What do you think?
Rate this book
文豪ストレイドッグス [Bungō Stray Dogs] (Novel) #8
Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 8 (light novel): Storm Bringer
It’s been roughly one year since Chuya Nakahara joined the Port Mafia, and he’s got his sights set on an executive position. But as he makes plans to move up, a man by the name of Paul Verlaine—claiming to be his younger brother—appears and vows to assassinate everyone he cares about! Now, Chuya must team up with Adam, a European A.I. investigator, to stop this lunatic before the storm swallows Yokohama once again…
340 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2021
532 people are currently reading
2953 people want to read
About the author
Kafka Asagiri
172 books1,314 followersSee 朝霧カフカ (Asagiri Kafka).
Japanese scenario writer and novelist.
Japanese scenario writer and novelist.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews
March 8, 2022
all gay people do is hurt me
August 1, 2021
As someone who's comfort character is Chuuya, this fucking hurt like shit. Total shit. Absolute shit.
July 20, 2022
shaking screaming crying throwing up this book ruined my entire life. five stars
August 3, 2022
OVERWHELMED. MIND-BLOWN. SOBBING.
O grantors of dark disgrace, do not wake me again.
I don't think I'd be able to review this properly. Like how do I express it with words?? It's so heartbreaking to know what Chuuya had gone through and what leads to Verlaine's action and NOW I TERRIBLY MISS BSD SO MUCH😭😭
(This will sound more like a letter than a review hahahahah)
Chuuya, he's an incredible person. His loyalty is undefeated. He seems like a chill person who only cares about himself but he's actually far from that. He cares so much about his friends, he's understanding, and even with Adam, an AI that annoys him, he still values the help he received. It's so satisfying to finally know his background story. He understands the loneliness that Verlaine feels and at the end of the story, he becomes one of the loyal members of Port Mafia. I can't say how much I'm proud of how he handles everything. MY BOYYY U DID GREAT✨
Adam. THE AI that we all need. It's amazing that he has a dream and always learning anything new. I'M SO GLAD that he's the one sent to help Chuuya💓
Verlaine... You also went through so much. You were the same as Chuuya back then. You're the only one who understands. It's sad that you didn't get to see the kindness of this world, but you were scarred and that's understandable. Still, I'm glad with what happened.
Flags. The group of Chuuya's friends. Thank you for teaching him what he needs to know in mafia. And thank you for being the one who makes Chuuya feels valued.
Again, Asagiri sensei... How dare you make me cry again for the infinite times because of bsd... Your words never failed to pierce our hearts, the ending is absolutely beautiful 🥺
Last but not least, Dazai, yet again the mastermind of everything, though this time I can surely say Chuuya is the one who gives him ✨hope✨. I'm sorry Dazai but u seem to have lost this round 👀
Some of the quotes:
1. "It will come to the moment you think things are going well. The beast known as failure is always drawn to the stench of success, where it finds and devours its unfortunate prey."
2. "Just once, I want you to imagine just how much it could affect a person if you told them they weren't human."
3. "Put and end to this lonely soul--the soul of a man who couldn't trust the world or its people like you do."
4. "....Happy birthday ____. I'm glad you were born--and I'm so glad I got to meet you."
5. "....And now that you're no longer here.... Now I'm just so terribly sad."
O grantors of dark disgrace, do not wake me again.
I don't think I'd be able to review this properly. Like how do I express it with words?? It's so heartbreaking to know what Chuuya had gone through and what leads to Verlaine's action and NOW I TERRIBLY MISS BSD SO MUCH😭😭
(This will sound more like a letter than a review hahahahah)
Chuuya, he's an incredible person. His loyalty is undefeated. He seems like a chill person who only cares about himself but he's actually far from that. He cares so much about his friends, he's understanding, and even with Adam, an AI that annoys him, he still values the help he received. It's so satisfying to finally know his background story. He understands the loneliness that Verlaine feels and at the end of the story, he becomes one of the loyal members of Port Mafia. I can't say how much I'm proud of how he handles everything. MY BOYYY U DID GREAT✨
Adam. THE AI that we all need. It's amazing that he has a dream and always learning anything new. I'M SO GLAD that he's the one sent to help Chuuya💓
Verlaine... You also went through so much. You were the same as Chuuya back then. You're the only one who understands. It's sad that you didn't get to see the kindness of this world, but you were scarred and that's understandable. Still, I'm glad with what happened.
Flags. The group of Chuuya's friends. Thank you for teaching him what he needs to know in mafia. And thank you for being the one who makes Chuuya feels valued.
Again, Asagiri sensei... How dare you make me cry again for the infinite times because of bsd... Your words never failed to pierce our hearts, the ending is absolutely beautiful 🥺
Last but not least, Dazai, yet again the mastermind of everything, though this time I can surely say Chuuya is the one who gives him ✨hope✨. I'm sorry Dazai but u seem to have lost this round 👀
Some of the quotes:
1. "It will come to the moment you think things are going well. The beast known as failure is always drawn to the stench of success, where it finds and devours its unfortunate prey."
2. "Just once, I want you to imagine just how much it could affect a person if you told them they weren't human."
