Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 3

文豪ストレイドッグス [Bungō Stray Dogs] (Novel) #3

by Kafka Asagiri, Sango Harukawa

Over a decade before the events of the manga series, a chance encounter leads professional bodyguard Yukichi Fukuzawa to begrudgingly take an arrogant boy genius named Ranpo Edogawa under his wing. Their first job brings them to a local theater on high alert after receiving a bizarre death threat-a challenge that will require both Ranpo's brains and Fukuzawa's experience. The aftermath spurs Fukuzawa to establish the Armed Detective Agency, an organization that takes on dangerous jobs even the police won't handle!

Plus, get a glimpse of the agency the night before Atsushi Nakajima joined the team!

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

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2015

About the author

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

Reviews

[✨Rashi✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So...I read this light novel but accidently marked another as read *awkward laugh*

Anyways, there was no way I could rate this less than 5 stars! I think this might just be my comfort book (My comfort anime movie being- A Silent Voice. Nobody asked but ✨the more you know✨ and if you wanna talk about it then I'm always ready)

And you know what? I watched I want to eat your pancreas right before it and I was honestly crying at the end but I loved A Silent Voice more

Coming back to the review lol
There were two short stories in this book so my review will be divided into the respective parts:

PART 1
The first part was about the day right before Atsushi's entrance exam. I loved the dynamic between Kunnikida and ❤Dazai❤. Honestly, Dazai is me in group projects XD
I also loved how Dazai totally flipped the table (metaphorically lol) at the end and I was actually smiling at that point.


PART 2
The second part was about Fukuzawa and Ranpo meeting for the first time and it was really hilarious at times. They are both kinda underrated characters and I loved reading about them. The story was not in first person but it focussed more on Fukuzawa's viewpoint and I loved reading it. I loved how Fukuzawa became a paternal figure for Ranpo

and also Odasaku makes a appearance too!! Honestly whenever I think about Odasaku my brain automatically plays that part of season 2 where Dazai yells 'Odasaku!'

I loved reading about the mystery and I was totally glued to the book (the e-book to be precise) and that part where Fukuzawa gives Ranpo those glasses had me snickering.
In the manga and the anime we are used to seeing Fukuzawa as a strict and serious president of the agency so I think this novel definately added to his character and it was fun reading his internal thoughts when he was with Ranpo.

Also there's no romance in this book so it was very fresh to read and hilarious at times. I absolutely loved it and if you love Bungou Stray Dogs then you should definately read this.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ranpo often feels underused in the main series, as does Fukuzawa, which makes this volume focusing on them especially nice.

[Megu Togashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. Why did the 3rd season not adapt this Fukuzawa content!?

[Rin ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONEEEEE MILLIONNNN START MY HEART IS MELTING I LOVE RANPOOOOO🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎

[juls · Rating 5 out of 5]

"but fukuzawa had undergone a significant change over the past year solving cases with ranpo. (...) and he learned something: what it meant to be a leader, what it meant to help others as a team"

I literally love both fukuzawa and ranpo so much my favourite father-son duo

[Lisichka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it! There are two stories in this book. The first story is shorter than the second one and I don't have much to critise, except that I missed some subchapters. There were not even one subchapter.

-- The rest of my review could be spoiler-ish because it includes some quotes. --

The first (funny) story is about the night before Atsushi Nakajima joined the Armed Detective Agency. There was on quote about Dazai I really liked and which made me laugh: "Tanizaki instinctively looked over to see Dazai's reaction - a faint smirking. It was as if that smile could peer right into Tanizaki's heart - as if Dazai knew that Tanizaki knew that he knew." I think that quote perfectly describes Dazai.

The second part basically tells us how the Agency was establish and I have to say: Fukuzawa and Ranpo are really sweet. They make a good duo and the quotes about them - cuties!! Moreover, the second part gives us information about their past and struggles, it hurt my heart, BUT IT WAS SO GOOD, I was really absorbed and the character development was great. It explains how they end up as we know them in the present/ in the manga and anime.
At one point Fukuzawa thought: "Detectives needed to be armed" and those words made me happy because as a reader we know that there will be an Armed Detective Agency in the future, even though he didn't knew it at that point.

