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pepper-steam-milkshake · 1 year

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Timeline of Pre-ADA Dazai-Centric Events

Okay, so. I have fallen down the research rabbit hole yet again. I thought, “hey, I’ll write some Dazai POV to get into his head so I can write him better! Let me just do some research first!”

...That was my first mistake.

Anyways, here’s a timeline of Dazai-focused events from before he joins the Port Mafia up until he leaves it. I didn’t go further because I mostly wanted to focus on Dazai prior to his joining the ADA.

WARNINGS: This timeline mentions suicide, torture, violence, death, etc. I imagine if you’re reading this, you’re a BSD fan and already familiar with the content of it, but doesn’t hurt to mention it.

SPOILERS: This timeline contains spoilers for the following:

MANGA

Bungou Stray Dogs Main Manga

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old

DEAD APPLE

LIGHT NOVELS

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

Stormbringer

DEAD APPLE

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era

ANIME

Season 2, Episodes 1-4

Season 3, Episodes 1-4

DEAD APPLE

Hopefully I’ve covered all my bases. If you don’t want spoilers for ANY of those, I would NOT read this, because it absolutely goes into detail.

0. At some point, the Sheep offer for Dazai to join them, which he refuses.

(Dazai Osamu) "A long time ago, I was invited to join the Sheep. Of course, I refused."

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

WOLF WITHOUT SHEEP’S CLOTHING: There is not a specific time mentioned for when Dazai was given said invitation, but it has to occur before the events of FIFTEEN. It’s very possible this offer was extended prior to even meeting Mori, but without more info, it’s not entirely clear. The offer was not given by any on-screen members of the sheep (Shirase, Yuan, etc), as they do not recognize him when they see him with Chuuya. Based off info from Stormbringer, it was probably some time between the age of about seven to fourteen.

The Sheep were initially founded by orphans as a mutual aid organization...

(Shirase Buichirou) “Back then, the organization was still small.”

Stormbringer, Code; 02

For reference, Chuuya joined the Sheep early on, and that was after Rimbaud and Verlaine broke him out of the government at age seven.

1. Dazai meets Mori Ougai after attempting suicide at the age of 14.

It was a year ago that the two became destined collaborators. Mori, who was the chief physician, and Dazai, who was just an attempted suicide patient...

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

DAZAI’S AGE: At first, I thought, ‘wait, Dazai might have been 15 during the assassination’, since it says it was a year ago give or take. I wasn’t 100% sure; however, there is a quote (listed below) that does in fact confirm that Dazai was 14 when he first met Mori.

2. Dazai and Mori then immediately decide to kill the current Port Mafia boss within the next 24 hours.

...had collaborated to carry out a secret operation: assassination of the head of the Port Mafia...

A 14 year old boy was there. It happened in front of Dazai’s eyes.

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One Screenshot from Season 3, Episode One

NOT PORT MAFIA YET: So, at this point, Dazai is now a witness for Mori’s killing the Port Mafia boss, and also for him being “officially recognized” as the boss’s successor. He is not officially a member of the Port Mafia at this point.

The next few events occur during the time between this point and FIFTEEN.

3. Mori has at least one attempted assassination. It fails, and the traitors are killed.

Already this year, two members had made an assassination plan for Mori. Of course, the traitor was executed...

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

4. Dazai repeatedly tries to kill himself, and Mori stops these attempts.

(Mori Ougai) “How many times do you think I stopped your suicide this year?”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

MORI’S MOTIVATION: Mori has stopped Dazai from killing himself for two stated reasons: one, because of the mentioned assassination above, and two, because he wants Dazai to be his right-hand man. (ASSUMED: Take over the PM in the future?)

The following are events from FIFTEEN.

5. Dazai gets his first Port Mafia job from Mori.

(Mori Ougai) “This is your first job. Welcome to the Mafia.”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

MAKING IT ALMOST “OFFICIAL”: This line implies that by Dazai taking the mission to see if the previous Port Mafia boss is actually alive, he is going to join the Port Mafia. A later line in FIFTEEN contributing to this:

(Dazai Osamu) “Finish this job safely, join the mafia.”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Four

6. Dazai meets Hirotsu.

Dazai raised his face and spoke to the escort mafia walking behind him... “...Um...”