3. "Put and end to this lonely soul--the soul of a man who couldn't trust the world or its people like you do."
4. "....Happy birthday ____. I'm glad you were born--and I'm so glad I got to meet you."
5. "....And now that you're no longer here.... Now I'm just so terribly sad."
January 7, 2022
drowning in an indescribable emptiness right now
March 22, 2022
I love my boy chuuya so much
August 27, 2022
4 / 5 ★
wtf asagiri? why did he write something like this??
wtf asagiri? why did he write something like this??
August 5, 2023
“Master Chuuya is the kind of person who will never abandon those who have helped him, even if they end up abandoning him.”
“Just once, I want you to imagine just how much it could affect a person if you told them they weren't human.”
“You sound like you're certain he's human.”
“I am. There's no way I could hate a man-made character string this much.”
I am crying so hard and so constantly over Chuuya Nakahara and his entire life and how his general existence brings me so much comfort despite being fictional. he is the love of my life. he is the key to my heart. he is my highest kin. for him i will be pretentious and dramatic and sentimental at a DROP OF A HAT. SERIOUSLY. IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THIS NOVEL OR WATCHED/READ BUNGOU STRAY DOGS, WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING WITH YOUR LIFE? YOU’RE MISSING OUT ON SO MUCH AND I COULD GO IN DETAIL WITH AN EXTENSIVE ESSAY BUT I WON’T DO THAT BECAUSE⸺PERHAPS I’D LIKE TO GATEKEEP THIS FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER.
JOKES ASIDE, PLEASE WATCH BUNGOU STRAY DOGS IF YOU SEE THIS. I HAVE ZERO WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT THAT ANIME MEANS TO ME, OR WHAT THESE CHARACTERS HAVE DONE TO ME, BUT IT'S JUST... TOO MUCH. IN A GOOD WAY. EVERYONE DESERVES FEELING THAT “TOO MUCH.”
since i’m being so incoherent and making no sense, this is about it.
P.S. ⸺ dazai should just kiss chuuya on the mouth instead of going around telling people how much “he hates him” and how “human chuuya is.” this dude has got a big fat crush on his rival/enemy/ex-partner/future husband and he does not know how to handle it. they’re so much in love i’m going to projectile vomit everywhere ☹️💔💔💔
“Just once, I want you to imagine just how much it could affect a person if you told them they weren't human.”
“You sound like you're certain he's human.”
“I am. There's no way I could hate a man-made character string this much.”
I am crying so hard and so constantly over Chuuya Nakahara and his entire life and how his general existence brings me so much comfort despite being fictional. he is the love of my life. he is the key to my heart. he is my highest kin. for him i will be pretentious and dramatic and sentimental at a DROP OF A HAT. SERIOUSLY. IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THIS NOVEL OR WATCHED/READ BUNGOU STRAY DOGS, WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING WITH YOUR LIFE? YOU’RE MISSING OUT ON SO MUCH AND I COULD GO IN DETAIL WITH AN EXTENSIVE ESSAY BUT I WON’T DO THAT BECAUSE⸺PERHAPS I’D LIKE TO GATEKEEP THIS FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER.
JOKES ASIDE, PLEASE WATCH BUNGOU STRAY DOGS IF YOU SEE THIS. I HAVE ZERO WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT THAT ANIME MEANS TO ME, OR WHAT THESE CHARACTERS HAVE DONE TO ME, BUT IT'S JUST... TOO MUCH. IN A GOOD WAY. EVERYONE DESERVES FEELING THAT “TOO MUCH.”
since i’m being so incoherent and making no sense, this is about it.
P.S. ⸺ dazai should just kiss chuuya on the mouth instead of going around telling people how much “he hates him” and how “human chuuya is.” this dude has got a big fat crush on his rival/enemy/ex-partner/future husband and he does not know how to handle it. they’re so much in love i’m going to projectile vomit everywhere ☹️💔💔💔
May 31, 2021
Thank you Victor Fyodor for giving me the full translated version! I can't thank you enough!
The light novel continues the story after the events of "Fifteen" and the Arahabaki incident. This book basically explores Chuuya's past. I absolutely loved this book and this was one of my most anticipated releases for this year. No way I could ever rate it less than 5 stars. It has everything I needed - no romance, fight scenes, sci-fi, supernatural abilities and great characters. Also, only bungou stray dogs can make you empathize even with the anatgonists.
I loved Dazai and Chuuya's dyanamic. I also loved how 'stormbringer' kind of had sci-fi elements too! Honestly, Chuuya Nakahara is one of my most favourite characters and I am so glad this entire novel was based on him! I hope they make a movie adaption of this like they did with dead apple.
I love how most of the characters in Bungou stray dogs are basically just trying to find a purpose, a rasion d'etre. Idky but this has always been close to my heart.
I was actually thinking that what if the next novel is about Dazai?! I know we already have two around him but what about something from his viewpoint?!
There are spoilers after these arts
Spoilers
I loved reading about the characters introduced in chapter one you know- lipman, pianoman, doc,etc. I'm still sad all of them died :( I was really loving those guys...
Also Dazai lived in a ship container??!
