have the added context of what happened w buraiha trio then Dazai's reaction to Ango (crashing his car and holding him at gunpoint) wouldn't make sense. And it gives us more understanding of Dazai as a character in a season he was given more focus and depth compared to the rest of the cast bar maybe Atsushi and Kyouka.

Again, 15 was animated in season 3 to give context of the relationship between Dazai and Chuuya post the dungeon scene in s2 ep9 which was chuuyas introduction, because once again, the two had a significant focus in later s3 episodes and without that added context, that episode would've felt somewhat shallow and confusing to the audience.

And then obviously Untold origins was animated in season 4 because of Ranpo's increased screen time and the focus on his bond with Fukuzawa (and well the weird implication that V was the decay of angels the whole time but idrc abt that bc why was fyodor there asagiri isnt he like 9)

So people saying that stormbringer might get animated soon id say dont worry now but definitely worry later. Bones will animate it when they animate a series/arc that has heavy importance on Chuuya and includes characters from stormbringer where the context is necessary (like a Verlaine introduction, or Adam/Mary Shelley). BUT i really really hope its a movie bc of length, like how jjk zero was released before s2 for the context. But also it may be a WHILE before we get it animated bc of this, because we'll have to wait for an arc where Chuuya is heavily involved for that context to be necessary.

But yeah bc studio bones rushes bsd bc of episode constraints they rely on the context of light novels rather than intricate character development and subtle hints. Because unlike shows like JJK they only have a 13 episode run or in the case of season 5 they had 11 episodes opposed to JJK's average 24 episode run so its harder to build up to a flashback and leave character relationships and dynamics in the air for viewers to interpret.

anyways idk i felt like dumping this bc the amount of theories ive seen on it both here and twt made me scratch my head bc its nothing to do w the plot or foreshadowing its just context and whats easiest and most straight forward for the studio

[justsigma-bsd]

I JUST REALISED THAT THE THINGS HAPPENING ARE ACTUALLY STARTING TO MAKE SENSE AND ASAGIRI HAS BEEN COOKING IT SINCE THE RELEASE OF BEAST (a silly lil theory :3)

So in BEAST, Dazai revealed that only two people could know about The Book's existence, which is obviously not the case in the main universe. So maybe those who know about the existence of The Book will have to die, except maybe Atsushi and Akutagawa since they're the ones who know about The Book in BEAST too. Also, Dazai may have already known about it due to him knowing about it in BEAST and we know that he was the one who created all those other universes where Oda lives. So maybe it's the shit fire happening in the manga is the consequences of multiple people knowing about The Book's existence

ooc: I haven't read BEAST yet so I have no idea but sounds interesting!

[junipersrambles]

Alright, so I just finished watching the season 5 finale of BSD and I have a lot of thoughts, most of them unprocessed but I'm going to try and summarize them anyways!

Its not shocking to me that there was a bit of a twist ending with everything being tied up quite nicely (for the most part, I'll get to the 'two hours later' thing in a bit). Kafka Asagiri has a habit of subverting expectations when concluding complex plots. Now is it a bit convenient that it ended the way it did? Perhaps, I would argue though that we were left with a lot to explore in the upcoming chapters/season of the show (assuming the manga follows the same plot beats when released in the upcoming months). Lots of great character moments and parallels occurred which I will likely write in future posts.

Do I think Fyodor is dead? I'm not entirely convinced, considering the circumstances though its the most likely conclusion. Not how I assumed it would play out, but it was an interesting conclusion to the mind games between him and Dazai that have been playing out since the prison arc started.

I'm curious to see why there was a lack of focus on Sigma. It probably has something to do with wherever the next arc is going. I would hope that he isn't dead as his arc feels like it hasn't been properly concluded. If he isn't dead its possible that he gained knowledge about whatever the next incoming disaster is. The best we can hope for is that he survived and we can learn about what Fyodor knew and what his ability truly is (if we are lucky).

I could gush forever about Nikolai and how he talks about Fyodor after the helicopter crash. It feels like an interesting conclusion to his story, one that seemed inevitable in my opinion. Though I am curious to see where his character is taken from here, I think it would be okay if this was his final appearance. I have a feeling that he may get a few more scenes processing his feelings about how his worldview may have been altered/shifted after the events of this episode. Only time will tell.

Bram gets his body back!! He is probably one of my favorite characters if not for his interactions with Aya alone, then definitely for his characterization (and the way I know the real Bram Stoker would be rolling in his grave). No idea where he'll go from here, but all the moments with him were nice and its my hope that he can at least be a fun father type figure for Aya in the future.

