#the parallels between Sigma and Atsushi

[rervraiilstew]

THEM.

[bungobble-my-balls]

WAIT SIGMA WAS ONLY A PAGE IN ATSUSHI'S STORY

BECAUSE ATSUSHI IS A BOOKMARK AND THE BOOKMARK MOVES AS THE STORY GOES ON

BUT SIGMA WAS BORN FROM A PAGE, AND ONCE THE BOOKMARK PASSES A PAGE IT DOESN'T GO BACK

THEY MET ONCE FOR A SINGLE CHAPTER, A BRIEF IMPORTANT INTERACTION, AND THEN DIDN'T SEE EACHOTHER AGAIN (FOR NEARLY FIVE YEARS IN OUR TIME NOW). ATSUSHI CONTINUED WITH THE STORY BUT SIGMA STAYED WHERE HE WAS (DEALING WITH DOA AND FYODOR BALONY)

SIGMATSU ANGST SYMBOLISM?? IN MY BUNGOU STRAY DOGS??!!??

[starlostlix]

BSD 121.5 SPOILERS BELOW!!

So I want to talk about the new chapter because what the actual fuck.

So first of all.... THIS

Atsushi doing this callback with that gaze is insane, and akutagawa's reaction shows he's losing the idgaf war. They're finally realising how much they mean to one another and it's so important, but MORE IMPORTANTLY...

AKUTAGAWA'S EYES ARE FULL OF LIGHT

HIS. EYES. ARE. ALIGHT.

It's not just a bit of light. ITS FULLY LIGHT!!!

This is so important for Akutagawa ong. I don't want to take up too much time with this though because there's a LOT to talk about.

First, the design of ameno-gozen's realm, the fourth dimension. I LOVE IT! It's so mysterious and looks kind of glitchy which is perfect for this vibe. Dazai explains that most people can't see anything here so Atsushi's limited visibility with this art style works well.

So basically this dimension is where the past present and future intersect 'orthogonally' (I had to search this up, it means 'at right angles') and all of time is 'folded upon itself'. Atsushi now, as the only one who can see anything in this dimension, is now able to technically access parts of the past and future at once (my theory is that Byakko has some relation to the fourth dimension, perhaps being created within or being something similar to Gozen). Also note that in the 3rd image 'Dazai' is able to hear Atsushi's thoughts (strengthening the idea id seen of this being Byakko speaking through a visual hallucination of Dazai, especially when this dazai insinuates that it is not him that knows these things but Atsushi himself). Interesting what 'dazai' says about the speed of sound in this dimension basically means it's a lot slower here. Also apparently the mission is to find the 'core' of the divine being here and (i assume) destroy it? No clue how that SSKK fight from the end of the anime is supposed to play out like that but I will see how this goes.

So interestingly everyone else who has been struck by the Amenogozen sword has become stuck in this dimension unaware of what/where they are, and don't have the awareness that Atsushi has (main character moment). Essentially the infinite past and future versions of themselves are 'folding' onto one another (I don't quite know what this specifically means, but I imagine it like Jayce, Ekko and Heimerdinger in the hexcore room in Arcane s2 ep3). But now, since Atsushi is conscious, Atsushi has access to the past and future in this space (leading to the possibility of a lore dump to end all lore dumps next chapter, hopefully about Fyodor's backstory/plan) and he has to choose which way to go to find the information he needs. 'Dazai' tells him to 'feel strongly' as 'that's what you do when you want to experience the past' - and I feel that is such an interesting way of thinking about it in this series. Atsushi himself has suffered from PTSD (as have many characters) and often strong feelings can link to the traumas they possess, but it's not just negative feelings. A lot of characters also have positive memories from strong feelings, including their strong feelings about protecting others as Yokohama's defenders of sorts, and forming bonds with others in that process created the ADA as we know it. I don't really know how else to talk about it but I think it's a really interesting thematic line. Asagiri has some really cool writing.

Honestly this chapter is so cool and I can't wait to see where the series goes with this! My personal theory for next chapter is Atsushi finding the way to the past and we get essentially a lore dump. I think it will be Fyodor's backstory wherein Atsushi's view is spliced with comatose Sigma going through the information he got from his ability and stumbling upon the same information/memories as Atsushi is (also perhaps to cement the parallels between the two like Dazai talked about!).

[tearanusaur]

Kunikda and Nikolai are foils in the way they face life and other people and I need them to interact (and probably fight) now.

Both of them are each others worst nightmares. Kunikida wants to chain himself to his morals and Nikolai wants to free himself from them.

Not to mention Jouno mentioned how deep down Kunikda wanted to free himself from his morals while on the other hand deep down Nikolai admitted how he would probably be happier if he just stuck to his morals before his ‘death’.

They both also seem to have conflicting personality traits. Kunikida is very adult like in the way he presents and dress unlike Nikolai who has a very childish manner and appearance.

Even their relationships with other people, with how Dazai parallels Fyodor and Atsushi parallels Sigma. Kunikida and Dazai fight but have a lot of trust between each other and are allies or partners at the end of the day. On the other hand, whilst Nikolai and Fyodor are very amicable on the surface, in reality, there is little trust between them. Nikolai even admits that Fyodor probably wouldn’t even consider the vampires and maybe even himself as equals. Kunikida is also a mentor to Atsushi and Nikolai is a tormentor to Sigma.

Nikolai is a bird which wants to fly free and Kunikida is a bunny which digs himself further into the ground.