And that scene where Adam dies 😞
The light novel continues the story after the events of "Fifteen" and the Arahabaki incident. This book basically explores Chuuya's past. I absolutely loved this book and this was one of my most anticipated releases for this year. No way I could ever rate it less than 5 stars. It has everything I needed - no romance, fight scenes, sci-fi, supernatural abilities and great characters. Also, only bungou stray dogs can make you empathize even with the anatgonists.
I loved Dazai and Chuuya's dyanamic. I also loved how 'stormbringer' kind of had sci-fi elements too! Honestly, Chuuya Nakahara is one of my most favourite characters and I am so glad this entire novel was based on him! I hope they make a movie adaption of this like they did with dead apple.
I love how most of the characters in Bungou stray dogs are basically just trying to find a purpose, a rasion d'etre. Idky but this has always been close to my heart.
I was actually thinking that what if the next novel is about Dazai?! I know we already have two around him but what about something from his viewpoint?!
There are spoilers after these arts
Spoilers
I loved reading about the characters introduced in chapter one you know- lipman, pianoman, doc,etc. I'm still sad all of them died :( I was really loving those guys...
Also Dazai lived in a ship container??!
And that scene where Adam dies 😞
November 22, 2021
literally cried every chapter lol
December 10, 2022
oh. my. god.
I honestly don't think I'm able to put my love for chuuya into words
also I know saying I cried a lot is nothing special cause I do cry a lot but I really cried A LOT
I honestly don't think I'm able to put my love for chuuya into words
also I know saying I cried a lot is nothing special cause I do cry a lot but I really cried A LOT
June 9, 2024
Chuuya is my absolute favourite, this physically hurt me. I hate gay people 10/10
May 23, 2022
Haaa.... okay.... here I go...
Best action, supernatural, fantasy book ever written.
To all the people who haven't read this, please read it, and start from the volume right before this. It's called Chūya, Dazai, 15 years old.
I read that book a few days ago, and I couldn't stop myself from reading the next volume eventhough I have my end of year exam in 2 weeks.
Anyways, I read these 2 books in the translated Korean version, and I could still see the quality of writing Asagiri had presented.
The story is overall extremely sad and it hurt a lot to read it as a Chūya fan. But the story is strong, and everything is linked together. All the characters and events.
The storyline discusses about responsibility of power, friendship, humanity, betrayal and leadership.
I took it as a 'light' read at first since it's a light novel, but hell, that wasn't light at all. It was the heaviest book I'd ever read.
Dark themes and ideas are presented, from suicide, torture to murder. Maybe this spoils too much of the book, but I wish it was as simple as this. It's not. There's so much more and you all must read this novel. Ever had an identity crisis? This book sums it up nicely. While it's extremely depressing, there are heartwarming elements as well, such as... nevermind, I was wrong. There wasn't any.
To the people who have read or watched bungou stray dogs, or kin any of the characters, or feel that its relatable, PLEASE get therapy.
Goodbye!
Best action, supernatural, fantasy book ever written.
To all the people who haven't read this, please read it, and start from the volume right before this. It's called Chūya, Dazai, 15 years old.
I read that book a few days ago, and I couldn't stop myself from reading the next volume eventhough I have my end of year exam in 2 weeks.
Anyways, I read these 2 books in the translated Korean version, and I could still see the quality of writing Asagiri had presented.
The story is overall extremely sad and it hurt a lot to read it as a Chūya fan. But the story is strong, and everything is linked together. All the characters and events.
The storyline discusses about responsibility of power, friendship, humanity, betrayal and leadership.
I took it as a 'light' read at first since it's a light novel, but hell, that wasn't light at all. It was the heaviest book I'd ever read.
Dark themes and ideas are presented, from suicide, torture to murder. Maybe this spoils too much of the book, but I wish it was as simple as this. It's not. There's so much more and you all must read this novel. Ever had an identity crisis? This book sums it up nicely. While it's extremely depressing, there are heartwarming elements as well, such as... nevermind, I was wrong. There wasn't any.
To the people who have read or watched bungou stray dogs, or kin any of the characters, or feel that its relatable, PLEASE get therapy.
Goodbye!
October 6, 2024
WHY ASAGIRI WHY!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!
I mean, I expected no less from u with all the traumatised characters you write.
BUT WHY PUT CHUUYA THROUGH ALL THAT TRAUMA?!?!??!?!?! HE'S JUST A CHILD!??!
Verlaine. Please. Get therapy. Chuuya made it VERY CLEAR he didn't want to come with u.
I mean, I expected no less from u with all the traumatised characters you write.
BUT WHY PUT CHUUYA THROUGH ALL THAT TRAUMA?!?!??!?!?! HE'S JUST A CHILD!??!
Verlaine. Please. Get therapy. Chuuya made it VERY CLEAR he didn't want to come with u.
June 30, 2024
just a book about how dazai and chuuya hate each other so much that they think about each other every single hour of every day.
do i understand skill singularities? probably not. does it matter? probably not.
do i understand skill singularities? probably not. does it matter? probably not.
August 25, 2024
"Whose heartbeat is it, then? Mine? That's absurd. I'm not even human. Something as sophisticated as a heart wouldn't suit me."
.
.
.
.
