The character Osamu Dazai from Bungo Stray Dogs acts as the secondary protagonist after Atsushi Nakajima and is a member of the Armed Detective Agency. Cheerful and a quick-thinker, Dazai also has quite the dark past that is revealed throughout the series. He is one of the many characters shrouded in mystery in the beginning, and he’s perhaps the hardest one to figure out.
Although the second and third season delves into Dazai’s past, there are still a lot of things fans might not know about the suicidal fanatic. Here are ten facts you may not have known about Osamu Dazai.
Updated on August 6th, 2021 by Kit Morris: Osamu Dazai is one of the most important characters in the franchise, with many things happening that wouldn’t have if he wasn’t a member of the Armed Detective Agency or the Port Mafia (depending on the time period). Because of this, there are a lot more than just ten things that some fans may not know about him, so here are an additional five facts about Dazai that weren’t included in the original list.
15 His Ability Is Always Active
Osamu, or more widely-known by his last name Dazai in the Bungo Stray Dogs universe, has one of the strongest abilities in the series. It is called “No Longer Human” and is named after the world-famous book written by the author that the character is based on. This ability allows him to nullify any ability by touching the person who is using it.
Although he can still be hurt utilizing poison or weapons, this makes Dazai impenetrable to foes. Also, since he only needs to touch an ability user to cancel out their use of it, it is always active.
14 His Past With Fyodor Dostoyevsky Is A Reference To The Book “No Longer Human”
Fyodor Dostoyevsky first made his debut in the theatrical release Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple. The interactions between Dazai and Fyodor are linked to their past with one another. The author that Fyodor Dostoyevsky was named after wrote the book Crime and Punishment, and this is also Fydor’s ability in Bungo Stray Dogs.
Within the book No Longer Human, the protagonist Oba recalled reading Crime and Punishment and was effected by the book, which was a pivotal point.
13 He Is Often Used For Comic Relief
This is one of the reasons why some fans do not know how to feel about Dazai. At the beginning of Bungo Stray Dogs, Dazai is flowing down a river and tells Atsushi he interrupted him from dying, as he was trying to drown. However, he truly does have suicidal tendencies, as shown in the tensest times in Bungo Stray Dogs.
He speaks about it with a smile, which is more problematic than humorous. However, as time progresses, this comic relief becomes more reasonable as we discover his past.
12 He Was Designed To Contrast Atsushi
Kafka Asagiri, the author of Bungo Stray Dogs, went through a lot of trials to model his characters on various real-life Japanese and foreign authors. The authors the characters in the series are based on are not only Japanese writers but Americans such as Margaret Mitchell, who wrote Gone With The Wind, or Russians such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, who wrote Crime and Punishment.
Unlike Atsushi, who wished to live no matter what it took but was too kind, Dazai was meant to be disliked for his attempts at suicide and humorous personality.
11 He Made A Cameo In Eureka Seven: Hi-Evolution
Osamu Dazai is not only a real-life world-famous author, but he is also popular in animation because of Bungo Stray Dogs. He became so popular that BONES, the studio that animated the original Eureka Seven: Psalms of Planets and Bungo Stray Dogs, decided to have some fun and add him in a scene.
There was a scene where a character was reading a book named “No Longer Human” with Dazai on the cover of the book. Two of the Eureka Seven: Hi-Evolution films were released on September 16, 2017 and November 10, 2018.
10 His Type Is Any Woman Who Will Die Together With Him
Dazai has a complicated life, but even more of a complicated love life. While he speaks of self harm as if it is the best thing in the world, he seems to have a knack for trying to find the right woman. There is one problem: He will take any woman who will commit double-suicide with him.
This is not only a trait for the fictional character, as the real Osamu Dazai attempted to committed double-suicide with his first wife, Hatsuyo, after it was discovered she committed adultery with his best friend, Zenshiro Kodate. Ultimately, he died by drowning in the Tamagawa Canal together with a different woman, Tomie Yamazaki.
9 His Character References Various Books
Throughout Bungo Stray Dogs, Dazai as a character references many instances of the real-life Osamu Dazai’s life. As well as using the book No Longer Human as his ability that nullifies every other ability, his past with Fydor Dostoyevsky references Crime and Punishment.
In the film Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple, this really comes into view, as they frequently reference other literature.
8 He Is Horrible At Driving
Most of the cases for the Armed Detective Agency are dangerous affairs, as they work with the police to stop various crimes. Sometimes, they get in trouble and have to run away from ability users or danger, but Dazai should in no way be the one driving.
As seen in an episode of Bungo Stray Dogs, Dazai usually leaves the driving to his partner, Doppo Kunikida. Even he mentioned that Dazai is too reckless when he drives.
7 He Truly Used To Be Suicidal
There was an arc of Bungo Stray Dogs that was called The Dark Era. During this time, Dazai was a part of Port Mafia and was 15-years-old. Unlike the current time, Dazai used to be more cruel, cold, and truly wished to die.
He even willingly took shots without flinching. The only reason he did not fully take his life is that Ogai Mori, his doctor and the leader of Port Mafia, invited him.
6 He Was The Youngest Executive In Port Mafia History
During the Dark Era of Bungo Stray Dogs, fans discover Dazai’s past in-depth. It turns out Dazai was the youngest executive in Port Mafia history at 15-years-old.
He was shown to be cold and ruthless, as he once killed a person and continued to shoot him after he was dead. Although Dazai is now cheerful and speaks of dark things with a smile, he can sometimes show old tendencies to enemies he hates, old acquaintances, or Port Mafia members.
5 He Was The Reason Chuya Joined The Port Mafia
Before learning much about Dazai’s past, fans knew that he and Chuya, one of the most beloved characters from the Port Mafia, had history. In the third season, they learned that Dazai played a role in making Chuya a member of the Port Mafia.
If he and Chuya never interacted, then one of Dazai’s greatest rivals never would have been in his life, showing that it may have been best if he decided to leave the Port Mafia sooner.
4 Oda’s Last Wish Inspired Him To Join The Agency
Another member of the Port Mafia that Dazai was close to was Oda. In fact, they were best friends. Oda was introduced in the second season, and though he died in just a few episodes later, he made a huge impact in Dazai’s life.
He told Dazai as he died that he should try to be a good person and help people, inspiring him to become a member of the Agency.
3 He Is A Playable Character In A Video Game
Fans of Bungo Stray Dogs are very familiar with the anime, manga, and light novels, seeing as how they are the three most popular adaptations of the series. However, many don’t know about the mobile game, Bungo Stray Dogs: Tales of the Lost.
In it, players can control many characters in the series, with Dazai and Atsushi being the first two that are playable.
2 His Enemies Knew Him More Than His Friends Did
The reason why Dazai was such a mysterious character in the beginning of the series is that he kept his past as an executive of the Port Mafia a secret from the Agency. They were shocked to learn the truth when they finally found out.
Even though Dazai cared more about his friends in the Agency than his former comrades from the Port Mafia, they didn’t know him nearly as much as characters like Chuya and Oda did.
1 He Is A Great Teacher
Though he can be quite humorous and has a dark past, Dazai is also a great teacher. He’s helped Atsushi become the hero he is by being a mentor for him.
Dazai has also helped other characters, including people from the Port Mafia, become stronger, and if it weren’t for his teaching skills, neither the Agency nor the Port Mafia would have become as powerful as they are.
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