The correct order to watch Bungo Stray Dogs

This publication contains spoilers for “Bungo Stray Dogs.”

Kafka Asagiri’s “Bungo Stray Dogs” begins on a note of pathos. An orphaned teenager named Atsushi collapses from hunger after being kicked out of his orphanage, lamenting that he will never be able to belong there. However, just as these feelings begin to soar, the mood changes when Atsushi accidentally saves an eccentric detective from drowning. This detective, Dazai Osamu (who made /Film’s roundup of the strongest anime characters), acts as a conduit into an unknown world of special abilities and factional rivalries, exposing an invisible war raging in the bustling city of Yokohama. . However, Asagiri’s evolving story about super-powered detectives and mafia bosses doesn’t always deal with such serious matters, as comic levity is an integral part of a world in chaos. This bittersweet character elevates “Bungo Stray Dogs” to an experience that one can’t get enough of.

The anime adaptation of Asagiri’s work may seem fairly straightforward in terms of viewing order (unlike “Psycho-Pass,” which can be a fairly complicated anime to navigate), but the inclusion of a companion film and OVA requires some necessary changes. Additionally, “Bungo Stray Dogs” jumps between timelines to develop the psyche of its characters, allowing us to look back to the past to better understand their worldviews. For example, the series’ Fifteen arc offers essential flashbacks to Dazai’s past as a member of the Port Mafia, chronicling how he joined the group at the age of 15 and crossed paths with Chūya, his mission partner. A random viewing order is necessary to make sense of these timelines, as these flashback segments help fill in the gaps of ambiguous character motivations.

Before we delve into the details, here’s the handy watch order list for “Bungo Stray Dogs”:

• “Bungo Stray Dogs” season 1 (episodes 1-11)

• “Bungo Stray Dogs” season 2 (episodes 12-24)

• “Bungo Stray Dogs”: The OVA: “He Walks Alone” (episode 25)

• “Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple” (companion film)

• “Bungo Stray Dogs” season 3 (episodes 26-37)

• “Bungo Stray Dogs” season 4 (episodes 38-50)

• “Bungo Stray Dogs” season 5 (episodes 51-61)

• “Bungo Stray Dogs Wan!” (official chibi spin-off)

The starting point of this journey is season 1, which covers two arcs: Welcome to Yokohama (episodes 1-7) and Facing the Port Mafia (episodes 8-11). The introductory episodes do a great job of laying the foundation for the premise while focusing primarily on Atsushi, who learns that he can transform into a weretiger and harness more abilities. After joining the Armed Detective Agency, Atsushi begins to quickly understand the basics of detective work and understand how their main rival, the Port Mafia, works. The first arc develops this period of adaptation and adopts a case-per-episode design to introduce different interests and objectives. Meanwhile, the Port Mafia episodes give us a glimpse of the members of the organization as we close in on Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, who uses his special ability Rashomon to terrorize Atsushi, his latest target.

Season 2, its next stop, picks up the pace by introducing a broad cast of characters in the dual arcs, The Dark Age (episodes 13-16) and American Expansion (episodes 12, 17-24). The Dark Age arc is our first change in the timeline, as these episodes reveal the past of a former Port Mafia member named Oda, whom Dazai cherishes as a dear friend. By placing these events from Oda’s perspective and giving viewers access to his innermost thoughts and impulses, these episodes do an incredible job of establishing a compelling character in a very short amount of time. In addition to exploring the hidden facets of Dazai, this arc also introduces Mimic, a guerrilla organization that goes to extremes to experience salvation.

After completing season 2, move on to the special OVA serving as episode 25, titled “He Walks Alone.” This OVA revolves around Kunikida, who is generally known for his rigorous work ethic and his tendency to yell at Dazai after he pulls Kunikida’s leg (which is an everyday occurrence). “He Walks Alone” takes Kunikida down a path of intense personal fulfillment after becoming involved in a dangerous case and crossing paths with Aya Koda. In terms of narrative relevance, the OVA foreshadows a critical moment in season 3 and anticipates Kunikida’s reliance on idealism during the most perplexing moral dilemmas.

Before diving into seasons 3, 4, and 5 (which introduce more antagonists and force the agency and Port Mafia to work together), watch the 2018 companion film “Dead Apple.” The film jumps between timelines following an agency mission in the present and revisiting the moment when the Dragon Head Conflict caused countless deaths in Yokohama. The common link between the two is Dazai, who worked alongside Chūya in the past to capture one Tatsuhiko Shibusawa, who turns out to be crucial to resolving the baffling circumstances plaguing the present.

Once you’re done with Season 5, move on to “Bungo Stray Dogs Wan!”, which is a bonus treat for those who want more of the detective team or Port Mafia, but in chibi form. This special series has no canonical relevance (which, yes, technically makes it “filler”) as it is intended to be a sweet, light-hearted exploration of character dynamics and everyday antics.

Bonus: In case you want to play a mobile game based on the anime, “Bungo Stray Dogs: Tales of the Lost” offers a gacha experience with turn-based combat mechanics, where skill cards can be acquired to improve the stats of the characters. characters. Animated settings also unlock as you progress, making it a fun, long-term investment in the exciting fictional world you know and love.