Dazai's Hidden Potential: Unleashing the True Power of Bungo Stray Dogs

Highlights

Osamu Dazai's power, "No Longer Human," nullifies any ability through physical contact, making him intriguing and unique in the world of Bungo Stray Dogs.

Dazai's power is named after the renowned novel that bears the same title, bringing added intricacy and depth to his persona.

Although Dazai possesses an impressive power, there are noteworthy occasions where his ability proves to be ineffective, revealing the confines and susceptibilities of his character.

Warning: The upcoming section contains minor spoilers for Bungo Stray Dogs, currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.

At the heart of Bungo Stray Dogs lies the captivating and intricate character of Osamu Dazai, mirroring the enigmatic nature of the real-life author he is inspired by. Unlike his counterparts, who possess extraordinary abilities, Dazai is uniquely "anti-gifted," wielding the power of "No Longer Human." This power enables him to nullify any ability through physical contact, presenting itself as an ultimate trump card. However, upon closer examination, its drawbacks become apparent.

Who Can't Dazai Nullify?

The ability mentioned above is named after a well-known novel called

Who Can't Dazai Nullify?

. This novel, written by Dazai in 1948, stands as his most celebrated work and is a partially autobiographical tale published posthumously after his death by suicide. It centers around the life of Oba Yozo, who faces challenges in fitting into society while battling his internal struggles. To maintain a façade of normalcy, he conceals his true self. Bungo's representation of Dazai's character mirrors the façade Yozo adopts, albeit highlighting his suicidal tendencies in a darkly humorous way to emphasize his idiosyncrasies. "No Longer Human" aligns eerily well with the series' theme, as many abilities reflect the personalities and true nature of each character. It brilliantly takes Dazai's enigmatic essence and harnesses it as a means to neutralize the powers of other characters.

While Dazai often boasts about his unmatched ability, there have been notable instances where his power has proven ineffective. The most blatant example is Edogawa Ranpo; however, it could be argued that including Ranpo in this discussion is unfair since his introductory episode aims to establish that he is not Gifted, but rather exceptionally intelligent. It is not until Season 2 that the true test for Dazai's capabilities as displayed in No Longer Human would arise.

Howard Phillips Lovecraft was an eccentric individual, both in his personal life and particularly in Bungo's second season, where he found himself in a confrontation with Dazai and Chuuya. Lovecraft possessed a unique "ability" known as Great Old One, which transformed him into a creature of otherworldly nature, granting him the power of regeneration and rendering him immune to mental manipulation from other supernatural forces. Astonishingly, even when Dazai made physical contact with Lovecraft, his eldritch form persisted without waning.

Because No Longer Human is regarded as absolute, this information immediately implies that Lovecraft's power does not fall under the category of an "ability." Lovecraft remains an enigmatic figure in the story, and although he has not made a comeback since the conclusion of Season 2, there is a possibility of his appearance in a future storyline. However, it is unlikely that his mystery will be unravelled, as Lovecraftian horror revolves around the concept of the unknown.

Interestingly, there is another significant ability that Dazai is unable to hinder, although it has not yet been portrayed in the anime. Bungo Stray Dogs Gaiden is a side story where all the main characters, unlike in the main storyline, are based on real-life authors who are still alive. One particular character, Yukito Ayatsuji, might be recognized by anime fans as the author of the horror novel Another, which was adapted into an anime by P.A. Works in 2012.

His innate power, known as "Another," results in the inadvertent death of a target, but only if they are a criminal and have personally committed the crime. The caveat is that Ayatsuji lacks control over this ability and is unable to halt its effects once activated. Thus, if Dazai were to make physical contact with him, nothing would happen. Among the myriad of abilities that elude Dazai's nullification, this is undeniably one of the most terrifying.

A Compromising Ability

Akiko Yosano, in the anime series Bungo Stray Dogs, plays a crucial role in mitigating the consequences faced by characters who endure substantial punishment. Her ability, named Thou Shalt Not Die, allows her to heal individuals on the brink of death. However, it is worth noting that this ability does not extend to Dazai, which may explain the limited interaction between him and Yosano. Given Dazai's affinity for death, it is unlikely that he would willingly seek medical assistance from her.

This dynamic becomes particularly evident during Season 3, specifically during the Cannibalism incident. Dazai sustains a gunshot wound and, due to his constant nullification ability, he must seek treatment at a different hospital than the one where the rest of the Agency convenes. Although the show does not explicitly highlight this vulnerability, once observed, it becomes evident just how much the rest of the Agency relies on Yosano's healing powers.

In the novel 55 Minutes, it is revealed that Yosano has a slim chance to save Dazai from death, albeit under one condition. By applying the healing ability within a fleeting half-second window between life and death, there is a possibility to rescue Dazai. However, it is important to note that this method is considered a last resort, and the conventional procedure involves taking him to a hospital if possible.

No Longer Human appears to be a highly advantageous ability, particularly in a narrative where most characters possess their own superpowers. Although it may be incredibly useful, Dazai is still susceptible to anything that does not involve a special ability. These restrictions showcase the impeccable balance of a character like Dazai within this story.

While he is capable of delivering a punch, he is less focused on combat compared to his counterparts. Dazai's intellect serves as his greatest weapon and he often operates behind the scenes to support the more prominent members of his team. However, if he can get close enough, a single touch is all he requires to level the playing field. This is precisely why, despite or perhaps because of these limitations, he remains a highly captivating character to watch in Bungo Stray Dogs.