Bungou Stray Dogs - Episode 1: More Humorous than I Thought

Now, I just heard about this yesterday and immediately saw it as it seemed interesting enough, and hyped enough that I decided to give this one a shot (and give something to write, as I may run out of stuff to practice writing). I mean, detectives who drew off their magic from literature... the premise can't get more original than that. And while that part did not disappoint (yet) in this first episode, Fortune is Unpredictable and Mutable, I found that this show was quite humorous.

Now, that's not necessarily bad. I do usually stay away from humor-only shows, but if the story could make up for it, then I'm in. Spoilers, intentional or otherwise, are present.

We meet Atsushi, and immediately we learn of his background: a starving orphan. Maybe this would be a big part of the episode, if not the season.

The first scene might have been classified as philosophical (not unlike what Durarara started with six years ago), what with vivid descriptions of tea rice that he can't eat due to poverty. However, that quickly changed with the hilarious scenes, starting with him vowing to rob anyone who came through--and sinking back as a woman on a motorcycle and a company of soldiers passed. Surely, this is no longer coincidental, but rather forced humor, which makes this a true comedy.

This art style. Comedy is confirmed. Some little hope this might still be serious.

And here we have our eccentric, Dazai, who was trying to drown himself, and Atsushi (clichely) helped him out of the water.

Another laughable scene when Dazai himself is starving, and then his partner, Kunikida, arrived, and then forced to take them to eat, much to his temperamental annoyance.

Oh, also, that Japanese writing in the paper is a nice addition, which fits the theme.

Now that's random. All hopes of this being serious thrown.

Once more, one hilarious scene after another: Atsushi trying to talk with a full mouth, then Dazai analyzing a beam which he could hang himself in--this one is actually pretty original. But enough of that, for the two revealed that they are Armed Detectives.

Once again, with the 'looks-can-be-deceiving' and the 'eccentric detective (Sherlock)' cliche.

Then, they said that they were hunting a tiger, to which Atsushi tried to run, until dragged by Kunikida.

Fortunately, his background, the orphanage, wasn't wasted. apparently the tiger attacked there and is now looking for him, after being expelled from the place so that there were less mouths to feed (according to him)

Although, the way the flashbacks were presented, with the otherworldly colors, does foreshadow something. Even more so when people screamed "Tiger!" as he looked nervously in one flashback.

Indeed, that came true. With some apparently foreshadowed stuff deducted by Dazai, it turned out that Atsushi is the tiger, who turns in the moonlight. That deducting does make this a worthwhile mystery story, though, one that satisfies the 'mystery' part of the genre list.

Foreshadowing irony? Or just not serious.

The fight was tense. And interesting, too, as Dazai nimbly dodges while the tiger leaps and slashes.

And then, Bungou's original: the magical powers. The light show was quite... epic, for lack of better words, as Dazai's power renders Atsushi back as a human.

However, here we see he has a human hand. Why does he have a tiger's paw when he awoke?

Anyway, with the action done, back to relaxed comedy it is, with the new characters participating in the argument.

About the new characters: another roll call plus their powers. I just hope this doesn't turn into a Grimgar-like story. Haven't memorized their names yet, but aside from hearing Durarara's Kida (Miyano Mamoru ) in Dazai, it was quite something to hear Izaya (Hiroshi Kamiya). After some digging, I find more people from that show, which I've just finished with the finale--plus Haruhiro. This might be something.

And so, the story ends predictably: Atsushi gets recruited into the Armed Detectives Agency.

What else to say about this show? The humor is a big point, for sure. The premise is what keeps me expecting. And, the story does go on quite well, with the foreshadowing making the backgrounds useful. Overall, this could be something to expect.

Then, the opening theme ensues. Fluid animation, nice action, and the figurative meanings may be unraveled as the show progress. The only thing is that the song, Trash Candy, doesn't stick in your mind, except for the title, but oh well. We also get to see a glimpse of the villain here. 

Surprise, surprise. The show gives the ending theme, as well. Slow music: Namae wo Yobuyo. Nothing too memorable from the songs, for I don't really hear slow-paced songs. However, the art is something, with the characters placed in cinematic spots. 

White-washed in some scenes, dark where the villain comes. Also, this does show that we might focus on Atsushi and Dazai's relationship, with the villain. We'll see next week.