#bsd chapter 8

[soupthatistohot]

BSD: An Absurdist Analysis - Chapters 7 & 8 (Part 2)

There is always hope

[Masterpost]

We’re going to ignore that part 1 of this analysis is from 5 months ago and that I said I’d follow up with part 2 “soon.”

Anyway! Chapter 7 opens with Kyouka, a fourteen-year-old girl, attacking Dazai. When Atsushi expresses his concern about Dazai’s absence, unknowing about the reason for it, Kunikida says this:

This is probably a hint at the fact that Dazai let himself get captured, which is revealed a bit later. To me, this is Dazai being an absurdist protagonist at its finest: using his quirk (for lack of a better term) of consistently attempting suicide as a cover so the ADA doesn’t intervene on his behalf with the mafia. If he’d proposed this plan, they likely wouldn’t have let him do it, so he just “disappears” like he usually does. It's unconventional — absurd, even — that he plans things out like this. 

A good absurdist protagonist succeeds by subverting expectations, and in this instance, Dazai does so by allowing himself to get captured, the very thing Kunikida says is highly unlikely. This is similar to what I talked about in the previous post with Kyouka, who uses her appearance as a young, quiet girl to her advantage when making use of her deadly ability. 

Next: Kaiji and his motivations.

In his introduction, he declares that death is an experiment, and in doing so, he is representative of the absurd reality all humans are subject to, a reality in which someone can decide to bomb an entire train just to get to one individual, a society in which one can take the lives of others in the name of “experimentation.”

Of course, as explained in my prior analysis post, Yosano quickly puts him in his place with her refusal to give into this insane concept that innocent people’s lives are so expendable.

And finally: Atsushi.

Essentially, he is put in a rather difficult position: either give himself in to the Port Mafia, or allow an entire train of people to be blown to smithereens by Kaiji’s bombs. 

Of course, as our absurdist protagonist, Atsushi refuses to do either of these things and carves out his own secret third option: save everyone on the train and defeat Kaiji. Luckily, Yosano completes the latter portion of this task, leaving Atsushi to deal with the train’s passengers — and this includes Kyouka.

Kyouka begins attacking Atsushi, easily overwhelming him. It’s important to note that at this point in time, not only does he have very limited experience with combat, but he also hasn’t explored his ability fully, meaning that he is woefully outmatched by her ability, Demon Snow. 

Atsushi begins to have his doubts, as is characteristic of him. He often wavers in these moments of vulnerability, almost succumbing to the idea that it isn’t worth fighting back anymore because of his inexperience and apparent weakness. It is in this moment, though, that he has one of his famous orphanage flashbacks that will steel his resolve.

After this, the narration of Atsushi's inner monologue reads: “At that moment, an idea suddenly popped into my head. It may be a stupid idea, but at least it won’t leave me alone. If, by any chance, I can let the passengers return home safe and sound, does that prove that it’s okay for me to live?”

And, as if by a miracle, Atsushi is able to activate his ability to fight back against Kyouka.

In reality, it isn’t a miracle, though. It is Atsushi’s rebellion against the hopelessness of his current situation that pushes him to continue to fight back, allowing him to tap into his power and harness it. In a world where he and all the passengers will die a meaningless death, he creates his own purpose despite the seemingly dire circumstances. This is a theme that will recur again and again throughout the manga (even up to chapters being currently released), it is at the core of this story that when things seem the bleakest, there is always worth in continuing to fight back. 

Then Kyouka reveals the bomb, and subsequently, Akutagawa reveals that it cannot be diffused. Atsushi is saved the strife of having to figure out this one, though, when Kyouka takes things into her own hands and decides to sacrifice herself.

And Atsushi could stop there. Kyouka jumping from the train could be the conclusion to this story, as it would save both himself the passengers, but he refuses to believe that a fourteen year old orphan forced to murder against her will deserves to die, and so he makes the borderline suicidal decision to also jump in order to save her…

… and he succeeds. 

Because there is always worth in trying — there is always hope.

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[sskk-manifesto]

So, it's Atsushi who calls himself a “fool” the first time? And since we know for sure (chapter 35) that Akutagawa was listening in to what was happening... It's compelling to think Akutagawa might actually have been quoting Atsushi himself this whole time, every time he called him “fool”.