_________________________________
After reading this light novel about Chuuya's life I guess I'm traumatized for the rest of my life... * Cries in your favourite character going through shit every second of their lives*
Like give him a break or something he deserves it.. :')))))
.
.
.
.
_________________________________
After reading this light novel about Chuuya's life I guess I'm traumatized for the rest of my life... * Cries in your favourite character going through shit every second of their lives*
Like give him a break or something he deserves it.. :')))))
February 9, 2024
THIS BOOK DESTROYED ME.
Chuuya is the best character change my mind.
Chuuya is the best character change my mind.
July 7, 2022
asagiri making me bawl for 338 pages just to make me laugh in the afterward… can i live ?????
July 12, 2022
irreparably damaged me
January 5, 2025
OH MY GODD MY SHAYLAAA
October 20, 2022
This is my favorite novel by Asagiri. I remember reading this in little bits while fans were translating it and crying at every part. And I ended up crying just as much this time.
I watched the stage play before and couldn't help but imagine some of the actors' expressions in certain moments and it just made everything even better. Ueda Keisuke is so perfect for playing Chuuya and I'm so glad he was able to shine there. I hope they'll animate this one day.
Chuuya is my favorite character and seeing him go from "So I am human, after all. I feel stupid letting something like this bother me in the first place…" to "Whose heartbeat is it, then? Mine? That's absurd. I'm not even human. Something as sophisticated as a heart wouldn't suit me." broke me. I got goosebumps just reading the beginning when it's mentioned he doesn't dream.
I loved The Flags, I wish we could get more stories with them. I loved how they valued their friendship and how they went out of their way to bring that anniversary gift. How they wanted Chuuya to feel human, to celebrate together and just have fun. And I love how much Chuuya cares even though he tries to act cool.
"Yeah this is my problem, began Chuuya standing in front of the closed door. But if something like this happened to one of you guys, I don't think I could just ignore it. I'd try to help whether you liked it or not; I bet the rest of you'd feel the same way."
I wish they had more time together. I can't see that red motorcycle in the same light anymore, I'll just think of Albatross and his last moment when he thinks he saved Doc. Ueda's dance at the end of the stage play and "Passion" by Granrodeo keeps coming back to my mind.
"Chuuya smacked himself in the chest. I can feel their lives burning right here inside me, and till those flames die down, I can't just do whatever I want. I'm gonna do what I need to do. That's who I am."
Also, Adam!! I f*cking love this character and his relationship with Chuuya. I have to mention a few quotes because he managed to make me smile after crying like a baby.
"He may be able to manipulate gravity, but my legs are far longer than his. He couldn't possibly outrun me."
"It was hard to describe Master Chuuya's expression then with only a single word. To be specific, he looked like he wanted to smack Shirase in the head with a hammer, but he didn't have a hammer on him, and he didn't want to have to use his bare hands, either. It was a fantastic expression, so I took a picture and saved it in the folder titled FAVORITES in my storage." - this one cracks me up, send me the pic Adam, please, I'm begging.
Oh I can't forget Chuuya's "I'm this close to snapping your robot ass in two! I'm still growing, damn it!" or the moments where Adam was swallowing gum and Chuuya looked at him disgusted.
The fight with Verlaine was so intense. Even though I knew the outcome I still ended up holding my breath reading some parts.
"Chuuya floated all alone in midair, bleeding from head to toe.
His body couldn't take much more. Not only would Guivre's attacks overwhelm him physically, but soon his frail body wasn't going to be able to withstand his own powerful gravity, either. Bruises, dislocations, muscle tears, and broken bones - he was manipulating gravity to keep his body together, albeit just barely.
He was the loneliest being in the world."
But my favorite part with Paul was the scene when he meets Rimbaud again and the last gift. Yoshihide's expressions in the stage play were so on point, I was weeping.
"Happy birthday, Paul. I'm glad you were born - and I'm glad I got to meet you."
I love how, even though Chuuya doubts his humanity and in the end he has to give up the chance to really find out the truth, some characters believe in him from the start. Like Adam "You value your friendship and make decisions accordingly. I suppose you could call this human nature." or Dazai in his twisted way "You sound like you're certain he's human.
I am. Dazai sighed, smiling. There's no way I could hate a man-made character string this much."
The moment from the end when he finally accepts he's part of the mafia and it calls it family brought tears to my eyes again. Him seeing the couple that once had the child from the picture The Flags found. The little scar on his wrist.
"Chuuya quietly stared at his scar. He couldn't remember where it was from. It was actually rare to have a small cut like this, since he could stop any attack through manipulating its gravity. Most of the scars covering his body had been left by powerful skills or surprise attacks, like when Shirase stabbed him in the back. Chuuya believed these small scars were emblems indicating who he really was."
I saved more quotes but those were some of my favorites. I can't wait to read more from Asagiri.
I watched the stage play before and couldn't help but imagine some of the actors' expressions in certain moments and it just made everything even better. Ueda Keisuke is so perfect for playing Chuuya and I'm so glad he was able to shine there. I hope they'll animate this one day.
