文豪ストレイドッグス 太宰、中也、十五歳

文豪ストレイドッグス [Bungō Stray Dogs] (Novel) #7

by Kafka Asagiri, 朝霧カフカ, Sango Harukawa (Illustrator)

７年前――ポートマフィアの新首領に森鴎外が立ち、その交代劇の共犯者となった太宰治は、《羊の王》と呼ばれる重力遣い・中原中也と最悪の出会いを果たす。
しかしヨコハマに広がり始めた奇妙な噂、《荒覇吐》の真相に迫るため、仕方なく共闘することに!?　
のちに「双黒」と恐れられるふたりの少年。その邂逅がもたらすのは希望か、それとも――。
2018年公開の劇場版第２週目入場特典・同名の小冊子に加筆修正した完全版！

Genres: Manga, Light Novel, Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Novels

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2019

About the author

See 朝霧カフカ (Asagiri Kafka).
Japanese scenario writer and novelist.

Reviews

[juls · Rating 5 out of 5]

have I mentioned before that I love chuuya?

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. This further solidifies my theory that pre-Odasaku Dazai and post-Odasaku Dazai are almost two completely separate characters - the impact that Oda had on him is probably the most significant piece of character development in the series as a whole.

I'm also consistently impressed by the world-building that goes into this series.

[Nova Syzygy]

I can't believe Bones cut so many of these scenes out of the anime. It's truly tragic.

Overall, this was definitely one of the novels I've ever read. I feel like this explained Chuuya's ability a lot better than the anime adaptation, though I'll have to wait until Storm Bringer to really figure out what the whole deal with Arahabaki is. Dazai and Chuuya's banter was very enjoyable to read, because of course it is. I also feel like the characterization of Rimbaud/"Randou" was also a lot better here than in the show. But, then again, it has been over a year since I've watched it, so I don't know.

Like with all of the other volumes, I won't be giving this a rating because I don't think I can give an accurate one, but just know that this has a special place somewhere in my heart. I'm actually not sure how it even managed to fit in my heart considering hearts are several inches shorter than the size of a book, but whatever I guess.

[₊˚ପ⊹ adaia 🪷 (taylor’s version) ✧ ˖ -͙˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

yokohama? more like yokohomo.

[Black Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll never rate it below 5 ever, Kafka is clearly best at novels.
But it opened up a whole new can of mysteries I now want to uncover.
The background of these two is a blast and a little sad for both.
But their dynamic is still a powerful one.
I don't understand shit in regards to dead apple though, so I'll have to read that one to better understand.
I'll buy this eventually, it'll be a delight to reread.
And Chuuyas brother is Verlaine??
I need answers stat.
The thing about this I adored the most was the similarity of Dazai and Mori. The three gens of Soukoku are all fascinating in different ways and are my favourite part about the universe.
But everything about Dazai was sad as usual, I still wonder who his parents were and when he started trying to kill himself.

[anni · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 / 5 ★

was i confused for half the book? yes. did i still love it? absolutely.

this was my first touch to the bsd world. and i feel like it made sense to start from this book, thanks to fede for telling me to start from this 🙏🏼 i love dazai and i love chuuya and i can't wait to read more about them!!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like these two characters more than before with any more stories I read of them!

[isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

this shit was good as hell

[G_occasionally_reads (back-ish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone please drag me out of this rabbit hole (the Bungo Stray Dogs hole)... It's affecting my social life and my sleep.



I loved this light novel. I finally got to read how Dazai and Chuuya met and why they joined the Port Mafia. And that cliffhanger 🤯

[Valéria · Rating 4 out of 5]

thought that reading this would bring some sort of momentary light into my life, (*gets stuck rereading rimbaud’s death on loop*)i was wrong.

[huna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only diamond can polish a diamond - Mori Ougai

Am I being bias while rating this book? Definitely! Does it really deserve 5 stars? I'D GIVE MORE THAN THAT IF I CAN!!!!!

Background info
This light novel is set in the past, 7 years before the actual timeline of the manga. If you have wondered how Dazai and Chuuya end up being partner (also known as Soukoku/Double Black) in the mafia, this light novel will explain their first meeting, and most importantly how both Dazai and Chuuya decided to join the Port Mafia. The story had also been adapted/included in the first few episodes of season 3 for the anime.