[zara · Rating 4 out of 5]

ranpo my most beloved 😭😭😭 also the origin of fukuzawa adopting ranpo and making the ada to support his genius and to protect him is everything to me

[Knigoqdec · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ранпо, гениалното момче, сиракът - неразбран от никого, съвсем сам в тази тъмна, студена вселена..."
За разлика от предишните две новели, и двете части на тази не са били анимирани. Първата кратка история разказва за нощта преди "изпита" на Ацуши, а втората - за срещата на Фукузава и Ранпо. И двете истории са страхотно забавление за феновете. Цялото томче е изпълнено с хитроумни загадки, а горкият Фукузава по неволя се оказа гений в областта на човешките взаимоотношения, въпреки че се стараеше да се изкара много студен, затворен и емоционално неинтелигентен xD. Той, впрочем, понеже ми е "слабостта", е достатъчна причина да обожавам томчето. Като истински анимар мога да кажа още и... всички са твърде сладки, не мога да си кривя душата!

[agajae · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so interesting to discover the origins of the Detective Agency and how Ranpo played an important role. He's my favorite character and I'm glad we finally learn about his past and why Fukuzawa is so important for him.

[aku · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was interesting to see where it all began but i was not 100% invested in the story tbh

sorry asagiri

[marilynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

can't believe there's a comforting piece of media related to bsd and yet here we are

[Kauzar Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️.

[T3odor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kafka Asagiri I love u

[☆ATO☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

za samego Odasaku są już 4 gwiazdki. Uwielbiam to uniwersum i wszystko z nim związane

[Nova Syzygy]

I thought this was pretty good.

The first story doesn’t seem like it should even be real. Dazai apparently causes so much stress in Kunikida’s life that the latter passes out from anger just at hearing the former’s name. And that whole bit where Kunikida’s plan on Atsushi’s entrance exam was torturing Dazai made me actually laugh. Yosano was great as well.
The Tanizaki sibling’s interactions, though, were extremely uncomfortable. At one point there were a few paragraphs that could easily be submitted to r/menwritingwomen. But, otherwise, the first story was very nice.

The second one was also very interesting. I liked seeing Fukuzawa’s perspective on things, and I thought that Ranpo’s backstory was interesting. The mystery was fun to witness, and I was able to predict most of the events, but not the executions or purposes. Ranpo really is the embodiment of gifted kid burnout.

I am a bit confused on the timeline, though. It was obvious early on that Natsume was the man in the theater, but Fukuzawa seemingly didn’t recognize him. I thought Natsume mentored him and Mori before the events of the novel? And when did the whole cafe scene happen, when Oda received the book from Natsume in the previous light novel? The timeline is kind of confusing.

Each of these novels answers so many questions and yet also leaves me with so many more.

[Natascha Eschweiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still remember how I bought the Japanese original during my semester abroad when it came out five years ago, eagerly waiting for the day they would officially translate my favourite character's background story. And boy, it didn't disappoint. I really liked the first story as well (because a suffering Doppo is an incredibly amusing Doppo), but getting to read how Fuku and Ranpo formed the bond they share warmed my heart.
5/5, will definitely read again, if only to scream 'I love this child!' at Ranpo every five seconds.

[Lily Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was slightly nervous to get a light novel. I’ve had experiences of loving mangas and trying the light novels only for the writing to be terrible. Luckily this was very well done, The writing wasn’t difficult to read.
I’ve always loved Ranpo,he is easily my favourite. I love his how character is written in this and it makes him feel much more real and understand. Would definitely recommend

[raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wish fathers were real

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

bones did not do this justice 😭 shit bangs ‼️

[cassidy_blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Реално новелата се състои от две части.

Първата показва как протича един ден в Детективската Агенция - по-конкретно в случая, обмисляне на изпита на Ацуши за присъединяване към нея. Изключително приятно ми беше да се срещна отново с любими персонажи и да видя как толкова различни хора се събират, обсъждат и решават заедно. Мненията доста се разминават в началото, но после стигат до единодушно решение. Ще споделя и един цитат от историята относно Дазай - един от най-интересните образи в цялата поредица. Но най-вече, защото тук играеше леко долно и преметна колегите си. I saw that coming!😂

~They were up against Dazai - a man who had been playing people, friend or foe, like a fiddle ever since he joined the agency. He was clever, and his behavior always made his intentions unclear as he led those around him into confusion and panic. His past was almost a complete mystery, and before anyone even realized it, everything was going down the path he laid. He was like a certain folkloric trickster.~