Its nice to see Dazai and Chuuya interact (as always). Was it a bit convenient that Chuuya was pretending to be a vampire? Yes of course, though it provides a reasonable explanation as to why Dazai isn't dead, so I suppose it works. Glad they aren't dead, their arcs don't feel complete yet. I don't have much else to say about their time in the episode unfortunately.

All of the scenes with Fukuzawa and Fukuchi were excellent and I am very glad that they took up the most time in the episode. The emotional resonance in their scenes is palpable and I'm really glad that they had time to talk things out while in Poe's book. Those moments had too many literary quotes and references to count, but I really appreciated that their motivations were laid bare for the audience. I think the final scene between the two of them will stick with me for a long time. If you have yet to see the episode this moment alone makes it worth watching in my opinion.

I don't think that there is a complicated answer as to why Akutagawa appears to be human and alive again in the 'two hours later' segment. The simplest answer likely has to do with aspects of Bram's powers that have yet to be explained. If this is not the case I'm sure there's another convenient explanation.

I always think that its an interesting choice when a studio releases the conclusion of an arc or season of a show before the story line has concluded in the manga, that being said the final part of Twilight Goodbye makes me nervous for a couple of reasons.

One, kind of wild that it progresses to a big super-powered fight only a few hours after the conclusion of the last arc. Not that BSD hasn't done something similar before, but this seems like a bit of a rush for the timeline. I will hold my extended worries on this for now. It reminds me of the Bad Apple story line and how quickly all of that plays out. Perhaps this will proceed similarly? Though with how many characters are in focus right now we can't be entirely sure.

Two, this mystery character seems quite powerful and is seen wielding the "space-time sword" that Fukuchi had previously been using. I can't help but notice that this mysterious figure also looks a lot like Fukuchi. Same scars on the face, same hair. I am not saying it is him, but I think that him being the 'final?' enemy of this story line would interfere with a lot of the meaning infused into the end of the current arc. I sincerely hope that its not him, but I would be interested to see where everything goes if it Fukuchi.

Lastly, I do truly hope that this is the intended direction of the story moving forward for Asagiri's sake. I don't think Studio Bones would conclude or move on with a story without more of the manga being written. They tend to be more patient than other studios when it comes to waiting for enough material for new seasons. That being said, season four and five did not necessarily need to be produced separately and back to back. Then again, I am not that familiar with the inner workings of the Anime industry. In conclusion, I just hope that this is genuinely what the author intended and that whatever is made moving forward carries the spirit of BSD as it has been portrayed so far.

[himi-wiz]

what are your thoughts on the current status of the bsd manga? any ideas on how it'll progress from here, what you like or dislike?

Absolutely none!

No really, at the moment I'm too consumed by One Piece nostalgia (and now Blue Lock) screaming at me to be overly concerned about BSD, BSD has always been more of a casual investment I enjoy for its own and fanart but never actively desire to seek out more. Besides the novels, I like books.

I'm really more of the Bungou aspect of Bungou Stray Dogs as a literature fan * and so my interest has always been a more subtle interest in observing what Asagiri has to say about the human nature and condition than giving absolute judgements on anything.

* Despite interest, have not finished reading a lot of works. Tbf Japanese Literature has a fairly passive tone that I get fed up with for my poor attention span. Others... Yeah aside from CAP being a literal punishment to read I don't have excuses besides I have work + uni and I am lazy.

What I can say is the current manga focus is a lot more on well the two primary black-white duos against each other + Fyodor, Aya and Bram and Fukuchi playing God or whatever. All these exchanges showcase how much would they put out to reach each other and watch how things click into place, the last touches to the final stage curtains.

I don't have as much anticipation on finding out how things end but I would say it's a risky move for Studio Bones to release BSD this early when the manga hasn't finished so it means the anime would adapt the season finale first before the manga.

Asagiri is supervising so I don't doubt it would be okay but I am mildly concerned as to how enjoyable it is to immerse and believe in the narrative. I'll bet he'll pull it off anyways but I hope it's something that wraps the story up well and not leave more questions than not. Admittedly I find Fukuchi off putting power scale wise when he appeared seemingly nowhere with 1. a fairly deep connection to Fukuzawa and the ADA, 2. he's this all powerful might hero that everyone looks to but no mention of him until hunting dogs arrival and 3. we find out he just decided this cause of action and is our twist villain suddenly. What?

Edit after anime ending:

So... That was a thing.

I don't know if I liked it or not but I guess quite a bit of stuff resolved.

