Atsushi - Blog Posts

I saw in a recent post of yours that you think sskk was supposed to happen or will happen (I don't remember exactly). I was really curious about this, could you elaborate? Seeing sskk happen would be a dream!!!

I don't remember everything fully (as I found this information out like two years ago) but Asagiri once said in an interview with Harukawa (the interview was with fans, I believe?) that in the original drafts of Bsd, and not just "character design" drafts but drafts of the plot and character personalities, Atsushi was supposed to be female

Some people try to debunk this with "but Atsushi's beta design wasn't female" but who said Harukawa had *drawn* female Atsushi in the drafts? Who said Atsushi didn't have multiple beta designs and they released the one closest to the final one? I really think just because we have Atsushi's beta design doesn't mean we've seen every single aspect of Asagiri and Harukawa creating Atsushi. Plus, once again, what if female Atsushi never existed in the drafts long enough to be illustrated? Character designs aren't just "one quick draft, one final character," like look at Spy x Family's manga, in the manga bonuses the author shares his drafts of his characters and I remember for his character Fiona he had like 10+ designs before deciding on her final look

Anyways, back to the subject of sskk, in the interview Asagiri said that Atsushi was supposed to be a female and that Akutagawa was going to fall in love with Atsushi (I'm pretty sure. And even if he didn't say that, if Atsushi and Akutagawa were a girl and a boy *everyone* would be interpreting it as romantic). Atsushi and Akutagawa are supposed to represent the yin and yang, a "perfect balance", so I think if Atsushi was a girl it would be a better balance bc they'd be opposite genders

Akutagawa falling in love with Atsushi, whether male Atsushi or female Atsushi, is and was entirely plausible. Enemies to lovers isn't just a trope in fanfictions, it's in all types of media. I think it was in the original drafts that Akutagawa was supposed to fall in love with Atsushi and that would start conflict within himself (being in love with an Agency member, being in love with his rival, etc) and he'd have character growth surrounding his emotional development. I do believe Asagiri said or at least implied that sskk (with female Atsushi) was going to be canon, and just said that Akutagawa would definitely fall first

Bungou Stray Dogs isn't a romance manga or anime, just check the genres, but there is *some* romance in it (such as Margaret and Nathaniel, Higuchi having a crush on Akutagawa [Akuhigu should burn tbh], and Francis has a wife, Zelda, but irl Fitzgerald's wife was named Zelda so idk if it really counts). Basically, romance isn't the main focus of Bsd, but it can definitely have romance in it, including something involving Atsushi and Akutagawa

Now, if you pretended Bsd was a romance manga, and then looked at sskk, there would definitely be some romantic undertones poking out. Even if it's not "romantic", there are still plenty of romantic manga or other media that use similar tropes to what sskk has done. Take self-sacrifice for example, that's been used a lot to take two character's romantic relationship to a new level (with the utter devotion to one another and all that). Sskk has all the means to become canon, it's just Asagiri who decides if it does or not

I personally really hope sskk ends up canon, it would not only make sense but also be good for Atsushi and Akutagawa because Atsushi (somewhat, bc he's slightly moved on from the orphanage headmaster but not necessarily the orphanage itself) has the mentality "I don't deserve to be loved", and Akutagawa has the mentality "I don't deserve to love". So if they started dating they would just be a very good couple and it would be definitely non-toxic. Name the last time Akutagawa *voluntarily of his own will* hurt Atsushi? They have an insane amount of character development, chalking their relationship up to what they were like when they first met is just kinda ridiculous

So, in regards to your anon ask, Asagiri did say sskk was originally supposed to be canon (and for all we know he still ships it, which I could see), and I genuinely think sskk has the possibility to be canon one day

And talking about the female Atsushi aspect of the original Bsd drafts, it makes sense because look at Atsushi now. He's not necessarily feminine but he acts much more in touch with his emotions and acts a lot less "macho" than many other male main characters. I'm not saying guys can't act like Atsushi, but I'm just saying Atsushi is written very not-stereotypically and if you changed him to female he would act the same. Plus Atsushi's tiger, Byakko, is female, maybe Asagiri never changed Byakko's gender but he changed Atsushi's

Hope this clears things up! (⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)

Red (Sskk's Version)

A little sskk comic/manga redraws inspired by the song Red by Taylor Swift<33

The grey Atsushi is my favorite tbh idk I think his expression is really silly

When you're so addicted to a ship that you Google if their zodiac signs are romantically compatible

Here are some images of the bite in case anyone wanted a refresh on just how gay this entire scene was<3

Oh also I'd like to mention that Akutagawa was noticably gentle when biting Atsushi, he usually grabbed his victim harshly and unhinged his jaw to take a chomp, but with Atsushi he was pretty delicate. I guess even in his vamp state he didn't want to hurt Atsushi

Okay so we all know that Atsushi must've replayed Akutagawa's death and final words like a million times in his head,

But what about the bite?

