Bsd Dazai - Blog Posts

People thinking Atsushi is just a cute lil soft boy are so WRONG.

Atsushi is one of the best executed C-PTSD protagonists who are not just "kind" because they are the MC.

Atsushi is sassy, he is mean and says things like they are, even to his own mentor Dazai, he is not afraid of saying bad things. He doesn't hold back on his words. And he can be quite quick when it comes to using sass ("are you a landmower?" "Why are you dressed like a half-finished mummy, Dazai-san" "Akutagawa, fancy a cup of tea?" "That's why Dazai-san left you")

He's not just nice. He thinks he should be nice and kind because that's what someone like him should be like. Atsushi has such a low self esteem that he NEEDS to show kindness to everyone because he thinks just like he got a second chance at life, everyone else deserves it too.

That's why he saved Kyouka and Lucy, he recognised that want for bettering themselves in them. He wanted them to get a second chance like he did. Because to him, people are not good or bad, but they have the ability to change no matter how far they have gone.

This is why Atsushi is the only one who can recognise and understand Dazai's true personality. Whenever Dazai says something self depreciating Atsushi ALWAYS corrects him. In Dead Apple when Dazai is visiting Oda's grave, Atsushi understands whoever this person was, they were very dear to Dazai. At the end of Dead Apple when Dazai says he thinks he's not a good person, Atsushi tells him he has never thought of Dazai not being a good person. Atsushi knows Dazai was in the Port Mafia, but he STILL confirms he sees Dazai as a good person regardless of his past. Because Atsushi believes in second chances, and HE gave the second chance to Dazai that Oda must have wanted Dazai to get, even if the ADA accepted Dazai, no one has ever reassured him being a good person before. (Also in BSD wan, when Dazai says "I want to go out beautifully" during the fireworks scene, in the end-credits Atsushi sits near the river the entire day because he was sad that Dazai was suicidal. And in BSD mayoi, Dazai makes a snowman of Atsushi along with Oda, Ango and Chuuya, showing how much he adored Atsushi)

It's the same with Akutagawa; Atsushi doesn't understand why Akutagawa hates him and he's mean to Akutagawa at times but it never crossed a line. Akutagawa had done so many bad things to Atsushi but at the end they still worked together. Because Dazai understood the only person who will make Akutagawa use his powers to "protect" instead of "attack" is Atsushi. During the ending fight in S3, Akutagawa makes an armour for Atsushi as they combine their powers. And in the end credit scene of S5, we see Akutagawa protecting Atsushi AGAIN. This time Akutagawa isn't wearing the same coat Dazai gave him and for the first time shows true loyalty to Atsushi. ("Just the two of us?" "Do we need more?" *SCREAMS*)

Atsushi's relationship with the headmaster of the orphanage shows how much the trauma affected him as a child. When he can't forgive the headmaster at his death, he hates himself for not being able to give a second chance. And that's when Dazai steps in and tells him, "we cry when our father dies" something Atsushi really needs to hear and he finally cries.

Atsushi reassures Dazai all the time and Dazai snaps Atsushi out of his self depreciation all the time. Their solidarity throughout the story, shows why that day when Dazai chose Atsushi for the ADA; he recognised not Atsushi's powerful ability but his true ability in choosing to believe in people when no one else can.

The fact Chuuya calls Akutagawa "my boy Akutagawa" is not only sweet on his part but also SALTY towards Dazai?

Like Chuuya saw this kid getting treated like that by Dazai and decided "no no no, HE'S MINE"

The background friendship of Akutagawa and Chuuya will always be heartwarming to me. And this is completely in character for Chuuya, he has shown affection to Kenji, Elise and Q (in the manga, anthology, official arts, etc.)

Sure Atsushi can be Dazai's favourite, but Akutagawa is Chuuya's, always.

*Highschool AU*

**Dazai**

*swarmed by his fangirls/boys*

Girl: Dazai-senpai, I really like you 💖

Others: meee toooo

Dazai: I think you are very pretty too~

Girl: would you go out with meee?

Dazai: *omg I am so popular, omg I am so loved, omg so cute juniors, omg I can't---*

Dazai: how about we meet up at----

Atsushi, dragging Dazai out of the place: Dazai-san not this again!!! Chuuya-san's been watching you out of that window

Dazai: H-He was?? Atsushi....can you hide me somewhere, I might die---

Girl: omg omg do you think Atsushi's the one senpai's dating?

Girl #2: why is it ALWAYS Atsushi taking the good ones?

Girl: I think it's cuteee

************************************

**Chuuya**

Girl: I l-like you, Chuuya-senpai

Chuuya: *not this again* I am sorry, I am not interested in dating

Girl: a-are you dating someone?

Chuuya: *there's no way I will admit I am dating that bandaged freak* NO

Girl: then do you like someone?

Chuuya: I guess so...

Atsushi: *walking outside the class*

Chuuya: *yes I can excuse myself now* hey Atsushi, wait for me!!!, sorry I gotta go

Girl: WHAT WHAT THE FUCK ATSUSHI AGAIN? IS HE COMPETITING AGAINST ME?

*later*

Girl: did you know Chuuya-senpai is in unrequited love with Atsushi

Girl #2: Atsushi really has it all huh?