I still don't like Fukuchi. No matter how beautiful your whole reason to save the world was, that's just bullshit to drag the entire world into your shitty plan and then dump it all your ex sweetheart pick up the pieces and be the "good guy" you wanted him to be by sacrificing yourself.

Teruko deserves so much better, she wasn't even able to be happy finishing what she needed to do. Damn.

Anyways moving on, rest of the gays are... Gay (happy).

Aya is safe and alive, Bram is now her guardian Knight accompanying the hero of justice! Though her looking up to her father is bittersweet. Also knowing irl Ms Aya Kodo's whole strained relationship with father and living under his shadow but still desiring his affections is man, twisted.

Kenji and Tecchou is okay whoo!! So is Kyouka and Lucy

Where Jouno. What the hell Jouno. Is he okay?? Whyy???

Where the hell is Yosano, Kouyou and Mori (and Higuchi) too I don't know if Mori's disappearance is something I like, I'm scared what-

I hope Manga can explain that. I'm weary of being wary of Asagiri but dammit Asagiri whyyy

That's all I suppose.

[maguro13-2]

Shattered Hero ~ Origins of the Ink Demon Episode Maka Pt.3 ~

[Carnival - Fumie Kumatani]

Sonic : Ah, man. 2006, this is possibly going to be the worst year ever, and my co-creator that made Phantasy Star and Nights left out to prevent him being blamed by the public. Producer that created the hardest Shinobi game on Playstation 2. I knew that he was gonna do that to me after dealing with that catgirl at the first ds game, which was released on the same days as the Black Arms Invasion.

Tails : Relax, sonic. It's not that bad. Although the Dreamcast era did ended after the Black Arms Invasion therefore the new Sonic game would be the very start of the modern era. Plus, Sega required that the boost system from Heroes has decided to give you to boost freely!

Sonic : Yeah, that's really cool, Tails! I can boost freely! Watch this! *BOOST!*

Tails : Woah!

Knuckles : Hey! My hot dog!

Sonic : *BOOST* Oh, sorry about that. The vendor decided to give you another one.

Knuckles : And I asked for extra mustard, when does boosting became a thing since Heroes and now that the Black Arms Invasion has ended, who's gonna look after the Space Colony ARK after the invasion? Did something happened to Amy's Place that was located in Central City? You know, where the Amy's Room stage is at.

Sonic Oh, that? It got destroyed during the Invasion. Two years, man. Two freakin' years.

Sonic : Now that we finally dealt with eggman and Eggman Ne... (attempts to say "Nega", but stutters to change the subject and determines to say something instead) Eggman Negative in Rush. Yeah! Eggman Negative! That's what I really said about him after dealing with a cat! I'm sure the 06 will be great without--Dodge! (the trio avoids) Hey, who was that just by now!?

[Sonic Speed Riders - Tomonori Sawada, Runblebee]

Jet : So, you must be Sonic the Hedgehog! So surprise that you wouldn't see your face after the Black Arms a year ago. I heard that alien leader has got some daddy issue with Shadow.

Tails : Woah, who is that guy?

Sonic : That's Jet the Hawk. The leader of a group of thieves called the Babylon Rogues. They steal things that are treasures and are bandits capable of theirselves as Pirates. Luckily, this all changed for theirselves and became Extreme Gear specialist! You know Sonic Riders just came out to be part of the 15th anniversary. He maybe have speed, but I have the power to boost! *BOOST!*

Jet : Oh yeah!? Two can play at this game! Storm, Wave! Let's show him who's the fastest thing alive!

Storm : Yes sir!

Wave : With pleasure!

Jet : Onward!

(WHOOSH!)

Tails : Knuckles! We gotta go after them!

(cuts to Sonic running through the streets while racing against Jet)

Jet : So did you heard the news? The Grim Reaper of Mobius has released a girl who had been framed for a crime that she didn't commit.

Sonic : Who's the girl that was mysteriously released?

Jet : Hero of Soul World, Maka Albarn. 14 year old human girl born on the planet Jupiter.

Sonic : Born on Jupiter. What else?

Jet : And some say that she is responsible for wiping out 80 percent of the country's population after a tremendous power she unleashed has created an explosive shockwave of amount of that power called Shattered Resonance, luckily, the masked boy named Makoto Asagiri of the Phantoms of Society have saved her life by calming her down to lower Shattered Resonance.