Chuuya is my favorite character and seeing him go from "So I am human, after all. I feel stupid letting something like this bother me in the first place…" to "Whose heartbeat is it, then? Mine? That's absurd. I'm not even human. Something as sophisticated as a heart wouldn't suit me." broke me. I got goosebumps just reading the beginning when it's mentioned he doesn't dream.
I loved The Flags, I wish we could get more stories with them. I loved how they valued their friendship and how they went out of their way to bring that anniversary gift. How they wanted Chuuya to feel human, to celebrate together and just have fun. And I love how much Chuuya cares even though he tries to act cool.
"Yeah this is my problem, began Chuuya standing in front of the closed door. But if something like this happened to one of you guys, I don't think I could just ignore it. I'd try to help whether you liked it or not; I bet the rest of you'd feel the same way."
I wish they had more time together. I can't see that red motorcycle in the same light anymore, I'll just think of Albatross and his last moment when he thinks he saved Doc. Ueda's dance at the end of the stage play and "Passion" by Granrodeo keeps coming back to my mind.
"Chuuya smacked himself in the chest. I can feel their lives burning right here inside me, and till those flames die down, I can't just do whatever I want. I'm gonna do what I need to do. That's who I am."
Also, Adam!! I f*cking love this character and his relationship with Chuuya. I have to mention a few quotes because he managed to make me smile after crying like a baby.
"He may be able to manipulate gravity, but my legs are far longer than his. He couldn't possibly outrun me."
"It was hard to describe Master Chuuya's expression then with only a single word. To be specific, he looked like he wanted to smack Shirase in the head with a hammer, but he didn't have a hammer on him, and he didn't want to have to use his bare hands, either. It was a fantastic expression, so I took a picture and saved it in the folder titled FAVORITES in my storage." - this one cracks me up, send me the pic Adam, please, I'm begging.
Oh I can't forget Chuuya's "I'm this close to snapping your robot ass in two! I'm still growing, damn it!" or the moments where Adam was swallowing gum and Chuuya looked at him disgusted.
The fight with Verlaine was so intense. Even though I knew the outcome I still ended up holding my breath reading some parts.
"Chuuya floated all alone in midair, bleeding from head to toe.
His body couldn't take much more. Not only would Guivre's attacks overwhelm him physically, but soon his frail body wasn't going to be able to withstand his own powerful gravity, either. Bruises, dislocations, muscle tears, and broken bones - he was manipulating gravity to keep his body together, albeit just barely.
He was the loneliest being in the world."
But my favorite part with Paul was the scene when he meets Rimbaud again and the last gift. Yoshihide's expressions in the stage play were so on point, I was weeping.
"Happy birthday, Paul. I'm glad you were born - and I'm glad I got to meet you."
I love how, even though Chuuya doubts his humanity and in the end he has to give up the chance to really find out the truth, some characters believe in him from the start. Like Adam "You value your friendship and make decisions accordingly. I suppose you could call this human nature." or Dazai in his twisted way "You sound like you're certain he's human.
I am. Dazai sighed, smiling. There's no way I could hate a man-made character string this much."
The moment from the end when he finally accepts he's part of the mafia and it calls it family brought tears to my eyes again. Him seeing the couple that once had the child from the picture The Flags found. The little scar on his wrist.
"Chuuya quietly stared at his scar. He couldn't remember where it was from. It was actually rare to have a small cut like this, since he could stop any attack through manipulating its gravity. Most of the scars covering his body had been left by powerful skills or surprise attacks, like when Shirase stabbed him in the back. Chuuya believed these small scars were emblems indicating who he really was."
I saved more quotes but those were some of my favorites. I can't wait to read more from Asagiri.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2022
Wow. Right off the bat, the story started off strong by introducing some members of the Port Mafia that Chuuya had befriended: Iceman, Piano Man, Doc, Lippmann and Albatross. Then, it didn't take long for Paul Verlaine to appear and kill them off.
Paul Verlaine was a very well-written character. Initially, I hated him because he killed Chuuya's friends in the Mafia, and decided to target anyone Chuuya was closest to, anyone he thought would prevent Chuuya from leaving the Mafia to go with him. I'm not sure where exactly Verlaine wanted Chuuya to go with him, that part wasn't really explained, but it was pretty clear that he wanted Chuuya all to himself since he considered Chuuya his "little brother".
Verlaine believed he wasn't human, simply because he was an artificial being. It was because of this belief of his, that he ended up betraying his dear friend Rimbaud. Rimbaud would tell Verlaine that he was, in fact, human, but Verlaine always hated Rimbaud for saying that. Verlaine never believed he was anything more than an experiment. I started to like Verlaine more when he decided to help Chuuya out and give him a hint as to how to stop him when he was transformed against his will into some hideous beast. And then I liked him even more when he saw Rimbaud's "ghost" and he apologized to Rimbaud and forgave him for everything, and then he later decided to hide and secretly work for the Port Mafia.
As for Shirase, I was surprised he was included in the story, considering he had literally stabbed Chuuya in the back in the past. Chuuya didn't seem to hold it against Shirase, but Shirase was under the belief that Chuuya had betrayed the members of the Sheep gang in order to join the Port Mafia. And it was because of that belief, that Shirase ended up backstabbing Chuuya. It was after Shirase was told the truth of what really happened, that the heated tension between them gradually began to lessen. I was pleasantly surprised when Shirase decided to save Chuuya after Chuuya found himself in a tricky situation. Later, towards the end of the story, Shirase and Chuuya reconcile and Shirase heads to London to create his own gang.
