Mentor and mentee relationships are all the rage these days. It makes sense; there’s a lot to explore when looking at how these dynamics work, the “found family” aspect of it, and the angst that come with these relationships. However, there is one specific duo that really springs to mind on the topic of mentors and mentees. It’s the odd relationship between Osamu Dazai and Atsushi Nakajima in Bungou Stray Dogs. There’s something very wonderfully weird about seeing these two interact because Dazai doesn’t really act like a mentor to Atsushi at all.
He messes around too much, he’s always absent in the most crucial of events, and he piles his work onto Atsushi’s desk. That’s not really the role model someone’s going to want to look towards, especially in the gangster paradise of Yokohama. Life’s dangerous and any one wrong move can end in demise. But anyone who has ever watched the BSD anime will know there’s something more beneath the surface. There’s a lot of nuances to Dazai’s character, including his interactions with Atsushi.
The easiest way to sum Dazai up is through a quote once said by Doppo Kunikida in the 55 Minutes light novel: “He’s a repellant man. The worst of the worst. But if lives are at risk and you tell him you really need his help; just leave it to him, and everything will be okay”. So, is Dazai actually a good mentor for Atsushi? That’s still up for debate. But since today is June 19th, AKA Dazai’s birthday, why not take a look at all the good things he has done for the resident tiger boy of BSD?
THE FIRST MEETING
Purple hues and tinted yellow clouds; magic hour reflected upon sunset-colored eyes and sparkling water. That’s the first time Atsushi Nakajima ever meets Osamu Dazai. This scenery is the staple for the most intricate moments between these two characters. Like any other significant meetings in all of anime history – think that very first volleyball match between Kageyama and Hinata, or that moment when Gon and Killua’s eyes first connect in that underground tunnel – there’s a certain magic there. Such an ethereal scene marks one small moment that sparks the beginning of something amazing in Atsushi’s life.
For the first time in forever, Atsushi meets someone who gives him hope. It’s a small moment within BSD’s first episode, but an important moment nonetheless. In fact, Episode 1 – aptly titled ‘Fortune is Unpredictable and Mutable’ – has a lot of cool things in it. Setting up the world, it establishes specific lore to do with abilities and the Armed Detective Agency, introducing some prominent characters of the series along the way. But truly, the best thing about this first showing is how it nicely wraps up.
It begins with an orphaned child kicked out and left for dead, with a white tiger chasing him down. Atsushi has no choice but to die of starvation or commit a robbery. Instead, he sees a floating body in the water and makes the executive decision to save that person. This rewards him with an eccentric mentor in Dazai who offers him a free meal in the name of his co-worker’s pocket. Lots of action, a little bit of mystery, and certain lessons learned; the episode ends with Atsushi discovering his Beast Beneath the Moonlight powers. With all that said and done, Dazai welcomes him to ADA, extending a hand of a brighter future.
INFORMATION GATHERING
Dazai has a tendency to have zero self-preservation. That might have something to do with the fact that he wants to die and is constantly looking for the most innovative ways to off himself. It’s not all for naught though! There are times when the things he does is for the greater good of everyone. That is, everyone but himself. Like when he willingly lets himself get stabbed by a poisoned knife. And what about that other time he lets a sniper shoot him? Come to think of it, isn’t Fyodor Dostoyevsky involved in both these instances? Huh, the more you know.
One act that does stand out among all of these is when he willingly gives himself up to Port Mafia just to find out more information on Atsushi’s bounty. This is a big deal for Dazai; he left the Port Mafia for a reason. But also, he knows that as a former executive, he’s going to be executed for his betrayal. Yet still, he walks back into the lion’s den and even willingly deals with Chuuya Nakahara just to information-gather. Of course, ever the sly one, he gets away with it all at the end of the day. He even has some time to spare to read-up on that Moby Dick blueprint!
Sure, Dazai may know all along that he’ll come out of his own schemes unscathed. It’s pointless to overthink and read into everything he does. He’s also not the best at showing how much he cares for someone. Maybe it comes from his inability to care for himself. But it’s nice to know that when it does come down to it, Atsushi has a mentor in Dazai who’ll lay down on the wire for him.
SLAPPING THE SELF-PITY OUT OF HIM
Dazai’s a very funny character; a lot can agree to that. But in typical anime fashion, funny guys are either hyper incompetent or the strongest of them all. Dazai falls under the latter category, and it’s always so satisfying to see him get serious. As the series progresses, his past and the darker sides of himself come to light. One thing explored is his previous treatment of Ryuunosuke Akutagawa; violent, aggressive, and physical. This is a very big contrast to who Dazai is now. Which is why it’s quite a surprise the very first time the audience sees him get physical with Atsushi.
In the middle of the three-way conflict between ADA, Port Mafia, and The Guild, Atsushi’s mind is taken over by Q. During this time, he mindlessly attacks two of his co-workers. Dazai swoops in on time to nullify Q’s ability as Atsushi breaks down on the ground crying and helplessly pitying himself. At his refusal to listen, Dazai slaps his mentee to snap him out of his depressive state. For all his witty banter and refusal to make any sense, Dazai says something mentor-like to Atsushi for once: “I’ll give you some advice, like a proper senpai. Stop pitying yourself. Pity yourself, and life becomes an endless nightmare”.
