BUNGO STRAY DOGS - EPISODE 1 ANIME REVIEW

BUNGO STRAY DOGS - EPISODE 1 ANIME REVIEW
-ASAGIRI KAFUKA

When all is lost and no one else is there helping you, when even the little thing you had has been taken away from you, when you had nowhere to go, broken, hungry and hopeless, do you believe that someone might come and take the wheel of your life, turning it down up for you to survive? Will you grab the chance given to you, proving that those painful words thrown to you is nothing but their baseless opinion? Do you have the courage to change and to start anew? I don't know about you. But let's see if you'll take the same course as Atsushi Nakajima. 

The story is written by Kafka Asagiri and being handled by Bones. This animation studio also produced anime's we all know of like Boku no Hero Academia, Full Metal Alchemist, Ouran High School, Darker than Black, and more. Isn't it exciting? What's more is the existence of Seiyuu's involved on this anime adaptation such as Miyano Mamoru who's popular in his role of Kira (Deathnote), Death The Kid (Soul Eater), and let us add Chrollo Lucifer of Hunter x Hunter. 

This series follows Nakajima Atsushi being driven out of the orphanage he grows up with, cashless and homeless. While thinking of a way to survive, he doubtfully saved a drowning man with no idea of him planning a suicide. Osamu Dazai whom he saved, along with Kunikida Doppo, is a member of Armed Detective Agency whose responsible for cases that military police aren't capable to solve. With destiny clinging on Atsushi, the current case they are investigating leads them to him being their target. Having no idea what is going on, with no hints and information to fill up his mind, he was led to thinking that he is just taking part on the mission acting as a bait. After knowing the truth, will he follow the path to his new future? Will he agree and go with the flow life has given him? Will the decision he'll make the best for him? 

Bungo Stray Dogs has already three (3) seasons, a movie and 2 special episodes. Given how interesting the first episode was, it is very sad to accept that this series is an underrated one outside the country of Japan. What's amazing on this series is the usage of known people on their country as its character references. Ozamu Dazai, Nakajima Atsushi, Doppo Kunikida, are Japanese authors/poets of their times. Kafka is a very clever fellow and seeing how it's done is incredible. For example, Dazai's character has bondages all over his body and a suicidal maniac which compliments on the real Osamu Dazai's trait. The bondages are something like a tribute to him and a sign of his multiple suicide attempts which in the end, sadly, succeeded. 

While the main characters role, Atsushi Nakajima, is presented as cry baby, whiny, helpless and kind, Dazai's character, on the other hand, is mysterious and captivating. He has shown his comedic side with Kunikida Doppo, but can also show seriousness when needed to. That's what makes the first episode great. Isn't it enthralling when characters who looks useless ends up being the sharp one? Few hints have been given along the first episode and there it is, solving the first case of the series and making us excited for what happens next. It is very rare to see anime like this. There are no girls squealing over the cool characters, no fan service and dangling breasts, the characters are focused on the story at hand. What is also lovely is the way the characters expressed their emotions and the changed on their faces depending on the situation they're in. Unlike most of the animes, the way the male character's eyes on this series are big. The gravity of the feelings they have will be seen on those eyes and the gestures they made. The animation of this series looks like Baccano! or 91 Days. It has that old mafia theme, with characters wearing long coat or suit, and having that melancholy color schemes. Not only the characters, but the backgrounds are also well made. You won't notice any hint of rush and negligence during the production of this anime. What entices me the most on this first episode is the action scenario with such a fastpaced animation. The tone of the character that made the upcoming battle more intense, the way they display their supernatural ability, and the reflexes they show to avoid injuries is flawless. It was graceful but also savage at the same time. There is no awkward or unnecessary movement that will make the viewer disappointed. 

Listening to the opening and ending song of this series and knowing the lyrics of it feels like it was solely dedicated for the protagonist, Atsushi. Trash Candy by Granrodeo and Namae wo Yobu yo by Luck Life meant for someone who's at the edge of despair, but keeps on moving forward. Sounds familiar, right? Someone who's at the pit of darkness but is willing to get up and regain itself. Oh, how I love Luck Life's song. It is so lovely to hear songs with great messages. Back to the story, now that Atsushi has been given a chance to change his life, we might be able to see some character development on him and how he will struggle on that part. Based on the opening and ending songs, it will most likely a battle between organizations, maybe a territory for instance.  But given that he will be one of the members in Armed Detective Agency, we can anticipate more action scenes along the way, or more comedies rather? New characters are already presented at the ending of the first episode and the excitement on knowing each of their supernatural abilities is there. Though honestly saying, isn't the character with the nullification ability the best of it all most of the time? What are you waiting for? Let's watch it.