Sonic : And after that, a second explosive shockwave was occured in it's capital, Tokyo, where a girl named Kimial Diel was teased by people that were killed by her and including her best friend, and then another phantom saves the day. Too bad Death City was so out of character. Or should I say, a city that was the home village of the hero of the ohkuboverse himself, Shinra Kusakabe, aka Mr. Devil. Responsible for creation his son and Soul World, and as well for spreading the "Influence" of his.

Jet : Yeah, right. And it's not like that they dealt with the forces of evil that is exactly a diversion, they weren't created to protect peace, they were created to get the attention of heartless to act like they're the forces of evil. But the true forces of evil is the Shadow Realm.

Sonic : What!? Shadow Realm? That lame concept made up by 4Kids? Tou know, I changed my voice from Ryan Drummond to Jason Griffith voice after Heroes in 2004 and in 2005 during the Black Arms invasion.

Jet : Correction. Shadow Realm maybe a concept, but it's also a world where the Ohkuboverse has became a facade to it's kind, all thanks to this Demon Vibe fella. So the author did falsely led his characters to be the instrument of his son and was an arrogant dickhead. So we don't know what's gonna happen to the Real World is that might be covered in Darkness!

Sonic : You bet!

Jet : Think fast! You should really catch up!

Sonic : You're on!

Tails : Sonic Wait up!

Knuckles : Hey don't leave us hanging!

(on top of the building is Silver watching Sonic and Jet race through his binoculars)

Silver : So we finally know who you are. I finally found him, the Iblis Trigger.

"Meanwhile at the Halberd..."

Medusa Gorgon : I can't go back now. I have to get away from the influence of Shinra Kusakabe. Perhaps that Crona would be pleasing me that our heartless is working perfectly syringing the heartless of original Asura Kusakabe. With our emotions in plan, we can kiss Real World AU goodbye to the Kusakabe Legacy and then our jealously would be over. Shaula, Arachne, come. We have to make our escape into Soul Eater's moon, we will overthrow the Kusakabe Legacy once and for all.

Shaula and Arachne : Yes, sis.

Inky Albarn : What do you think you're planning to do, Gorgon Sisters? Or should I say the hated enemeis of Soul World that goes against the Kusakabe Legacy. Where do you think you're trying to do on destroying the planet just to get away with murder?

Medusa Gorgon!? : (Gasping in shock) Y...You! You're not Maka Albarn! Who are you and what are you doing here!?

Shaula Gorgon : We were just minding our business that's all!

Arachne Gorgon : Yeah! N...Nothing much at least! (sweats nervously) We wouldn't hurt a fly on destroying the Kusakabe Legacy.

Inky Albarn : And what were you attempting on Destroying the Kusakabe Legacy for what?

Medusa Gorgon : Umm...I...I believe that we are planning to coup d'e tat the Kusakabe and the Kasugatani Legacy so that we can end our jealousy once and for all!

Inky Albarn : In an attempt on genocide by creating heartless doppelgangers from yourselves? Nice try, fakers. But it shall be me that will end your jealously, you and your so-called sister did that to witchkind and for taking the royal bloodline which you stole from, you cowards! (walks up to them as the Gorgons back up and cowers in fear)

Medusa Gorgon : Please! Why us! Why me!? All we just wanted was to end our jealousy over the Kusakabe and the Kasugatani! But what kind of family of sorcery is this supposed to happened, cowering in fear by the ones that Gave Crona to life!? You gotta understand us! We just want the Jealously ended! That's all we ever wanted, so we may have created our heartless doppelgangers as decoys so the Kusakabe and filthy teenagers would never suspect our real intentions! You got it all mixed up!

Inky Albarn : Shut your mouth, Heartless Genocider! You and your sisters have did naughty things to Humankind and witchkind, and even of course Demonkind. This is why villains like you are always such a pain in my ass! You creating a sadistic heartless of yourself to attack me so that you would get away of ending your jealously. But I believe that I will be the one that is going to teach you a lesson. You three witches deserve punishment in the slammers. I got a date with a 14-year old girl that looks alike me, and you three got a date with justice!

Medusa Gorgon : Wait! Don't come any closer! I was born to end our jealousy to overthrow the Kusakabe Legacy and of course the Kasugatani! I just want the jealously to end! I have the knowledge for this!

Inky Albarn : Too late! The only knowledge you'll ever find something to love is get you punished and heartless born from within the darkness, shall be perished!

Medusa Gorgon : No! Don't! Please! I beg of you for this! Nooo! We don't deserve this! (yelling) NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

"Ah, Justice! The Sweet taste of victory!"

~ Act 2 : Justice Against Heartless ~