Just as planned.
What They Say:
Kicked out of his orphanage and on the verge of starving to death, Nakajima Atsushi meets some strange men. One of them, Dazai Osamu, is a suicidal man attempting to drown himself in broad daylight. The other, bespectacled Kunikida Doppo, nervously stands by flipping through a notepad. Both are members of the “Armed Detective Agency” said to solve incidents that even the military and police won’t touch. Atsushi ends up accompanying them on a mission to eliminate a man-eating tiger that’s been terrorizing the population…
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
The penultimate episode of Bungou Stray Dogs had all the makings for a final battle, and by its end, it had finally gotten the reluctant alliance of Atsushi and Akutagawa to work together against Fitzgerald, a moment that marked a peak for all three characters. This is when they all get to be at their most dramatic and impressive, and the intensity just continues to build with every step taken. From that point, there was only a small amount of actual fighting to be done before the outcome was determined, but every moment was as exciting as one could hope for at this point. Does it surpass the equivalent showdown from the flashback? I can’t honestly say so, but the main plotline tells such a different kind of story that it’s hard to rightfully compare. Of course, with this matter resolved so early in the episode, surely there must be more to settle before it’s over.
Indeed, stopping the initial threat at the last second (which was as predictable as Fitzgerald reaching a balance of 0 just as his opponents have used up all of their strength) wasn’t enough, and not for any reason that could’ve been anticipated. There’s another enemy out there who is right on top of ensuring that our heroes aren’t getting off as easily as simply beating the final boss, and it gives Kyouka the opportunity to prove that she deserves an official place in the Agency. Much about this plays out in clichés, but the emotional resonance and eventual revelation of how the various rules set in place work together to reach the desired conclusion are enough to forgive any of that. And of course, the mutual feelings between Atsushi and Kyouka can’t compare to the overwhelming love that poor little Akutagawa has for Dazai, which makes for one of the more amusing moments involving Akutagawa in a series that he fills with much angst.
As we wrap up with a grand old party in the Agency, the potential of a future that we may never see animated is looked at. It’s not quite as blatant with its “BUY THE MANGA” message as some, but it is always a little frustrating to see these scenes when it’s entirely possible that nothing may become of them in the same medium, a harder reality to accept as you get to appreciate the animation, music, and voice acting more and more. Dazai hasn’t been in the action much lately, but the final scenes are more about him than Atsushi by a long shot, revealing once again just how involved he truly is with every development and reminding all that on the bigger scale, it really is his story more than anyone’s, with the flashback tying in once more to bring things full circle. An invisible battle between two geniuses at formulating flawless anime plans has already begun, to say nothing of what will become of relationship between the Agency and the Port Mafia.
In Summary:
The end of the Bungou Stray Dogs anime as it had been confirmed from its beginning has arrived. There’s clearly material for more seasons should that ever be in the cards, but this finale was fittingly climactic for everything that has been built up throughout these two seasons. The character arcs have come full circle and the plot has reached all of its expected catharses nicely.
Grade: B+
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment:
Roku 3, Sceptre X425BV-FHD 42″ Class LCD HDTV.