************************************

**Akutagawa**

Girl: Akutagawa-senpai, I...I...

Akutagawa, staring into space:....

Girl: I like you...eh..I.

Akutagawa: sorry, I am dating someone

Girl: woah...I didn't know-who is it?

Akutagawa:....my pet

Atsushi, listening to this: hey, I am not a pet!

Dazai: you are like a cat, a pet cat!!! Hehe

*later*

Girl: I got rejected again

Girl #2: did you know I saw Akutagawa-senpai and Atsushi walking holding hands!

Girl: ATSUSHI AGAIN!!!

Girl #2: maybe you should try Gin-chan

************************************

Atsushi: why are you all following me?

Girl: teach us your ways

Girl #2: how do you do it? Catch em'all?

Atsushi: what

(after studying seriously for a month and still being aggressively average as usual I am back to Tumblr)

✨ My BSD hot takes/unpopular opinions ✨:

1. Identifying BSD characters as Queer, is not problematic. STOP being so Heteronormative. Gay characters are not gonna kill you.

If I see another "BuT tHe ChArAcTeRs nEvEr SaId tHeY aRe GaY" I would bomb you 💣/j

2. Skk/SSKK/Fyolai/other popular ships, exist because people like it. If you don't ship them, don't engage with their content. Not all shippers act crazy and toxic. Stop blaming everything on shippers.

3. Atsushi/Kyouka is problematic, stop justifying it with "only 4 year age gap". Kyouka is a CHILD, ship her with Kenji if you want. Atsushi, like a normal 18 year old would never look at a highschool freshman and date her. Even if they date in the future, he knew her when she was younger and they had a sibling like dynamic. Lucy is a way better love interest to Atsushi (Don't know if this is an unpopular opinion tho, but I saw some people justifying it 😐😐😐)

4. DAZAI IS NOT EVIL. HE IS FAR FROM EVIL. He is, despite being super popular and the face of BSD, the most mischaracterized and villified character. Morally grey characters exist??!!!

5. Mori is a way worse person than Dazai ever was.

6. PM members get a free pass for any heinous crime they commit by being hot or babygirl-ified (still love them tho, we do not often discuss how bad their actions have been, you can like criminals and acknowledge they are criminals in fiction. I would add DoA to this too, but it's worse with the PM)

7. Akutagawa's abuse of Kyouka shouldn't be forgotten just because Dazai abused Akutagawa.

8. Mori emotionally manipulated and abused Dazai when he was a teen. Just because it wasn't physical, doesn't mean it was nothing.

9. Atsushi is NOT a soft boy, he is way bitter, salty and sarcastic than we give him credit

10. Poe is important to Ranpo and their friendship/relationship is wholesome as hell

11. Ranpo and Yosano's friendship is way better than them being in a relationship in the future

12. FukuFuku is better than Fukumori (imo!!!!)

13. Buying real authors work after watching BSD is actually a really good thing, since more Gen z kids (or other people) will read classics

14. There are layers to Atsushi and Akutagawa relationship/rivalry, and they have the MOST important relationship (not meaning romantic, just in general) in the entire canon.

15. Kunikida and Yosano could be a power couple

16. Fyodor is not a great villain (yet)

17. Nikolai CARRIES the DoA

18. Sigma shouldn't be in the ADA, he needs a happy home, family and some time to adjust to normal life

19. Q and Elise are both underused characters and could become a great dynamic

20. Ango deserves more love, the amount of pressure and stress he deals with is INSANE

21. It's OKAY if everyone joins the fandom for Dazai or skk (I did at first too!!)

22. Higuchi is annoying as hell. I do not get her hype, I like her but not as much as most people (just personal opinion, do not flame me 😭)

23. Everyone in The Guild is forgettable or boring (except Fitzgerald, Poe and Lucy. I like Louisa, but I forget her all the time)

24. Hetero ships are just not that great/interesting in BSD to me 🤷🏻‍♀️ (except maybe AtsuLucy or rare pairs) and female characters are not best utilised, I wish they play more major roles (can't wait for Agatha to arrive!!)

25. Some fan theories/arts get the story better than "canon" stuff at times. Fanon is NOT always the worst (sometimes enjoyable when the canon gets too dark or sad)

26. Toxic ships are okay in fiction as long as they are legal. Humans like toxic things, we consume it like junk food 💅🏻

(These are all personal opinions of mine and do not matter. Feel free to disagree. But, do not hate or be toxic!!!! 😇😇😇😇)

(PS: I compiled all these because of posts I have seen in, Reddit, Pinterest, Twitter and sometimes Tiktok. These aren't really abt you Tumblr folks. I meant to post this on reddit but did not have the courage or mental strength lol)

*Kunikida calls Atsushi*

Atsushi: hello? Kunikida-san....what's up?

Kunikida: do you know where Dazai is? He left before doing any paperwork

Atsushi, *staring at Dazai and Kyouka eating shaved ice on the dining table*: no? Do I?

Kunikida *sighs*: are you asking me or answering the question?

Atsushi: I am sure.. he'll show up....one day

Kunikida: eh...fine. If you see him tell him to get his ass back to the office

*phone cuts*

Atsushi: Dazai-san! Look! I had to lie to Kunikida-san because of YOU

Dazai: awww you are such a nice person Atsushi!