Dazai knows a thing or two about self-pity. After all, it’s the weapon he uses to puppet Akutagawa around. His former subordinate is so desperate for his approval, measuring his own value against Dazai’s perception of him, that it has created a ripple effect onto other characters such as Kyouka. Here however, Dazai warns Atsushi of the dangers of falling into the trap. It’s the first form of guidance Dazai has ever given Atsushi as his mentor; one that is needed the most.
GETTING THERE ON TIME
The best season of BSD is probably Season 2. There’s just so much to it for only thirteen episodes. First of, ‘The Dark Era’ is the best light novel adaptation the anime has ever done. Next is the soundtrack; it’s thematic for one band to sing all of the opening songs for an anime. Even more so with BSD as Chuuya’s voice actor is the singer for GRANRODEO. Many might also never want anyone else singing the ending themes for BSD other than Luck Life. That being said, there’s just something so right about Reason Living by SCREEN Mode as an opening for Season 2. It just fits.
But the best thing about this season is the actual series of events. It’s the fast pace, the premise of three companies conflicting, and Port Mafia and ADA working side-by-side to take down The Guild. For a story about stray dogs looking for packs, and gangsters with powers fighting amongst each other; it’s the perfect anime arc to showcase the heart of BSD. And the best moment within that entire series of events is when Atsushi flees Moby Dick; he jumps head-first into the burning city of Yokohama.
This is when he sees all the destruction and all the ways Port Mafia is protecting the city. As he stumbles and fumbles to the ground, looking desperately for an answer, Dazai walks in bathed in the setting sunlight, behind the mist of dust. He arrives just in the nick of time to save the day and tells Atsushi he did a good job. As the credits roll, Dazai listens intently to what his underling has to say. And for the first time ever, Atsushi suggests the obvious answer—an alliance between ADA and the Port Mafia.
INTRODUCING ODASAKU
There’s a lot of things wrong with Dead Apple. Potential’s there, and some undoubtedly awesome scenes. Seriously, who isn’t hyped to see Chuuya go full Corruption against a giant dragon just to punch the living daylights back into Dazai? Still, at the end of the day, they’re quick action sequences used to cover up clunky storytelling. However, there is one scene that has a lot of layers to it.
While there’s hardly any sense in any of anybody’s actions throughout the entire film, that’s even more the case for Dazai. Seemingly a random betrayal that leads to his supposed death before Chuuya comes to rescue him; everything is so hectic and messy, it’s difficult to truly grasp the method to Dazai’s madness. That’s saying something because Dazai himself is already a complex enough character. Still, the ending sums it all up with Atsushi insisting that Dazai does what he does to protect the city. It’s a call back to their initial interaction at the beginning of Dead Apple.
As Atsushi goes looking for Dazai, he ends up at a graveyard site. There, he sees his mentor leaning on a grave atop a small hill underneath a big tree. Atsushi pays respect to the grave, and Dazai asks him if he knows whose grave it is. He replies stating it is someone important to Dazai who in turn chuckles and asks: “Does it look like I’m visiting a grave to you”. Atsushi answers with a naïve little: “It does, why”. From there, Dazai explains Odasaku to Atsushi. A quiet scene in the grand scheme of everything that happens in Dead Apple; but it is the first time Dazai ever introduces anyone to Odasaku. And it’s nice to know that as his mentor, Dazai gives that honor to Atsushi.
DEATH OF A FATHER
Atsushi struggles a lot with his past. This is clear from the multiple flashbacks to his awful upbringing. So much of his suffering stems from his ability to turn into a rampaging white tiger. It’s understandable that while in the orphanage, they have measures in place to keep him at bay. But their methods aren’t humane at all. They torture him, tell him he is worthless, and separate him from his peers. The orphanage headmaster is the worst of them all. He leads Atsushi’s torture and assures himself that this is the only way to protect the boy from the brutality of reality.
There’s a lot to unpack there, and Season 3 really hones in on exploring that dynamic. In the episode ‘Portrait of a Father’, Atsushi is sent on a case by Ranpo to investigate the death of a civilian. As more information comes to light, Atsushi realizes he knows the victim; it’s the orphanage headmaster—his abuser. This catalyzes a swirl of emotions that Atsushi has difficulty reconciling. He feels he should be glad the man is dead – after all, this man abused Atsushi for most of his life. Still, the investigation brings upon realizations that the man is proud of Atsushi’s achievements and just wanted to protect him.
These are very difficult things to process. As the episode comes to a close, Dazai – who has been watching everything unfold behind the sidelines – approaches Atsushi. He talks his subordinate through all the different emotions Atsushi’s feeling; frustration, sadness, and confusion. Dazai explains that all that anger Atsushi has is justified. But when Atsushi asks about his overwhelming need to cry, Dazai offers up an answer that even Atsushi can understand: “When someone’s father dies, they tend to cry”.
Do you think Dazai has been a good mentor to Atsushi? What are your favorite moments between these two? Share it with us on our Instagram or Twitter! Be sure to checkout our previous article, Peter And Wendy, An Unrequited Cycle.