Втората част - десетилетие преди събитията в мангата ни представят Фукузава - бодигард, но с тъмно минало и Ранпо - гениално момче с детинско поведение. След заплашителна бележка в театър двамата са принудени да стоят заедно и да решат този случай.
Всъщност Ранпо винаги се е държал по този детски начин, което е свързано с всичко преживяно преди това. Той ми е любимият персонаж още когато разбрах за способността му - или по-точно, че той няма такава (не е спойлер). Именно затова героят е една идея по-специален, но според мен и по-самотен, защото е единствен сред всички надарени. Симпатизирам.
Фукузава е сериозен, търпелив и наистина ми се издигна в очите. Предпочита да върши работата си сам и не обича да работи с други хора, поради което не се виждаше като лидер. Неговата уравновесеност, спокойствие и отговорност обаче го превърнаха в Президент на Агенцията. В новелата се обяснява как се е стигнало дотам, че Фукузава да излъже Ранпо относно способностите му. Откъде идва цялата тази арогантност на Ранпо и защо е убеден, че сложи ли си очилата с черните рамки, силите му се задействат. Защо Ранпо слуша и уважава Фукузава дори сега, когато е на 26.

~Ranpo, boy genious, orphan - nobody understood him, and he was all alone in this dark, cold universe.~
~"Do you dislike the adult world?"
"I hate it. It makes absolutely no sense."~

След прочита на новелата нещата доста ми се изясниха и сега гледам на тях двамата по различен начин от преди. Имаше и забавни моменти, както и илюстрации - прекрасни допълнения към историята.🙌🏻

[ollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to read the manga because I choose happiness, but as soon as I watched the first few episodes of season 4 and saw that Ranpo, along with Fukuzawa, were the main characters of this arc, I just knew I had to read the light novel. Oh, how much I adored this! Ranpo is my favourite character, so this was absolutely perfect for me to learn more about him and how he came to be the Ranpo I know and love.

“A child, cast out into a vast world with nobody to protect him. Even Fukuzawa himself had been at a loss. What should he do with this boy’s soul? How should he take care of it? Fukuzawa did not understand, so he lightly patted him twice on the head. Ranpo clung to his waist. Overflowing tears, one after another, soaked through his clothes.”

14 year old Ranpo wormed his way into Fukuzawa’s life. Both had lived in solitude prior to this; one by choice and the other by force. Fukuzawa had been opposed to involving himself with others, while Ranpo was alone because of the death of his parents, that no one could understand him nor could he understand them, and people would get mad at him for things he’d point out about them. They helped one another through the shared desire to be on the side of justice. Fukuzawa had convinced Ranpo of how special he is and that he was never hated. Ranpo made Fukuzawa realize that he doesn’t want to be completely alone— that he wants to serve as the shield to protect Ranpo in his mystery solving, therefore helping others through Ranpo’s intelligence. They later established the Armed Detective Agency we all know and love.

I believe that the best way to describe their relationship would be to say father and son. This is definitely a must read for Ranpo lovers and anyone curious about the origins of the Armed Detective Agency.

[dikshya · Rating 4 out of 5]

no chuuya….but this was really good!

The writing is really improving now and there were no weird POV switches which made reading this much smoother and more enjoyable. I also just deeply care about Ranpo and Fukuzawa and reading about them and how they started the ADA was incredibly sweet. I love this a lot, definitely my favorite so far.

[☾⋆｡ A °✩.⟡]

Fun fun fun! Apart from the actually paedophilic descriptions and characteristics of Naomi.

[Lanmreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chời ơi tôi mê Ranpo quá. Ranpo 10 điểm không có nhưnggg

[Fe · Rating 5 out of 5]

ranpo is so dear to me and his interactions with fukuzawa mean everything to me actually

[Adne · Rating 4 out of 5]

io per ranpo morirei non ironicamente parlando

[Zita Azlina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nothing wrong with being weak. Let the tide take you somewhere far away.”

* * *

A MYSTERY GENRE LIGHT NOVEL. TAKE A SHOT IF YOU'RE HAPPY. YAY, A SERIOUS YAY.

YESSS, the first reason why i like this particular light novel so much was because the genre is murder-mystery and crime-thriller. One, i'm a sucker for it. Two, it's my favourite genre. In this case, especially the second case, Asagiri even added a lot of delicate details like poetic words from a play, a graphic description of theater, an in-depth explore of actor's feeling, and a play+murder with a lot of deep background and beautiful metaphor. First of all, that was god-tier. Second of all, this kind of thing was my favourite thing.

