Ryunosuke Akutagawa has to be one of the favorites when it comes to the Bungou Stray Dogs franchise. The character has all typical characteristics of a fan favorite; handsome, dark, and a cold tsundere. From being an antagonist to an occasional deuteragonist, Ryunosuke Akutagawa has shown his fans multiple sides of the same character. However, fans were sent through a worrying phase when Twitter started bursting with manga panels of the Bungou Stray Dogs that featured Akutagawa’s death. Ryunosuke Akutagawa has been one of the strongest characters in the Port Mafia, and it’s quite alarming to think that Kafka Asagiri would eliminate one of the best so mercilessly. Fans have been stressed ever since the manga panel went viral. Will Ryunosuke Akutagawa die in Bungou Stray Dogs? This popular character’s journey might just have come to an end in the manga.
Kafka Asagiri’s manga revolves around a bunch of characters with supernatural abilities. The characters are based on some of the most legendary writers in the history of literature, and their abilities are named after the corresponding writer’s notable work. Ryunosuke Akutagawa is based on a writer by the same name from Japan. A prestigious award was named the Akutagawa Prize after him. Ryunosuke Akutagawa in Bungou Stray Dogs is the natural rival of the protagonist, Atsushi Nakajima.
The character has come to the attention of many. It is only natural that fans be curious about what really happened. Will Ryunosuke Akutagawa die in Bungou Stray Dogs? What really happened in the manga?
Ryunosuke Akutagawa: The Best In Port Mafia
Ryunosuke Akutagawa is the primary antagonist of the first season of Bungou Stray Dogs. His main job is to collect Atsushi Nakajima. As the series progresses, Akutagawa turns into the Detective Agency’s ally. Akutagawa is an extremely strong character. His ability is named Rashoumon after the popular novel by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, the writer.
Akutagawa is an insolent and cold character who only respects Dazai Osamu. He seeks to get approval from the ex-mafia every now and then, wanting to hear him say that he has grown stronger.
As a mafia, Akutagawa is insensitively violent and cares little to none about any innocent getting hurt. He also seems to have a temper problem as he would break down into fits of anger quite immediately. However, he is also extremely calm-minded when fighting and can read his opponents well. He is indeed a very good fighter who sees Atsushi as his rival. Very often in the series, Akutagawa would challenge Atsushi to fight.
Akutagawa’s Rashoumon lets him summon a beast from his coat that can extend to long areas. He is very skillful when it comes to using his ability and uses it not only to attack but also to move faster during fights and also to create a defense.
Akutagawa’s Death in Bungou Stray Dogs
The biggest blow of Akutagawa’s character arc comes up in chapter 87 of the Bungou Stray Dogs. It takes place in the Kamui Revelation Arc, where the Detective Agency finds itself fighting against another terrorist organization named Decay of the Angel. However, after a chain of events, Atsushi and Akutagawa find themselves fighting against the leader of Decay of the Angel, Ochi Fukuchi, one of the most dangerous opponents they have encountered. Also nicknamed Kamui, Ochi Fukuchi’s ability is named ‘Mirror Lion,’ which lets Kamui increase a weapon’s efficiency by a hundred folds.
During their battle against Kamui, the duo loses, and Akutagawa ends up sacrificing his life to help Atsushi escape. Towards the end of chapter 87, Kamui slashes Akutagawa’s neck, killing him.
In chapter 88, however, Kamui is left with Akutagawa’s corpse, and he claims that even when dead, Akutagawa can be useful to him. He brings Akutagawa’s corpse to a coffin, from which he reveals Bram Stoker, the Lord of the Dead. Bram has a vampire-like ability where he can turn anyone he bites into his own kind. Kamui asks Bram to use his ability on Akutagawa. At first, he is reluctant, but Kamui manages to convince him.
So, although Akutagawa dies, he is brought back to life by Bram (under the instructions of Ochi) as an undead.
The Significance of Akutagawa’s Death For The Story
Akutagawa’s Death plays a significant role in Bungou Stray Dogs, not just for the development of the story but also for himself. The character has been known for his ruthless ways, but his act of sacrifice gives us a big picture of his heroic side. Even if he wishes to fight Atsushi, at the time of dire need, he ends up saving him, putting aside all differences.
Akutagawa has also been revealed to be suffering from a lung disease, due to which he had very few days left to live. With him now turned into an undead, we assume that he is no longer suffering from his disease anymore, thus eliminating any chance of the character dying of the said disease in the future of the manga.
The Bungou Stray Dogs manga is becoming more interesting with every chapter. It is quite exciting to wonder where each of these events would lead.
Where To Read Bungou Stray Dogs?
Bungou Stray Dogs can be read on BOOK☆WALKER, the official platform for all manga and light novels released by Kadokawa.
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