Review - Bungo Stray Dogs: 8 Reasons to Watch

An orphan with nowhere to go, a detective agency in Yokohama, and great writers whose books became superpowers.

Words by Jamie Harper 31 October 2026

Bungo Stray Dogs: the main characters

An orphan with nowhere to go, a detective agency in Yokohama, and great writers whose books became superpowers.

We think Bungo Stray Dogs has the cleverest power system in anime: every power is named after a real book, and knowing the book tells you something about the fighter. Here are eight reasons, one on each slide.

Reason 1 - Atsushi, the boy nobody wanted

Bungo Stray Dogs: atsushi, the boy nobody wanted

Atsushi Nakajima has just been thrown out of his orphanage. He is starving by a river in Yokohama, sure that he is worthless.

The whole series is about him learning that somebody might want him around.

Reason 2 - Dazai, a detective pulled out of the river

Bungo Stray Dogs: dazai, a detective pulled out of the river

Atsushi rescues a man floating down the river: Osamu Dazai, a lazy, cheerful detective who is mostly annoyed at being saved.

He buys Atsushi a meal, and that meal changes his life.

Reason 3 - The tiger in the city

Dazai is hunting a man-eating tiger that has been seen around Yokohama, and Atsushi agrees to help him find it.

Before the first episode is over, Atsushi learns why the tiger has been following him.

Reason 4 - Books as superpowers

Bungo Stray Dogs: Armed detective agency and Agency

The Armed Detective Agency is a team of ability users named after great writers, and each power is named after one of their works.

Dazai’s “No Longer Human” cancels any ability he touches, which makes him the most dangerous man in any room.

Reason 5 - Kunikida and his notebook

Bungo Stray Dogs: kunikida and his notebook

Doppo Kunikida plans every minute of his day in a notebook labelled with his ideals. Torn pages become whatever he writes on them.

He is the straight man to Dazai’s chaos, and their partnership is the show’s best running joke.

Reason 6 - Akutagawa, the enemy with a grudge

Bungo Stray Dogs: akutagawa, the enemy with a grudge

Ryunosuke Akutagawa of the Port Mafia turns his black coat into a beast called Rashomon, and he hunts Atsushi without mercy.

The show takes its time explaining why, and it is worth the wait.

Reason 7 - Bones and Yokohama

Bones made the series from 2016, directed by Takuya Igarashi, adapting the manga by Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa.

Yokohama’s harbour, bridges and brick warehouses are drawn like a second cast, and GRANRODEO’s “Trash Candy” opens the first season.

Reason 8 - Where to start

Bungo Stray Dogs: Atsushi and Dazai and Kunikida

Start with the first season’s twelve episodes. You do not need to know a single writer to follow it, though you may want to read a few afterwards.

We say watch two episodes: once the Agency is together, you will be in.

Where to watch

Bungo Stray Dogs was listed on Crunchyroll in the USA when we last checked, in October 2026. Catalogues change by country and by month, so check the service where you are.