“Hirotsu.” The escort mafia responded...

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One

OLDER GENTLEMAN: It is implied that this is the first time that Dazai meets Hirotsu by the fact that Dazai didn’t know his name. There’s also the context clue of the fact that Hirotsu didn’t seem to recognize him outside of him being the witness for the previous PM boss’s death. Hirotsu is initially very distrustful of Dazai. Dazai appears to have some level of respect for him, as we are informed that he asked for Hirotsu specifically to be his escort.

7. Dazai meets Chuuya.

The next moment, something hit Dazai’s torso without any warning...

Something was on top of Dazai, the same thing that hit Dazai a while ago and blew him away--a black figure.

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter One Screenshot from Season 3, Episode One

NOT SHOWN IN ANIME: Dazai actually rolled down a hill, smashed through multiple huts + a fence due to the attack from Chuuya, and then Chuuya proceeded to beat the shit out of him while interrogating him for info. Also, a decent amount of mafiosi show up alongside Hirotsu when he goes up against Chuuya, which implies that Mori had people tailing them just in case things went sour.

Dazai’s ability was also only triggered if the subject is touched. His ability blocks and negates the triggering of all abilities--the ultimate anti-ability. There was no exception to the invalidation.

DAZAI’S ABILITY: I thought that the above description was interesting. Prior to this, Chuuya’s ability was explained, which mentioned that he could “change the direction and force of gravity as long as the object touched was somewhere on their body.”

8. Dazai makes a bet with Chuuya to make him his dog for life. He wins.

(Dazai Osamu) “...let’s have a contest to see who can catch the culprit first... But if I win, you’re my dog for life.”

(Nakahara Chuuya) “...Bring it on...”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Three Screenshot from Season 3, Episode Two

DON’T MAKE BETS YOU CAN’T WIN: This may not seem important, but considering it involves the status of what could be considered one of Dazai’s subordinates, I think it’s relevant.

“You and Chuuya-kun had a bet.” Randou said. “In that case, you won. Since you found the culprit first.”

“Thank you, Randou-san.” Dazai smiled.

Several lines later...

(Nakahara Chuuya) “--ound you!” There was a violent shout. “I win the bet with this scheming bastard! You’re the culprit!”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Four Screenshot from Season 3, Episode Two

HEY, THAT’S NOT FAIR!: Chuuya, of course, says that since he didn’t finish explaining that Randou/Rimbaud is the culprit, Chuuya won instead. (This is more spur of the moment, however; Dazai continues to push this.)

9. Dazai and Chuuya defeat Rimbaud.

Blood invaded Randou’s respiratory tracts and overflowed from his mouth. He fell face first towards his won pool of blood with a wet noise.

Obviously--it was fatal.

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Four

10. Dazai joins the Port Mafia and is given power of the army.

“...When I said I was joining the mafia, Mori-san was so pleased he jumped up and down... I was given command of this unit and forced to do my first job.”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Chapter Five

IT’S A LITTLE DIFFERENT: If you watch the anime, Dazai does not actually state that by this point, he is officially in the PM. He simply tells Chuuya that he is here to recruit him by Mori’s orders.

11. Dazai makes Chuuya join the Port Mafia.

Screenshot from Season 3, Episode Three

THAT’S LOYALTY FOR YOU: Dazai forces Chuuya to join the Port Mafia by holding the Sheeps’ lives at stake, while also ensuring that the Sheep don’t trust Chuuya anymore. Yikes!

12. Dazai meets Q and is informed that his next job involves them.

Next to Dazai was Mori in a white coat and a small child holding a doll.

“Hehe, I’m Kyuusaku! Hey, wanna play? Wanna play?”

Dazai, Chuuya, Fifteen Years Old, Epilogue Screenshot from Season 3, Episode Three

HE’S LITERALLY BABY: Mori tells Dazai that his ability nullification will help in showing the true form of the ability. As we all hear about later... this cannot end well.