Kunikida is also probably religious going off the light novels and in contrast, Nikolai is the opposite and is ‘fighting in opposition of god’.

Both of them also have unrequited crushes.

I don’t think Asagiri would ever make this happen since BSD has so many cool characters and not all of them will be able to interact but it would be cool if they did, even if it would probably end in murder.

[0pancake-mix0]

I will be waiting for the next pokémon au hcs; they were so lovely to read. I was giggling and clutching my heart in joy.

Take care of yourself, I am sending good vibes ✨

Ask and you shall receive, here’s Atsushi, Akutagawa, and Kyouka

I also changed these guys ages because most trainers are kids so I imagine them being younger, since I didn’t do this for the DOA guys: Fyodor is ???, Nikolai is 26, and Sigma is 18

Atsushi:

- trainer (16 years old)

- Partner Pokémon is a very sweet meowstic (cuz he kinda looks like tiger Atsushi in the Wan), and an eevee evolves into a Espeon, a Espeon who is much more likely to throw hands then any physic attacks.

- lots of protagonist energy, so much protagonist energy that I imagine he gets custody of a legendary early on into his journey, perhaps even the start. I can’t decide between Raikou or Chien-Pao. I’m gonna go Chien-Pao because it looks more like Atsushi tiger form

- rival is Atutagawa, his travel companion is Kyouka.

- Other notable Pokémon he has are Hapiny, Pachurishu, and dragonite, indeedee and meowth

- he has no specific plan or team when he battles, he fully believes the power of their friendship will win the battle, and it somehow always works.

- He love his little guys so much that the thought of them getting hurt makes him sick.

- a weird pattern of him catching very mystical, psychic attacking Pokémon, that instead choose physical violence .

- They are all very protective of him

- will eventually take over as champion

-actively being mentored by Dazai, the current champion, Dazai doesn’t do a very good job though so Atsushi is mostly on his own as far as figuring things out.

Akutagawa:

- trainer (16)

- partner Pokémon is weirdly menacing zorua, and an Eevee that evolves into a shy and sweet umbreon (oOoO parallels sun and moon OooOo)

- more distain then your classic rival, very similar dynamic as the show but much less violent and more kid friendly (no dismemberment here, no sir) Akutagawa will eventually get to a place where he’s happy for Atsushi once he becomes champion

- very well crafted team, however he’s not particularly friendly with his Pokémon. Leading to him often losing, he starts to win once he chills the fuck out and bonds with his Pokémon, leading to eevee evolving.

- Team is an Infernape, Hydregeon, Garchomp, spiritomb, Zorua (never evolves) and Umbreon

- Dazai will show up to travel with him occasionally, worried that he’s lonely. It’s more annoying then anything though

- does find a friend in Higuchi, the Normal type gym leader (we’ll save that though)

Kyouka

-trainer (13)

-Partner pokmon is Gardivour (because she kinda reminds me of demon snow)

-Went off on a very stereotypical journey before giving up and deciding to capture every single vaguely fluffy thing she sees

- extremely threatening and menacing, most of her Pokémon consist of fluffy pink Pokémon with very sweet personalities

- she doesn’t focus on team building at all, as she doesn’t really enjoy Pokémon battling and doesn’t see the appeal. The only reason she tags along at all is because she’s likes Atsushi and there is significantly less bunny pokemon back home.

- Team is Buneary, Scorbunny, Azumarill, Jigglypuff, Audino and Whismur. Her team is fairly weak and low level as she doesn’t like battling, with the exception of Gardivour who can and will beat the shit out of you.

- will actually laugh at Dazais jokes, and is probably the only person in the world to do that (the three of them are a little family :) )

General

- Kyoukas father (her parents are alive in this AU) will send his Misdreus to deliver home cooked meals to Atsushi and Kyouka, Atsushi (still an orphan) has been thoroughly adopted into the family (Dazai goes to steal their food from the fridge at home sometimes, Kyoukas parents let him)

- Kyouka used to really enjoy battling, but felt like she was being pressured into it due to her skill and power, which kinda killed the fun for her.

-Atsushi will often take Pokémon who were abandoned by their previous owners, namely his hapiny and meowth. Meowth is missing part of her tail, she considers her new life with Atsushi worth the missing appendage.

-Akutagawa maintains a cold front at all times, and will become very embarrassed if someone hears his daily phone calls home, (he gets very homesick and misses Gin)

- Gin and Atsushi are besties, he doesn’t discover she’s Akutagawas sister until he’s already champion

-Fyodor is the professor for all 3 of them, Sigma is personal friends with Atsushi and Kyouka, and Nikolai is the occasional tormentor of all of them. (He really does just hide in the bushes to bully children, Fyodor is still waiting for him to get a job)

- Atsushi and Akutagawa sees though Fyodors cold mask and both thinks he’s nicer then he acts, which is funny because Atsushi and Akutagawa are the only trainers Fyodor genuinely finds annoying and wants them both to leave him alone (mostly because of their connection to Dazai) (he does grow to like them, but he’ll take that to his grave) (respects Kyoukas decision to do whatever the fuck she wants) (here’s a forth parentheses for funsies)

- Atsushi and Akutagawa have a bet on how old Fyodor is, Atsushi bets 21 cause he looks young, Akutagawa bets 30 because he acts old (30 is old to a 16 year old). Both agree that him and Nikolai probably kiss.

[osa-hates-ricetbh]

Bsd theories!!!