Atsushi *rolling his eyes*: how did you even get my keys? The door was locked? Did you give him, Kyouka-chan?

Kyouka: *shakes her head*

Dazai: oh, I have a copy of your keys 😄

Atsushi: what.😨

Dazai: what?

Atsushi: HOW DID YOU GET MY KEYS?

Dazai: I made a copy of them before you got this apartment 😄

Atsushi: 😐😐😐😐

Dazai: ah don't worry, I have the keys of all the people I care about. Here's Chuuya's, I kept them with me all these years....

Atsushi: HOW WILL I NOT WORRY AFTER KNOWING THAT----

*Akutagawa and Atsushi fighting*

Dazai: *playing "Kiss Kiss Fall in Love" in the background*

....................................

Atsushi: I really HATE Akutagawa

Dazai: you mean you love him?

Atsushi: no.

....................................

Akutagawa: jinko gets on my nerves and my mind 24/7

Dazai: so you like him

Akutagawa: no.

....................................

Dazai saves Chuuya's number as "My financial help" because he borrows/steals a LOT of money from Chuuya. And one day Atsushi reads the call ID accidentally when Dazai is on phone and talking to Chuuya, and Atsushi only sees "My finance", which his brain interprets as "My fiancè".

And......

Atsushi with flowers: Congratulations, Chuuya-san on your engagement. I guess you are keeping it low-key now 😄

Chuuya, confused: what?

Dazai, gasps: woah Chuuya you are engaged? Who is it?

Atsushi: Oh come Dazai-san, you can't lie to me. You and Chuuya-san are getting married

Chuuya: WHAT???😨

Dazai: did you hear that Chuuya? We are getting married!!!!🥰

Yosano: congrats you two 🍷

Kunikida: at least tell your colleagues about your marital status...

Kyouka: I have to tell Ane-san this, she will be furious

Kenji: a wedding in the agency!!!! I'll bring a cow for the dinner!

Junichiro: I can't believe you two went through with it! Congratulations!

Ranpo: Will there be a huge cake in the wedding? Or else I won't come 🍭

Fukuzawa: does Mori know about this?

Chuuya: WE ARE NOT GETTING MARRIED. WHERE DID THIS COME FROM

Dazai: Chuuya now this is peer pressure, we HAVE to get married 😚

Chuuya: WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SO CHIPPY

*ten years later*

Dazai: Thank you Atsushi-kun for getting Chuuya to marry me

Atsushi: Dazai-san, you two have divorced three times by now

Dazai: Fourth time's the charm!!!

(nope I am gonna ignore the new chapter 116, didn't see it, totally)

These are some other ships I found (mostly from shipping fandom)

Special mention to Ranpo x Yosano, I do not ship them and only consider them platonic (Kunisano is better for me!) and Akuhigu which I also don't ship because I seriously don't see it at all, although I still consider it underrated.

I tried to add ships here that I personally consider underrated which means it's a completely subjective opinion/choices!

Any other ships you like, you can comment down!!!

Ps: THANK YOU GUYS FOR MAKING DANPO WIN I LOVE THIS FANDOM

*after Dazai left PM*

Mori: hello, Dazai-kun, this is just too much. Come back to your job RIGHT NOW

Dazai: I am sorry! The old Dazai can't come to the phone right now

Mori: why???!!

Dazai: why?

Dazai: oh.....cuz he's dead. *cuts the phone*

Mori: why is the little menace so dramatic?

Mori: I guess he will come back when he is out of money and hungry...

Ps: he never came back

Dazai: psk psk...Atsushi-kun....show me your paper

Atsushi: I can't! I don't want to get caught!

Dazai: oh come on! I don't even know these squiggly lines, is this English? Who the fuck uses cursive?

Ranpo: I am not even answering these questions, I am too smart for this

Yosano: if you are not answering, whom will I copy from?

Dazai: Can anyone help me? I don't even know what subject this is!

Akutagawa: I'll help you Dazai-san, take my paper

Dazai: NOT YOU Akutagawa!

Akutagawa: *sad Akutagawa noises*

Higuchi: don't worry, Akutagawa Senpai! I will look at your answers!

Akutagawa: NOT YOU Higuchi

Higuchi: *sad Higuchi noises*

Gin: those are some nice drawings Tachihara!

Tachihara: thanks, I can't write answers, might as well doodle

Chuuya, diligently writing answers: CAN YOU ALL SHUT THE FUCK UP?

Kunikida, hitting Chuuya with a duster: Negative five points to Nakahara for cheating

Chuuya: WTF I WASN'T EVEN----

Kunikida: make it ten

Dazai: *laughing in the back*

Kunikida: and a Negative 100 for Dazai

Atsushi: that means he will get a 0?

Ranpo: looking at his answers, he is probably gonna get a -110, ten marks cut for bad handwriting

(I thought of this headcanon last night, Kunikida, as a former teacher gives the ADA and PM joint night tutoring classes. I didn't add the Tanazaki's cuz since they are highschoolers, they haven't missed basic education, hopefully)

(yes, Yosano is a Dr. and all, but is she a medical professional for real or they call her that because she is a healer? IDK?)