13. If Q is Dazai’s next job, we can probably assume that the event where Dazai ends up imprisoning Q happens sometime between FIFTEEN and Stormbringer.

Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Seven

Unfortunately, there is no true confirmation about when everything with Q goes down, but going by the fact that we don’t hear anything about Q again until in the main series (Season 2, Episode Seven being his first appearance), it can probably be assumed that it happened not long after his introduction to Dazai.

With that, the events of FIFTEEN come to an end. Things get a little fuzzier here, because now, we have The Day I Picked Up Dazai. I was going insane trying to figure out where this fits in, because it goes somewhere between FIFTEEN and the Dragon’s Head Conflict... but so does Stormbringer. The only reason that I think it could fall after Stormbringer is thanks to Side B, where Dazai drops that he is a Port Mafia Executive:

(48 member) “You... who the hell are you? How can you do this?“

(Dazai Osamu) “I’m a Port Mafia executive.”

The Day I Picked Up Dazai, Side B

...in the BEAST universe, which doesn’t necessarily mean he’s one in the OG universe.

Then, I did more research. Dazai doesn’t become an executive until after the Dragon’s Head Conflict, as he and Chuuya discuss the candidacy for becoming one after one of them is killed. So, that quote above is completely 100% irrelevant!

HOWEVER. When reading Stormbringer, Dazai is in the pits of despair and flatly states to Verlaine:

“I want to see the Port Mafia burn.”

“Because I’ve grown bored with it... In the end, I didn’t find anything.”

Stormbringer, Code; 02

After meeting Oda, he wouldn’t react like this. Therefore, it only makes sense chronologically for Stormbringer to come first.

The tears I’ve shed in the past several hours trying to figure this out. Good lord. Anyways. Stormbringer time.

14. In the year after he joined the Port Mafia, Dazai crushes organizations, creates new trade routes, etc. He’s been busy.

It’s been one year since he’s joined the mafia. Dazai commanded a secret unit under the boss’s direct control... A number of organizations have been crushed, and a number of new trade routes have opened up.

Stormbringer, Code; 02

HE’S “KILLING” IT: Career-wise, Dazai is doing great! Mentally, he is incredibly ill. It is stated that he is one of the most successful mafia members at the moment simply due to how quickly he has progressed. He also handled the gem trade before it got handed off to Chuuya:

“Wow, so confident. You’re in the gem trade? Sounds like it’s going pretty well.”

“Oh, I know. Before you took over, I was in charge of that.”

Stormbringer, Code; 04

15. Dazai meets Verlaine, who promptly tries to kill him.

(Paul Verlaine) “Even while trying to kill you a couple days ago, you seemed to feel almost nothing.”

Stormbringer, Code; 02

ORDER OF DEATH: According to my reading of Stormbringer, Verlaine went after Dazai first the day before going after the Flags. Dazai says to Adam later on in the story that he gave him information in order to ensure that the last target Verlaine would go after would be Mori:

“Everything, literally everything--from Verlaine’s targets, to Detective-san, to Researcher-san--has been based on the information I gave him.”

“Mori-san was originally going to be the first one killed, but I manipulated the information so he was last on the list.”

Stormbringer, Code; 03

ORDER OF DEATH (cont.): This sounds pretty damning in regards to whether or not Dazai caused the Flags’ death. However. Dazai also says pretty soon after:

“You’re more than welcome to try to find out [how Dazai got Rimbaud’s notebook], but no matter what I’ll only tell you lies. I’m a liar, after all.”

If Mori was going to be the first one killed, why did Verlaine first go after Dazai? A simple answer: Dazai is lying to Adam. Or, at the least, not everything he’s saying is the whole truth. This is also questionable by the fact that Dazai sees Verlaine again later and states that he was always on the Port Mafia’s side. Dazai rarely if ever speaks the whole truth out loud, and without actually being in his perspective during this (we are seeing through Adam’s eyes), it’s hard to know the specifics.