- Dazai will die at the end OR sacrifice himself to make Fyodor due

- Atsushi will join the PM (Atsushi and ADA Dazai parallel PM Dazai and Oda)

- Dazai was also created by the book

- Sigma knows about the book, Fyodor forced amnesia onto him and he doesn't remember it now but will remember everything after he wakes up

- The universe we're watching isn't the OG universe

- They will merge with the BEAST universe or every universe collapses into eachother

- Dazai nullifies the entire book, everyone returns to their OG fates

- Fyodor is the past, Atsushi is the present and we follow the plot with him, Dazai is the future

- Doctor N is Chuuya's bio dad

Other stuff:

- Mori or Fukuchi both participated in the Great war, both could have taken Chuuya from the lab and made him to what they wanted or ended the war at once

- Atsushi most definitely has religious trauma bc of the religious themes of the orphanage, eg. in Dead Apple when little Atsushi is talking to the headmaster while he's chained up and there's a cross between them

- Verlaine's ass better get outta the basement.

I wanna yap abt them but this is already too long for me :33

[bluemooniegif]

Now for an analysis masterpost! this is for all of my Bungou Stray Dogs analyses, which I plan to add a whole bunch to!! Links below the line <3

General Analysis

How do relationship particles work?

The role of war in BSD

Is Sigma actually 3 years old?

The introduction to Soukoku was perfectly written

Costume Design (big wip)

Atsushi's costume design is the best thing ever

Coat Theory

Misc. Character Analysis

How well does Dazai (BSD) reflect Dazai (IRL)? (Video)

Parallels between Kouyou x Kyouka and Verlaine x Chuuya

The 'parents' of Double Black

What happened to Mori to make him like this?

Aya and Sigma share a similar role

Not analysis but still helpful: Where I get official BSD updates

[acexspqade]

BSD SEASON 5 EP 11 SPOILERS!!!! Below the border

my rambling thoughts/grievances on a particular theory floating around about Fyodor and Nikolai and what happened in the last episode of S5

I see a lot of people theorizing that the yellow light that we see as Fyodor is “dying” is not the flames of the helicopter but actually Nikolai’s ability saving him from the wreckage. And while from a logistical perspective I have no issues with this theory; from a character perspective I find myself frustrated with it. 

It’s entirely possible that this was all a plan created by Fyodor and Nikolai in case of a situation like that, I personally feel like it completely undermines Fyodor’s character, specifically taking away his “fatal” flaw and leaving him as this invincible force and it also alters his dynamic with other characters in the series specifically Dazai and Nikolai.

My favorite Dazai and Fyodor conversation is their chess conversation they have while in the prison, because it finally establishes the fundamental difference between them. Dazai uses the unpredictability of humanity to his advantage, allowing himself to trust in his allies and their abilities rather than trying to predict and control their every action, while Fyodor looks at the unpredictability of humanity and attempts to control it, refusing to trust anyone else’s judgment but his own.

Simply put– Dazai trusts people and Fyodor does not. From that conversation, we as the audience are given the “ideal conflict” between these characters. Who will come out on top because of their way of operating? 

Fyodor or Dazai?

And Dazai coming out on top in this particular ideal clash makes perfect sense, given its an ideal that he himself evolved to possess. From how he interacts with people in Fifteen to his current self, we see Dazai actually learn to trust people and their decision making rather than trying to bait them into making the decision. 

[I can go more in depth about this change in Dazai’s character later if it’s wanted; this post is supposed to be about Fyodor and this does not need to be a dissertation].   

Fyodor had allies and he had a very particular ally in Nikolai. Yet instead of embracing Nikolai and such a companionship, he reasoned that he couldn’t control him and thus never allowed himself to trust Nikolai. There’s two instances where Nikolai’s allyship could have saved him both at the beginning of the prison break where we see a very visual representation of Dazai choosing to trust people in picking Sigma as his aid, while Fyodor chooses himself and his plan not once but twice with Nikolai giving him a second chance to change his mind and possibly even choose Nikolai as his aid.

We are all well aware that Nikolai wanted to kill Fyodor which was the entire purpose of the game Nikolai set up– but at the very least in choosing to trust Nikolai his chances of beating Dazai would have leaned in his favor. And at the helicopter, had Fyodor asked Nikolai to man it for him because of his injury, that vampire that he thought he had total control over would’ve never been able to impale him.  Nikolai’s want to kill Fyodor is a very valid reason for Fyodor not to trust Nikolai but his chances once again significantly improve if he simply chose to trust his closest companion. But he doesn’t and that is something I find so intriguing about Fyodor as a character. 

Another issue I have with the theory is what it does to Nikolai’s character. We see him grieve Fyodor and have a vulnerable moment parallel to the moment we get in his fight with Atsushi where he cracks and reveals his true nature before fixing himself and saying what should be in line with the persona he displays. Nikolai fights with himself about if he truly wanted to kill Fyodor, flipping between yes and no a few times when Dazai asks “You wanted to kill him, didn’t you?”. It’s such a heartbreaking moment for Nikolai’s character as he experiences the reality of the “freedom” he wanted. He has killed the one person who he felt understood him. He has killed his “best friend”. In what should be a moment where he is finally able to experience true free will unaffected by human emotions and feelings, Nikolai is the most emotional we have ever seen him. 

In one moment we see the literal destruction of two very flawed ideals crashing and burning to the ground because they chose to run from humanity instead of embrace it. So if it was all an act on the part of Nikolai, it just would reset any potential character growth he could have from this moment. 