"Who's afraid of little old me?" is sooo Dazai coded 💖 🩶 🖤 🤍

Atsushi: I don't know why you look up to Dazai-san of all people?

Akutagawa: why shouldn't I? He is a genius

Atsushi: well, he doesn't eat his vegetables

Akutagawa: what....

Atsushi: he naps during work hours, doesn't do his paperwork and spends most of his time making elaborate plans to annoy Kunikida-san

Akutagawa: you don't know him, he is the Port Mafia's demon prodigy, his ruthlessness and capabilities have no limits,the greatest, youngest, Port Mafia executive that's ever-----

Dazai: Atsushi-kun~

Atsushi: what is it now?

Dazai: I got stuck in the oil barrel again! And I mixed some random pills I found in the drawer. My head hurts, I think I need your help in doing my paperwork today~

Atsushi: why don't you do it in the afternoon?

Dazai: I am hosting a tea party for Ranpo-san, Kenji-kun and Kyouka-chan!

Akutagawa: .....

Atsushi, rolling his eyes: Yeah. Ruthless and capable my ass!

*after dinner*

Atsushi, confused: what are you doing Ryuu?

Akutagawa: planting the tails of shrimps to grow them into new ones

Atsushi: h-how is that possible?

Akutagawa: Dazai-san taught me this, it is going to work, you will see.

Atsushi: you can't believe him he was ly---

Chuuya, shuts Atsushi's mouth: don't say things that will discourage a child and stop their imagination

Atsushi: but he is just wasting his time!

Chuuya, shaking his head: let him experiment and find the truth out himself, it's a learning experience for him.

Atsushi: w-where are you going now?

Chuuya: to beat the shit out of Dazai

Atsushi: understandable.

*Atsushi got drunk during a new year's party*

Atsushi: I have been here for some time now. And all this time I have been repressing my feelings to not hurt anyone. But I want to speak my mind today

Dazai: cheers! Atsushi-kun! Say whatever you want, no-one would stop you

Atsushi, coughs: ahem ahem...okay. Kunikida-San, you were a math teacher. BOOM ROASTED

Kunikida: *spit's his drink out*

Atsushi: Dazai-san, you have 1000 ex's, nobody wants to stay with you. BOOM ROASTED.

Dazai, chuckles: that was a good one

Atsushi: Chuuya-san, you are 5'3. BOOM ROASTED.

Chuuya: WHAT THE FUCK YOU SAID KID?

Dazai: this is hilarious

Atsushi: Akutagawa, you look like a malnourished Victorian child who likes hot-topic. BOOM ROASTED.

Akutagawa: Jinko, when I get to you!

Atsushi: Ranpo-san, you are a glorified man-child. BOOM ROASTED.

Ranpo, eating dino nuggies: I won't deny

Atsushi: Yosano-sensei....you literally save our lives, I can't say anything bad about you

Yosano: awwww

Chuuya: that's a bit unfair!

Atsushi: Poe-san, you are a simp. BOOM ROASTED.

Poe, watching everything hiding behind a door: y-you actually noticed me, I am flattered!

Atsushi, takes a deep breath: Fukuzawa-san....you spend most of the ADA budget on cat food. I actually agree with that.

Fukuzawa: *nods gravely*

Atsushi: and...Junichiro-kun....you and your sister....do I have to say it? You two are fuc---

Kunikida, drags Atsushi out of the room: that was enough drinking for you!!!!!

*the next morning*

Dazai: I didn't know you had all of this sass inside you!!! That was amazing. You should do it more~

Atsushi, horrified, hiding his face:......I SAID WHAT????

*Dazai, Chuuya and Sigma on their way back to Japan*

Chuuya: what the fuck were you doing with that anemic son of bitch? Can't you stop flirting with ANYONE you see for five minutes?

Dazai, gasping: how could I ever cheat on you? I would never do that, I was only entertaining him for our plan to work~

Chuuya: AND WHY WERE YOU CONFESSING YOUR LOVE TO ME? THAT'S DISGUSTING. THAT'S SICK

Dazai: Chuuya....we are literally in a relationship

Chuuya: I never said I took you back since you left!

Dazai: then why do you get mad when I flirt with other people?

Chuuya: I feel bad for them. I pity them for dealing with you!!!

Dazai: you are breaking my heart right now Chuuya, have a little mercy~

Sigma, in a corner fiddling with his fingers: I wish I was still unconscious....

⚠️ SPOILERS CHAPTER 113 ⚠️

.

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WTF DID I JUST READ? WHAT WAS THAT!

Let me just organise my thoughts:

The old men Yaoi was expected but it still killed me

The last panel was so chilling and traumatic with Aya's cheerful words and Fukuzawa's expression 😭

Why wasn't Fukuzawa holding Fukuchi in his arms????

SIGMA IS ALIVVVEE

WHERE IS NIKOLAI? Did he go to bury Fyodor's hand or smtg?

FYODOR AND BRAM HAVE HISTORY

So that MF is immortal or really really old or smtg

There's NO way an immortal being like Fyodor dies by a helicopter falling on him!