Later on, when Chuuya is torturing Dazai by spinning him until he vomits (yes this is absolutely important information what do you mean) as they discuss the plan against Verlaine, Chuuya states:

“He gave N’s information to Verlaine to earn us some time knowing I would be tortured. Not to mention, as a result of that information, Detective-san was killed.”

Stormbringer, Code; 04

With this quote, it seems like Dazai more led to Murase’s death (and N’s attempted assassination), and not the Flags.

16. The next day, Dazai nullifies (partial) Corruption for the first time.

The boy casually grabbed Chuuya’s arm and lifted it up.

At that moment, the abnormal gravitational field that surrounded them immediately disappeared, along with the insufferable pain Chuuya had felt.

Stormbringer, Code; 01

17. The day after that, Dazai hands off Port Mafia secrets to Verlaine in exchange for his life.

(Paul Verlaine) “This is the inside data on the Port Mafia?”

It was an extremely valuable document that recorded all of the Port Mafia’s secrets.

Stormbringer, Code; 02

PM SECRETS: I’m assuming this includes the Arahabaki Project (knowledge of N). Dumb question: Dazai is not an executive at this point, so how did he get his hands on this? Possible answer: Mori probably gave him the info to help trap Verlaine. I don’t know. This is more speculation on my part.

18. Dazai and Chuuya defeat Verlaine (Guivre) through the use of Corruption.

Guivre wasn’t shooting anything at them now... It didn’t make a sound, just peacefully disappeared.

Stormbringer, Code; 04

FIRST TRUE USE OF CORRUPTION: Dazai and Chuuya successfully defeat Verlaine’s Guivre form (like Chuuya’s Arahabaki form) through Chuuya’s Corruption, which Dazai nullifies once it’s all over.

Bam! That’s the events of Stormbringer. Now, the Dragon’s Head Conflict doesn’t wait for long until after Stormbringer, but Oda has joined the Port Mafia by the point that it occurs. That means that The Day I Picked Up Dazai occurs sometime in that year.

19. Dazai bleeds out on Oda’s doorstep. On purpose.

The young man’s wounds are clearly from gunshots. He has been shot multiple times... to top it all off, he is holding a bunch of new notes in his left hand... A supernote.

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

REALLY CASUAL: It looks like Dazai was trying to steal counterfeit money, and then got shot for it. Then, he chose to pass out on Oda’s doorstep, as evidenced by this later statement:

“How about I tell you why I went and collapsed in front of his house in the first place? Because I knew of a rumor. That no evils can come close to that house, be it burglars, smugglers, or mafia. No matter who it is, it is just around that house that they can’t cause any troubles. It is a “calm-zone.” It is as if they are afraid of something, or someone there.”

20. Dazai attempts to die under Oda’s care. Repeatedly. Over the span of a few days.

His first request is for pufferfish’s organ sashimi... Next is grilled amanita virosa.... The last dish is potato sprout salad.

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

WAIT, THAT’S POISONOUS!: When Dazai realizes that Oda isn’t going to let him go, he starts asking him for dishes containing deadly ingredients (unknown to Oda, I guess?!).

Also, later:

Dazai suddenly comes up with the idea that if he jumps out of the door with a gun in his hand, there are chances that he can be shot dead by the cops. Oda tells him there is no gun in the house, so he decides to get a knife instead.

...trying to choke him unconscious. Dazai, as a result, struggles happily while kicking his legs around... it makes the knife Dazai was trying to grab earlier fall off right to where Oda is.

Dazai keeps kicking the kitchen stand and this time, it’s the kettle above Oda’s head that’s going to fall.

The Day I Picked Up Dazai (Summarized Translation)

YIKES!: Oda proceeds to choke Dazai unconscious so he’ll. stop doing things. Literally this is all happening in, what, five minutes?

21. Dazai and Oda are abducted by the organization “48″.

The cops take out two gas masks and put them on their faces. Then they throw a gas grenade towards Dazai and Oda. Oda realizes that they are actually not cops.