I actually think it would be really fitting for Akutagawa. Because Akutagawa stretches a lot on how pathetic it is of Atsushi to always be dwelling on his past sufferings (“Let me tell you why I said you disgust me. [...] You're an imbecile who keeps dwelling on old wounds!”, chapter 35), and loathes him for being so self-deprecating. Then, for Akutagawa to call him fool, but that being a word Atsushi for the first time used to define himself, it would be like Akutagawa was telling him: “you're a fool because you himself call yourself that. You're a fool because that's what you decide to be.”

[quackarooz]

Reading beast for the first time and-

Okay, I think I've read enough for now. Time to sleep 🛌💤

[akuarchives]

Chapter 8

[saiintofawe]

tbh i (surprisingly enough) really liked how they animated dazai's speech... the movie-projector effect they used for the flashbacks is pretty and nostalgic and dazai's expression is just. miserable

and also my boy mamoru miyano had rent to pay because the way he delievered that gay ass speech was just WOAH. gave me chills. the entire budget was spent on this scene fr

[sharpiedoodleee]

…brother its chapter 1 wh at are u doin to my boy

[soupthatistohot]

BSD: An Absurdist Analysis - Chapters 7 & 8 (Part 1)

Yosano and Kyouka: The Agency’s Women

[Masterpost]

I will be covering chapter 7 and 8 different from how I usually do these analyses, focusing on certain characters rather than the linear narrative. These two chapters revolve around the introduction of Yosano and Kyouka into the story, so I will focus on them for this post and make another ch. 7 & 8 post regarding other aspects of the chapters. 

So, let’s talk about Yosano!

This is her introductory chapter, spotlighting her personality and eventually her ability. One of my favorite moments by far is when she’s apologizing on Atsushi’s behalf for bumping into a rude, wealthy and entitled man who then kicks her in the face and she replies by threatening to stomp on his dick.

Later in the chapter, after Motojiro Kajii begins the bomb threat on the train, the same man begs for Yosano to save him after realizing she’s with the agency, perhaps hinting to the reader that he’s now had a change of heart… but then asks her to step on his dick. Appropriately, she drop-kicks the pervert. 

This highlights the absurdity of sexism and classism in modern society, the man flaunting his wealth earlier and insulting Yosano for being a woman, and is still unable to get over his bigoted ideology when his literal life is in danger. One would like to think that a woman being part of a powerful detective agency would earn the man’s respect, but in reality, this is not quite so true. He just wants to reap the advantages of having Yosano on his side by offering to pay her, but still objectifies her in the end. It’s a nuanced criticism that doesn’t magically solve sexism/classism by Yosano simply existing as a badass woman. 

This continues with Kajii’s interaction with Yosano, where he remarks that “women are so tough nowadays,” implying that it’s not in women’s nature to be strong. His sexist assumptions already put him at a disadvantage, because although he acknowledges Yosano’s strength, he still thinks himself more powerful and her stupid for trying to defy him.

In chapter 8, he calls her a “girl” and questions her intelligence, to which Yosano retaliates, calling Kajii "an idiot."

She’s goading him into injuring her here, knowing that her own ability will only work if she is on the brink of death, and it works. He drops a load of bombs on her, ignorantly assuming that there’s no chance of her survival. When he checks on her again, she uses this to her advantage, attacking him and effectively putting him in his place. 

Earlier, he had basically tried to mansplain death to her, not knowing who she was or what her background is, so she reveals her status as a doctor and explains her ability and understanding of death, threatening him.

After this, she half-kills Kajji and uses her ability on him enough times that she gets the information she needs and is able to speak to Atsushi over the intercom, allowing him to take charge of the situation. 

In summary, this chapter introduces Yosano as someone consistently overlooked because she is a woman, but she proves that she is capable and intelligent, which is not negated by the fact that she is also revealed to be borderline sadistic. It paints a nuanced portrait of a female character that will be further explored with her backstory much later in the manga. 

Now, let’s shift focus to Kyouka. 

Kyouka is silently present throughout chapter 7: capturing Dazai at the beginning and bumping into Atsushi at the train station. We know she is a threat, likely affiliated with the Port Mafia, but she is kept mysterious until the conclusion of chapter 7, using her appearance as a young, quiet girl as a cover until then. Atsushi tries to warn her against going toward the bomb before she reveals Demon Snow, who is being controlled by Akutagawa at this point. 

Continuing into Chapter 8, Atushi is shown to have been pretty injured by Demon Snow, and when he asks why a young girl like her is there, she reveals her very innocent interests and fears… and the fact that she’s killed thirty-five people in the last six months. 

