Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5 Unveils Exciting Trailer and Official Debut Date

Fans of Bungo Stray Dogs have been treated to an uncommonly generous year, with the fourth season airing in early 2023 and now a fifth season coming just months after its conclusion. The latest trailer is giving fans hope that the new season, set to premiere on July 12th, will improve upon the pacing issues that held back the previous season. Our review of season four in April gave it a "4 out of 5," noting its ambitious dramatic turn while also acknowledging the pacing as a drawback. The quick release of season five is a boon for fans, as a longer wait may have resulted in a less favorable reception.

A Global Stage

The latest teaser for the upcoming season has revealed that the Decay of Angels has successfully painted the Armed Detective Agency as the villains, not only within Japan but globally. This has given Fukuchi, the leader of the Hunting Dogs, an opportunity to take advantage of the situation and push for the establishment of a global military force, which he calls the "Army of Mankind." It's clear that the Agency is facing a formidable challenge from both the Hunting Dogs and the Decay of Angels, who are led by the enigmatic Kamui, whose absence in the trailer raises questions for avid manga readers.

If the previous season showcased the characters at their most distant from each other, this new season is all about them coming together to fight back. It appears that they may even gather at their workplace, but this could just be a clever misdirection, much like the trailers for Marvel movies. Unless Ranpo can find a way to prove the innocence of the Agency, which seems like a daunting task, the situation remains uncertain.

Ever-Increasing Hype

The Bungo OP tradition continues with alternating seasons featuring GRANRODEO and Screen mode. This season, GRANRODEO delivers a new hit titled "Tetsu no Ori" or "Cage of Iron" in English. The fast-paced and heart-racing track perfectly complements the multiple storylines presented in the series.

The highly-anticipated duel between Atsushi, Akutagawa, and Fukuchi that was cruelly teased in the Season 4 OP is finally coming to fruition in the trailer. Fans can expect an exciting battle as Akutagawa once again joins forces with Atsushi, combining their abilities as they did in the previous season. This anime fight is definitely one to look forward to this summer.

Dazai and Fyodor remain trapped within the walls of the advanced prison known as Mersault, yet they continue to send out instructions to their accomplices. Chuuya has been spotted breaching the prison and causing significant destruction, possibly with the intention of freeing Dazai. Adding to the chaos, the mischievous Nikolai Gogol has made his return. However, the most thrilling development for fans is the introduction of Bram Stoker, the final member of the Decay of Angels. Manga readers are already familiar with his character, but anime-only viewers are in for a wild ride as this story takes some unexpected and intriguing turns.

While the idea of having two seasons in a year may seem impressive, it's not without its drawbacks. Fans have expressed concern over the pacing of the new season, especially in light of the flaws in Season 4. The truncated episode count of the previous season resulted in certain scenes being cut, which had a negative impact on the Skye Casino storyline. As a result, there is a need for the new season to strike a balance between proper pacing and proper storytelling to do the original story justice.

Despite the potential concerns over the show catching up with the manga quickly, fans can take comfort in the fact that the team behind Bungo Stray Dogs has consistently delivered quality content since the series' debut in 2016. And even if there is a delay in the release of Season 6, there are still numerous novels to adapt and the possibility of new original films. Overall, Bungo Stray Dogs seems to be in a favorable position and with any luck, it will continue to thrive.

Source: Crunchyroll