I love the way Ranpo solved it though. I'm not saying that the plot twist is especially amazing, but the way he uncovers it was amazing. There is a lot of details that should've been important to be left out, a detail so small that i barely noticed in the first place. The way all the reasonings, logics, and reasons were laid bare in Ranpo's "performance", I personally think that was a very very good concept. Also, the way Fukuzawa fight the criminals when he saved Ranpo is also, damn, god-like and incredible. Clearly, this Angel Murder Case is definitely intriguing.

Second of all, the characters. Actually i didn't consider both Fukuzawa and Ranpo as my first oshi, but HOLY SHIT. I swear they're the best bsd characters. Fukuzawa is especially wise and very compatible to act as a father, eventhough he was weighed by a lot of worries and guilts himself. He managed to take care of Ranpo and love him and i think that was enough to proof how much of a good character he was. Ranpo, is especially very dimensional himself. Of course he wasn't as complicated as Dazai, but he is also had a lot more than what he was in his inside.

The way Asagiri introduced Ranpo as a lost souls trapped in a monster cage was particularly amazingly heart-wrenching. This very boy is very naive and he lost his cocoon to shield his life. Also, being left alone by parents separated by death while he felt different was very saddening to read. I was very grateful that he meet someone such as Fukuzawa that would love taking care of him when the rest of the world aren't.

I also especially love the humour in this book though. I know BSD's humor are amazing but i especially feel like this one had the best humor among others 😂 but Ranpo and Fukuzawa are ridiculous in their own way.. it's almost funny.

Sadly, I'm not really attached to the main villain though, which is V, because it was very rushed and we never see the end of him. But Murakami is a good enough character and stunning. Anything else that I regret is that Fukuzawa have yet decided to establish ADA when he met Odasaku. Imagine how things would be if he were a part of ADA in CANON manga (and not BEAST, okay).

Anyway, this truly is the best Light Novel so far. 55 minutes is really losing. I would love to have more of their journey lol. Thank you Asagiri for this too.

p.s. the first chapter, which is when thet discusses how to test Atsushi, is the best thing i ever read in my entire life
p.s.s. when will we know the backstory of kenji and kunikida please?

[Isabel Tan · Rating 2 out of 5]

In all honesty, i feel this might unfortunately be the weakest book in this series for me currently. I feel like the first story dragged on too long and i frankly wasn't too interested in the plot. For the second story i unfortunately just found the characters a little too dull and a little annoying, especially Ranpo. Maybe it was just the time I was reading it or perhaps just me, but I really was not a fan of the story surprisingly and i found myself kind of like 'dragging my feet' to read this book.

[라우라 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5
Es entretenido pero es que no soy muy fan de las historias centradas en un asesinato. Aun así me lo he leído porque sí quiero leer el manga de Bungou stray dogs y al parecer hay que saber estas historias aparte también, así que bueno, ya tengo esta leída. Tengo ganas de leer el manga real (no es lo siguiente que me toca) porque dicen que el argumento es muy bueno en verdad

[lu ¿ aero · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a ride.
non so quasi nemmeno da dove iniziare per quante cose ho da dire

ho letteralmente pianto??? i shed real tears??? non mi succede mai??? mi colpiva tutto così nel profondo che non so nemmeno se abbia più lacrime da piangere la ranpo kinnazione incombe su di me ed io non sono pront a riflettere sulla cosa assolutamente no

CIOÈ PER DIRE:“I don’t understand what anyone’s thinking! I’m scared! It feels like I’m surrounded by monsters! It doesn’t matter what I say—nobody understands me! My parents were the only ones who did, and they’re dead!” ASAGIRI STAI PER CASO TENTANDO DI UCCIDERMI?

boh ma poi ho percepito ranpo in così tanti modi diversi che non sto nemmeno qui ad elencarli se no mi rimetto a piangere per davvero

on a happier note, mi è piaciuta un sacco anche la storia iniziale anche se dazai si riconferma un cessone perché WHAT DO YOU MEAN TIRARE ATSUSHI NELLA GABBIA DEGLI ORSI PER L'ESAME D'ENTRATA MA IO NON HO PIÙ PAROLE SOLO INSULTI

ok ritornando a fukuzawa e ranpo, il caso era una roba teatrale e tipo la mia merda???? asagiri grazie??? (grazie un corno sono sul letto in pieno devasto ma ci siamo capiti)

E POI ceh mini oda era inaspettatatissimo voglio piangere il mio ultimo oda content era stato vedere l'adattamento anime di dark era un anno e mezzo fa e due panel in croce dove viene semi nominato nel manga ok basta torno a piangere