The Epic Pursuit: Bungo Stray Dogs' Thrilling Escape from Meursault!
In a thrilling race against the Hunting Dogs, the Agency must protect Meursault's significance and security while safeguarding the sheep Dazai takes a daring step to start Nikolai's game, just as an unexpected guest appears
Highlights
Bungo Stray Dogs is delivering some of the funniest scenes of the season with its thrilling prison break storyline, showcasing the series' high-tech spy elements.
The inclusion of Meursault in Bungo Stray Dogs is a clear reference to Albert Camus' novel, "The Stranger," emphasizing the existential themes as well as the ambiguity between morality and immorality. Although the airport scene might seem less riveting when compared to the thrilling prison escape, it brings forth captivating progressions and sets the stage for future conflicts.
Warning: The following text contains spoilers for Episode 57 of Bungo Stray Dogs titled "At the Port in the Sky (Part 3)". The episode is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
The series Bungo Stray Dogs has masterfully embraced the thrilling concept of a prison break, utilizing its near-futuristic setting and advanced espionage elements to create an unforgettable experience. As a result, viewers are treated to moments of hilarity that are unmatched this season, along with captivating character interactions that are sure to elicit enthusiastic reactions from fans.
Last week,
The Significance of Meursault
, Nikolai liberated Dazai and Fyodor from their confinement in the special ability space. He divulged his intention to subject them to a death game, with the aim of eliminating Fyodor. The two masterminds enthusiastically embraced the challenge, willingly injecting themselves with a deadly poison. Amidst peals of laughter and uncontainable delight, Sigma watched in astonishment, pondering the depths of his own involvement in this maddening ordeal.
With its elaborate security measures and enigmatic aura, the setting exudes plenty of character. Dazai, Fyodor, and the audience have only caught a glimpse of a fraction of this facility, leaving them to wonder about its whereabouts. Speculation arises that, in light of Bungo's literary background, the facility's name, Meursault, might be an homage to the protagonist of Albert Camus' renowned novel, The Stranger (1942).
The content suggests that Meursault is situated in France, as depicted in The Stranger. The novel portrays Meursault as a character who, following a family tragedy, commits a seemingly motiveless murder with little emotional impact. The story embodies indifference through its protagonist, who lacks clear moral alignment, and the apathy is perceived by others as more terrifying than his crimes.
In contrast to the other authors featured in Bungo Stray Dogs, whose presence is often embodied by actual characters, connections to The Stranger can be seen in the story's backdrop. It is possible that the facility was established by a figure named Albert Camus, or that Camus is responsible for granting Dazai and Fyodor their containment abilities. However, the specifics hold little relevance. The mention of Camus' work aligns with the existential dichotomy embodied by the characters in the series.
The boundary between good and evil has always been blurred when it comes to Dazai and the other villains. While he may not be a virtuous person, he strives to become a better version of himself. He simply doesn't feel the need to suppress his idiosyncrasies when surrounded by individuals as peculiar as him, including his arch nemesis, a sadistic magician, and a man with an unknown past. Each of them exist in different shades of gray, all indifferent to the dichotomy of good and evil, albeit to varying degrees.
The Security of Meursault
Nikolai goes on about the laundry list of increasingly excessive security measures, evoking a mix of foreboding, worry, and a familiar giddiness for long-time fans. With the numerous door codes, biometrics, and the use of drowning prisoners with thick water upon detection, it appears unbeatable. However, given the nature of this show, it is certain that at least one of these security measures will soon be rendered completely ineffective.
You see, the excitement of this arc lies in Dazai and Fyodor finally having a battleground where they can engage in a twisted battle to the death, reflecting their true nature. They share similar thoughts and often predict each other's moves, so witnessing an unexpected move from one of them hits even harder. The moment Dazai selects Sigma as his "item" to accompany him, it becomes apparent that he has something significant planned.
By the end of the episode, it becomes apparent that the purpose was to level the playing field - or at least, theoretically. Instead of a one-on-one showdown, the game evolves into a two-on-two, with Fyodor cunningly recruiting a newly transformed Chuuya to his side. This clever trump card, which involves taking Dazai's former ally and turning them against him, provides Fyodor with an undeniable advantage in general.
In last week's review, there was a suggestion that Chuuya might have been a contingency planned by Fukuchi to assassinate Fyodor, but that hypothesis appears to be unfounded, which is ultimately a positive outcome. The specific role that Sigma will assume in the grand escape is still unclear, however, Dazai firmly believes that Sigma is indispensable, and this conviction carries significant weight. If Atsushi's inspiring words indeed motivate Sigma to aid in the rescue of Dazai, then it can be argued that Atsushi's journey has come full circle.
Protecting the Sheep
Upon returning to the airport, the two untainted individuals from the Hunting Dogs find themselves crossing paths with the Agency. Unfortunately, the flaw of this particular segment lies in its abrupt conclusion. Bungo Stray Dogs episodes can be categorized into two types: ones that captivate with their satisfyingly protracted durations and those that conclude so swiftly, leaving you yearning for more. Regrettably, this installment falls into the latter category.
It seems like Kenji often gets overshadowed in the story, yet that's because whenever he appears, he captivates everyone with his undeniable charm. His combination of innocence and remarkable strength creates a humorous character, and that has been the way he's typically portrayed. Therefore, witnessing him engage in a serious battle is uncommon and frankly, exhilarating. Depending on the upcoming episodes, this fight presents an opportunity to further explore Kenji's character.
Currently, Kenji's apparent defeat highlights the immense power of Tetchou, even without their sword. There is a valid justification for him being hailed as the most skilled combatant among the Hunting Dogs when the unit was first unveiled. On the other hand, Teruko's willingness to consider the Agency's perspective is far from certain. Since her introduction, she has always shown unwavering admiration for Fukuchi. Even if presented with evidence, she may be so infatuated that she blindly trusts her captain's words and views Atsushi's sincere invitation as an opportunity to personally bring down the Agency. Despite Ranpo's exceptional planning abilities, Fukuchi is fully capable of sowing the seeds of destruction. In any case, it appears that the Hunting Dogs will require several more violent battles before they can be convinced.
The Meursault plotline in Bungo Stray Dogs is a refreshing change, filled with clever twists and a hint of fanservice. However, the rising tensions at the airport, although promising, may not be as captivating as the thrilling prison break. It could be attributed to the choice of setting; not every story can transform an airport into an exhilarating battleground like Captain America: Civil War accomplished.