I know Akutagawa biting Atsushi while he was a vamp was after Akutagawa's death, but still, Atsushi had ample-ish time to think about it

I love how Akutagawa bites Jouno, Higuchi, etc all on their shoulder but when it's *Atsushi*, Akutagawa pulls down the collar of his shirt and bites him on the neck

There's no way in hell that Atsushi *didn't* think over that moment a bunch (the romantic tension was insane in that scene)

The fact that Akutagawa's lips and mouth have canonly come into contact with Atsushi's bare skin is something that I hold dearly in my heart

But really though, if sskk ever addresses the bite thing it's going to be so awkward, I love it 😭

First Akutagawa dies to save Atsushi, then he gives Atsushi a hickey in the middle of the war, and now Atsushi just died to save Akutagawa. How have they not kissed yet

Can we talk about how *safe* Atsushi and Akutagawa feel with each other

How much they're connected to each other is actually insane

They have innate trust with each other (Akutagawa even gave his coat to Atsushi), and they're comfortable with each other, it's wonderful

I think the best depiction of canon "domestic sskk" per se, is in beast

The direct passage from the beast light novel is:

"They continued to shoot the breeze for the next few minutes or so. Both boys shared small yet profound experiences that their colleagues would never be able to understand or even empathize with. The two of them could just be kids, something they seldom did around others.

'This is the first time I've ever been able to talk to someone like this,' the white-haired boy said with a chuckle."

They can relate to each other so strongly, they're opposites yet they feel intertwined. God they have such a well written and like at this point really romantic relationship

I really like how beast can show us a new perspective on sskk (among other things in the Bsd universe), comparing their first meeting in the main series to their first meeting in beast is kinda crazy. When Akutagawa nor Atsushi has the prior information of who they work for, they can get along. In a world with no abilities, no Mafia, no detective agency, they would know each other so well

Also, I'm sure Akutagawa has smiled more than twice in the series, but both most memorable times he's smiled they were both directed at Atsushi (one smile was the one he gave Atsushi while he told him to run before dying, second smile was in beast, shown in the picture above)

It's like Atsushi brings out the best of him, and vice versa. They're just so *perfect* for each other 😭

I will always love their parallels and similarities, their relationship balance is a perfect representation of the yin and yang

Atsushi knows he can't bear to live without Akutagawa. Akutagawa knows that Atsushi is the only person he's ever met who really, truly understands him. And no matter how much they're in denial about how they're a lot more than just "rivals", they still scream each other's names when one of them gets hurt, because they both *care*

Akutagawa is definitely going to go feral in the next chapter or so oml

By the way, Atsushi has an official mayoi card in Bungou: Tales of the Lost where he's the tarot card The Fool

Okay so we all know that Atsushi must've replayed Akutagawa's death and final words like a million times in his head,

But what about the bite?

I know Akutagawa biting Atsushi while he was a vamp was after Akutagawa's death, but still, Atsushi had ample-ish time to think about it

I love how Akutagawa bites Jouno, Higuchi, etc all on their shoulder but when it's *Atsushi*, Akutagawa pulls down the collar of his shirt and bites him on the neck

There's no way in hell that Atsushi *didn't* think over that moment a bunch (the romantic tension was insane in that scene)

The fact that Akutagawa's lips and mouth have canonly come into contact with Atsushi's bare skin is something that I hold dearly in my heart

But really though, if sskk ever addresses the bite thing it's going to be so awkward, I love it 😭

First Akutagawa dies to save Atsushi, then he gives Atsushi a hickey in the middle of the war, and now Atsushi just died to save Akutagawa. How have they not kissed yet

Exactly! Atsushi's a hugger, so him hugging Akutagawa wouldn't even be a stretch

Especially since it would be relationship development from how Akutagawa used to say "don't touch me" to him

Also Atsushi doesn't just hug, he basically tackles, so considering the fact that Akutagawa would be tired af from fighting, if Atsushi did end up hugging him he would probably knock Akutagawa to the ground lol 😭

Yk, with the eventual sskk reunion, them hugging is 100% a real possiblity

Right after Ranpo and Poe kidnapped Kunikida from the hospital and brought him back, Atsushi literally leaped and hugged Kuni

I think he'd hug Akutagawa when he sees him again (or maybe vice versa if Akutagawa really is that emotional now)

Both sides of sskk can't even deny their feelings now, it's amazing development

If we ever do get blessed with a sskk hug in the future, I will have a heart attack from happiness

Nakajima Atsushi...and the slow steps it takes to fully believe in yourself. A lot of stories have the main character go through some deep monologue that ends with a boost of bravery and "I still have a long way to go"/"even if I fall I will get up again" message by the end, and that's not a bad thing at all. However, with atsushi it's so important to have a deeply wounded character who selfishly wants to hide and survive slowly take the steps needed to believe in his own heart.

