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hina-has-no-life · 2 months

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Dark Era: Dazai and Akutagawa

The Scene in Dark Era where Dazai shoots Akutagawa was abusive and messed up, but sadly justified on Dazai's end.

Now this may sound harsh but let's take a step back from the emotions the scene causes and look at it purely logical and analytical. (No I am not excusing the abuse Akutagawa went through. Dazai had no right to abuse him but this scene is more than abuse.)

What happens in this scene?

Per Dazai's orders as an Executive within the Port Mafia agents from Mimic were captured to be taken to Kouyou for interrogation, as is her department. Akutagawa then kills the hostages in retaliation for the casualties the Mafia suffered at the hands of Mimic. Dazai proceeds to punch and shoot Akutagawa.

In essence this is what happened: Akutagawa disregarded direct orders of his executive in front of multiple people and said executive. Plain and simple, this is insubordination.

We know, due to Stormbringer, that insubordination of the Boss and his executives (who essentially work as extensions of the Boss within the BSD Mafia) is a death sentence. It's at the same level as betrayal.

So, while messed up and abusive, Dazai's reaction can be classified as a mercy. Had it been another executive or Mori, Akutagawa would be dead. And no, you can not use that Chuuya cares for Akutagawa as an argument against Akutagawa dying here were it Chuuya. Chuuya's loyality is to the Mafia and Mori in a situation like this. We saw this at the end of the Guild Arc when Chuuya asked Mori what punishment Akutagawa should face for disregarding Mafia orders and going on to the Moby Dick. Since the moment in Dark Era is a similar case, it is safe to assume Chuuya would have asked Mori for the punishment and then delivered it.

Now here comes the much more interesting part about this scene I sadly do not see talked about. (If you find posts talking about it please send them my way!)

This scene shows us, in a very subtle way, how the dynamic between Akutagawa and Dazai works.

But how? Let's count it: - Akutagawa is very self assured in his insubordination. - Dazai gives him a chance to speak up about his reasoning, to defend himself and ask for forgiveness for his blatant insubordination. - Akutagawa in turn arrogantly doubles down on his decision. - Dazai punishes him.

While Dazai framed the moment at the end as a teaching moment with his comment about Akutagawas use of Rashomon, it is mostly a punishment. Yes there are 2 moments that can be seen as a teaching moment but what Dazai does is in fact nothing more than a punishment in his eyes.

(Giving Akutagawa the chance to think about his rash action was the first teaching moment btw)

Now the way the scene is handeled with it's framing tells us something interesting about the relationship between Dazai and Akutagawa.

Dazai actively favours Akutagawa with his treatment.

But how? It's a good question because the answer is very much hidden.

Both characters treat the situation as something usual. This in turn tells us that Akutagawa often commits insubordination against Dazai. And only Dazai, since Dazai takes him under his wing as his direct and only student. (This is made clear in the short where he actually recruits a younger Akutagawa) This means that Dazai does favour his student above other subordinates rather openly. We know he would not let this slide with other people under his command. The scene at the beginning of the Dark Era LN with Hirotsu shows this.

Akutagawa's reaction to being shot also tells us that this is the first time Dazai points a weapon at him. While not expecting, but accepting, the punch he did not expect to face a harsher punishment than this.

He is visibly surprised. But not just him.

In the Anime adaption (which is the best LN adaption in BSD) we see that even the other subordinates around them only become surprised when Dazai draws the gun and shoots Akutagawa.

Did Dazai think Akutagawa would survive being shot at? 100% yes. He even says as much after the fact.

(This is actually what makes teaching moment number 2, since he remarks that Akutagawa "finally" managed to protect himself with Rashomon. This tells us that they were actively training this and Akutagawa was failing at it for some time already.)

In short: - Akutagawa feels very much secure in his position at Dazai's side, despite the regular abuse. - Dazai favours Akutagawa openly enough within the PM that other subordinates are surprised when Akutagawa faces an openly harsh punishment. - Akutagawa, in committing insubordination, regulary disrespects Dazai as his superior and Dazai let's it slide. This is something that mirrors the relationship between Dazai and Mori, as Dazai does disrespect Mori in private and Mori let's this slide. (The biggest difference in this relationship mirror is that Dazai never disrespects Mori in front of other people.)