Also people have pointed out the moment where Dazai is calling at Fyodor’s fatal flaw, saying that it’ll come back to bite him like Fyodor’s comments about the bond of sokoku came back to bite him. While I do think Dazai’s words will come back to bite him, it won't be his comments about Fyodor’s fatal flaw, more than likely it’ll be his assurance that Fyodor is “no doubt” dead as I highly doubt that is the case. The “vampire cosplay” bit by Chuuya and Dazai displays such a deep level of trust between the two of them that I just can not see being replicated by Fyodor and Nikolai because Chuuya and Dazai’s bond is very particular to their characters. Fyodor and Nikolai doing something similar would just feel like a cheap gotcha moment than an actual display of true bond that we get no build up to. We are shown moments in which Nikolai cares for Fyodor but it’s never reciprocated and even Nikolai’s feelings are clouded by his want to escape from them. 

So while I feel for the Fyodor and Nikolai fans in these trying times, I really hope Asagiri doesn’t take the route that Nikolai actually helped Fyodor get out of the plane and save his life. 

This is just my own personal opinion however so if you feel differently and would like to explain why I’m happy to have that conversation.

a/n: this is actually my first real post on tumblr so expect more of my ramblings about bsd and other animes i know way to much about.

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

Asks Masterpost

Arranged in chronological order for (hopefully) convenience. :)

For my analyses and other posts, check out my pinned post here.

Dead Apple comes before Cannibalism arc (BSD)

Stormbringer comes before Dragon's Head Conflict (BSD)

Local Cryptid Mori (BSD)

Chuuya's Relevance to the Main Manga (BSD)

Chuuya and Dazai Outfit Changes (BSD)

Chuuya loses his coat around Dazai (BSD)

Interpretations of Chuuya losing his coat Pt. 1 (BSD)

Interpretations of Chuuya losing his coat Pt. 2 (BSD)

Dazai loses his coat as he runs to Odasaku (BSD)

Chapter 101: Chuuya will be fine (BSD)

Fyodor underestimates Chuuya (BSD)

Poking Mori with a stick (BSD)

Random Yokomizo and Mushitarou thoughts (BSD)

Mushitarou Thoughts and Contrasts with Ango (BSD)

Chuuya is intelligent (BSD)

Kunikida and Akutagawa stalemate in Entrance Exam (BSD)

Natsume Thoughts (BSD)

Aquarium Mayoi Chuuya (BSD)

Timeline Clarification for DoA and Meursault arc (BSD)

Thoughts on "Dazai is the Book" theory (BSD)

Kafkaesque (BSD)

Enneagrams for Dazai, Yosano, Akutagawa, Atsushi, Kyouka, and Tachihara (BSD)

Pushkin and Meursault (BSD)

Chuuya and Water Motifs (BSD)

Shouldn't the Special Division know where the Book is? (BSD)

Rimbaud and Verlaine as a generation of skk (BSD)

Could No Longer Human have been transferred to Dazai? (BSD)

Onsen Drama CD discussion (BSD)

Is the Book's manipulation of reality flawed? (BSD)

Is Dazai's real name Shuuji? (BSD)

Kouyou and Kyouka's abilities cannot form a singularity (BSD)

Was Dazai's ability given to him by the Book? (BSD)

Is the anime set in a different universe to the manga? (BSD)

Dazai's distant, well-adjusted cousin Shuuji (BSD)

Location of Chuuya's hat in Fifteen and Stormbringer (BSD)

Nikolai's speech is narrated by the page (BSD)

Clarification of the Russian writing on the note Sigma found (BSD)

Who could've bitten Chuuya? (BSD)

Stampede Vash thoughts and picking sides (Trigun)

Anti-Katai Fyodor ability theory (BSD)

Differences between "real" and parallel "Book" worlds (BSD)

"The Double" and potential Fyodor connection (BSD)

Tanizaki development and observations (BSD)

How I do my analyses (not fandom)

Who left the note? (BSD)

Thoughts on Dazai attacking the cop in Side B (BSD)

Skk - Who's the dog, really? (BSD)

Atsushi and Sigma parallels (BSD)

Chuuya's friend-making method (BSD)

Is Q coming back? (BSD)

Ace and Dazai parallels (BSD)

Thoughts on Atsushi not resisting Akutagawa's bite (BSD)

Angel and demon comparisons (BSD)

Atsushi as the Key, Dazai as the Seal... (BSD)

Protagonist Switch with Chuuya and Dazai? (BSD)

Possibility of Akutagawa leaving PM after DoA arc? (BSD)

Possibility of Agency abilities going haywire after Fukuzawa's death (BSD)

When did Dazai learn Chuuya was not a vampire? (BSD)

Ending of Meursault arc thoughts (BSD)

Did Bones change the script for S5 finale? (BSD)

Gide vs Oda, Fyodor vs Dazai (BSD)

Workaholic Chuuya (BSD)

[rervraiilstew]

3, 6, and 24 for the blorbos ^^

3: "Was there any specific point/any specific moment...or slowly grow to love them more and more...?"

I have different answers here for Sigma and Lucy actually!

Sigma:

Sigma was my favourite character before I even started bsd. Two years ago my best friend would show me out of context bsd videos and also showed me Nikolai("he likes cutting people in half") and Sigma("he's three years old"). It took me a few months to get into bsd after that but said friend kept telling me to cut my hair like Sigma's during that time. I wanted to but couldn't because I still competed in women's artistic gymnastics at the time. I also wanted to cosplay Sigma at that time, even though I had not even yet seen him in the manga(I actually finally got a cosplay of him in October 2024 :D!!). And then I saw a Siglai manga edit on youtube and was HOOKED. And then all my other obsessions died out in favour of bsd, particularly Sigma. There was no specific point I was obsessed with this man at first sight before even properly even getting into bsd.