Before dying (allegedly) Fyodor had mentioned "that man" as his rival before Dazai, could it be Bram? 🤔

Bram serving as usual 💅

Sigma looked like Sleeping Beauty (maybe you should have kissed the Princess instead of throwing him down 15 times Chuuya 🙄)

Fyodor has more Jesus allegories

Dazai wasn't in Fukuzawa's thoughts about the ADA..... maybe he is going to transfer to PM and the reason Chuuya was sent to rescue him was because they were going back to Mori together

NO AKUTAGAWA UPDATE (come on this was his birthday week 🥺)

CHUUYA LOST HIS VAMPIRE TEETH AHHH

WTF IS FYODOR? WTH IS GOING ON WITH HIM

I have so many more thoughts but mostly-----I really want to track down Asagiri to ask him wtf is going on here

I can't understand anything

I'll go and watch some yt shorts

This is all too much for my brain to process (I understand Sigma now)

After Dazai is back in the ADA, he moves in with Atsushi and Kyouka for some time to heal his injuries.

They become really close with each other during that time. Watching movies together, going to amusement parks where Kyouka dries their wallets eating ice-cream and crepes, having hot pot, Oden and Chasuke almost every day to soothe their souls.

Dazai gets better immediately but he still pretends to be sick because he likes this little family they have made and he had never truly been a part of something like this before. A relationship where he doesn't have to worry about making plans and schemes. He can just relax with the kids and forget he has any problems or issues for some time.

Atsushi and Kyouka find Dazai eccentric with his bad dad jokes and some surprisingly good advice; he has a big personality but that balances their introversion and makes them more open. His presence is comforting to them.

In the end none of them ever speak about Dazai moving out and they just go on with their dangerous lives, knowing they can go back in the night to a place called home.

Dazai: do you guys ever think about dying?

Kyouka: sometimes

Atsushi: can we not talk about that at 2 AM when we are trying to sleep?

Dazai: I was just wondering how it will be like after death

Kyouka: I think death is better than torture

Dazai: do you remember the Port Mafia torture method where they half kill you to make you face death and then make you beg for your lives?

Kyouka: the one with the barrels? I think hanging upside down is much worse...

Atsushi: can we stop fucking talking about THIS and go to SLEEP????

Dazai, gasping: how can you swear in front of Kyouka-chan! That gives her bad manners!

Atsushi: YEAH, you two can talk about fucking dying and torture, but I can't swear? You've gotta be shitting me.

Dazai: ......

Kyouka: yeah, Atsushi swears a lot when he is mad. He learnt that in the orphanage

I genuinely believe the reason Dazai wants to protect Atsushi at all cost is because he has grown to care for him. It's not even because of Oda's promise or because of the huge bounty on Atsushi or even his big bad final boss plan for the future. He sees a little bit of himself in Atsushi, or more likely, the version of him that could have existed if he wasn't fucked up since he was a child.

Dazai admires Atsushi for the person he is, something he himself could never become.

Atsushi is someone innocent, naive, good at heart and caring. Someone that changes other people through his kindness and love. Someone who has gone through so many horrific things and still retains his humanity.

At this point Dazai has completely accepted his love (platonic) for Atsushi and his entire mission hinges on that.

(PS: really sorry if any other got left out, I was writing these on top of my head so I don't know if there's more. Feel free to comment if you know any other siblings/sibling-ish dynamic I left out!)

*1:00 Am, Lupin Bar, Dark Era*

Dazai: are blind dates made for blind people?~

Oda:.......*stare*

Ango: of course not, Dazai. You know that already! It's for people who meet up without seeing or knowing each other

Dazai: is a group date considered an orgy?~

Oda:........*stare*

Ango: WTF. No. Why are you asking that? How much have you drunk?

Dazai: what about host clubs, are they a front for prosti---

Ango:-----not another word. What is wrong with you kid?

Oda:.........*stare*

Dazai: I thought I could ask you for romantic advice and some knowledge on the adult world~

Ango: these are not questions about romantic advice. Why are you asking us about it? And Oda are you gonna say anything or are you too drunk to?

Oda, dozing off:........

Dazai: I asked you two because you two are dating, right! Who else would I ask, except a couple in love~

Ango: WE ARE NOT DATING

Oda, opening his eyes:.........*stare*

Ango, massaging his temples: Oda don't stare at me like that and Dazai for the love of God stop laughing!!!!!

I have a headcanon that Kunikida ounce ran into Port Mafia Skk when he was in highschool. He saw them commit extortion or some illegal shit but he couldn't understand what they were trying to do (he thought they were doing a student film). And Dazai and Chuuya decided they can't let a witness roam free so they try to intimidate Kunikida.

Chuuya, holding bullets: where do you think you are going brat?

Dazai, pointing a gun at Kunikida: my my you look like you are in a hurry, not for long~

Kunikida, raises his hands: okay, this is getting too in character, I won't interrupt your shoot. Let me go.

Chuuya: what are you talking about? The only thing we will shoot is YOU

Kunikida: hey, hey....what is a little kid like you doing with bullets!

Chuuya: WHO THE FUCK YOU CALLED A LITTLE KID, BITCH?

Dazai: calm down, Chuuya. He's not wrong

Chuuya: wipe that smug smile off your stupid face, Shithead

Dazai: I think you need a timeout Chuuya. You are being very naughty today!