In my eyes (and I hope we learn more soon) this also shows that Dazai's abuse of Akutagawa has multiple reasons. - Dazai sees himself in Akutagawa. Dazai also hates himself and blames himself for shortcomings so he projects this onto Akutagawa, who he then abuses because of it. - A warped sense of care. In his own, very fucked up, way Dazai does care for Akutagawa. Is he good at showing it? Absolutely not. He wants Akutagawa to be stronger than Dazai himself is, he wants him to be better. So he favors him but also abuses him. - He favors Akutagawa so Akutagawa needs to get strong extremely fast to avoid a conflict within the ranks of the Mafia. - Dazai tries to get Akutagawa as strong as possible as fast as possible since Akutagawa effectively went from joining to third highest rank in 10 seconds and needs to prove himself in front of everyone else, not just Dazai's eyes. In this he ends up abusing Dazai because he himself is a child with a very limited understanding of teaching. What he does know, through Mori as his teacher, is that cruelty and abuse are effective teaching methods that work faster than proving patience and taking things slow.

(am I saying that Mori physically abused Dazai? No. But he, as shown in Beast and Fifteen, honestly answers to the questions his students ask him. It is entirely possible that he simply told Dazai different teaching methods and Dazai decided on the fastest one instead of the best and most effective.)

and thank you @sorcerersandskillusers for sending me the LN parts I mentioned above!! I didn't have the energy to look them up when I initially posted this and he did me the favor of getting them for me!

To summarize: The scene is a punishment for direct insubordination and shows us, the viewer, a deeper look into the relationship between Akutagawa and Dazai.

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vintter · 8 months

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What i need to do for this to be me

#bsd #bungou stray dogs #chuuya bsd #chuuya nakahara #dazai bsd #dazai osamu #soukoku #bsd fanart #skk #bungo stray dogs #bsd akutagawa #akutagawa ryuunosuke #i have no idea how to draw his eyebrows #where are they #anyway. I need to know what Akutagawa thinks about soukoku #does he think it's unfair how different is their relationship #or he feels fear and respect #i need to know #“for this to be me” powerful? or next to dazai? it's up to you

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sableeira · 1 year

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skk started calling each other babygirl as a joke… turns out somewhere along the way it stopped being a joke and became an endearment that follows their insults

#this interaction prompted kunikida to make a work place etiquette powerpoint presentation #aka the presentation where he tells Dazai that exploring your sexuality is healthy but why does it have to be with a mafia executive #(-> still haven’t drawn the sequel to my other comic… oh well)#skk aren’t together btw they just are like this and continue to pine for the next 2 years while they’re basically already in a relationship #like they are exclusive behave like a couple still wear the rings from that one mission where they had to get married #soukoku #bsd fanart #bungou stray dogs #bungo stray dogs #osamu dazai #bsd osamu dazai #bsd dazai #chuuya nakahara #bsd chuuya #bsd chuuya nakahara #my art #also some sskk as a treat #a few weeks later atsushi calls akutagawa babygirl just to try it out but almost looses a leg again

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kyouka-supremacy · 6 months

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Favorire category of official art

Bonus:

#Last one of my favorite anime official art ever...#I have. obviously very conflicting feelings towards the Akutagawa/Dazai relationship #in the way thinking about it makes my heart ache very painfully #Still. this art is so soft...#atsushi nakajima #osamu dazai #ryūnosuke akutagawa #sskk #shin soukoku #bsd #bungou stray dogs #bsd official art #mine #q.#24/02/23

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ssaraexposs · 1 month

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Sometimes I forget that Akutagawa's relationship with Dazai isn't THAT simple. While he may search for his approval, since he respects him, probably Aku dislikes him to some extent too. It's no just blind worshipping. And well, it's perfectly understandable.

#if aku admits the headmaster was worse than dazai we all know he was a freaking monster #and i like the fact that aku doesn't just defend dazai #aku and dazai's relationship is too much mischaracterised #it's very deep and complex #just like them after all #bsd #bsd manga #bungo stray dogs #akutagawa ryuunosuke #dazai osamu

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plagiarised-passion · 8 months

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Stop calling ships Toxic

I feel as if “toxic” should be removed permanently from the hands of this fandom, because some will see any sort of conflict between two characters and slap that word onto their relationship.

“Soukoku is toxic 😢😢😢 Ranpoe is toxic 😭😭😭”

Please, please, think for like two seconds.

First of all, you cannot apply real world standards onto a fictional relationship, especially when their universe is very different to ours. The BSD equivalent of WW1 took place 15 years ago for them, violence and death are norms within their society. If Atsushi and Akutagawa were regular people in our universe acting like that, it would be a problem, but they aren’t, so we can’t be viewing their relationship through our lenses.

The world of BSD is not black and white and neither are it's characters, and, consequentially; their relationships. Of course there are relationships within the series that are toxic and/or abusive, such as Akutagawa and Dazai's, there's no question about that, but it's still not so simple. There's many layers to each character and relationship within BSD, and if you only ever look at the surface, you just won't understand.