Lucy:

She grew on me over time! I actually didn't like her all too much when she was introduced in the timeline. And then I think it was the realization of the parallels between her and Atsushi that made me like her more. And then her personality grew on me. And then I realized the parallels between Sigma and Atsushi as well. And then the idea of those three as a trio + their interactions in the casino arc just made me love her even more.

6: "If you could talk to your Blorbo, what would you say to them?"

Sigma:

Okay I know that this is beyond just saying something to them but oh dear lord I would love to play Thirty-One with Sigma. Obviously with more than just two players but yk its the thought of it.

Lucy:

ouuughhh I actually have no clue 😭!! Main thing that comes to mind is(again this happens to be more than just saying things) crochet. She DEFINITELY has at least some sort of fibre art in her toolbox(Anne's room, the dolls, yadayada). I know crochet(even if I'm more of a beginner). Yap session would ensue I hope.

24: "If you could change one canonical thing about your Blorbo, what would it be?"

Okay I'm speaking more with my self-indulgent brain rather than my analysis brain and this goes for Sigma and Lucy here:

Definitely more of an interaction between Sigma and Lucy during the casino arc. ((Or also the idea of them both working for the cafe at the agency(like that artwork you did recently!) Even just a few words or sentences between them to show the understanding of desperation when joining the organization that they did as well as the difference in loyalty to their home vs the loyalty to their people. The main differences I've noticed between Sigma, Lucy, and Atsushi is where their loyalty lies in the organization that they're originally a part of and that's something that I so desperately need to yap about/currently have a draft for.

[bungobble-my-balls]

Sigma and Lucy and their connection to Atsushi (+the pattern with people Atsushi wants to help and how Sigma falls into it)

(Or how they all fall into it, and quite literally fall since for some reason there's a repeated pattern of important moments between Kyouka, Lucy and Sigma when it comes to Atsushi and one or both of them falling or jumping from a high ledge)

I've never been able to stop thinking about this so I'm finally making a post on this.

I'm gonna mainly compare chapter 28 and chapter 76, and the events surrounding these chapters that take place on the same day as them and in relation to them.

The chapters show us more on a member of the enemy terrorist organisation that the ADA are currently up against. In the chapter (or around this chapter for Sigma), we see the backstory of a member and bit of their ideology.

This character started out life with no family and no home, being used and abused in their early years.

It's noted that their backstory is similar to Atsushi's, and that they are actually very similar to him.

The character loses their home in this chapter (or implied in this chapter for Lucy), and the only family they had that they desperately clung onto and fought for. Even if it wasn't a proper family, it was all they had. They'd been alone their whole lives and didn't want to be alone again.

The home and family in question are on a floating structure in the sky. This is also where the chapter takes place.

Atsushi says something to this character that affects them. The character ends up helping him just before the two part ways.

This is the last look they give Atsushi before they leave eachother

The character and Atsushi leave eachother by one of them falling. For Chapter 28 it's Atsushi who jumps off leaving Lucy, and they leave with a hopeful interaction of them meeting again. For Chapter 76, it's Sigma who falls leaving Atsushi, with a less hopeful interaction of Atsushi believing Sigma is dead and Sigma letting go believing he would die.

Notably in this chapter, right after Sigma falls Lucy shows up. The last ex-terrorist now friend/ally to Atsushi. And in opposition to both Chapter 28 (where Atsushi jumped away from her) and the scene that just happened (with Atsushi failing to save an enemy) she jumps off a high ledge TOWARDS Atsushi to save him. Lucy was where Sigma currently is, and both her and her bond with Atsushi have grown a lot since then, and this could also be the future for Sigma.

There is a promise for Atsushi to save this character. Unfortunately, he doesn't end up saving them. They also get taken again by their organisation, no longer by any will of their own.

Chapter 76 including these three with notable moments definitely feels to me like a comparison of Lucy and Sigma and their relationship with Atsushi. Sigma's situation is very similar to Lucy's as I've previously shown. Terrorists that have recently suffered loss in regards to their found home and family, that get a connection with Atsushi in this chapter. Unlike with Lucy, Sigma and Atsushi left eachother without hope of seeing the other again or Atsushi being able to help them (for the characters, the story itself does give hope of this happening). Then Lucy shows up, as a reminder of the last enemy he helped that DID turn out OK, and to show how far Lucy has come since then, since she was where Sigma is. It shows that hope might not be lost for Sigma either.

With it already being established that Sigma now wants to become an ADA member, the possibility of seeing Sigma grow like Lucy did and develop a bond with Atsushi like she did gets closer to being canon. There's something there and I'm really looking forward to seeing how Sigma's character could possibly develop after this arc (and when he wakes up because my guy is likely in a coma rn 😔)

The Pattern

I've stated that Lucy being in chapter 76 is important to show the connection Sigma could eventually have with Atsushi, but even though she's not in that chapter it's also important to note Kyouka. In the sky Casino mission to retrieve Sigma, where Sigma and Atsushi meet for the first time, it was specifically Lucy and Kyouka who went with Atsushi.

For both Lucy and Kyouka, there were three notable incidents with Atsushi until they become allied with the ADA permanently.