The Day I Picked Up Dazai (Summarized Translation)

WHO PASSED THE GAS: 48, as informed by Dazai after he sees Oda again, is an organization of dishonorably discharged police officers. They abduct Oda (and Dazai) to try and get hold of a painting that Oda stole years ago.

22. Oda takes Dazai to Bar Lupin for the first time, Dazai gives him the nickname of Odasaku, and Dazai extends the offer for him to join the Port Mafia. It is implied that he accepts.

“Is this, by any chance, the place you should go before you die?” Dazai asks, his voice sounds disappointed. “Isn’t it just a normal bar?”

...

“Okay, I have decided. You are Odasaku... You are too strange for a short name like Oda. And Oda Sakunosuke is just too long to call. You are Odasaku. From now on, whenever someone asks for your name, you have to say so.”

...

“If the other side of the world doesn’t work, you can run to a deeper place.” “...I promise you. If you join, you will no longer be bothered by anything from your past. Because no past can touch that place.”

The Day I Picked Up Dazai

SO I STARTED SOBBING: Oda lied to Dazai when he met him and said that there is a place that one needs to go to before dying, and reveals after escaping from “48″ with him that it is Bar Lupin. They then proceed to play poker, tell stories, and more. Oda is assigned ‘Odasaku’ by Dazai, and after acknowledging that other organizations are probably just going to keep coming after him, Dazai offers for him to join the Port Mafia.

Dazai nods and takes the cards from me. Then in a casual tone, he says those words. “When are we meeting next?”

I’M NOT CRYING. YOU’RE CRYING. STOP.

So, Odasaku joins the Port Mafia under the behest of Dazai. This then brings us to the Dragon’s Head Conflict, featured in DEAD APPLE. By the way, please keep in mind that all this has been happening at the age of 16 from Stormbringer to the Dragon’s Head Conflict!

At some point, Ango does join the Port Mafia, although according to some lines from Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, it seems like he actually joined around the same time as Dazai and Chuuya?:

Two years ago, one year after Ango joined the Mafia, Ango had earned the trust of the organization and travelled to Europe.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter 2

The Dark Era takes place about two years after the Dragon’s Head Conflict. Ango joined a year before the Dragon’s Head Conflict, which took place not long after Stormbringer. Stormbringer takes place a year after FIFTEEN. I sound like one of those ‘Illuminati Confirmed’ videos. Anyways, this is 100% relevant.

23. Dazai and Odasaku meet Ango for the first time.

By word of mouth, I’ve learnt that the youth is a newcomer by the name of Sakaguchi Ango... At that time, the Dragon’s Head Conflict had just gotten into full swing.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter 2

THE TRIO MEETS: Dazai and Odasaku are taking care of dead Port Mafia members during the conflict, and they go to Ango for cataloguing. They then proceed to drag him to Bar Lupin:

Later, Ango, Dazai and I go to the bar and start chatting.

The DEAD APPLE light novel is a novelization of the movie, but the manga gives a lot more info. The movie did come first though, interestingly enough!

24. Dazai gets abducted on purpose by the “White Giraffe” (Shibusawa).

DEAD APPLE Manga, Chapter 8

A+ COMMUNICATION: Shortly after a heated conversation with Chuuya about the newly opened executive position, Dazai goes missing. He intentionally gets himself captured to draw Chuuya to his position.

25. Chuuya and Dazai find Shibusawa and kill him using Corruption.

DEAD APPLE Manga, Chapter 10

6 IS A MAGIC NUMBER: Chuuya rescues Dazai, and they go after Shibusawa. He discovers that Shibusawa pushed his six friends to suicide, and decides to annihilate him through the use of Corruption. (Good lord, this sounds familiar. Please save Chuuya. Man needs a break. And therapy.) This ends the Dragon’s Head Conflict.

26. Dazai and Chuuya become known as “Double Black”.

And after the Dragon Head’s Conflict, the mafia changed and grew again. There was the rise of “Double Black”, Dazai’s promotion to an executive, the Laughing Lemon case, the Mimic incident...

