Bungo Stray Dogs: Unleashing the Epic Storm Bringer - A Must-Read Review

Highlights

Bungo Stray Dogs: Storm Bringer is the ninth light novel in the series and is highly regarded as one of the best by fans.

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Introducing fresh characters and delving into Chuuya Nakahara's story in greater depth, the novel explores his struggles and relationships. It delves into the central themes of identity and humanity, portraying Chuuya's journey and incorporating the robotic character, Adam. Additionally, the novel showcases a captivating antagonist and reaches a riveting climax.

Regardless of being an "anime-only" fan, there comes a point where they give in to satisfy their high-school English professors and decide to read a book. While Bungo Stray Dogs already serves as compelling reading material, series author Kafka Asagiri has also written a few novels of his own, with Storm Bringer being particularly beloved.

Released in 2021, Storm Bringer is the ninth light novel in the Bungo series, and the eighth written by Asagiri himself. It serves as a sequel to the 2019 novel Dazai, Chuuya, Age Fifteen, which delves into the origins of the two main characters. Taking place one year after the events of the previous novel, anime fans who have watched episodes 26-28 of Season 3 can easily dive into this novel without any major complications.

Chuuya Versus The King of Assassins

It has been a year since Chuuya Nakahara's betrayal and subsequent joining of the Port Mafia in an attempt to save his former friends. Currently, he is engaged in a competition with his rival, Osamu Dazai, to achieve the prestigious executive rank. This is not simply for personal glory, but also to uncover his true identity and origins. Although Chuuya has formed new friendships and found his place within the Mafia, he may not readily acknowledge these two significant aspects of his life.

Chuuya's initial encounters with the Flags, a group of young men who hold high-ranking positions in the Port Mafia despite their youth, leave a strong impression. Despite being introduced as new characters, they quickly captivate the reader's emotions. In just a few pages, the deep bond they share with Chuuya, built over a year's worth of history, becomes palpable. This is further emphasized when Chuuya receives a meaningful gift, making him realize the profound importance these individuals hold in his life.

It doesn't take long before Chuuya's one-year employment celebration is abruptly interrupted. Adam Frankenstein, an A.I. detective hailing from Europe and serving as the story's secondary protagonist, seeks Chuuya's collaboration in an ongoing investigation. However, their meeting takes an unexpected turn when Paul Verlaine, the notorious kingpin of assassins, emerges. True to his infamous reputation, Verlaine is a remarkably skilled individual responsible for a multitude of high-profile assassinations, each marked by an unmistakable signature at the crime scene.

To make matters worse, he asserts himself as Chuuya's "brother" and stops at nothing to coerce Chuuya into accompanying him, even if it means eliminating anyone who has convinced Chuuya to remain in Japan. Their initial violent encounter sets the tone for the impending battle, with the narrative predominantly focusing on Chuuya, Adam, and the return of Buichirou Shirase from the previous novel.

Initially, it becomes a race against time to identify Verlaine's targets and reach them before he does, all the while strategizing on how to overcome him. However, with Dazai orchestrating his usual schemes in the background and the introduction of new characters, the story undergoes a surprising shift midway, constantly keeping the reader guessing and unveiling something unexpectedly wild.

"Would You Like To Hear An Android Joke?"

Adam's journey throughout the novel is truly captivating. Despite the overused "fish out of water" trope, he manages to win the hearts of readers by the end. As an android, his lack of understanding of human behavior and his unwavering belief in the superiority of robots are consistently ironic, adding depth to his character.

Nevertheless, Adam eventually overcomes his initial struggles and becomes more at ease in his surroundings. His dry and analytical storytelling unveils a fascinating persona, and his logical approach to situations often leads to both satisfying and uproarious moments. What makes Adam even more intriguing is that he is the sole character to narrate the story in the first person, allowing readers to truly delve into his mindset. His interactions with Shirase serve as a prime example of this, showcasing the complexity of their relationship.

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When Shirase first made his debut, he lacked charm as a character. Upon learning that Chuuya was temporarily teaming up with Dazai, he hastily jumped to conclusions, causing a rift between them. Storm Bringer attempts to rehabilitate Shirase's image, but not before fully magnifying his troublesome traits. This story, to some extent, exacerbates his most bothersome qualities, although there is some merit to be found.

Shirase is depicted as a youngster who appears to be in control and knowledgeable, but in reality, he is simply immature and fairly feeble. The tension between him and Chuuya stems from emotional wounds, entangled in misunderstandings and irrational grudges. It is precisely for this reason that Adam serves as the ideal counterpart to Shirase. Adam is able to penetrate through Shirase's immature pride, compelling him to admit his share of responsibility for the situation he finds himself in.

In the end, Shirase may not top any fan-favorite lists, but he experiences a satisfying arc where he and Chuuya address their previous issues. This aspect highlights Adam's remarkable character and demonstrates that the occasional cringe from the fish-out-of-water narrative is worth it. Asagiri's decision to include Adam as a robot character is not just because they're cool, but it directly relates to the story's core themes.

More Than A Line Of Code

The core of the story revolves around Chuuya's quest to ascertain his humanity and, more importantly, to determine its significance. Storm Bringer presents some of the series' most intense and somber moments, showcasing Chuuya's unwavering resolve in the face of these terrors and other eye-opening revelations. His role as a formidable protagonist stems from his ability to personally define his own truth, irrespective of the conclusions he may uncover.

Content remains remarkably consistent in terms of core themes throughout every story beat and character. It is fitting to have a straightforward robot join Chuuya on his quest to uncover his origins, while a mirror image of him who has embraced his lack of humanity serves as the ideal villain. Verlaine makes for a compelling antagonist, but it is his tragic history with Arthur Rimbaud, inspired by the real-life romance between Verlaine and Rimbaud, that truly captivates.

Moreover, the climax in Storm Bringer stands out as one of the most imaginative and intricate in any of Asagiri's narratives. It brilliantly showcases Dazai's intelligence and the formidable strength and expertise of the Port Mafia, incorporating both familiar Mafiosi and new characters to heighten the chaos. Most importantly, readers bear witness to Chuuya's ultimate transformation into the beloved character that initially captivated fans upon introduction.

Bungo Stray Dogs: Storm Bringer, Asagiri's longest novel to date, has gained widespread acclaim from fans, asserting its status as one of his finest works. Among the stories yet to be brought to life through animation, this particular tale stands out as the most deserving of adaptation. With its compelling climax, it demands a theatrical treatment and solidifies Chuuya's position as one of the series' standout characters. For fans of the series, this captivating and essential read is easily accessible through Yen Press and can be purchased from various online book retailers.