Uncovering the Most Heartrending Episode of Bungo Stray Dogs Yet

The Bungo Stray Dogs series has had its fair share of emotional moments, but one particular episode resonates deeply upon revisiting. Season 3's Episode 31, "Herurisu/Portrait of a Father," delves into the complexities of parenting, grief, trauma, and the struggle to find closure and move forward from past hurts. The episode is divided into two distinct halves, each focusing on Kyouka and Atsushi, but both exploring similar themes. Set between the Guild incident and Fyodor's Cannibalism plot, "Herurisu/Portrait of a Father" stands out as a poignant and standalone story that delves deeply into these characters' experiences.

Side A: Herurisu

Kyouka stands out as one of the most tragic characters in Bungo, surpassing even the others with her heart-wrenching backstory. Though she is a member of the Port Mafia and has taken the lives of 35 people, she struggles to control her ability, Demon Snow, and longs for a life free of killing. Her journey towards redemption serves as a central theme throughout Season 1, making her the emotional center of the show.

In fact, her desire to break free from her past and stop killing inspires Atsushi's own character growth, leading him to use his abilities on his own for the first time. Her rescue is the pinnacle of the first season, and her recruitment remains a key plot point in Season 2. Overall, Kyouka's character sets the tone for the entire series, highlighting the struggle between the darkness and light within each character.

In Season 3, her confidence had grown as she gained control over her ability. However, her resentment towards Demon Snow, which was responsible for her parents' death, still lingered. Episode 31 sees her reacting coldly towards her ability, despite its kindness towards her, a confrontation that had not occurred until then. The episode title "Herurisu" is derived from the Palauan word cherrirs, which means jealousy or over-possessiveness towards a spouse. While the title is a reference to Atsushi Nakajima's novel Husband and Wife, the only similarity between the two is Lucy Montgomery's role in the story. Lucy and Kyouka are portrayed as functional rivals for Atsushi's affection, but it does not play a significant role in the episode.

The tone of the episode shifts dramatically once the briefcase is discovered. What was once a lighthearted mission turns into a somber exploration of Kyouka's past and the tragic circumstances that led her to join the Port Mafia.

They were actually spies and her mother had the ability of Demon Snow. However, when assassins attacked, her parents fell victim to mind control and, in order to protect her, they took their own lives while resisting the control. In the process, her mother passed on her ability to Kyouka. The idea of passing on abilities is a new concept and the mechanics are unclear, but what is clear is how much this revelation shocks Kyouka.

For a long time, she had viewed her ability as the very thing that had destroyed her family and bound her to the Port Mafia. It had felt like a burden she could never escape from. But in a moment, this symbol of her parents' murder transformed into a representation of their eternal love for her. The beauty of this moment lies not in erasing the years of agony she has experienced, but in providing her with the closure she needed to view her power in a new light.

Side B: Portrait of a Father

However, Atsushi's past continues to haunt him in Side B of this episode as he arrives at the scene of a tragic accident. The victim, who he soon discovers was the headmaster of his former orphanage, adds another layer of complexity to Atsushi's already complicated past.

Atsushi's emotions are portrayed with a nuanced level of depth. Confronting his past alone is traumatic, but it's compounded by the conflicting feeling of jubilation he experiences upon learning that his tormentor is deceased. Despite his insistence that he's okay, his friends can sense the turmoil within him and encourage him to face his emotions head-on.

As the plot thickens, Atsushi discovers that the newspaper article the headmaster had on him was actually a piece about his heroism in Season 2. This revelation leads him to consider the possibility that the headmaster may have been planning to visit Yokohama to express his pride in Atsushi. Though far-fetched, the more he ruminates on the past, the more plausible this theory seems- particularly when he recalls a conversation he had with the headmaster during his youth.

Atsushi, resent me. One day, you'll leave for the outside world. When you do, Atsushi, hate me. Never hate yourself.

Atsushi realizes that the headmaster's actions were meant to redirect his hatred towards a villain instead of himself and his tiger power. Dazai acknowledges the unforgivable nature of the headmaster's behavior, and Atsushi has had to work hard to overcome the trauma and self-hatred that resulted from it. Despite his suffering, Atsushi empathizes with those in pain and wants them to experience the worth of their lives. However, the episode presents a complex dilemma as the headmaster cannot be easily written off, and attributing Atsushi's goodness solely to them would be uncomfortable, given the role played by the Agency and his other friends.

The headmaster's concern for Atsushi's well-being despite his tiger ability cannot be overlooked. Atsushi's conflicting emotions about his situation eventually lead him to seek guidance from Dazai, who offers him a piece of wisdom. "No one can truly understand another person's deepest feelings... But one thing is universal: when a person's father passes away, they usually grieve."

He was not a good man, but he was also the closest thing to a father. It's complicated.

The sorrowful event depicted in this episode is also a poignant reminder of the abundance of love coursing through the series. Despite being on opposing sides, Kouyou helps Kyouka uncover the truth about her parents, while Dazai and Tanizaki offer unwavering support to Atsushi. This unexpected display of compassion and generosity not only cushions the emotional impact but also adds depth to the story and instills a positive message.

Bungo Stray Dogs Episode 31 delves into the complexities of finding closure and how it is not a simple feat to come to terms with the pain inflicted by people or things. Dwelling on the past can be a hindrance to moving forward, but once we have uncovered the closest approximation of the truth, the only direction to go is ahead. Above all, it is crucial to never harbor self-hate.