Kyouka:

- Atsushi saving her from the train

- Atsushi saving her from Akutagawa

- Kyouka escaping the Guild and becoming an official ADA member

Lucy:

- Atsushi beating Lucy

- Atsushi and Lucy's talk on the Whale

- Atsushi and Lucy's meeting in the cafe

The pattern here was there being a first meeting where Atsushi is shown wanting to help the character even though they're an enemy that he just thought against and a terrorist.

The next incident takes place a while after the first and is a pivotal point where its made certain in the story that things will turn out OK for the enemy character. A bond is set between them and Atsushi. -------------------------- After the second incident, things in fact do not turn out OK for the character and the audience was actually led into a false security. Kouyou shows up after to try and take back Kyouka, and the Guild kidnaps Lucy from her room before Atsushi can 'come back and save her'. Now the character is in danger again and their fate is once again up in the air, only now there's more at stake since a bond with Atsushi has already been established and the audience has been given the chance to grow attached to them. Whether or not this character will be able to join 'the side of the light' and have a home and family like they wanted is uncertain again

It's the third incident that sets into stone again that the character does in fact turn out OK. They reunite with Atsushi, and they finally get to live a good life with a home and the freedom to live how they wished to. The character is now connected with the ADA and after this point in the story, no matter what happens to the character their place in the light is never thrown into question again, they belong here.

So I believe this could happen with Sigma. He doesn't follow the exact same process, considering that Sigma is also being helped by Dazai, and could be grouped with Atsushi as someone Dazai saved, but chapter 76 still follows the pattern well enough that I believe this could happen.

We've already had our first incident with their meeting. Despite me comparing this chapter to Lucy and Atsushi's second meeting, for Sigma and Atsushi this still fits into the territory of the first part of the pattern.

(Intetesting note: Unlike with Lucy and Kyouka, after it was established that Atsushi wanted to help the enemy, this was the first time where Atsushi 'failed' to. He jumped from the train with Kyouka, he jumped off the Whale after promising to come back for Lucy, but at the sky Casino it was Sigma who fell instead, and Atsushi stayed thinking that he just saw the last of a now dead man that he failed to help. Then again, it could just be following the pattern and we'll see a more hopeful outcome with their second meeting)

The second incident will likely be them meeting again. It will end more hopefully, with a further bond between Atsushi and Sigma and more hope for Sigma joining the ADA.

If we then follow the pattern, something bad will happen to Sigma to throw this off course, and put into question whether he'll actually be able to join the ADA and get a home.

This will last for some time, until the third part eventually comes where Sigma finally gets to stay with his new home and new life. After this, it should be permanent to the story and Sigma shouldn't have his status as an ADA member/ally put into question or at risk again.

[fyodcrs]

My turn! Fyozai for the ask game 👀

001 | send me a ship and I will tell you:

when I started shipping it if I did:

From the first time I watched Dead Apple, lmao.

"Every city has its rats."

"Meow."

And in that moment, I knew. 😂

my thoughts:

This post is a little outdated now but still pretty well sums up my thoughts about them. I love how they parallel each other, how they're two sides of the same coin. How they're so evenly matched. How they don't complement each other but cancel each other out, essentially - how they constantly find themselves at a stalemate.

I used to think that it was particularly interesting because neither of them are your traditional "hero" and "villain" characters. The way Dazai was the amoral one who didn't believe in justice (not in the sense someone like Kunikida does, anyway) and Fyodor was, actually, the one driven by morals and a sense of justice. Now Fyodor is being written more like a typical villain and Dazai's character has lost some of the complex layers that made him interesting in the first place, so that's kind of out the window, but I still enjoy the way they mirror each other, how they're the same but opposite in so many ways. It's made for a really interesting dynamic. Unfortunately, I don't think the story is going to explore that dynamic much more from here on out, but hey, I can always hope.

What makes me happy about them:

I WILL NEVER BE OVER THEM PLAYING MENTAL CHESS TOGETHER. And the fact they have their own secret language??? And the fact that Fyodor said neither of them has ever been able to have real conversations with other people except each other, because of their intellects?? Bruv.

What makes me sad about them:

The way the writing for both their characters has gone down the toilet in this arc 😞

things done in fanfic that annoys me:

Everybody makes Fyodor top. Where is my bottom Fyodor??? I know Dazai accused Fyodor of being a control freak but as if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black sdfggfghj

Tbh, so many of the fics under the fyozai tag are just SKK fics that dump on Fyodor, and it really annoys me. And a lot of the actual fyozai fics either portray Fyodor or Dazai in a way I don't like or don't vibe with or use religious imagery in a way I find...er...uncomfortable, lol. I haven't looked for fyozai fics in ages because of it.

things I look for in fanfic:

Like I said, I haven't looked for fanfics of them in a long time, but I like some good smutty content and some witty banter. I do like a bit of character study when I agree with it, lol.

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other: 

Oh man, I have lots of ships for the both of them, haha. For Fyodor, number one is Sigma. Fyosig has such a special place in my heart. 💖💖 But there's also Fukuchi, Nikolai, Yosano...

For Dazai, mainly Atsushi. Dazatsu has such a special place in my heart, too. 💖

My happily ever after for them:

They make a deal to end the battle between them and move in together, becoming the undefeatable team they should be.

who is the big spoon/little spoon:

Dazai is big spoon, Fyodor is little spoon 🥰

what is their favorite non-sexual activity:

Chess, obviously. But chess is also inherently sexual for them ASDFGDFG

Thank you, Rosa!! (´꒳`)♡

[erolyntries]

I feel like Sigma and Atsushi have a lot in common which is weird since Sigma (at least from what I’ve seen/read) isn’t a huge character right now. (SPOILERS FOR MANGA I THINK) So I made a list with possible theories.

