As the finale curtain fell on “Bungo Stray Dogs” Season 5, a whirlpool of speculation was unleashed amongst the fandom regarding the canonicity of its anime ending. The unique storyline divergence between the manga and its animated counterpart not only beckoned a series of heated discussions but also opened up the avenue for a deeper exploration into the lore of Bungo Stray Dogs. With Studio BONES at the helm, the series ventured into uncharted territories, crafting an ending that seemingly leaped beyond the ongoing manga narrative.
Manga vs Anime: A Leap Beyond the Page
Unlike the conventional practice, Bungo Stray Dogs‘ anime narrative surpassed its manga predecessor. As the pages of the manga depicted Aya’s daring sacrifice to extricate the sword from Bram’s body, the anime rendition projected a step further into the plot wilderness.
The climax, overflowing with revelations, validated Aya’s mission success as she deftly pulled the sword from Bram, subsequently rejuvenating his powers. This turn of events, meticulously animated, showcased a newfound alliance as Bram utilized Akutagawa’s prowess to rescue Aya from her perilous descent.
Unveiling the Mask: Nakahara Chuuya’s True Nature and the Fate of Fyodor
An unexpected twist was thrown into the mix with the disclosure of Nakahara Chuuya’s non-vampiric reality. His vampire guise was but a ploy to assist Osamu Dazai in bringing down the ominous Fyodor. As fate would have it, a vampire under Bram’s control turned the tide, delivering a fatal blow to Fyodor, and marking his fiery demise in a chopper crash.
The One Order Unveiled: A Plot to Thwart Futuristic Warfare
Amidst this chaotic maelstrom, a glimmer of hope emerged as Fukuzawa discerned an opportunity to seize the One Order from Fukuchi. With the revelation of Fukuchi’s altruistic yet authoritarian goal to unify global armies to prevent a foreseen war, a new layer of intricacy was added to the convoluted narrative maze. Fukuchi’s plea for death, to transfer his mantle to Fukuzawa, eventually realized by Teruko’s hands, sketched a fresh dawn on the horizon with a new Chief Commander at the helm of the Army of Mankind.
Bungo stray dogs is too fucking good, this entire scene had me in my feelings damn. It’s crazy how this show is still underrated same with eden zero #bungostraydogs pic.twitter.com/wCFLJNF8FH
— IMPOSTA (@IMPOSTA66) September 20, 2023
A Glimpse into the Enigmatic Future: Is the Anime Ending Canon?
In a perplexing turn, the anime finale unveiled a baffling battle scene transpiring two hours post Fukuchi’s demise, featuring a mysterious antagonist resembling a fusion of Fukuchi and Fukuzawa, against the iconic duo, Atsushi and Akutagawa.
The enigmatic silhouette of the villain, the unresolved battle, and the open-ended nature of the finale, with an announcement of the anime’s return, presented a cryptic crossroad for the fandom.
The anticipation now hovers around the unfolding manga chapters, as fans keenly await Kafka Asagiri’s narrative choices to either resonate with or diverge from the anime’s adventurous endeavor.
While the quintessential debate over the canonicity of Bungo Stray Dogs‘ anime ending simmers among the fandom, the evocative tapestry of its narrative continues to engage and provoke a realm of possibilities. The intertwined destinies of our beloved characters, enshrouded in a veil of mystery, promise a riveting journey as the realms of manga and anime dance around the echoing enigma that is Bungo Stray Dogs.
