Summary
Filled with action from start to finish, this episode not only captivates viewers with its intensity but still manages to keep them on the edge of their seats with its unexpected ending.
We recap the Crunchyroll anime series Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5 Episode 3, “Hero vs. Criminal,” which contains spoilers.
While the world of Bungo Stray Dogs is always full of twists and surprises, none have been as significant as last week’s Kamui reveal. Just when it seemed the Armed Detective Agency had gained a formidable ally in Fukuchi (voiced by Akio Otsuka), we quickly learned that he was actually our greatest enemy all along.
In this thrilling turn of events, Atsushi (voiced Yuto Uemura) must fight for his life against one of the country’s greatest war heroes or risk his and Ranpo’s (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya) lives.
Despite how bad the situation may seem, perhaps with the help of the Port Mafia’s Akutagawa (voiced by Kensho Ono), he may stand a chance.
Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5 Episode 3 Recap
The episode opens with a flashback to two weeks before the Decay of Angels incident occurred. In the forest, Dazai meets up with Akutagawa, hoping to speak freely in a place where no one can listen in on them.
What favor does Dazai ask Akutagawa for?
Dazai asks Akutagawa for a favor, warning him that soon the world will end up in chaos, and when that happens, he will need Akutagawa to “be his eyes,” watching over things but never interfering.
Dazai says eventually, he will need Akutagawa’s help to save everyone, including the Armed Detective Agency and Atsushi specifically.
What technique do Akutagawa and Atsushi plan to use against Fukuchi?
Knowing the only way to defeat Fukuchi is to kill him, Akutagawa proposes they use a technique called Beast Beneath the Moonlight Rashoumon, Kokko Zessou.
This technique involves combining both of their abilities, with Akutagawa transferring all of his power to Atsushi in hopes of making it easier to actually land a hit on Fukuchi.
What ability does Fukuchi’s ritual sword Amenogozen have?
Fukuchi reveals that his new katana, the ritual sword Amenogozen or “space-time sword,” has the ability to compress space and send the blade somewhere else up to a dozen centimeters away. However, combined with his ability, the distance is increased to have a more extended range, allowing him to stab Akutagawa and Atsushi without leaving his stance.
He later reveals the sword also allows him to traverse time and redo the past.
Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5 Episode 3 Ending Explained
Working together, Akutagawa and Atsushi manage to trick and ambush Fukuchi, slicing off his arms. Atsushi asks him to clear the agency’s name before he dies, but it is too late. All hope is not lost, however, as Atsushi finds the notebook page on Fukuchi’s person.
READ: Will there be a Bungo Stray Dogs Season 6?
Atsushi realizes Fukuchi used his final moment to attack someone with his katana’s blade, but it was neither him nor Akutagawa. Suddenly, time rewinds, allowing Fukuchi to thwart the ambush that killed him by stabbing Akutaga and slicing off Atsushi’s arm. He reveals his sword cut through the past, canceling out their victory.
Akutagawa uses his ability to destroy a fire extinguisher, creating enough smoke to allow them to escape, but time rewinds again, and this time, Fukuchi cuts his throat.
I don’t think Bungo Stray Dogs has ever taken me on a roller coaster quite like this one. The last few minutes are always the most devastating, and this episode was no exception.
Even now, I’m left wondering how Atsushi and Akutagawa could ever possibly come out of this situation alive, but I’m sure the author has something crazy up his sleeve that will at least allow Atsushi to escape if nothing else.
This episode had a lot more action to help break up all the heavy detective work, but it didn’t sacrifice the mystery and crazy twists that make this series so intriguing.
Even after being introduced to the space-time sword and seeing the clocks appear in all episodes, I did not see the final few moments coming, which made this episode’s ending especially brutal but also thrilling to watch.
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