Why should you read this?
So, why should you read it if you've watched the anime? Because Asagiri Sensei has written the story in much more detailed in the book. There are many parts and conversation that were not included in the anime, especially if you want to know about Randou (the sub-executive of mafia who is always cold despite wearing layers of clothes). There are also parts where Chuuya's origin is explained, which eventually will lead to the next light novel, but compared to the anime, you can understand his past a bit better when you read it. I'M SO AMAZED BY THIS!! ASAGIRI SENSEI REALLY KNOWS HOW TO WRITE SUCH A WONDERFUL STORY✨✨

Characters and their dynamic
Dazai: Do you think you could leave me alone? I'm busy breathing right now.
Chuuya: I'm about to rip that head right off your body, mummy boy.

Dazai and Chuuya, the same age, two different persona but BICKERS EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY MEET EACH OTHER🤣 I think it might be because they're at the same age, which makes them feel comfortable to piss each other's off hahaha Dazai calling Chuuya short, Chuuya calling Dazai suicide maniac, they're so chaotic but their dynamic when put together, can bring marvelous thing, and the Port Mafia leader knows it.

The characters in bsd is one of the reasons I love the story so much. They are written so well, and even the villains speak things that are agreeable.

Writings and Arts
And lastly, as always I want to praise both the author and the mangaka, Asagiri sensei and Harukawa sensei for blessing us with a great story and wonderful art. The words in the book is so poetic, so beautiful, they went straight into my heart and affect me emotionally. I feel what the characters are feeling, I see what the characters are seeing, even their facial expressions are described so well. And the characters' designs really bring the story to life, making it goes BOOM FUWAHHH DUSH DUSH DUSH WOW (if you understand what I mean...)

Conclusion
Overall, REALLY REALLY WORTH THE READ!! I can't recommend it more!! If you are the precious boy, aka Chuuya stan, go read this!!! And especially if you love bsd, you surely don't want to miss this out!!!

And the cliffhanger... STORMBRINGER, I CAN'T WAIT TO READ YOU NEXT!!!!!

P/s: I'm holding myself back from sharing too much quotes because I'm afraid it will be spoilers.. and it's so hard because these words deserve to be shared!!! Don't worry though, what I included below are spoiler free~

Quotes:
1. "Violence and war are not necessary for survival. In other words, if everyone agreed to stop fighting and banned all weapons, then violence would be no more. But that isn't realistic. No matter what, someone will break the rules to get ahead of the rest because that's always the most profitable option."

2. "Live. There is no longer any way of knowing who you are or where you came from. But even if you are but a pattern etched on the surface of raw power, you are you. Nothing changes that because all people, all humanity, their brains and flesh are nothing more than patterns---beautiful patterns upon the material world."

3. "Why do you want to die?"
"Let me ask you something instead: Do you truly believe there's value in living?"

[agi]

i still don’t understand anything that happened in this arc except that rimlaine canon but anyway chuuya my sweet boy if you’re hungry come over i made grilled cheese sandwiches and then i’ll wrap you up in a blanket and make you cocoa before bed

[edisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

who else a big fan of gay people

[mesal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This section of the story made so much more sense upon reading it than it did when I originally watched it.

[cathán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rimbaud truly is a be gay do crime kinda guy

[toast · Rating 4 out of 5]

ahh youth, isn’t it magical? getting stabbed, murdering your older brother’s ex and discovering the power of love and friendship. truly teenagers living in the moment.

[Audrey Oberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chuuya and Dazai are perfect for each other, and nothing will change my mind; I loved this book so much.

[Maisie :D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chuuya 🤝 Mewtwo; both experiments with God like powers who humanity wishes to possess for their own gain.

I will never complain that Atsushi is the main lead of the Bungo series, as he is an incredible character who the world doesn't deserve. But it does baffle me, how we have storylines like this for 'side' characters and these stories are just seen as additional lore that don't hold loads of weight on the main story. Chuuya being the vessel for Arahabaki, the definition of Chaos, seems rather important to me and I would be abusing this plot point loads. Like, imagine if he was a main character and this series was written by someone else, he could have been a truly terrifying opponent. He also could have also had some really cool angst to go with it, as we could have seen a real conversation about if he is even human...but that's just me.