As for Chuuya, he is and always will be my favorite character in this series. This novel has only made me love him even more. He's loyal to anyone he considers his friend, and he values people he cares about more than anything else. He didn't hesitate to stop Verlaine when he knew he'd risk the chance of ever finding out if he was really a human being or not. More than that, when he was finally able to see his real parents, he watched them from afar but didn't bother introducing himself to them, telling Mori that the Port Mafia was his newfound family. I also really liked when he quietly thanked Mori for it.
As for Adam, he was great. Even as a robot, he had a fun personality, made me laugh, and I often forgot he was a machine sometimes. His relationship with Chuuya was also great. Him calling Chuuya "Master Chuuya" was just so funny to me. And when he nearly died to save Chuuya, I was crushed. But then it turned out he lived thanks to his "owner".
Finally, there was one scene in particular that really made me pity Chuuya. It was when N tricked Chuuya and began to torture him for his own amusement. I'm still not quite sure why N felt the need to torment Chuuya like that, but the torture itself was quite cruel and extreme. Every little detail describing the pain Chuuya felt and the way he was being tortured was described in a way that really made me picture the scene in my head. Especially when the scene described the tubes attached to Chuuya's back. That's one detail I still can't get out of my head.
The ending was bittersweet for me. I guess the only question I have left is: Who really was "N"? He called himself Chuuya's "father", but clearly he wasn't. What both confuses and intrigues me the most was when some of N's parting words addressed to Verlaine were, "Die, Verlaine! This is for my little brother!" It makes me wonder if "N" was actually Chuuya's older brother...but then again, it might be another lie, since N considered Chuuya as his son since he believed he helped create him, I guess. Man, I really loved this volume and almost everything in it. I'm hoping they'll animate this story in the first half of season 4 of the anime since Chuuya was featured in the new trailer, and the new season comes out January 2023 (so excited for it to come out.)
Paul Verlaine was a very well-written character. Initially, I hated him because he killed Chuuya's friends in the Mafia, and decided to target anyone Chuuya was closest to, anyone he thought would prevent Chuuya from leaving the Mafia to go with him. I'm not sure where exactly Verlaine wanted Chuuya to go with him, that part wasn't really explained, but it was pretty clear that he wanted Chuuya all to himself since he considered Chuuya his "little brother".
Verlaine believed he wasn't human, simply because he was an artificial being. It was because of this belief of his, that he ended up betraying his dear friend Rimbaud. Rimbaud would tell Verlaine that he was, in fact, human, but Verlaine always hated Rimbaud for saying that. Verlaine never believed he was anything more than an experiment. I started to like Verlaine more when he decided to help Chuuya out and give him a hint as to how to stop him when he was transformed against his will into some hideous beast. And then I liked him even more when he saw Rimbaud's "ghost" and he apologized to Rimbaud and forgave him for everything, and then he later decided to hide and secretly work for the Port Mafia.
As for Shirase, I was surprised he was included in the story, considering he had literally stabbed Chuuya in the back in the past. Chuuya didn't seem to hold it against Shirase, but Shirase was under the belief that Chuuya had betrayed the members of the Sheep gang in order to join the Port Mafia. And it was because of that belief, that Shirase ended up backstabbing Chuuya. It was after Shirase was told the truth of what really happened, that the heated tension between them gradually began to lessen. I was pleasantly surprised when Shirase decided to save Chuuya after Chuuya found himself in a tricky situation. Later, towards the end of the story, Shirase and Chuuya reconcile and Shirase heads to London to create his own gang.
As for Chuuya, he is and always will be my favorite character in this series. This novel has only made me love him even more. He's loyal to anyone he considers his friend, and he values people he cares about more than anything else. He didn't hesitate to stop Verlaine when he knew he'd risk the chance of ever finding out if he was really a human being or not. More than that, when he was finally able to see his real parents, he watched them from afar but didn't bother introducing himself to them, telling Mori that the Port Mafia was his newfound family. I also really liked when he quietly thanked Mori for it.
As for Adam, he was great. Even as a robot, he had a fun personality, made me laugh, and I often forgot he was a machine sometimes. His relationship with Chuuya was also great. Him calling Chuuya "Master Chuuya" was just so funny to me. And when he nearly died to save Chuuya, I was crushed. But then it turned out he lived thanks to his "owner".
Finally, there was one scene in particular that really made me pity Chuuya. It was when N tricked Chuuya and began to torture him for his own amusement. I'm still not quite sure why N felt the need to torment Chuuya like that, but the torture itself was quite cruel and extreme. Every little detail describing the pain Chuuya felt and the way he was being tortured was described in a way that really made me picture the scene in my head. Especially when the scene described the tubes attached to Chuuya's back. That's one detail I still can't get out of my head.