*Kunikida watching them having arguments*

Kunikida: hey, guys. Please let me go. I have class in two minutes, it's my final year, I have entrance exams to study for

Chuuya: wait...you go to school?

Kunikida:....yes?

Dazai: how is it like?

Kunikida: it's good for me, since I am the student council president and the top student but for most people it's terrible

Dazai: I wonder what it's like, to go to a normal school...

Kunikida: who doesn't go to a school?

*Chuuya and Dazai have a discussion between themselves*

Chuuya: we are letting you go on one condition, you won't tell what happened here to any one.

Kunikida: I don't even know what's happening here but sure, I won't open my mouth. Can I go? I am late!

Dazai: enjoy the freedom my friend, as long as you can

Kunikida, on his way to school: what the fuck just happened

They all forget what happened that day because of more important things that came next. But one day Kunikida witnesses Dazai and Chuuya having an argument and he gets deja vu, as if he has heard those same things before......

(most of the characters didn't have a normal childhood and that will forever haunt me~)

Dazai: We're like a big happy family! And I am the dad, and Kunikida's the mom!

Kunikida: why am I the mom? What gender roles are we pushing here?

Atsushi: I know they are probably thinking I am the son. But I am not. I will be the gay emo cousin.

Junichiro: I will be the son, that hotshot whose only dream is...to be a star✨

Ranpo: I feel like I'll be a fresh out of jail uncle

Yosano: and I am the sassy aunt, who talks shit about everyone

BSD and Shipping

Since Valentine's day was coming I was interested in discussing a huge part of the BSD fandom: Shipping

( ⚠️ RANT INCOMING. DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED ABOUT OPINIONS ON SHIPPING. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS IN COMMENTS AND REBLOGS. ⚠️)

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So where to start?

For a long time I have been noticing one specific trend in the BSD subreddit. And that are posts that talk about unpopular opinions/Headcanons/fav or least fav ships etc.

What I find interesting about these posts is that one thing is always in the forefront, and it's the debates about the sexualities of the characters in BSD. While Headcanons can be annoying and some people do push their opinions on others, there is nuance that is lacking in the community when discussing some topics. Finding posts about Mori being a pedo and how Dazai is unlikable or overrated is very easy and the discussions surrounding topics like that are always the same. People would pick sides and end up writing a lot about what their opinion is and while that's valid, it also ends up in fandom wars where it's hard to like or dislike something without your head being in the chopping block.

Now let's go to the original topic: shipping. To examine the environment of shipping culture in BSD fandom we have to start with the headcanons that people have adopted for sexualities of the characters.

1. THE PROBLEM WITH HETRO-NORMATIVITY

Now, the posts about shipping often contain a lot of people writing paragraphs and paragraphs about what ships they like or dislike.

One of the ships that takes the most bullets for its existence and popularity is Soukoku or Shin Soukoku. There are lots of comments about these ships that "remind" us that canonically Dazai, Chuuya, Atsushi and Akutagawa are all straight. They should not be shipped with each other because they are straight.....

Dazai flirts with women and wants to commit a double suicide with a beautiful woman. Atsushi is very clearly set up to end up with Lucy. Akutagawa couldn't care less about romance as we see how dismissive he is with Higuchi. And Chuuya.......wears fashionable outfits and has a slutty waist, but we won't comment on that.

Dazai and Chuuya have a lot of queer subtext that anyone can see. Akutagawa and Atsushi are pointed out to complete each other and complement each other several times. These ships don't exist out of thin air.

Now there is nothing WRONG with anyone having the headcanon of any of these (or any other) characters to be straight, after all we are not given enough information about their sexualities. But by stating "Dazai is straight, he likes women" or "this ship doesn't make sense because they are not gay" not only does it imply that characters can't have other preferences but also that being straight is the default, which it isn't.

This is coming from a straight woman from a very conservative country where we don't have exposure to queer media. It took me a long time to stop being so heteronormative. I think assuming someone is straight until they prove to you or tell you directly is just as bad and as assuming someone is gay. I think we have come far along as a community to understand that it shouldn't be our first instinct to assume everything is heterosexual until we get some sort of proof or stamp of approval from its creator.

Asagiri isn't going to stand up in a stage in front of the world and say "yeah Dazai and Chuuya have gay feelings for eachother" because the manga is from Japan. If there were explicit queer characters then BSD would no longer get the label of being universal because of certain censorship laws. Even if it's getting more acceptable in Japan to show queer characters in manga and anime, BSD isn't a romance or slice of life story. It's a seinen, not a BL/GL. Besides, Asagiri shows little to no interest in romantic relationships in his story.

So by saying "______ character is straight because we don't have any other information proving otherwise " isn't a valid excuse to tell shippers not to ship certain characters, it's making it seem like heterosexuality is the default state of being.

That also doesn't mean you can say "Dazai is gay, don't ship him with women" because that's the same thing. If you think Dazai is gay/bi/pan/etc. then that's your opinion, pushing that on others only worsens the rep of skk shippers especially.

You have the right to like or dislike certain ships or have your own Headcanons. This is why even feminising certain characters also isn't as problematic as people call it. It's just a different take on a character (but that time people were correcting those who called Sigma a "he" instead of "they" was genuinely wrong). Headcanons of some random online stranger doesn't make anything canon. So if you find yourself around annoying people like that, just leave the conversation.