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toastandturnip · 8 months

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I swear to god if when Atsushi finally asks why Akutagawa sacrificed himself for him and Akutagawa answers with "because Dazai told me to" or something along those lines I will literally stop reading bsd for the rest of my life

#akutagawa developing and moving away from dazais influence and becoming his own person is the thing I'm looking forward to the most in bsd #not to mention the development of shin soukokus relationship with each other #like it's so important to me that after so many times fighting against each other and finally being able to work with each other #that shin soukoku slowly begin to realize how much they mean to each other and how important the other person is to them #and if asagiri hits us with a “teehee akutagawa's still doing everything just for dazai's approval :))”#I Will stop reading this series #shin soukoku #sskk #akutagawa ryuunosuke #bsd

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chuuya-fan-page · 7 months

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Why do people call SKK toxic? I have never understood it because they never meet any of the criteria. Are they at times rough with each other? Of course because they are literal criminals. Adjust your lens according to their surroundings and you will see that it is one of the least toxic ships. They have their own individuality and friend circles, they aren't codependent on each other and their main way of fighting/settling arguments is to play videogames/ have bets. They trust each other and know that the other person will be fine and when required are ready to jump in to help.

People also often point out the scene in Dead Apple where Chuuya punched Dazai and I saw it more of a "get back into your senses and start acting as the human I believe you to be" then the "you are not a human" punch.

Like why are they toxic please???

I don't think people actually know what toxic means. I made a whole rant about this on my analysis blog, but toxic doesn't just mean that there's conflict, and BSD relationships are so complicated that an all-encompassing label like "toxic" getting slapped on is so counterproductive.

In the wise words (/s) of me; you cannot apply real world standards onto a fictional relationship, especially when their universe is very different to ours. The BSD equivalent of WW1 took place 15 years ago for them, violence and death are norms within their society. If, for example, Atsushi and Akutagawa were regular people in our universe acting like that, it would be a problem, but they aren’t, so we can’t be viewing their relationship through our lenses.

The world of BSD is not black and white and neither are it's characters, and, consequentially; their relationships. Of course there are relationships within the series that are toxic and/or abusive, such as Akutagawa and Dazai's, there's no question about that, but it's still not so simple. There's many layers to each character and relationship within BSD, and if you only ever look at the surface, you just won't understand.

But in terms of Soukoku, they've only improved each other? Theirs is a relationship built on mutual trust and the constant presence of another, they push each other to be better and make positive changes for the other, they trust each other with their lives. There is no way Soukoku can be toxic in my eyes and it infuriates me to see people say that they are.

You are absolutely right about the Dead Apple scene in my opinion, and if I ever do some scene breakdowns that'll be one of the first that I do.

-T

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zukkaoru · 28 days

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do you ever think abt gin having extremely mixed feelings about dazai,, bc on one hand he saved their life alongside their brother's. he's the reason they didn't die in the slums. but on the other. gin had to just stand by and watch how dazai treated akutagawa for years. and then they had to watch how it continued to affect akutagawa long after dazai was gone. they had to just watch as he put forth all his effort towards - and eventually gave up his life for - the approval of someone who was never going to tell him that he was good enough. so yes, gin is grateful for dazai. but they also hate him for his treatment of their brother. and they don't really know how to consolidate those two things.

meanwhile dazai,, must know this. right ? he's not an idiot. and the thing about gin is. no longer human can't do anything to them. gin's skills are purely their own; no ability involved. and while dazai is smart enough to figure out if they're actively plotting something against him, it would still be an interesting match up because. gin is one of the mafia's most skilled assassins - possibly the most skilled assassin who isn't an ability user. gin is the one called for in-house assassinations and canonically, the people gin is sent after don't realize what's happening until they're dead. if anyone in the mafia were to assassinate dazai, gin would be the best person for the job. so while i doubt dazai is scared of them, it makes sense for him to be a little wary. don't you think? he could evade an attempt on his life because he would be able to predict that it's coming but in order to do that, he has to keep himself alert. he is the reason gin joined the mafia, but it was a double-edged sword. and sometimes he wonders if the risk was worth it or if he should have taken akutagawa alone.