Stormbringer, Epilogue

27. Dazai becomes an executive.

Despite the fact that we are in the same organization, Dazai is an executive, Ango is an intelligence agent, and I am a low ranked operative with no title.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Prologue

PROMOTION: Dazai’s becoming an executive probably happens not long after the Dragon’s Head Conflict, since there’s an open position. It is also confirmed that on the same day...

28. ...Dazai finds and takes in Akutagawa as his protégé.

"I actually got promoted today,” he said. “I’m part of the leader [executive] class now. Which... you know what they say--the fancier the title, the more responsibility and other nonsense you have to deal with.”

“Of course,” he continued, “there is one good thing about this title. It gives me the right to hire a single underling, someone who acts under my direct control... I’d like to invite you into the Port Mafia.”

Bungo Stray Dogs Manga, Volume 6, Short Story: The Heartless Cur

FAST DECISIONS: Within the 24 hours that he became an executive, Dazai immediately chooses to invite Akutagawa to the Port Mafia as his personal underling. He accepts and brings Gin with him.

29. Whatever the hell the Laughing Lemon case is. I don’t know. Asagiri I want answers. I don’t even care about what’s happening in the manga anymore now, Asagiri what is the Laughing Lemon case. Asagiri please. I feel like this is Kaijii related and I’m so curious and confused. What’s up with this. You need to elaborate.

At this point, we can probably jump ahead to the Dark Era, which is about two years post-Dragon’s Head Conflict. Dazai is 18 years old now; he has had Akutagawa, been friends with Ango and Odasaku, been an executive, been one half of “Double Black”, and more for about two years. I certainly wasn’t that productive 17-18, but go off, king. Anyways, shit is about to hit the fan.

30. Dazai, Odasaku and Ango have drinks together (happily) for the last time.

“That’s it, let’s take a picture!” Dazai bursts out suddenly, “As a commemoration!”

“Dazai, why the sudden urge to take photos?” “I don’t know. I just feel like if we don’t take a picture now, there won’t be another chance...”

In the end, there would never be a second chance for us to take photos in that bar.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Prologue Screenshot from Season 2, Episode One

LOOK AT THIS LOSER: He blinked. Cringe.

SINCERELY THOUGH: Dazai suspects Ango of doing something shady, and before things go from bad to worse, he has the three of them take a photo together.

31. Dazai finds out the name of the latest organization the Port Mafia is going up against: Mimic.

“The only words we got was the name of the enemy... Mimic.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter One

32. Dazai saves Odasaku at his request from Mimic assassins.

“Odasaku! Get down!” At this moment, I hear Dazai’s voice.

“Did you kill them?” I glance at the fallen assassins. “Mmhmm.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter One

33. Dazai and Odasaku begin to realize that Ango was lying to them, and something weird is up. They start to investigate more heavily.

--Ango. Mimic. Attack. Everything is starting to come together.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter One

Dazai is running around everywhere collecting information on Mimic.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Two

34. Dazai is assigned to be the main person to handle Mimic by Mori.

“In the end, I was appointed as the battle strategist and front line commander to tackle Mimic. I’ve already settled some matters and set up a few simple mousetraps. It shouldn’t be long until the war begins to show signs of activity.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Two

35. Dazai successfully captures Mimic soldiers... who are promptly killed by Akutagawa.

A total of three corpses lie in the cell. They haven’t been dead for long... The deceased are Mimic soldiers.

“Luckily, because of you, all three of the enemy soldiers were caught are now dead.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Two

UNHEALTHY: Dazai doesn’t take this well, of course.

Without letting him finish, Dazai swings a fist at Akutagawa’s face. Akutagawa is sent flying.

Three gunshots, three flashes of light, three empty bullet shells roll on the ground with a crisp sound.

“The next time you screw up, I’ll hit you twice and fire five shots, understood?”

Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Two

36. In spite of this, Dazai successfully gets a lead and informs Odasaku.

According to what Dazai says, a wilted leaf of a broad-leaved tree had been found stuck on the bottom of a Mimic’s soldier’s shoe.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Two

37. Dazai figures out that Mimic is planning to annihilate the Port Mafia. The executives make the decision to give their all against Mimic.