2. WHY SUBTEXT MATTERS

Subtext is really important when discussing media; in case of BSD whether it is the anime, manga, anthologies or LNs. BSD is not new to subtext, even from the start of the story there is a lot of queer subtext that people can figure out easily.

When we are introduced to Dazai and Chuuya's partnership in the first season, it's clear as day to see the dynamic and its underlying tension. We can see how close those two are that their relationship can't be explained just as simple partners turned enemies. Time and time again we get so much queer subtext between Skk's interactions. The entire 15 arc and well as Stormbringer shows us the bond and trust between the two as well as the intense amount of gay scenes. At this point I am sure Hoshikawa is a hardcore skk shipper. All of their official art is also gay (that could be queerbating though). Asagiri must know what the public thinks about Skk and still writes subtext about them. It makes sense why this would be a popular ship; it's not made out of thin air with no context (*ahem* Kousano *ahem*) but has actual roots and the proof to back it up too.

SSKK is a similar story, it's not my favourite but it has been growing on me ever since S5. Similar to skk, we get a lot of subtext and homoerotic moments between Aku and Atsushi. They are yin and yang. They are enemies that sought to kill eachother but still team up to fight together. Atsushi is literally the centre of Akutagawa's life since the beginning. Atsushi and Akutagawa grow together as characters and as different as they appear are similarly looking for one thing: validation and acceptance. Their relationship is so compelling in so many levels that it too makes sense why their ship is as popular as it is (especially regarding recent events in the story)

Ranpoe.....let's be real, those two got married a long time ago. They are the definition of "be gay, solve crimes". They are undeniably a cute ship regardless of whether it's one sided or not. Fyolai as well makes complete sense with the context behind Fyodor and Nikolai's relationship, while I also consider it quite one-sided as it's mostly Nikolai that is fascinated by Fyodor (and wants to kiss kill him) Fukumori isn't my cup of tea but it too has enough subtext to back it up, same with FukuFuku.

While I would love to talk about other ships, I wanted to show the reasoning behind the most popular pairings.

Personally, as a multishipper, it's very fun for me to have so many characters to examine and spend time obsessing over.

Now, there are straight ships that I like too as well as ships I don't ship for myself.

The reason I don't like Yosano and Ranpo together is because I see them in the same position as Kyouka and Atsushi. The scene of Ranpo recruiting Yosano (who worked with Mori) into the ADA parallels Atsushi saving Kyouka (who also worked with Mori). I consider them siblings and like how they are platonic instead of it being the typical "a boy and girl can't be besties". Another ship I love and cherish is AtsuLucy because it's so adorable, Lucy is my fav Guild member and her and Atsushi are "Girlboss and Malewife". I ship Tachihara with Gin, Higuchi and Gin as well as Kunikida with Yosano (surprisingly I don't find the appeal of Kunizai; though I still like that ship from time to time, just don't ship it actively). I prefer not to ship Sigma with anyone (he is still a baby to me)

So it's not that BSD doesn't have straight ships, when you make a majority male cast and have them be rivals or enemies, obviously people will ship m/m more. Especially if there is more subtext and tension behind the male characters and they have little to no interactions with women.

And I might get some heat for saying this:

It is okay for most of the BSD characters to be considered queer because if comp het is so normal in anime/manga then why can't the opposite be the case? We already have enough series with little to no representation, so why can't we have a bunch of queer characters?

3. TOXIC SHIPPERS AND THE FALL OF FANDOM CULTURE

I have been raving for the past two sections and defending the shipping community. But it isn't a conversation with nuance if I don't address the problem of a small group of people that take shipping too seriously. The reason why fandom itself gets a bad rep is because of shipping more often than not. I will admit, it's not all sunshine and rainbows when people argue about their fav ships. And a lot of the aforementioned ships are to a point, toxic. Yes, some shippers are annoying and ruin everyone else's fun. There are ships that don't make sense at all.

But that doesn't mean that a small part of people should represent others who are just having harmless fun and don't even believe their ships to ever become canon. Let's be real it's highly unlikely we will have any couples by the end of the show (the closest could be AtsuLucy). Sometimes people are too intense about ships and that goes for both antis and pros. Both of the extreme are toxic. And instead of shoving down our opinions down other people's throats, we should be celebrating the very story that brought us together in the first place.

Yeah it can be hard for those who don't like shipping at all to enjoy the story and have discussions. But we have to remember the roots of fandom culture start with shipping. It's always been the case and it's always been the most popular way to discuss one's favourite fictional work. From Sherlock to Genshin to boy bands to streamers, everything has been shipped and will always be. There is a reason why AO3 works so well.

4. SO WHAT?

The ships are what brought me to BSD in the first place. I wanted to explore the world of BSD because of its characters and their dynamics. And a lot of other people have gotten into this fandom for the exact same reason. While there are unflattering moments in our fandom, that doesn't mean it's not a place for people to come together and have some fun. Whether you ship or not. Whether you like fanfictions or not. We have to accept that there are a lot of pros to shipping too. It brings our ideas together, makes us feel giddy inside or tears our heart apart, it produces beautiful fanarts and fanfictions, it makes us analyse characters, it makes us look deeper into the story....and it makes us wait for what's next to come.