The ending was bittersweet for me. I guess the only question I have left is: Who really was "N"? He called himself Chuuya's "father", but clearly he wasn't. What both confuses and intrigues me the most was when some of N's parting words addressed to Verlaine were, "Die, Verlaine! This is for my little brother!" It makes me wonder if "N" was actually Chuuya's older brother...but then again, it might be another lie, since N considered Chuuya as his son since he believed he helped create him, I guess. Man, I really loved this volume and almost everything in it. I'm hoping they'll animate this story in the first half of season 4 of the anime since Chuuya was featured in the new trailer, and the new season comes out January 2023 (so excited for it to come out.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2023
Storm Bringer, OR The Adventures of Frankenstein's Monster in Japan, OR How Chuuya Got His Hat.
(OR Guess Who Was Leafing Through Her 18th Century Novels Again)
This is not only one of the longest, but also the heaviest of the Bungo Stray Dogs stories. Picking up a year after Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 7 (light novel): Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen (Bungo Stray Dogs, the story delves into what Arthur Rimbaud was doing in Japan and Chuuya's past. It features Dazai at his darkest, but more interestingly it draws a parallel between Dazai's relationship with Odasaku and Rimbaud's relationship with Paul Verlaine. Dazai and Verlaine react in almost opposite ways to the loss of their friends on the surface, but in reality both relationships serve to highlight what Chuuya is trying to look like he doesn't care about: that it helps to have someone you care for.
Chuuya doesn't easily serve as a foil or analogous character to anyone in the Armed Detective Agency, but it's interesting to think of his story in relation to Rampo's. The Mafia may not have saved him in the same way the Agency gave Rampo (and Atsushi) purpose, but I think that there's something there that will only become clear as the story continues.
(OR Guess Who Was Leafing Through Her 18th Century Novels Again)
This is not only one of the longest, but also the heaviest of the Bungo Stray Dogs stories. Picking up a year after Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 7 (light novel): Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen (Bungo Stray Dogs, the story delves into what Arthur Rimbaud was doing in Japan and Chuuya's past. It features Dazai at his darkest, but more interestingly it draws a parallel between Dazai's relationship with Odasaku and Rimbaud's relationship with Paul Verlaine. Dazai and Verlaine react in almost opposite ways to the loss of their friends on the surface, but in reality both relationships serve to highlight what Chuuya is trying to look like he doesn't care about: that it helps to have someone you care for.
Chuuya doesn't easily serve as a foil or analogous character to anyone in the Armed Detective Agency, but it's interesting to think of his story in relation to Rampo's. The Mafia may not have saved him in the same way the Agency gave Rampo (and Atsushi) purpose, but I think that there's something there that will only become clear as the story continues.
September 30, 2022
Yes, i took one star off because it's too sad
April 7, 2023
and if i died then what
September 1, 2023
I was doing so well until the very end. I cried and threw up. Fuck you, Kafka Asagiri. Here’s 5 stars for the emotional trauma I was inflicted.
April 24, 2023
una delle top review che goodreads mi mostra per questo libro è "all gay people do is hurt me" e onestamente non posso che trovarmi d'accordo, quindi freeboterò la frase e inizio la mia review così.
io non penso che ci sia un altro modo per descrivere questo light novel se non: pain and suffering, sia di me che leggo sia di chuuya.
chuuya ma li mortacci tua, proprio un personaggio così devastato come te dovevo kinnare? non penso che ci sia stato momento per tutto il libro in cui non l'abbia sentito vicino, dai momenti silly in cui insultava (deserved) dazai a quelli più depressi in cui pensava che la sua nascita fosse stata un errore (poi s'è ripigliato grazie al cielo) e che fosse una persona che si spendeva troppo per gli altri e che aveva paura di aprirsi con i suoi amici.
il fatto che abbia segnato 72 quotes ALLA PRIMA LETTURA non è rassicurante, dato che di solito ne segno intorno alle 20 e poi quando rileggo finisco per aggiungerne come minimo il doppio (sei di corvi i'm looking at you), quindi ceh se mai mi venisse la malsanissima idea di rileggere questo concentrato di dolore cosa faccio, sottolineo direttamente tutto il libro?
poi io non pensavo di ottenere così tanto devasto da /verlaine/ ceh io ero partit dal presupposto che sarebbe stato una rottura di scatole antipatica per tutto il libro E INVECE NO pure lui dovevo percepire i hate everything
per dazai come al solito non ho parole solo insulti (semi joke ok) !!! boh non si sa ha battuto la testa da bambino e si è trasformato in uno psicopatico però ok va bene mr non sono intervenuto prima perché mi divertiva che chuuya venisse torturato!!! e nonostante tutta la merda che ha fatto he's not beating the allegations, perché tutti i gay del bsdverse vogliono ammazzarsi tra loro o parlano dell'altro come se fosse l'unica persona al mondo che li capisca o entrambe le cose io non capisco???
ok ora as much as it pains me devo fare una critica :D mi ha leggermente dato fastidio che ci fossero così tanti deus ex machina, perché ceh n è spuntato a caso ma okay come lo introduci ma volete dirmi che adam tira fuori una funzione utilissima guarda caso proprio nel momento del bisogno??? boh una menzione frivola all'inizio si poteva fare mi sarebbe piaciuto di più MA VABBEEEE
sto veramente parlando troppo dsjdhussh però è stato un giorno e mezzo molto mistico e doloroso (per citare i miei tweet in preda al dolore, i identify as kilometers per second because i wanna km/s) quindi si per il dolore si merita le 5 stelle
io non penso che ci sia un altro modo per descrivere questo light novel se non: pain and suffering, sia di me che leggo sia di chuuya.