Both have pretty vague pasts with no exact family details or background - Atsushi was abandoned by his parents according to the orphanage and Sigma just suddenly woke up in the desert without an identity.

Both have abilities that are sought after by organizations - Sigma was captured and abused because his ability was good for crime and information, Atsushi was sought after by the guild and was tortured in order to extract his gift.

Both are very insecure about themselves - Sigma doesn’t think he’s fit for the sky casino/Decay of Angels, Atsushi thinks he’s weak and can’t protect people. To add, both of them value their “found families” (idk what else to call it) a lot. Sigma considers the casino to be his life purpose, Atsushi would do anything for the Agency.

Both have choppy haircuts - okay a joke but like what is Atsushi’s hair. It works but like what.

Both have been picked up by these super intelligent people - not really a character trait, but Sigma has Fyodor and Atsushi has Dazai. Fyodor and Dazai are the reason Atsushi and Sigma are a part of their organizations.

All this to say that these seemingly very distant characters have so much in common. I have a few theories as to why.

1. It’s a hint to suggest Atsushi was also created by the Book, or at the very least has some kind of connection that’s stronger than others. Sigma was created by the Book, so if he and Atsushi had similarities than it might be because the creator wants to hint that Atsushi is also created by the Book. This would explain why Atsushi’s ability is so powerful and unique and why he’s the tiger beetle for the Book or whatever the Guild said. The problem here is that is would mean that the orphanage lied to Atsushi, which is believable, but it also doesn’t explain why Atsushi was created as a child and Sigma was created as an adult. It also doesn’t explain why Sigma isn’t a incredibly powerful ability user, though that’s possible to change with his development.

2. It’s meant to be more of thematic theme than story plot. It’s possible that the creator uses Sigma and Atsushi to parallel each other to prove a message about manipulation and independence. Sigma is clearly being manipulated by Fyodor and isn’t valued like a person. It’s hard to say whether Dazai is actually being genuine with Atsushi and manipulating him or not, but he at the very least cares more than Fyodor does about Sigma. Atsushi is more confident about his abilities (I think) than Sigma who has only been treated like crap by Fyodor. Perhaps it’s more a commentary on leadership or mentorship.

3. I’m overthinking it. I don’t know.

4. It makes Fyodor and Dazai more developed characters. Dazai’s relationship with Atsushi clearly has more care than Fyodor and Sigma. If the Armed Detective Agency ends up defeating the DOA, than that would prove that a more respectful relationship between mentor and student proves to be more effective than a manipulative one.

Idk, I feel like I’m overthinking now but I’m curious to see what others say.

[sugarcarnation]

!! im back again bc i remembered a theory i heavily believe in on tt abt 109 and i sent this to someone else too so heres the basic gist of it

notice the correlation between atsushi vs akutagawa + dazai vs chuuya both are fighting their vampire port mafia rivals, while the protagonists are losing, ex. atsushi loses an arm and a leg, dazai breaks his legs and gets shot, but we know atsushi is the mc, there fore won't be killed off. due to the parallels between the two protags, dazai AND atsushi might win or make it out alive, unless asagiri wants to be a little shit and show us either a. the different two ways the relationships could go (life and death) b. he likes to make us suffer

oh and dazai's a big money maker so that too !! either way dazai most likely will live (+ sigma but thats for another ask)

thanks for coming to my ted talk (p.s i was the uhhh feral chuuya anon earlier LKMFAFIOSJ) ((big switch up))

feral chuuya anon!! you have the range

but yeah i agree i can’t imagine asagiri killing either atsushi or dazai off. atsushi is not only the main character but i’m pretty sure there’s also a lot of things he has left unresolved in this arc. it would be against the themes of bsd to kill him after he chose to believe in hope and fight to save the people around him

same with dazai i just can’t believe they’d ever kill the suicidal guy in the reasons to live manga. not even talking about how he’s such a fan favorite and how in there’s still a lot you can develop in his character and his relationships to other people

also asagiri loves fake cliffhanger deaths. even if one of them did supposedly die i’d have to wait for the next twenty chapters without their appearance to actually believe it

[bookcrazyace]

Dazai is a Good Person After Leaving the Port Mafia

SPOILERS FOR FINAL SEASON

So I was a firm believer of the whole "Dazai isn't a good person, he just changed affiliations because Oda told him to." for a long time. I haven't rewatched the first couple of seasons of Bungou Stray Dogs in a long time so my examples might not be accurate but I have compiled a couple of scenes that had me convinced he was a bad person even after being in the ADA.

In the whole incident with the Assure Messenger he seemingly purposely lured the boy Kunikida was looking after to the place where Sasaki subsequently shoots him thus leading him to shoot her as his last act in self defense. (I am aware that the anime's coverage of this whole arc was a not true to the source material and I am unaware if the same events happen in the light novel.)

Slapping Atsushi while he's essentially having a panic attack. Seeing how he treats Akutagawa in the flashbacks this seemed like the facade was slipping a little and he reverted back to how he trained Akutagawa.

This is probably the weakest piece of evidence but, when he a Chuuya went to get Q and Dazai held the knife up to their neck. It's unclear whether it was genuine consideration or just a joke. But if the only reason he didn't kill Q was because the ADA didn't do stuff like that then it's not looking too good for Dazai.

