The correct procedure for observing Bungo Stray Dogs

This message contains spoilers for Bungo Stray Dogs.

Bungo Stray Dogs by Kafka Asagiri begins on a note of pathos. An orphaned teenager named Atsushi is starving after being kicked out of an orphanage, lamenting that he can never belong. But as those sentiments begin to grow, the mood changes when Atsushi accidentally saves an eccentric detective from drowning. This detective, Dazai Osamu (who did /Collection of the strongest anime characters in the movie), acts as a conduit into an unexplored world of special abilities and factional rivalries, exposing the unseen war waged in the bustling city of Yokohama. However, Asagiri’s evolving tale of superpowered detectives and mob bosses doesn’t always deal with such deadly serious matters, as comedic levity is part and parcel of a world plunged into chaos. This mustard makes Bungo Stray Dogs an experience you can’t get enough of.

The anime adaptation of Asagiri’s work may seem rather simple in terms of viewing order (unlike “Psycho-Pass” which can be quite a difficult anime to navigate), but the inclusion of a companion movie and OVA requires some necessary shuffling. Moreover, Bungo Stray Dogs jumps between timelines to flesh out the psyches of its characters, allowing us to peer into the past to better understand their worldview. For example, the Fifteen Arc series gives important flashbacks to Dadasai’s past as a member of the Port Mafia, describing how he joined the gang at the age of 15 and crossed paths with Chuya, his mission partner. The shuffled order of observation is necessary to make sense of these timelines, as these flashback segments help fill in the blanks for the characters’ ambiguous motivations.

Before we get into the details, here’s a 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: 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 for this journey is Season 1, which spans two arcs: Welcome to Yokohama (Episodes 1-7) and Facing the Port Mafia (Episodes 8-11). The opening episodes do a great job of laying the groundwork for the premise, focusing mainly on Atsushi learning that he can turn into a vertigor and use more abilities. After joining the Armed Detective Agency, Atsushi quickly begins to grasp the basic principles of detective work and understand how their main rival, the port mafia, operates. The first arc fleshes out this adaptation period and takes on a one-case-per-episode design to introduce different stakes and goals. Meanwhile, the Port Mafia episodes give us a look at the members of the organization, zooming in on Ryunosuke Akutagawa, who uses his Rashamon special ability to terrorize Atsushi, his latest target.

Season 2 — your next stop — picks up the pace, introducing a wide cast of characters in dual arcs, The Dark Ages (Episodes 13-16) and The 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 point of view and giving the audience access to his innermost thoughts and impulses, these episodes do an incredible job of creating a compelling character in a very short amount of time. Besides exploring the hidden sides of Dadasai, this arc also introduces the Mimic, a guerilla organization that goes to extremes to experience salvation.

After completing Season 2, skip ahead to the special OVA that acts as Episode 25, titled He Walks Alone. This OVA revolves around Kunikida, who is usually known for his strict work ethic and tendency to yell at Dadasai after he pulls Kunikida’s leg (which is a common occurrence). He Walks Alone takes Kunikida on a path of intense personal realization after he gets involved in a dangerous business and crosses paths with Aya Koda. In terms of narrative relevance, the OVA foreshadows a critical moment in season 3 and foreshadows Kunikida’s reliance on idealism during the most difficult moral dilemmas.

Before diving into Seasons 3, 4, and 5 (which introduce more antagonists while making the agency and the Port Mafia work in tandem), check out the 2018 companion film, Dead Apple. The film jumps between timelines, tracking the agency’s mission in the present and going back to when the Dragon’s Head Conflict led to countless deaths in Yokohama. The common link between the two is Dazai, who worked alongside Chuya in the past to apprehend a certain Tatsuhiko Shibusawa, who turns out to be crucial in solving the mysterious circumstances plaguing the present.

Once you’re done with Season 5, move on to “Bungo Stray Dogs Wan!”, which is an added treat for those who want more of a detective team or port mafia, but in chibi form. This special series has no canonical significance (which, yes, technically makes it “filler”), because it’s supposed to be a cute, light-hearted exploration of character dynamics and daily shenanigans.

Bonus: If 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 you can get skill cards to upgrade your character’s stats. Animated scenarios are also unlocked as you progress, making it a fun, long-term investment in the exciting fictional world you know and love.