Highlights
In the Bungou Stray Dogs series, the importance of the Armed Detective Agency cannot be overstated. Their primary objective is to safeguard the well-being of Yokohama City, all while abiding by the law and refraining from any involvement in illicit endeavors, unlike the notorious Port Mafia.
The agency tackles perilous cases beyond the scope of regular law enforcement, frequently delving into supernatural phenomena that necessitate the utilization of the members' intellect and extraordinary abilities.
Delving into the agency's beginnings, Yukichi Fukuzawa, initially a bodyguard, establishes the agency with the aid of Edogawa Ranpo and other individuals.
The anime series Bungou Stray Dogs follows Atsushi as he harnesses his supernatural tiger abilities and becomes a member of the Armed Detective Agency. Alongside other gifted individuals, they unite to uphold the peace of Yokohama City.
Despite its smaller size, the Detective Agency courageously faces off against the Port Mafia, a notorious criminal gang that operates under the cover of darkness. While Atsushi becomes integrated within the agency and forms strong connections, he remains oblivious to its true origins and the conflicts that birthed it.
The Role Of The Armed Detective Agency In The Series
The Armed Detective Agency in the Bungou Stray Dogs series is a central and essential element. Not only is it where the main character is located, but it also distinguishes itself from other agencies by actively pursuing peace in Yokohama City without engaging in illicit activities like the illegal arms trade conducted by the Port Mafia.
The primary role of the Armed Detective Agency is to handle dangerous tasks that the regular police force cannot or should not undertake. These assignments often involve supernatural occurrences, requiring agency members to possess the skills and resources necessary for self-defense, including intelligence, supernatural powers, or a combination of both.
Exploring The Untold Origins Of The Armed Detective Agency
Bungou Stray Dogs possesses a certain level of intricacy, evident in its exploration of the Armed Detective Agency's past and true origins. Given the potential for causing civil unrest, it would have been unlikely for the government to willingly allow the establishment of an agency comprised of humans with supernatural abilities who possess the authority to legally investigate and solve various cases. This begs the question: how did Yukichi Fukuzawa, the leader of the Detective Agency, manage to establish it?
Contrary to popular belief, the Detective Agency did not emerge overnight and acquire its current status. The story unfolds more than a decade ago, predating the events depicted in the anime and manga series, with Yukichi Fukuzawa working solely as a professional bodyguard and Edogawa Ranpo being little more than an arrogant youth.
Fukuzawa, a bodyguard, is tasked with protecting a company CEO. Unfortunately, she is murdered in her office. Determined to uncover the truth, Fukuzawa visits the office and discovers the secretary organizing clues which could potentially reveal the killer's identity. At the same time, the suspected killer is bound in the adjacent room. While Fukuzawa and the secretary engage in conversation, a young Edogawa Ranpo suddenly enters, carelessly trampling on the clues. He questions why Fukuzawa refuses to apprehend the actual killer, who he believes to be the secretary. This leaves everyone astounded until Ranpo promptly presents his deduction, revealing the secretary as the killer.
Impressed by Ranpo's abilities, Fukuzawa treats him to red bean porridge and listens as Ranpo expresses his frustration with adults who fail to acknowledge the truth. Intrigued, Fukuzawa recognizes Ranpo's uniqueness and invites him to join him on a job. Their next assignment involves apprehending a killer who has issued a death threat to a theater. However, upon arriving at the theater, Ranpo swiftly deduces that the threat is actually an announcement, exposing that the theater does not truly trust Fukuzawa and is merely using him as a front. Once again, Ranpo is bewildered by the foolishness displayed by the adults. Fukuzawa explains to Ranpo that he possesses the gift of perceiving everything at a glance, and reveals that the world is filled with ignorant individuals who view things differently from him.
Seeing things from a new perspective, Ranpo envisions himself as the world's greatest detective, dedicated to protecting oblivious children who are blind to the truth. With a sudden realization, he resolves all the loose ends of the case, while Fukuzawa neutralizes the culprits.
As time passes, the case is closed and Ranpo develops a close bond with Fukuzawa. They subsequently partner up to solve various peculiar assignments, and their remarkable skills gain them widespread recognition. Eventually, Fukuzawa seeks assistance from Soseki Natsume to acquire a proficient business license. Led by Ranpo, Fukuzawa combines his deductive prowess with his combat experience to establish the Armed Detective Agency.
The Current Armed Detective Agency
Since its inception, the Detective Agency has seen significant growth over the years, welcoming notable individuals like Akiko Yosano, Doppo Kunikida, and Osamu Dazai to its ranks. With each new addition and their enhanced skills, the agency has become increasingly powerful, effectively thwarting its enemies and safeguarding the tranquility of Yokohama City. This remarkable progress can be attributed to the fortuitous encounter between Edogawa Ranpo and Yukichi Fukuzawa. You can watch Bungou Stray Dogs on Crunchyroll.