KAFKA ASAGIRI - Blog Posts

Kafka Asagiri I WILL strat World War 5!

This is my first post and I want to say...KAFKA ASAGIRI I WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU FOR MAKING ME FALL IN LOVE WITH BSD THEN KILLING OFF OUR FAV CHARACTERS AND MAKING US WAIT FOR OTHER MONTH TO PASS JUST FOR US TO FOUND OUT YOU LOVE WATCHING NOT ONLY YOUR CHARACTERS SUFFER BUT US AS WHILE...! Anyway I'm strating World War 5 and if ANYONE wants to join me put "KAFKA ASAGIRI IS THE REASON FOR WORLD WAR 5" in the comments! BYEBYE XD!

"Have I met you anywhere?" Dazai smiles a smile of no personality. "No. This is the first time we met."

- The Day I Picked Up Dazai (Side B), Kafka Asagiri

WHO ELSE CANT WAIT FOR THE DAY I PICKED UP DAZAI

I MISS BSD UGHHH ASAGIRI PLS BRING BACK MY POOKIES FROM DEATH OR IMMA GONNAWOIDJSHDHDHDHHHDI

As a writer, this hits home so much. I love reading the afterwards of the novels so much, because aside from just in general being really interesting, I really love how Asagiri talks about writing and engaging in media.

And yeah, both sides of the Day I Picked Up Dazai hurt.

[Translation] Asagiri Kafka's afterwords for The Day I Picked up Dazai novel

Normally, afterwords would be the last thing I read in a novel, but as there are not many changes to the published novel this time compared to the movie bonus version, I was able to skim through the text quickly and get to this. And to be honest, despite not being a writer myself, I was so moved by Asagiri's views about writing and his characters that he shared in the afterwords, that I had to sit down and translate it right away.

This is just my crappy translation, as usual, but I hope it gave you a short, interesting look into the author and the characters. And please do not forget to buy the novel if you have the chance.

The translation is under the cut, thank you!

It has been a while. This is Asagiri Kafka.

Have you been enjoying Bungou Stray Dogs?

This novel, “The Day I Picked up Dazai”, is a compilation of the first week’s bonus novel “The Day I Picked up Dazai – Side A” and the second week’s bonus novel “The Day I Picked up Dazai – Side B” for the screening of “Bungou Stray Dogs BEAST” movie (hereinafter referred to as “BEAST”).

Normally, it is difficult to publish a bonus like this, but since "BEAST” and “Fifteen” that were published earlier by BEANS Bunko were originally bonus novels too, "The Day I Picked up Dazai” was also published in the same way, thanks to the efforts of all parties involved in the Bungou Stray Dogs series.

It is the story of Dazai and Odasaku’s first meeting, where Dazai who wants to die, collapsed in front of Odasaku’s place, who is neither a mafioso nor a hit man.

Why are there two different stores, Side A and Sode B? Regarding this question, please read the novel and see for yourself. If you keep in mind that this is the bonus for the BEAST movie, I think you will be able to understand it better.

Let me reminisce a little bit here.

This story was actually suggested to me by Igarashi Takuya, Director of the Bungou Stray Dogs anime.

Shortly before BEAST movie premiered, I was struggling. It was because I was asked to write a bonus novel for movie-goers again. I said “again” because, as I mentioned earlier, BEAST itself was a bonus novel for the Bungou Stray Dogs DEAD APPLE movie. I remembered having a hard time writing it, because I let myself run wild and wrote a total of 190 pages instead of 50 pages as requested.

But I had learnt my lesson after the last rampage. I can’t just write whatever I want anymore. I have to wrap the story in a reasonable length, like a pro should do.

A proper, professional story.

Huh?

My pen stopped right there. I stopped, looked around, feeling lost.

What is a proper story?

The act of writing novel is quite different in character compared to other types of media such as writing manga, anime scripts, or game scenarios. You can say it is almost a different thing. Writing novels, rather than narrating an event, is more like putting the flow of emotions into specific sentences. You use the sequence of letters to create rhythms, create flows, and create emotions. If anything, it might be closer to composing a song than writing a story.

Therefore, you have to decide “what kind of emotion will be put in this novel” from the very beginning, or you can’t start writing. That is the only and absolute rule.

Now, however, that is where the condition of a “proper story” hung over me.

A proper novel, of a proper volume, with a proper content for a bonus.

In other words, a proper emotion.

I searched through the drawers inside my head. For a proper emotion that is waiting to be brought out.

There was nothing but emptiness there.

A professional story teller is one with the skill to move the readers’ emotions. When people find the chance to move their own emotions, they will happily be paying for it. Human-being is that kind of creature.

And writers are ones who create and sell those kinds of emotions: the fear, the excitement, the heart throb etc., those that make you think. It is that kind of job.

It is supposed to be that kind of job.

Yet I became unable to move forward.

A good story is a story that moves people. I know that. Then what kind of emotion I should put in the story to make it "proper"?

How do I find that emotion?

I mean, how did I even write novels until now?

I stood still. My legs stiffened, my knees froze, unable to take even a step forward.

I then tried to at least pretend that I was moving forward, by listening to music, by taking a walk around the neighborhood at night. But as good as the night breeze felt, I didn’t manage to reach a single story that I needed to write.

What if I stayed like this forever, what would I do?

I felt a chill plunging into my back.