Pairing the seemingly normal and even sweet personality traits consistent with a young girl with the fact that she’s an assassin is jarring, those two things do not belong together, and yet, in this absurd reality, there exists and girl who likes rabbits and has caused death. It’s absurd. 

After battling with Atsushi some more, she reveals that the bomb is strapped to her chest, reiterating her body count. Atsushi implores her to “express herself,” telling her that there’s more to life, imploring that they stop. Yosano then interrupts and Kyouka hands over the switch, only for Akutagawa to reveal through the phone that there is no way to defuse the bomb and it will go off regardless. 

She then pushes Atsushi away, attempting to jump off the train, and he then realizes that the phone controls her ability, that she has no autonomy and did not want to commit the murders she did. She has no autonomy. 

But rather than be resigned to her fate and allow herself and everyone on the train to die, Atsushi’s words seem to have affected her, and she decides to sacrifice only herself, jumping off the moving train.

While I cannot label this action as explicitly absurd (she believed she was dying either way and had completely lost hope), the fact that she’s rebelling against what Akutagawa wanted her to do, something she was unable to do thus far, is significant. I also think it is noteworthy that her ability is being controlled by a man, rendering her mostly unable to control her own actions, her hopelessness allowing for this. This appears to be in theme with the feminist lens these chapters seem to be taking. 

But as we already know with BSD, there is no situation that is completely hopeless, and Kyouka’s intended act of sacrifice allows Atsushi to jump out after her and save her, the bomb detaching from her chest far enough from the train that nobody gets injured. 

Kyouka will be further developed in future chapters, so I’ll wrap this up here at the end of chapter 8. What I will bring up is Kyouka’s similarities to Dazai, especially in his younger years. This is by no means an original idea, as many others have brought up this point on social media, but I do think it’s worth noting considering that the two share a certain amount of nihilism, which is only perpetuated by the toxic environment of the Port Mafia. Here, we see 

Kyouka taking her first steps toward breaking from this mindset, taking direct action so that nobody else got killed, seemingly the first decision she’s made for herself since her parents’ death. In this moment, she's reclaimed her autonomy.

This post is long enough as it is, so I’ll end it here. I will be making another post soon about chapters 7 and 8, focusing on Dazai’s capture, Kajji’s ideology, and Atsushi’s actions.

[Previous] [Next]

[sleppynico]

worse, garrandia, worse 😔

“leave it to me, partner” vs “Chuuya…this is farewell to you too”

[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

[bibiblocksberg1234]

You can’t tell me this isn’t the saddest scene in bsd (or at least top three)

[justalemon]

HOW THE HECK DID HE GET INTO A VENDING MACHINE

(Also check out those Dazai cheeks in the middle bottom panel(?))

Original post:

[dramamines]

to all my bsd moots this is like the effect of chapters 121.5, 122, 123, and 123.5 combined and presented to you in the span of 8 insane minutes.

[tea-cake-and-sarcasm]

☆ TEA'S NEW AND IMPROVED INTRO POST ☆

Hello! You can call me Tea or Albert. Other nicknames are cool too! I'm a rather private person so neither are my real name. My pronouns are She/Her/They, and I am one of them queers. I mainly reblog, but on occasion you may see some of my incoherent ramblings, or even some of my art. I promise I will get to tagging all of these one day, but for now it will be like a fun little surprise whenever you find something of value here

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Tl;dr: I don't have money, and no way to give it if I did.

My interests!

Some favourites:

-Jujutsu Kaisen

- Moriarty the Patriot

- Death Note

-Persona (currently playing through 4)

-Ace Attorney

-Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint (though I haven't finished it, so no spoilers please)

-Totk/Botw

-Saiki K

-Attack on titan

-Alien Stage

-Cult of the lamb

-Sky: Children of the light

-Neon Genisis evangelion

-Howl's moving castle

-Tokyo Ghoul

-Sherlock (The ACD books, though I've watched some of the BBC version)

-Portal

-Many many more, if you ask there's a good chance I will have at least heard of whatever you're talking about :)

Some Favourite Characters:

-N Harmonia (Pokemon B/W)

-Howl (Howl's moving castle, especially the books)

-Suguru Geto (Jujutsu Kaisen)

-Gojo Satoru (Jujutsu Kaisen)

-William Moriarty (Moriarty the patriot)

-Era of the Wilds Link (Botw/Totk)

-Misa Amane (Death Note)

-Luka (alien stage)

Favourite Music artists:

-Malice Mizer

-Kikuo

-Maretu

-Cö shu nie

-Österreich

-All the persona osts

-Alnst ost

-Miracle musical

-Yaelokre

-bbno$

Progress on watching/reading things etc (LAST UPDATED: 22/5/25):

-Orv : roughly chapter 70, up to date with the webtoon

-Aot : early s2

-Persona 4: Naoto's dungeon

- Bsd : S3 ep 4

-The Case Study of Vanitas : Episode 8

-ENA : episode 4 (I believe)

-Arcane : Just into s2

-JJBA : I think episode 11 or something of battle tendency

Some mutuals I care rather a lot about:

@sssssaaaaaaammmm - Evil Wizard @wondersoftheimagination - Parent of my late slug son (Rip Ryuzaki)

@y0url0calcryptid - Silly clown

@fearofgodandtolkien - someone I cannot imagine as a person, only as a whole forest

@mehtoohardtofindasuitablename - the owner of the most darling cat in the world

@liquidpaperfoundation1 - A guy who for some reason is like a lot of peoples mutual like I see my friends blogs and they're just there which I think is very neat

@numberoneah-duofan - I have never been bribed quite so much in my life as I have by this person in the last two years or so

@lara-prim07 - Satorboo <3

If you aren't tagged here I still love you I just don't want to be yapping too much, or I'm not sure about your thoughts on being tagged in this way :) any mutuals who wish to be added (or removed!) Js let me know!

Some trivia under the cut! (Idea from @y0url0calcryptid)

-My favourite colours are purple, red and blue (gojo refrence)

-I LOVE BUGS

-I love steam trains <33

-My current manga collection consists of all tokyo ghoul, tokyo ghoul:re, volumes 1-17 of mtp, 1 tpn, 1 Mr villains day off, all death note, 5 jjk

-I'm stereotypically english, in a sickly victorian child kind of way

-my favourite animals are giraffes and crows

-when I was younger I really wanted to be an author, but I haven't written anything substantial for a good while, aside from assignments

-growing up I developed an obsession with poisons and diseases that was pretty cool

-chat I love trains

-I'm awful at all sport, but I do aerial hoop and silks, and i love swimming

-I love forests so much

-I play piano (~grade 3-4), but I've been meaning to learn electric guitar

-My spice tolerance (in a metaphorical and literal sense) is negative (stories or food)

-I'm a yapper :(

-My MBTI is enfp (tragically the same as Shinji from nge)

-clouds <33333333

-I'm planning to make an oc masterlist soon!

[aghost-writer]

Between Pages Masterlist

Love Interests

Y/N is transported into Bungo Stray Dogs, powerless among literary legends with supernatural abilities. Relying only on her memory of the plot, she must navigate alliances, dodge threats, and survive in a world she once read about. Can she rewrite her fate in a story that wasn’t meant for her?

Yandere BSD x Female Reader! MDNI!! Crossposted on Quotev and AO3!

Last Updated: 04/24/2025

Chapters: 53/53

Status: Completed

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Special Chapter 1

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Special Chapter 2

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Ending: Dazai Osamu

Ending: Chuuya Nakahara

Ending: Atsushi Nakajima

Ending: Kunikida Doppo

Ending: Ranpo Edogawa

Ending: Fukuzawa Yukichi

Ending: Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald

Ending: Edgar Allan Poe

Ending: Ryunosuke Akutagawa

Ending: Teruko Okura

Ending: Saigiku Jōno

Ending: Tetchō Suehiro

Ending: Michizō Tachihara

Ending: Ango Sakaguchi

Ending: Y/N

[kyouka-supremacy]

Bsd on its way to become One Piece

Even though bsd is a monthly serialization, while One Piece is a weekly one... It'd take 85 years and 8 months for bsd to reach One Piece's current number of chapters– and that's not even counting how a lot of chapters come in halves!

[auralady181-v2]

I don't think he wanted to kill Chuuya and I think the vampire bit wasn't expected. But I think Ango sent Chuuya. Remember the Angel/person on the outside bit?

is it just me or did season 5 ep 8 soldify that it wasn't a plan? like in the manga, you think that way bc there's only sm art can show. but the anime, dazai sounded genuinely devastated. his expressions and the way his voice was so strained at the end of his speech. i don't think there is a plan, he had no choice but to kill chuuya because he thought it was the only way to get rid of dostovesky and save the world from him. his voice sounds so similar to when he sounded when odasaku died, just so unbeliveably devastated.