chuuya ma li mortacci tua, proprio un personaggio così devastato come te dovevo kinnare? non penso che ci sia stato momento per tutto il libro in cui non l'abbia sentito vicino, dai momenti silly in cui insultava (deserved) dazai a quelli più depressi in cui pensava che la sua nascita fosse stata un errore (poi s'è ripigliato grazie al cielo) e che fosse una persona che si spendeva troppo per gli altri e che aveva paura di aprirsi con i suoi amici.
il fatto che abbia segnato 72 quotes ALLA PRIMA LETTURA non è rassicurante, dato che di solito ne segno intorno alle 20 e poi quando rileggo finisco per aggiungerne come minimo il doppio (sei di corvi i'm looking at you), quindi ceh se mai mi venisse la malsanissima idea di rileggere questo concentrato di dolore cosa faccio, sottolineo direttamente tutto il libro?
poi io non pensavo di ottenere così tanto devasto da /verlaine/ ceh io ero partit dal presupposto che sarebbe stato una rottura di scatole antipatica per tutto il libro E INVECE NO pure lui dovevo percepire i hate everything
per dazai come al solito non ho parole solo insulti (semi joke ok) !!! boh non si sa ha battuto la testa da bambino e si è trasformato in uno psicopatico però ok va bene mr non sono intervenuto prima perché mi divertiva che chuuya venisse torturato!!! e nonostante tutta la merda che ha fatto he's not beating the allegations, perché tutti i gay del bsdverse vogliono ammazzarsi tra loro o parlano dell'altro come se fosse l'unica persona al mondo che li capisca o entrambe le cose io non capisco???
ok ora as much as it pains me devo fare una critica :D mi ha leggermente dato fastidio che ci fossero così tanti deus ex machina, perché ceh n è spuntato a caso ma okay come lo introduci ma volete dirmi che adam tira fuori una funzione utilissima guarda caso proprio nel momento del bisogno??? boh una menzione frivola all'inizio si poteva fare mi sarebbe piaciuto di più MA VABBEEEE
sto veramente parlando troppo dsjdhussh però è stato un giorno e mezzo molto mistico e doloroso (per citare i miei tweet in preda al dolore, i identify as kilometers per second because i wanna km/s) quindi si per il dolore si merita le 5 stelle
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2024
An absolutely necessary piece to read not only in order to understand Chuuya and his character, but also the further point and philosophy of BSD as a series. This, along with Beast, is definitely my favourite light novel when it comes to writing and characterization.
The sheer rawness and humanity (!) of Chuuya's character is so beautifully written and emphasized - I found myself underlining a description or line from him every few minutes. The conversations between characters, where their underlying philosophies are seen (which is one of the strongest points for me when it comes to BSD) are also beautifully done. With a special emphasis onto Chuuya's conversations with Verlaine, Adam, Dazai and The Flags. The subtle parallels made between characters, how Chuuya is shown in parallel to both human and non-human characters, how he ends up accepting each parts of himself.
Asagiri was definitely right, Chuuya is a character that generates so much inspiration and a longer novel such as this one is definitely necessary. Even more so, it opens up more topics and curiosity regarding Chuuya.
so much more i want to say but i am still very much awestruck by the whole ending and i need to process this more but gosh it was beautiful and painful
The sheer rawness and humanity (!) of Chuuya's character is so beautifully written and emphasized - I found myself underlining a description or line from him every few minutes. The conversations between characters, where their underlying philosophies are seen (which is one of the strongest points for me when it comes to BSD) are also beautifully done. With a special emphasis onto Chuuya's conversations with Verlaine, Adam, Dazai and The Flags. The subtle parallels made between characters, how Chuuya is shown in parallel to both human and non-human characters, how he ends up accepting each parts of himself.
Asagiri was definitely right, Chuuya is a character that generates so much inspiration and a longer novel such as this one is definitely necessary. Even more so, it opens up more topics and curiosity regarding Chuuya.
so much more i want to say but i am still very much awestruck by the whole ending and i need to process this more but gosh it was beautiful and painful
October 24, 2025
ueueueueueue (the sound of crying) im so. Yeah. emotional dmg was dealt. and a whole lot of it. this was fantastic, the plot and characters, the character development chuuya went through and the bits of his personality you couldnt see before. this was just everything to me, absolutely wonderful, asagiri truly never disappoints
March 23, 2023
"Asagiri, what’s wrong with you?" - we love self awareness 🥰
"a good thing about the afterword is no matter how angry you are and demand I apologize, you’ll never be able to physically touch me" - Don't be so sure about it.
Asagiri, you genius little nerd.
When was the last time, when you felt happy in your life and why was it "never"?
"a good thing about the afterword is no matter how angry you are and demand I apologize, you’ll never be able to physically touch me" - Don't be so sure about it.
Asagiri, you genius little nerd.
When was the last time, when you felt happy in your life and why was it "never"?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews