The fifth season of the Bungo Stray Dogs anime, based on Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa’s manga, concluded its 11th and final episode with the words “To Be Continued.” While an official announcement for the next season hasn’t been made, the ending of season 5 hints more is yet to come.
There was a minor hiccup with the Japanese caption, initially stating that the work was “finished,” but the official website swiftly clarified that it should actually read “To Be Continued.” The error will be rectified in the Blu-ray Disc/DVD release. The fifth season premiered on July 12, with Crunchyroll streaming it both as it aired and in an English dub starting on July 26.
Enter the world of magic and literary icons such as Osamu Dazai and Atsushi Nakajima with Bungo Stray Dogs as it explores the themes of identity, the pursuit of justice, and the power of literature itself. By intertwining the lives and works of renowned authors, the series allows their fans to follow the story’s favorite literary heroes in a completely new and interesting way.
The now classic plot of magical authors paired with a straightforward story of saving an agency, Bungo Stray Dogs, has created a massive fanbase across the globe. For literature fanatics and fantasy anime enthusiasts, this series is the perfect fit for you.
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Bungo Stray Dogs: Staff, Cast & Plot
The anime adaptation of Bungo Stray Dogs was produced by Bones, directed by Takuya Igarashi, and written by Yōji Enokido. Nobuhiro Arai and Hiroshi Kanno was the chief animation director and character designer, respectively. Taku Iwasaki composed the music, with GRANRODEO and Luck Life performing the theme songs.
The first season, consisting of twelve episodes, aired from April to June 2016, followed by the second season from October to December 2016. The series received a third season in April and ended in June 2019, and a fourth season that ran from January to March 2023.
Bungo Stray Dogs started as a light novel, then led to a manga adaptation, and finally received an anime adaptation owing to its massive success. The manga, written by Kafka Asagiri and illustrated by Sango Harukawa, was initially serialized in Kadokawa Shoten’s Seinen magazine and has collected 28 volumes as of 2022.
The Cast
The main cast includes Atsushi Nakajima, voiced by Yuto Uemura. Osamu Dazai, voiced by Mamoru Miyano, Kyōka Izumi, Sumire Morohoshi, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, and Kensho Ono. And finally, Chūya Nakahara, voiced by Kisho Taniyama.
The Plot
Young Atsushi Nakajima is gifted with the ability to transform into a white tiger, an ability that eventually leads to his expulsion from the orphanage he resides in. Homeless and hungry, Atsushi’s life turns around when he rescues Osamu Dazai from suicide by drowning. Coincidentally, Dazai, a detective with supernatural powers, had been investigating the same tiger.
Teaming up with Dazai’s partner, Doppo Kunikida, they seek to find the truth behind the supernatural happenings. However, Atsushi’s contribution to the investigation forces him to join their agency of investigators.
Atsushi now helps to solve unusual cases that the police are unable to handle, working alongside his newfound colleagues with supernatural powers, and so he learns about his abilities.
The anime mainly receives mixed feelings, with some claiming the premise is unique and hooking, while others say it’s very random and unorganized. Described as “Jack of All Trades, King of None,” the plot is different, including multiple tropes, but the first two seasons struggle to deliver a satisfactory watch.
The anime does pick up the pace and improve on its flaws by the third season, which is why it is now standing tall among anime hits like Code Geass, Hunter x Hunter, Nichijou, and so on. Will there be a 6th season? Stay tuned for more updates!
