It’s doubtful that anyone truly enjoys having their expectations betrayed. Although it can be fun for this to happen in movies or TV shows, it’s unpleasant in reality, and most people hate the feeling. As thinking beings, humans execute their plans with a certain outcome in mind. We envision the way things are supposed to be. We put great effort into securing that outcome. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, something suddenly changes, and we realize we are in over our heads.

Betrayed expectations is the theme for the next two episodes of Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5.

(Sorry if this introduction was a bit strange. I enjoy going on tangental, theoretical rambles.)

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Episode 2: The Answer to Everything

Ranpo is arrested, but the “good cops” who want the truth exposed come to the rescue. This leads to a conflict, as the Yokohama police forces divide into two factions. After being rescued, Ranpo reunites with Atsushi and the others in Anne’s Room. Then it’s time for an important mission: Ranpo must go meet with Genichirou Fukuchi, the leader of the Hunting Dogs, to try to win him over to their side.

Fukuchi is more than just the leader of a special force; he is admired and respected by the whole country as a hero who saved them several times in war. Fukuchi is the symbol of justice. With that in mind, you can understand why a committee of government officials approached him to spearhead their project. They seek to create an international, borderless task force that fights terrorism. Fukuchi agrees to be the leader of the new police force, which will be called Humanity’s Army (or Mankind’s Army, but I prefer the former).

After he gives a speech about Humanity’s Army, Fukuchi meets with Ranpo. It seems like the plan works. Ranpo seems to have convinced Fukuchi to come to their side. So, Fukuchi, Ranpo, and Atsushi all get on board a boat to take them away to safety without being seen. It is there on the deck that Atsushi asks the fateful question: Who is Kamui? Ranpo puts on his glasses, and the answer comes to him quickly. Kamui, the one in charge of Angel’s Decay, is none other than Genichiro Fukuchi.

Just before disappearing into Poe’s novel, Ranpo tells Atsushi to run for his life. However, face to face with Kamui, Atsushi chooses not to run. He will fight. If he can win, everything will be solved, and he will have the reality-bending Page. But even though Atsushi is willing himself to fight against all odds, he’s terrified by the fact that he’s alone. He wishes for somebody, anybody, to be by his side for what may be his final moments. Little does Atsushi know that Akutagawa is also on board the ship, looking to defeat Kamui. To be continued.

As for my thoughts on this episode, I had no idea Kamui would be someone we already knew. I thought he would be an entirely new character. But it’s better this way, if you ask me. I was shocked when Ranpo revealed Kamui’s identity. This episode did a great job setting up the character of Fukuchi as likeable and admirable, only to betray those ideas at the very end in a surprising plot twist. Ranpo’s surprise and regret was almost tangible.

As much as I like the idea of Fukuchi as the ultimate villain in BSD, I do have my doubts that he could lead people like Fyodor and Nikolai. He’s clearly charismatic and has an extremely deadly ability. But is that enough to be inspiring to someone like Fyodor, who only seeks to use everyone and everything around him? My guess is that, even now, Fyodor views his relationship with Kamui as something he can use. Fyodor wants to rid the world of those with special abilities, but maybe he also wants to see society collapse. So, he teamed up with Angel’s Decay just to help Fukuchi’s plan to destroy the state.

This episode also did a great job showing us what was going through Atsushi’s mind as he faced such a powerful villain by himself. I appreciated the character psychology. Atsushi’s fear of being alone is very relatable. It’s human nature to want company, especially when one thinks they may die soon.

On a final, less serious note, I liked the way the episode set up the meeting between Atsushi and Akutagawa. I occasionally stoop to some character shipping, and I’m growing ever fonder of the Akutagawa x Atsushi ship. So it was mildly funny to me that Akutagawa is coming to Atsushi’s rescue in his time of utmost need. That’s all for this episode.

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Episode 3: Hero vs. Criminal

In this episode, Atsushi works together with Akutagawa to try to defeat Kamui, who is actually Fukuchi. The only reason Akutagawa is helping is because Dazai ordered him to do it as part of his “purpose in life.” (We also learn a bit later that Akutagawa is obsessed with his purpose because he is doomed to die young from a lung disease.)

Despite having little chance to succeed, the two young Gifted continue to stubbornly fight the enemy. This forces Fukuchi to reveal his true sword: Amenogozan, the space-time-traveling katana forged over a millenia ago. The blade can move through space, stabbing enemies who would normally be way out of range. Since Fukuchi’s ability lets him maximize any weapon’s potential by a hundredfold, this is the perfect sword for him.

You might think it would be impossible to fight an enemy with such an OP weapon. But together, Akutagawa and Atsushi form a plan to create a perfect surprise attack. They use their combined powers to form “Kokko Zessou” the black claw whose strike can kill even a god. Using this ability, Atsushi tears off Fukuchi’s arm. The old man dies moments later, and Atsushi takes the page.

But it doesn’t end there. Fukuchi’s sword doesn’t just move freely across space, but also across time. Seconds before being struck by Kokko Zessou, Fukuchi sent his sword back in time and cut off Atsushi’s arm before he could make contact. Atsushi and Akutagawa now finally realize that beating this old man is impossible.

Akutagawa tries to escape by using a smokescreen from a fire extinguisher. However, Fukuchi’s sword goes back in time and cuts the fire extinguisher before it can be used. Once again, Atsushi and Akutgawa are both defeated. But this time, Fukuchi proceeds to slice open Akutagawa’s neck. Unless some time travel can correct it, Akutagawa is dead. To be continued.

I understood that the sword could travel through time as soon as Fukuchi referred to it as “space-time blade.” That said, even though it was a bit predictable, I was still impressed with the execution of this “plot twist.” Maybe it’s just because I love anime series that include forms of time-travel or magic items that can go back in time. Also, since I easily empathize with Atsushi, I felt vicariously shocked at this turn of events.

I’m very excited for this fight to continue, especially since I want to see if Akutagawa can be restored somehow. I seriously doubt he’s dead for good. BSD characters traditionally have immense plot armor. In other notes, I loved the music in this episode, especially the song playing when Atsushi attacks with the black claw. The visuals have been good too, minus the faceless shots. (But I’m very used to those by now.) Great episode!

Thank you for reading~

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PATREON