(I'm just saying, this book shows us that Chuuya's character is nerfed daily so that he can just be Dazai's ex partner and nothing more.)

Anyway, enough complaining!

This book is so much fun and I am holding myself back from jumping straight into Stormbringer. (Not only do I not want to disrespect this novel by not allowing it to consume all my thoughts for a few weeks, but I am hesitate to start the next one, as it is currently the last one out in the Bungo Light Novel Series. I am really going to miss being part of this universe, especially now that the first part of the Manga is over with no signs of when second part will be. I do think that Kafka Asagiri may have made the most bat shit plot on the planet, but he also wrote some of my favourites characters of anything ever, and I don't want it to end.)

I really hope when the new light novel comes out, we get to see more of this darker, unhinged version of Dazai. Moments in this book really did leave you finding him quite uncomfortable, and it did show him a light that we haven't particular seen in the anime or the manga. The best example would be when he kills the solider in GSS, and just continues to shoot the corpse and laugh manically. As a character, he has always come off as eerie and he has made threats, but this is the first time where he has truly been cruel and insane.

But a smaller, somehow more impactful moment was where he was speaking to Mori at the start and unnerving the leader of the Port Mafia.

"The pair spent the next few moments staring at each other in silence so heavy and noxious you might think it was a stare-down between the grim reaper and a demon. A single word rang in Mori’s head over and over like an alarm. Miscalculation. You misjudged the situation, he told himself. You failed to pick the optimal solution. You shouldn’t have chosen this child to help you. Dazai is unpredictable. He can be sharp but in a dark, twisted way. He’s observant. He’s cold and calculating with no equivalent even in the Mafia, where the most evil reside."

When the boss is thinking these things about you and believing you to be worse than the most evil of the Port Mafia, you must have something a little wrong with you. I think this book is the first time I can see why he was nicknamed the demon prodigy as he isn't just freakishly intelligent, but he's unreadable. Mori can't understand his intentions, but he also needs him. Maybe their dynamic is the definition of keep your friends close and your enemies closer...

Then partnered up with this ruthless, almost emotionless figure is Nakahara Chuuya.

Chuuya is somehow the biggest victim in this book; which is wild as he has the ability to be the strongest. The dialogue between Mori and Chuuya defines him best: "You’re the Sheep King—Chuuya Nakahara, gravity manipulator.” “I’m not a king,” the boy, Chuuya Nakahara, spat. “I just happen to have something no one else does: power. I’m simply fulfilling the responsibility I have.”

In a world where everyone is scrambling to be at the top, be Chuuya, just fighting for his 'friends' for a better world. I personally don't think anyone deserves him in this book, as every singe person he has met is aiming to use him. Mori wants him to join the Mafia, Dazai wants him as a dog. The Sheep see him as a shield and a weapon for them to use, only allowing him to have the title as leader and not the power. His entire life, from vessel until this point, he is just used over and over again, and I fear that in Stormbringer that will remain the same.

However, I love the fact that he is the only person in this book who is kind. Everyone else presents the worst parts of humanity as they are cruel and selfish, and Chuuya represents the best of it with his need to protect the people he cares about. He is the only one who biologically isn't truly human, but he is the only one who doesn't feel like a monster.

The dynamic between Chuuya and Dazai was the reason most of us picked up this book, especially knowing that this was going to be their first meeting. And personally, I don't think this story disappointed in the slightest. They are quick with banter, and they have this tense hatred for one another that makes the story have a comedic element to it.

But then there is almost an undertone of hesitancy between them, more so from Chuuya than Dazai. Dazai treats him as an experiment, wanting to see the ways he ticks and uses his ability, whilst Chuuya holds a concern about the unpredictability of Dazai. He doesn't fear him, but he is rightfully cautious of the fifteen year old that controls part of the Mafia. They feel like two predators circling one another wondering who will strike first.