And I want nothing more than to be able to enjoy shipping without the guilt that comes with it.

Shipping isn't free from its flaws, but it is not defined only by its flaws. It might not be for everyone, but it is someone's everything. So even if you don't like it in particular, let's not spoil other people's fun. One's trash is another's treasure.

~Peace out 🕊️✌️

Since Yosano is off-limits she won't be considered.

1. Dazai: it makes no narrative sense to make him join the Port Mafia again, when he left at his own accord. The reason he left and changed himself as a person was because of his promise to Oda and him getting back to the Mafia takes all the weight from that promise. We already have a BSD 15 manga that's about Dazai being in the Mafia and the skk shenanigans, we honestly don't need more. Mori seems like he wants Dazai back in the Mafia, in a keep your friends close and your enemies closer fashion. Dazai going back to the Mafia can be interesting, but it's not good for Dazai's character arc. (Still has a chance)

2. Atsushi: since he is the protagonist, it makes the most sense for him to get transferred. Just like how we saw the ins and outs of ADA, we get to see how the current Mafia works on the regular basis. It would be interesting to see his interactions with Mori. We definitely like SSKK team up, now they will be in the same team too (maybe that's why the last scene of S5 they are working together, the transfer already happened). I want Canon Atsushi and Chuuya to interact!!! Their dynamic in Wan gives me so much serotonin.

3. Kunikida: while he can be quite a good asset, his ideals are too important for him to actually do something against it for the PM. He is a bit like Oda in that respect, a Mafia member who won't kill.

4. Ranpo: doesn't have abilities but his smarts is what makes him stand out among the rest of the ADA. But the biggest value in him is that he is practically Fukuzawa's son, someone whom he cares for greatly. Making Ranpo transfer to PM would be a huge slap on the face for Fukuzawa.

5. Junichiro: is the most hinted to actually join the PM. He is also the only ADA member to openly say his abilities could suit the Mafia and he might transfer there if no one else does. It's clear he has quite the violent side to him and the instincts to kill. He could be an interesting addition to the PM, and it paves the way for Tanazaki's backstory. I also wonder if Naomi would join the PM too, or she would stay with the ADA opposing her brother or leave the agency to remain neutral.

6. Kenji: is a highly unlikely choice for the PM. He has a strong ability but his personality isn't simply suited for Mafia. Although it would be funny to watch Kenji change the Mafia's heart and have innocent fun.

7. Kyouka: another ex-mafia member. She is a good choice, as her ability is really strong and good for the mafia. But since she too left (kicked out); her going back doesn't add to her character. While it might seem like Kouyou can influence Mori to take Kyouka back, but she already has accepted that Kyouka should stay in the light and stay away from the Mafia lifestyle (Aku also wants Kyouka to be happy).

Maybe Asagiri pulls another card and makes Fukuzawa transfer so he can complete his old man Yaoi arc with Mori, who knows? (/j)

*Atsushi drinking for the first time with the ADA*

Dazai: Atsushi-kun now that you have drunk, say goodbye to your childhood, you are an adult now!!!

Atsushi, smiling obliviously: I never had a childhood.

Dazai:

ADA:

Dazai: me neither

Yosano: Have any of us had a normal childhood?

Ranpo: I had a dad when I was 14, does that count?

Kunikida: how many of you have gone to a proper school?

*no one answers*

Dazai: but most of us have killed people!

Kunikida: is that a good thing?

Chuuya, singing in the kareoke: I wanna key his car, I wanna make him lunch

Dazai, whispering to Atsushi: Chuuya sounds so desperate

Chuuya: I wanna break his heart and be the one to stitch it up

Dazai: .....wait

Chuuya: Wanna kiss his face

*Dazai, smirks*

Chuuya, making a fist: with an uppercut

Dazai: oh no....

Chuuya: I wanna meet his mom, to tell her, her son sucks!!!

*ADA and PM laughing in the background*

Dazai getting out of Chuuya's apartment in the morning: 😶

Atsushi getting out of Akutagawa's apartment in the morning: 😶

Dazai: let's keep this a secret between us and not tell anyone about this in the ADA

Atsushi: deal.

Akutagawa using intimidation tactics on Atsushi because he doesn't know how to flirt: Jinko look at my eyes when I talk or else....

Atsushi: but, you are holding my wrist and pushed me into a corner, what do you want? I thought you agreed not to kill me

Akutagawa: if you don't want your sister to go missing, then let me take you to a restaurant

Atsushi: first of all, Kyouka would never get kidnapped by you and why a restaurant, are you trying to sell me drugs or something?

Akutagawa: why are you not understanding me?

Atsushi: what are you talking about? What is wrong with you?

Akutagawa: stay here, I have to ask Dazai-san for more pointers. If you run away, I will put handcuffs on you

Atsushi: ......

Atsushi: wait...I am the DETECTIVE HERE NOT YOU.

Meanwhile, Dazai watching this with binoculars: Dammit, Atsushi is even more air-headed than Chuuya. How can they not get such simple things? I should have given Akutagawa the dog collar already. It worked on Chuuya, surely it will work on Atsushi-

Chuuya, kicks his back: can you stop ruining kids eh, shitty mackerel?