#sorry i have a lot of thoughts abt gin and dazai's relationship..#i need gin to for real threaten him and hold him at knife point and i need to see dazai SWEATING #gin akutagawa #dazai osamu #bsd #hello grace here

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videogamelover99 · 1 year

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so if i'm interpreting this right was dazai sacrificing himself for sigma in 106.5 meant to be the parallel to akutagawa in the sskk fight that’s been foreshadowed? like was this the culmination of “you know the reason yourself, don’t you?” and “fool, hurry up and go”? because if that’s the case then now i’m even more perplexed as to what chuuya’s potential role here even is like if it’s not for sskk parallels or for dazai sacrificing himself then ... what

AHDJFKFK okay okay so there seems to be two interpretations of that moment.

1) Dazai is appealing to Akutagawa's sense of morality/empathy. He won't let the ADA or Atsushi die because he knows it's the wrong thing to do, and deep down he cares about people's suffering. This is consistent then with Dazai saving Sigma, as Dazai had seen Sigma as one of the people he needs to save after his promise to Oda.

2) Dazai is appealing to Akutagawa's understanding of his relationship with Atsushi. Which is what I believe is happening in that scene. What Dazai was trying to say Akutagawa knew is that deep down, Akutagawa cares about Atsushi. Which is why he won't let either Atsushi or the ADA die. Case in point, his use of "Much less that Weretiger" before Dazai rebuffs him. And it's why Dazai says "You'll save HIM" rather then "THEM". And in that case, Dazai and Chuuya are very much still a parallel. Because Dazai has only known Sigma for less than an hour? But Dazai and Chuuya have history. Dazai understands that how Akutagawa feels about Atsushi is the same way he feels about his partner. That no matter how much either of them deny it due to pride or pettiness, they care.

That said, the interpretation that Dazai was appealing to Akutagawa's morality here is intriguing. And I won't say it's completely false either.

#and then dazai drowns chuuya ajdkfkk #akutagawa has grown a LOT and im proud of him :')#but year sskk's fight with fukuchi was ALL about their relationship to each other #akutagawa promised to not kill ppl and then KEEPS THAT PROMISE EVEN AS A VAMP #bsd #bungou stray dogs #nakahara chuuya #soukoku #dazai osamu #skk #sskk #shin soukoku #akutagawa ryuunosuke #nakajima atsushi #asks

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valenteal · 5 months

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Here’s the thing about Dazai and Akutagawa: Dazai is only 2 years older. When they meet they are 16 and 14. When Dazai leaves they are 18 and 16. What Dazai did was wrong and messed up. But they were both kids. And Akutagawa never expected to be safe with Dazai. Their situation was not a healthy one for either of them and in their eyes and in the eyes of the people around them Dazai didn’t do anything wrong. He wasn’t supposed to care about Akutagawa, he wasn’t supposed to protect or provide for him. Dazai’s job was to make Akutagawa a mafioso, then to command him. He was his boss and his trainer. Not his parent or brother. The emotional attachment that Akutagawa has was not planned for or expected, it was a result of his own issues and it’s warped and toxic. Akutagawa doesn’t care about Dazai as a person so much as a means of getting validation. He doesn’t like Dazai. He punched Dazai in the dungeon scene. He was absolutely ready to kill Dazai in Dead Apple. He hates Dazai for leaving without acknowledging his power. He hates Dazai period. But he craves his approval. He doesn’t listen to Dazai, he just wants to become more powerful. He thought that killing Oda would get him Dazai’s approval! He largely ignored much of what Dazai tried to teach him about restraint and strategic thinking. He doesn’t care why Dazai left, or why he doesn’t acknowledge him for all the people he’s killed and buildings he’s blown up. Look, I like Akutagawa, he’s a great character and he’s super complex and a great way to study trauma and violence and how it can affect a person. But he wasn’t helpless and Dazai’s treatment of him was more akin to Darth Vader with the inquisitors than Palatine with Vader/Anakin if that makes sense. Dazai didn’t give a shit about Akutagawa because he didn’t give a shit about anything at all. He saw no value in anything and treated everyone around him like they were nothing. Akutagawa was the one who made Dazai so important to him, who turned their relationship so incredibly toxic by assigning it so much value, and Dazai did nothing to encourage that.

#this was part of another post #but if its shorter maybe people will read it #bsd #bungou stray dogs #analysis #character analysis #relationship analysis #bsd dazai #dazai osamu #bsd akutagawa #akutagawa ryuunosuke

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jouno-s · 3 months

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something something bsd spn au

skk are obviously dean and cas

someone help me out here

edit: chuuya as dean art here

#bsd #bsd dazai #bsd chuuya #skk #spn #maybe atsushi is sam?#i can see atsushi and chuuya having a cute sibling relationship #akutagawa has to be an angel of some kind #omg imagine sigma as an angel #nikolai is gabriel #Thinking So Hard Now

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purrfectlycontent · 2 years

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