But despite this, the two of them have a level of trust in one another that neither of them understand. Dazai trusts Chuuya to use his ability and not get him caught in the chaos, Chuuya trusts Dazai with the plans to get them out and not killed. This trust doesn't mean they like each other in the slightest, but it is oddly more intimate with this immediate jump to allowing the other one to put their lives on the line. This book really does give us the authentic double black and it is easy to understand how they became the most feared partnership when they act the way they do together. Nothing scarier than an allyship that holds no love or kinship for one another, but they have unwavering trust.

Weirdly enough Mori and Dazai's dynamic, as well as Mori and Chuuya's dynamic is a highlight in this novel. The way he treats the two of them is uncomfortable to put it bluntly. I think with Mori I will always understand his character having a very dodgy undertone, and that is further highlighted when you realise that the two protagonists are only fifteen in this book. He treats Dazai as though he intends to groom him into his heir, to turn him into a weapon that only he can use. He then preys on Chuuya's strength, and acts more human with him to almost coax Chuuya to his side. One he treats like a monster, the other he treats like a person. Ironic isn't it?

His relationships with them both is diverse and when together he drops hints of his different natures throughout the conversation to entice them both to be his soldiers. And when he doesn't get his way, he reminds them of the power that he holds over both of them. Like I said, it's uncomfortable but well written.

As usual, the plot is overshadowed by the characters, but that is because the characters are larger than life in this series. I do think this book is also a set up for something scarier in Stormbringer, so the plot suffers slightly for it, but the priority of this story was to make Chuuya and Dazai partners which it accomplishes.

However, Randou is a very intriguing villian and his skill was a lot of fun to imagine in the fight sequences. I feel like the anime wasn't obvious enough with his true intions of killing and consuming Chuuya as an ability, so this story really cleared up a lot of grey areas. Knowing that Randou wished to attain the chaos that is Chuuya as part of himself, makes me very curious to see what Paul Valarie wishes to do with him instead.

( Also not Paul being dramatic when he killed those soldiers and giving us a monologue that makes me incredibly nervous with what he wants to do with the gravity manipulator. Guess Mori couldn't be the only Groomer in the series, Chuuya had to have his own dedictated one too: “The calamity that breathes—the god with a beating heart—Arahabaki, you are alone. Nobody can ever understand you. You are neither a god nor a human")

I'm excited to see more of their dynamic in the Port Mafia, and I hope we do get more of these earlier stories as the history of the characters is so much fun to read.

[Yeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review ngắn gọn: Hành trình simp Chuya của Dazai năm 15 tuổi =))))) Ui kiểu Dazai và Chuya 15 tuổi chắc là bản thể tươi sáng nhất của 2 đứa trong vũ trụ VHLL rồi ấy 🥲 Đọc mà cứ cười mãi thôi vì 2 đứa cute quá dù 2 đứa dành 90% thời gian chửi nhau và rủa nhau chết đi =)) Chuya có hẳn một kho từ vựng để diss Dazai luôn ko có lần nào chửi trùng với lần nào (điều này vẫn được giữ đến tận năm 22 tuổi) =)))))) Đúng kiểu bố đấm mày trước rồi đấm kẻ thù sau =)) Chuya còn nói "Nếu kế hoạch của mi mà thất bại và cả hai ta đều chết thì ta sẽ giết mi" (ừ nhưng mà chết rồi thì sao giết nữa xuống địa ngục vẫn bem nhau à =)))) )

Tập 8 cảm ơn Dazai vì đã xuất hiện trong cuộc đời Chuya thì tập 7 cảm ơn Chuya đã xuất hiện trong cuộc đời Dazai🥺 (tôi cảm ơn chứ 2 đứa này ghét nhau như chó) Chính Dazai thừa nhận "Chuya đã thành công thuyết phục tôi không chết bây giờ" mà🥺Nếu ngày đó Dazai ko sống thì sau này làm sao có hy vọng "sống trong ánh sáng" như nguyện vọng của Oda được 🥺

Nói chung là thích bond của Song Hắc cực kỳ, cảm ơn Asagiri sensei đã xây dựng một mối quan hệ độc nhất vô nhị như hai người này🙆🏻‍♀️🙆🏻‍♀️🙆🏻‍♀️

[inès · Rating 4 out of 5]

“only a diamond can polish a diamond”
soukoku is definitely the best bsd ship and nobody can change my mind

[milo · Rating 4 out of 5]

should’ve calculated my ’oooh’ moments reading this having read storm bringer first.