“While Odasaku was bedridden, there have been six stores in the mafia’s turf that were bombed. The damage is increasing every minute.”

“...We can confirm that they really plan to raze the mafia’s territory to a flatland.”

“A five-executive conference has already convened, and it has been decided that we will use all of the mafia’s forces and face Mimic.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Three

38. Dazai, Odasaku and Ango meet for the last time at Bar Lupin. Ango provides information before leaving both the bar and the two mafioso behind.

Dazai and I walk down the dimly lit stairs leading to the basement floor.

Sitting at his usual spot, in his usual tone, Ango raises his glass at us in greeting.

“We’re here to obtain information on Mimic. You should have known that by now, right?”

He [Ango] slowly rises from the barchair, as though listening to the sound of his own footsteps, walking out of the shop with his head lowered. I probably won’t meet Ango again.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Three Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Three

39. Dazai tries to stop Odasaku from going after Mimic. He fails.

“Odasaku, I know what you’re thinking, but I still have to stop you. Even if you do that--” “Even if I do that, the kids won’t come back?” I say.

“Odasaku,” Dazai says quietly. “I hope you will forgive me for speaking so strangely, but don’t go! Go and rely on something, hope that something good will happen next, that something will definitely happen.” I walk off. Despite Dazai’s shouts, I don’t look back.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Four

SOMEONE TO FIGHT FOR: Odasaku is one of the very few if not only person we see Dazai actively fight for. Ango didn’t even get this treatment. Chuuya gets this treatment more or less, but it’s fairly begrudging. It is apparent from this how much Odasaku means to Dazai--he even talks about trying to live for something, similar to how Odasaku has spoken to him. He is desperate at this point.

40. Dazai goes to Mori to get permission to save Odasaku and promptly discovers that Mori was planning this all along.

“Do you agree to mobilizing the organization’s executive level gifted squad to storm Mimic’s headquarters to save Odasaku?”

“That envelope is--” Something inside Dazai’s mind starts to move violently, flashing. “So that’s how it is... So that’s what this is all about.”

“I just can’t accept it. The one who secretly told Mimic where the orphans Odasaku was raising were hidden was you. Other than you, no one else could have obtained information on the hiding place I chose.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four

TRUE EMOTIONS: Dazai is furious in this scene. He is horrified and disgusted that Mori has decided to sacrifice Odasaku (and Odasaku’s kids, but less so) to get the Ability Business permit. He is probably the angriest we’ve seen him since the beginning.

41. Dazai essentially says “fuck you” and goes to save Odasaku.

“I want to tell you two things, Boss. First, you won’t shoot me, neither will you order your subordinates to shoot.”

“I am going for one reason, because he’s my friend. I’ll be leaving now.” The subordinates raise their guns, fingers on the trigger. Uncaringly, Dazai strolls towards the door. The subordinates look at Ougai, requesting for him to give the order. Ougai crosses his arms, carrying a slight smile as he looks at Dazai’s back wordlessly. Dazai passes through the door and heads towards the corridor, then disappears.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four

DEFIANCE: While Dazai by no means sticks strictly to Mori’s wishes--we’ve seen this since the beginning--this is the first true act of angry defiance against him that we know of. Mori anticipated this response, but it is still insane that Dazai, the normally incredibly apathetic bastard he is, is so outraged and takes direct action with that.

It’s a shame.

42. Dazai arrives too late and finds Odasaku bleeding out.

Dazai rushes towards Odasaku’s side, checking the severity of the wound. The bullet has pierced through his chest and blood is pooling on the floor--it’s obviously a fatal wound. Dazai falls to his knees, kneeling by Odasaku’s side.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Four

THE MOST EMOTION WE’VE SEEN. EVER: At the time this post is made, we’re at Chapter 107 in the main manga. Even with that, I truly do think this still remains as the most extreme emotion we’ve ever seen on Dazai in every way. Odasaku is the equivalent of Dazai’s best friend, and he’s shot and dying in front of him. He had given Dazai a reason to keep going, motivated him to still push forward. Dazai made exceptions for this man. And now, he’s dying.

