Among the recent shonen protagonists who have gained massive popularity for being humble, kind, yet strong, Atsushi Nakajima from Bungo Stray Dogs has secured his position among them. The 18-year-old youth, who is based on the real-life Japanese author Atsushi Nakajima, has an ability called Beast Beneath the Moonlight, which enables him to turn into were-tiger. Although his power is currently stable due to him being part of the Armed Detective Agency, where Fukuzawa Yukichi exercises control over its members’ power with his abilities, Atsushi has developed several incredible tactics and offensive skills to attack his target(s).
However, much like Deku from My Hero Academia or Tanjiro from Demon Slayer, Atsushi doesn’t like killing people or hurting them gravely. This is both a good and a bad thing, which has put him at a disadvantage. While in Dead Apple, his double killing of Tatsuhiko Shibusawa was impressive, he took a lot of time to get over his emotional turmoil that seemed misplaced at that point in the movie. Despite that, he is often successful at carrying out his tasks. So, in appreciation of Atsushi Nakajima, whose birthday is on May 5, here are four important characters from Bungo Stray Dogs who can defeat or outpower him in battle, along with four additional characters who would lose easily against him.
Note: The following article contains spoilers from the Bungo Stray Dogs manga.
Some ability users from Bungo Stray Dogs are just built different, so Atsushi hardly has a chance against them
Osamu Dazai
Although Dazai is Atsushi’s mentor, in a battle where the two would have to face off against each other under some hypothetical life and death situation, Dazai would emerge as the obvious victor. Part of the reason being his nullifying ability, No Longer Human, which would be easily able to neutralize Atsushi’s were-tiger form. In fact, this was seen in the first episode of Bungo Stray Dogs, where Dazai, upon touching the tiger’s forehead, was able to transform Atsushi back to his human self. While Atsushi has gained a lot of battle experience with time, considering Dazai’s manipulative and aptitude skills, his intelligence should make up for his lack of physical prowess to take down Atsushi.
Chuya Nakahara
Considered one of the most terrifying ability users in Bungo Stray Dogs, Chuya is also the most skilled gifted martial artist from Port Mafia. Even if one does not take into account Chuya’s Corruption, his Upon the Tainted Sorrow should be enough to take down Atsushi. Here, both of them will play offensive, but Chuya’s use of making gravitons and changing the mass of solid objects or crushing them by the sheer alteration in density could prove to be challenging for Atsushi, whose ability grants him super strength, increased reflexive skills, and regeneration. In case, Atsushi somehow poses a difficulty for Chuya, he can always resort to his Corruption, which was potent enough to even take down the dragon in Dead Apple. So, even if he defeats Atsushi, he would require Dazai’s assistance afterwards to bring him back to his normal state. Suffice to say, Chuya will win anyway even if it means submitting to Arahabaki, the God of Calamity.
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Much of Fyodor’s power is shrouded in mystery in Bungo Stray Dogs. However, it is presumed that his Crime and Punishment ability can kill people despite not having any skin contact requirement like Dazai’s ability. Moreover, in Dead Apple, it was revealed that his power(s) cannot turn against themselves as “Crime” and “Punishment” are inherently connected. He is also considered one of the best strategists from the series, who has able to easily manipulate Ace into killing himself through the use of sheer intelligence. Likewise, Fyodor won’t need to stress over his victory when going against Atsushi, who will be at disadvantage no matter whatever steps he chooses to face Fyodor.
Ochi Fukuchi
Ochi Fukuchi, or Kamui, is presently the main antagonist of Bungo Stray Dogs. As the leader of both Decay of the Angels and the Hunting Dogs, Fukuchi enjoys an influential position. As for his ability, Mirror Lion, this will surely pose a challenge to Atsushi. Fukuchi’s ability allows him to take control of any weapon and increase its strength by 100 times. Canonically in the manga, he was able to cut Atsushi’s leg with an augmented sword with great swiftness and power. Besides possessing Bram Stoker’s ability, Fukuchi also wields Shinto Amenogozen, a special sword that can cut through space and time.
If Fukuchi could slash Michizo Tachihara, his subordinate from the Hunting Dogs whose metal manipulation weakens Shinto Amenogozen, Atsushi’s defeat at the hand of Fukuchi is assured. Moreover, Atsushi has a weak mental constitution, so exposing him to Fukuchi, the mastermind behind global terrorism, can easily strike fear within him and shake his resolve unless he is assisted by someone else, such as Akutagawa.
The beast may after all be powerful against several Bungo Stray Dogs characters under the sun or moonlight
Sigma
Sigma ability in Bungo Stray Dogs does not have an officially registered name, but from what can be gleaned through the anime and manga, it is presumed that he has the power of information exchange. This allows him to trade intel with his targets by giving them what they want to in exchange for what knowledge he wants from them. In recent manga chapters, Dazai had even asked him to touch Fyodor’s presumed dead body to know about the latter’s ability, which didn’t come to fruition. However, despite its many advantages, the ability is useless on the battlefield. Hence, Atsushi, with his offensive skills, can easily defeat Sigma in his were-tiger form.
Lucy Maud Montogomery
With an ability called Anne of Abyssal Red, Lucy can capture her targets in an alternate dimension called “Anne’s Room” Here, the giant doll (Anne) can assist Lucy in capturing her enemies inside the Prison Room or fight them. While useful for hiding, kidnapping, or torturing, Lucy is nothing without Anne, whose two copies she can keep active at the same time. So, even if Anne protects her like Demon Snow protects Kyoka, Atsushi could somehow manhandle or put her in a compromising position for her to accept defeat. Moreover, Atsushi has already defeated her once in the anime, so bringing down once again shouldn’t be difficult for the Bungo Stray Dogs’ protagonist now that he has a large idea about Lucy’s ability.
Mushitaro Oguri
Mushitaro’s Perfect Crime ability is admirable enough to get even the “Great Detective” Edogawa Ranpo stumped. The ability allows him to remove any evidence from any given crime scene, but that’s about it. He also lacks physical strength and combat skills, so going up against Atsushi, who’s now a skilled fighter, means easy loss, or even death (if Atsushi is willing) at the hands of the protagonist.
Doppo Kunikida
Out of all the entrants under this section, Kunikida would be able to put up a good fight against Atsushi. In the Bungo Stray Dogs anime, Kunikida showed unco martial skills to restrain Atsushi, so if the chance arrives yet once again, Kunikida can mobilize him. That is until Atsushi uses his were-tiger powers to challenge Kunikida. Although the blond detective has the ability called The Matchless Poet, which enables him to produce objects/weapons from a notebook, the use of guns or grenades won’t be enough to contain Atsushi who has shown great resilience towards bombs and bullets. Thus, The Matchless Poet won’t be unmatchable in a physical conflict against Atsushi.
