The Exciting Future of Bungo Stray Dogs: What's in Store for Fans?
What's in store for Bungo Stray Dogs? As the anime catches up with the manga, fans eagerly await the next chapter Will there be a Season 6 or a thrilling film adaptation? Discover the exciting possibilities awaiting BSD enthusiasts!
Highlights
There is a wealth of unadapted content from the light novels in Bungo Stray Dogs, including fascinating stories that take place between seasons and feature brand new characters. These untapped resources open up exciting opportunities for future adaptations.
The season finale of the show sets the stage for an upcoming clash with a mysterious antagonist and teases the appearance of The Order of the Clock Tower, which could potentially result in a face-off against a formidable British group. There is much speculation about the next installment, with some suggesting that a movie adaptation could be a fitting way to wrap up the current storyline, considering the uncertain time lapse in the finale and the triumph of past Bungo Stray Dogs films.
When an anime catches up with its source material, there are usually two options: endure a long hiatus or take the risky path of creating an original storyline. Unfortunately, neither option is ideal. However, in the case of Bungo Stray Dogs, the upcoming hiatus doesn't feel too disheartening. This is not only because the latest episode ended on a satisfying note but also because there is ample material to be adapted to fill the gap.
The fifth season concluded on September 20 with Episode 61, titled "Twilight Goodbye." After reaching the latest chapter in the manga, the anime ventured into uncharted territory. While there was a satisfying conclusion, it also left viewers eagerly anticipating the future, as a thrilling battle of epic proportions was hinted at, set to take place in just two hours.
The Unadapted Works
Previously, we have covered all the light novels, with eight of them being penned by series author Kafka Asagiri. Out of these, four have already been made into anime adaptations, leaving four novels that remain untouched by animation. Even if it takes several years to accumulate enough material for a potential sixth season, there is plenty of content available to delight audiences until then.
Taking place between Season 2's conclusion and the cannibalism arc, 55 Minutes centers around the Agency's mission to Standard Island, a man-made island introduced in Season 5. This thrilling story involves time travel and a race against time to prevent a weapon from annihilating Yokohama entirely. Although the book itself is relatively short, its potential as an exhilarating feature film adaptation is high.
Typically, most novels featuring main characters are derived from the main storyline, unlike Bungo Stray Dogs Gaiden which stands apart by introducing entirely new characters. What sets these characters apart is that they are living authors, a departure from the predominantly deceased authors whom the characters are based on. Mizuki Tsujimura, one of these authors, even had a brief appearance in the film Dead Apple. However, as the novel has not yet been localized, many viewers were likely unaware of her identity.
The last two novels by Asagiri have been adapted, but not in animated form. BEAST was made into a live-action TV movie, while Storm Bringer was presented as a stage play and broadcasted online. Despite these technical adaptations, it would be a shame if these two stories were not given the anime treatment by Studio Bones.
In particular, the adaptation of Storm Bringer feels essential. It delves deep into Chuuya's past and provides closure for plot threads that were introduced during the prologue arc in Season 3 (which was also adapted from a novel). Additionally, Storm Bringer is highly adored by fans of the series.
Season 6
Bungo Stray Dogs has the potential to alleviate the anticipation for Season 6 with its possible adaptations into feature films, short OVAs, or an anthology season of side stories. While the exact direction of the main storyline remains uncertain, the finale's teaser provides a compelling glimpse of what lies ahead.
In Episode 61 of Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5, the storyline takes a dramatic turn. Aya successfully frees the sword from Bram's body, a pivotal moment that allows Bram to regain control over his vampires. This not only prevents a cataclysmic event but also aids Dazai in his battle against Fyodor. Meanwhile, Fukuzawa and Fukuchi engage in a fierce confrontation before being unexpectedly transported into Poe's novel. Within this literary realm, they engage in a heartfelt conversation, where Fukuchi reveals his true motivations. It is revealed that he orchestrated a terror attack with the intention of steering humanity towards a world without war. In a display of trust, he assigns Fukuzawa with the responsibility of carrying out the plan known as the One Order.
While Asagiri plays a significant role in the production of Bones, fans remain uncertain about whether the season finale has strayed from the manga until the next chapter is released. Assuming it aligns with the original storyline, the battle at the airport is far from concluded, as an unidentified individual is set to launch an attack within the next two hours in the story's universe.
This mysterious figure wields the Amenogozen, emulating Fukuchi's style, and bears his distinctive facial scars. Curiously, a recent artwork by the series' illustrator, Sango Harukawa, depicted all the members of the Decay of Angels, with Fukuchi donning a similar mask. Fans have also observed that Asagiri, who never reveals their face, once wore a similar mask during an interview, adding to the intrigue.