43. Odasaku’s final words to Dazai.

“You once said that ‘if you immerse yourself in a world of violence and blood, perhaps you would be able to find a reason to live on.’”

“Aah, I said that, but that sort of thing now...”

“It can’t be found.

“You should know this yourself. No matter whether you’re on the side of killing people or saving people, there will never be anything that can surpass your mind. There is no place in this world that can fill your loneliness. You will linger in the darkness forever.”

“Odasaku... I... What should I do?”

“Go to the side that saves people!

“Since both sides are the same, become a good person. Save the weak, protect orphans. Regardless of whether it’s justice or evil, there isn’t a big difference between the two... But, doing that would be better.”

“How do you know that?”

“I know, I know this better than anyone else.”

“I understand... I’ll do that.”

“’Humans live to save themselves. They will understand this before they die’... Well... said...

“I really want to eat curry...”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Chapter Four

THE PATH FORWARD: If Dazai’s loyalty to the Port Mafia was shaken by this point, it was now shattered. His best friend’s dying words were to leave the Port Mafia and try to do better things.

44. Dazai goes to Odasaku’s funeral.

Dazai stands before that epitaph. Dazai is dressed in black funeral attire, a bouquet of white flowers in his hands.

Dazai takes out one photo, placing it before the epitaph. The three people in the photo, in a moment where time has stopped, have smiles that will never disappear carved onto them.

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Epilogue

45. Two weeks later, Dazai goes missing.

“Leader, Executive Dazai-san has been uncontactable for two weeks. To decide the next executive, it should be time to call for a five-boss conference...”

“Don’t convene the executive meeting. Just keep Dazai’s spot empty.”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Epilogue

46. Dazai meets with Chief Taneda of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at Bar Lupin.

“I’m looking for a new job. Do you have any place you’d recommend?”

“...What do you hope for?” “A place where I can help people.” Dazai replies immediately. “Your ledger is too marred. To clear it, you have to lay low for around two years. But... let me answer your question first. It’s not as if I cannot find such a place.”

“There is an armed organization comprised of ability users. They’re in charge of handling grey areas, troublesome matters that cannot be entrusted to the military or city police. The director there is a man with a good heart, he might be able to grant your wish.”

“What is the name of that organization?” “Name? That company’s name is--”

Dazai Osamu and the Dark Era, Epilogue

TWO YEARS: Dazai decides to join the ADA, and goes underground for two years.

Screenshot from Season 2, Episode Four

And with that, Dazai’s four years in the Port Mafia come to an end. What a shitty teenage experience, honestly. Asagiri really went “want to see how much trauma and mental illness I can fit in this bitch?” and then did that. I mean, he did that to every character to be frank, but from Dazai’s very introduction, the man is messed up on so many levels.

I feel like I’ve learned a lot more about Dazai’s character by writing all this, and to anyone who happens on this, they might feel the same. But honestly, it’s just bonkers thinking about all this. And again, this doesn’t cover everything that happened to Dazai in the Port Mafia! We still don’t have a dedicated light novel to the Laughing Lemon incident, for example! We hear a lot about years 15, 16 and 18, but we know little to nothing about what happened when Dazai was 17. Plus, there’s the two years where Dazai goes underground--what happens to him during that time? And what about him meeting the Sheep prior to Mori? What about the fourteen years he was alive prior to Mori?! It’s just bonkers to me, man.

To any poor soul who read all this, you’re absolutely insane and I salute you. Now, I should probably either work on writing, or get some sleep.

#original post #bsd #bungo stray dogs #bungou stray dogs #bsd dazai osamu #bsd light novel spoilers #bsd manga spoilers #bsd spoilers #bsd stormbringer spoilers #was this necessary? no. did i do it anyways? yes.#i spent two days on this and all i got was this lousy timeline. ACTUALLY NO im fucking proud of this because now i have a point of REFERENCE #hehehehehehehehehe i have too much power now #long post

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