A lot of people criticized atsushi for being too cowardly and whiny to be a protagonist, they remind me of the people in my life who rush me into "getting better", wanting him to develop at a pace faster than he can manage. but to me it's comforting to know that he acts like most of us. We are always afraid and full of doubts in life, sticking to much easier routes and bsd doesn't immediately condemn you for it. It's comforting to know that these slow, staggering steps are both normal and achievable, that you can find confidence at your own pace.

Thank you atsushi for being the main character ever.

Yk, with the eventual sskk reunion, them hugging is 100% a real possiblity

Right after Ranpo and Poe kidnapped Kunikida from the hospital and brought him back, Atsushi literally leaped and hugged Kuni

I think he'd hug Akutagawa when he sees him again (or maybe vice versa if Akutagawa really is that emotional now)

Both sides of sskk can't even deny their feelings now, it's amazing development

If we ever do get blessed with a sskk hug in the future, I will have a heart attack from happiness

I have "fanfic writer" in my desc but I don't even post about my works oml 😭

Anyways here's an old sskk two part oneshot I wrote;

https://archiveofourown.org/works/60111337

It was where Atsushi and Akutagawa were sent on a "mission" by Dazai to a nightclub and then romanticisms happen (because of course they do). it's a smut/fluff

Bsd doodles

I realized I was stressing too much over making my art "perfect" and stuff so I decided to just doodle characters from memory to relax

Tbh it's fun to just randomly scribble whatever comes to mind before going back to a serious canvas

(and I couldn't resist with catzai)

His brain: I love you

His mouth: consider us even. Away with you, you fool

Made some sskk fanart to cope with chapter 121.5, as one does

Don't mind me still trying to find a style of digital art that I like 🙏

Specifically talking about this panel, okay one, I really hope Bones doesn't fuck this whole scene up. Atsushi better "die" as graceful as hell, they messed up so badly with Akutagawa's death 😭

But also I'm excited to see what the eventual season six brings with this scene (although season six is like more than a year away) because hearing this scene and watching it move is going to amaze me all over again

Also, Akutagawa has said that he doesn't hate Atsushi (source: 55 Minutes), and then there's this. The gayest cherry on top in existence and I love it. He's worried and concerned about Atsushi, he's *desperate*

This panel shows how Akutagawa truly is on the inside. He's not a vampire, he's not a killer, he's not a knight at this moment. He's simply Akutagawa Ryuunosuke and he's watching the boy he loves die for him. He's being hit with all of his emotions and memories at once while making a new memory; one that will live with him forever even if Atsushi comes back

It's just

So insane to see Akutagawa like this for once

God this chapter is amazing

I'm screaming crying and throwing up for the millionth time since 121.5 dropped because Akutagawa *cares* about Atsushi. Atsushi, the person who sees him for who he is, the person who understands him without words, the person who makes him feel like he's worth something. He cares about him.

Here's a sskk Spotify playlist I made if anyone wants it

Random, but I love this panel in chp 121.5

Atsushi is so pretty

In the manga, his eyes are beautiful and in the anime it's in color so you can see his homochromia I love it 😔

Okay so first of all

OH MY GOD?? THE NEW CHAPTER??

Second of all

Did Asagiri really name this chapter "A Mysterious Thing Called The Heart" AND THINK WE WOULDN'T NOTICE

Atsushi died FOR AKUTAGAWA. I'M GONNA PASS OUT

No one does tragic love story like sskk does

Atsushi must have thought about Akutagawa's death over and over and over to remember the words he said to Atsushi right before being killed by Fukuchi, aND THEN HE SAID THOSE FINAL WORDS BACK AT AKUTAGAWA

Akutagawa's eyes says it all (they're in love)

Akutagawa didn't even remember who Atsushi was and what made him remember was Atsushi mirroring the sacrifice he made back on that ship and then right as he recollects who Atsushi is he DIES. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster

Also can we talk we talk about how Akutagawa screamed "Jinko/weretiger". The amount of worry and fear on his face is so evident and insane (thank you Harukawa for more of your gorgeous art). He CARES about Atsushi. I gotta sit down

Screaming crying throwing up I'm so happy and also shit, Atsushi died (sorta. It'll be fine, probably) 🙏

Technically a redraw of an official beast art that Harukawa did (you can find it in the beast light novel) but I altered it by kinda a lot

I'm fond of drawing Bsd characters in my style but for this specific art I thought it'd look better if I leaned more into Harukawa's original style<3 you can still see bits of my style peeking through lol

Atsushi's beast design though UGH IT'S SO GOOD

And yes the angel wings are supposed to look messy, in a contrast to how put together Atsushi himself looks, his white angel wings/his morals on the inside are messy and not as clean :D

They both need to stay away from scissors. Twins.

Do y'all see the vision?

Both "Beast People", Both parentless, Both got inadvertently adopted into a found family, Both looking like cinnamon rolls, Both could kill you, Their main parental figure is a smart, calculating sonovavich that is "weak", Both got that dangly strand and uncontrolled hair, etc...