But this post is supposed to be me defending his character development so lets start that. It's been the last arc of the anime that made me reconsider my stance on Dazai's character. I will not attempt to disprove any of the examples I made above seeing as I haven't watched that part of the anime in a long time.

So in the final arc the anime seems to draw parallels between Fyodor and Dazai in how they view the world and handle different situations. One good example of this is the god conversation they have while they are in the cells. Another good example is the whole drowning thing where they throw each other in the same trap. It seems like these are very intentional parallels meant to show how similar yet different they both are.

Sigma's entire role in this arc and his relationship with Dazai could really be either or with proving whether or not Dazai changed it all boils down to whether or not Sigma is actually dead and whether or not Dazai intentionally sent him to Fyodor with the intent of sending him to his death. I honestly think that Dazai intended to make good on his promise to get Sigma out alive. The fact that Dazai thinks that Sigma reminds him of Atsushi also adds to my point I feel the fact that Atsushi seems to be someone Dazai genuinely cares about (excluding the whole slapping thing) makes it seem like he would care about Sigma too being that he reminded him so much of Atsushi (I can't help but think that Dazai thinking of Sigma reminds him of Atsushi is similar to Aya reminding Bram of his daughter.) I can't decide whether or not Dazai knew the full extent of Fyodor's plan or not they have the same level of intelligence and are both seemingly shocked when the other does something but sometimes its later proved that they knew all along. In the end Fyodor's death isn't even really because Dazai necessarily outsmarted him it was because of Dazai's willingness to trust people.

Dazai directly stating that Fyodor's problem is that he only trusts himself is another reason that I believe that he is a good person. If Dazai only saw the people in the ADA as pawns there is no real reason for him to put trust in them or at the very least not the extent of trust he did. Also he put his trust in Chuuya, his enemy too and I just feel like that says a lot because regardless of the history between them.

The last thing I want to talk about is his relationship with other characters. If you consider the differences in how Akutagawa and Atsushi view him I think it reveals a lot. Atsushi views him as a positive influence and a mentor while Akutagawa views him as something akin to a god. Ranpo seems to trust him which I feel is all that needs to be said. He also works well with Kunikida as partners which requires some level of trust.

Overall my views of Dazai have changed. I think that instead of him suddenly flipping from being a "bad person" to a "good person" by changing from the Port Mafia to the ADA is unrealistic and likely untrue. What is more plausible in my mind is that throughout Bungou Stray Dogs we have watched Dazai gradually develop into a better person that is willing to put his trust in people in a way he wasn't willing to before.

[starlightshadowsworld]

Ooooo interesting,

My theory is that Akutagawa and Atsushi represent the swords so I’m totally on board with this theory of Atsushi actually being one.

For me I liken him to the one that can manipulate life force.

But the time sword is an interesting choice because of the whole forseer thing from 55 minutes (which this current arc has a lot of parallels to.)

And we know that Atsushi is the exception to this reality where in which the part, present and future cross paths.

The book created all these separate worlds and Atsushi as its bookmark can freely walk between them, so that means he embodies space as well as time.

Dazai is also interesting here because while he doesn’t go back in time. He does almost die in 55 minutes and the time travel ability has to be used in him.

Granted his heart stopped so his ability didn’t nullify it but for an ability and that one specifically to be used on him is an interesting point to add into this.

I love the call back to the sword in Atsushi’s head because we never quite got a reason for that. And it felt like a very important especially with the bloodthirst he felt from it.

And that Sigma, who is also connected to the book, felt it was important to tell him.

Fyodor being the shattered sword would make his need for a companion make a lot of sense. Why someone so self absorbed and cruel would need another to call his equal.

Because he was made as a pair.

And why he is so drawn to Atsushi and more specifically his ability because he’s this legendary being.

Could also explain his collection of mystical and powerful swords, he’s been searching for a long time.

-

As for the reblog Akutagawa didn’t travel through time in 55 minutes. The only one who did was Atsushi but Akutagawa regained his memories of that lost future in the past.

Much like how we see him regain his memories of the past here at the airport.

With the first thing he remembers being Atsushi and his own death just as he did in 55 minutes.

As Atsushi’s the one exception to this place I doubt Akutagawa can move around freely within it.

Especially when we’ve already seen a fragment of him (chapter 121.5) inside of it alongside Kunikida and Kenji who ended up being absorbed inside.

Rather I think Akutagawa is barred from entering that space to begin with. We have seen how everyone else once they’re injured by the divine being is immediately absorbed into this space.

And yet Akutagawa has been stabbed and now lost both arms but he still remains at the airport.

I think as it currently stands (123.5) that Atsushi has left this plane and gone on a path where for once Akutagawa can’t follow.

And so he demands “return the weretiger to me” because I can’t get him to him himself.

They are ying and yang.

One was stuck in the light and the other sacrificed himself to darkness.

Listen batshit insane theory that Fyodor is the broken sword while Atsushi is the time sword.

This is gonna sound crazy but I'm gonna keep going.

Which could be why Fyodor is looking for his other half because the swords were called the twin swords which could be why he had originally thought that Dazai was his other half and could be why Fyodor seems to know so much about Atsushi.

Remember that one chapter where Atsushi has a sword going through his head and Amenogozen also had a sword go through their head so what if the sword going through Atsushi's head wasn't really a hallucination but a projection from the time sword.

And in 55 minutes Atsushi was called the foreseer and travelled through time.