[adri 🐇 · Rating 5 out of 5]

read the whole light novel in a day + i love it so much!! the anime doesn't do it justice

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Those eyes weren't something that just anyone could have . They were the glow of a blue sky that only those who have decided to live can have."


Dazai and Chuuya truly are perfect for each other. It was very nice to know more about their pasts. Soukoku is such a great duo, I'm conviced they could make any plotline work. Also: Dazai is a fucking genius, that bastard. How come everytime something happens we get to the end and the twist is: well, Dazai planned that all along. Love how unhinged this man and his plans are, always willing to use the ends to justify the means- and his means are always very questionable. But truly deep down he is a just guy looking for answers. The book does a very good job showing that, the complexity of Dazai's emotions, showing us why the characters are the way they are today. The deep dive into Chuuya's past was by far the best part of the novel to me- my perspective on him has complety shifted. The only complain I have is... it's so short. I wanted more! Lucky me the arch continues in Stormbringer. I can never get enough of them.

[dikshya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Dazai and Chuuya and their love-hate relationship so much, this was so good to me.

There is something so special about a relationship where the two met as kids and supposedly hate each other, but also are the only person the other really trusts (gay). Soukoku have just that in the manga and the anime and I felt like we really got to see how it blossomed in this.

This also was really incredible in characterizing these two. The difference between Dazai pre-mafia, mafia, and ADA is so stark and I think this really set the scene for the suicide-obsessed character we see. I also loved to see Chuuya's character because as a side character, he is not really explored as much in the animanga, and this light novel highlights his character and how fiercely loyal he is. It is no surprise that these two have still maintained their relationship even after seven years of arguing and Dazai leaving the mafia. I love them so much.

It is really so funny to me that Chuuya is a literal god but he also carries the burden of being a redhead, 5'4, and homosexual. He really is the best character of all time.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll never get tired of seeing Dazai and Chuuya together, I adored their banter and quirky bond they've got, and them both being teenagers in this made it way more funnier- there are emotional parts too though, like Dazai's suicidal thoughts. I enjoyed seeing more details that we didn't get in the prequel episodes of the anime, especially when it came to Chuuya's background and hints at Storm Bringer (the eighth light novel, which I accidentally read before this one). I also enjoyed reading about the Port Mafia and the Arahabaki incident, Mori may be 'bad' but he's a fantastic leader in my opinion. Though simply written, I'm really glad I picked this up!

[moony ☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dedicate my blood - my everything - to you, boss. I will protect this organization you slave over and work myself to the bone in order to decimate its enemies. Those who oppose the Port Mafia will learn firsthand how ruthless gravity can be.

I have no words to describe how much I love Chuuya and how grateful I am to Asagiri for introducing us to his past - and how his fate tied to Dazai's - through this little gem that is Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen.

[lu ¿ aero · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALLOR BLL MLT BELL ma il ma è che non ci ho capito nisba

ceh si ho capito la storia e tutto ma col fatto che continua in stormbringer non è finito quindi è ancora abbastanza confuso

però ceh dazai e chuuya assieme sono il duo meno serio di tutto il comprensorio prima cercano di ammazzarsi poi si prendono per il culo e sono costantemente irritati l'uno dall'altro OKAY

no invece meno male che avevo rimosso l'anime perché se no mi sarei già spoilerato il fatto che chuuya è un dio??? demone??? qualcosa???? boh ok vabbe però tutto sommato mi è piaciuto

[Moony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The style is quite poor but I know it's not the point of those light novels anyway, just as there's no point in reading them if you're not into BSD in the first place.
Still 5 stars because I had a good time and because Chuuya owns my soul.

[azula · Rating 5 out of 5]

“i’m not in a state, i’m not the host of this body, i’m a human”

nadie entiende ni va a entender el amor que le tengo a chuuya, le haría bizcochuelo todas las tardes... y a dazai también i guess...

[∆Disaster∆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kocham Rimbauda jezuuuuuuuu