Then I realized, that stories, or probably emotions too, are not things you can search for or come up with. You have no choice but to patiently wait for it to come your way. You have no choice but to humbly and earnestly sit and wait for the story’s visit.

I got that, but the "proper 50-page story” still refused to come.

It was not long before one week passed. Then two weeks.

I was doing other work, while keeping my heart’s door open, waiting for the story to come to me.

At that time, I had an online meeting with the anime staff. I casually asked Director Igarashi, “Do you have any story you want to see?”

The Director gave it a little thought then told me, "I want to see the story of Dazai and Oda’s encounter”.

At that very moment, the story rushed in through my door, like a bang. I could hear that sound very clearly.

Two stories. Odasaku, and the two Dazais. A story where they met, and a story where they couldn’t meet. A story of gain and a story of loss. If I can portray the gain and loss side by side, the amplitude of the heart will be doubled and rise up in front of us.

That was a momentary event. Rather than pushing my way forward, I felt as if something was pulling my hand. Before I noticed, I have already finished the stories.

I came to realize.

It is not the writer who searches for the story. It is the story that chooses its writer, and at some point it will come our way. A professional writer is no more than someone with the ability to catch that call.

Also, this is the most important thing: there is no such thing as a “proper emotion”. Because after all, the feelings of other people belong to them only. That is why there is no guarantee that a novel can move others “properly”. However, you can move your own emotions. You know what kind of novel can and how it will move you. If you do, you can write just that. That’s the only way. That is the truly professional attitude. That’s what I thought.

Well then.

It is a little bit off topic, but as we are talking about “stories that come our way”, let’s talk about Odasaku’s first-person narrative.

Odasaku is a special character. For me, he is exclusively a novel character, and I have never portrayed him in the manga.

He first appeared as the narrator in “Dazai Osamu and The Dark Era”, then “BEAST” and now this “The Day I Picked up Dazai”. All are novels. That’s why for me, Odasaku doesn’t live inside the pictures, he lives inside the first-person narrative passages.

He is an eccentric guy. Even if you prepare the place and tell him to speak, he won’t speak to you that easily. His way of thinking is rather unique, that if I write his narrative after writing other characters’ first-person narrative, I would stumble for sure. Odasaku doesn’t speak. He just sits there in silence, while I can do nothing but sitting in front of my blank manuscript paper, trying to talk to him, like “What’s up?”, “Here, here”. However, he is a guy who won’t speak when it is not necessary. Sometimes it goes days or even weeks without him saying a word. Why did such a character come to me...?

During such time, there is only one thing I can do. That is, of course, to stay with him, sit patiently, and simply wait.

Finally he will start speaking. In his unique rhythm, word by word. His words have the power to cut through the world from a certain angle. That special cross-section is full of things I have never seen before and it never fails to surprise me.

And then when he finishes telling his story, he will swiftly disappear. To a dark and quiet place somewhere – probably, I can only imagine, somewhere like a bar. He will sit there calmly and keep his own time to himself. After that, it will be hard to call him again. It is a backbreaking task to me, but in the end, that is the type of guy Odasaku is, and if I am allowed to sound self-conscious, that is Odasaku's charm.

This story was written in such a way. There is a chance that he will come back again. And when he does, I will patiently listen to his voice again.

This story was completed and published thanks to the help of many people: in the Bungou Stray Dogs BEAST movie’s Production Committee, the anime staff, Young Ace’s Editorial Department, BEANS Bunko’s Editorial Department, and the many people who were involved in the publication of the book. Thank you very much. It is all thanks to you that the book was published without any problem this time as well.

Well then, see you in the next story.

Asagiri Kafka.

I know that every chapter does tend to feel a little bit like "OMG WHAT IN THE ACTUAL HECK IS GOING ON" and that especially this month, it does feel a little like a contradiction from last chapter, but I don't think it's Asagiri being inconsistent. Nothing he's ever done so far in the past suggests that he doesn't know what he's doing and that he doesn't have a plan, and especially that he would forget what he wrote ONE CHAPTER AGO. I think there's something going on here that's going to make sense when this arc is finished.

Until then, we freak out.

You know what screw Dazai or any other character's backstory I want the next light novel to be entirely dedicated to exactly when and how Motojiro Kajii discovered he was immune to lemon shaped bombs

Right, I need to say my piece on the recent Asagiri drama.

I wasn’t going to say anything because I try to avoid fandom drama as it only takes away my enjoyment. However, I decided to do so anyway. I know I don’t have a large audience or post very often, but I would really appreciate it if people spread the word.

Do not. Under ANY circumstances, send threats, harass or anything of the sort to Asagiri or anyone involved in the creation of BSD.

It is rude. It is bad internet and fandom etiquette. It ruins the enjoyment for both the creators AND fans alike.

In a worst case scenario, it could lead to the premature end of BSD. (I’ve seen it happen before and it never ends well.)

This sort of thing is becoming a real issue in this fandom, especially as it grows. And I find it to be immature and pathetic behavior.

I understand liking your ships, I too have ships, but we must keep in mind that BSD was never supposed to be about romance or ships. It’s not a romance series.

Be respectful of Asagiri and the creators. Show your support of the series instead of sending hate and negativity when something happens that you don’t like. If you must, use that energy to make meaningful and respectful critique, or simply disengage. This applies with fandom content for the series as well.

It’s the polite and respectful thing to do. And it fosters a better community for everyone involved.

“That person deserves a break” “This person deserves a break”

MFS RANPO DESERVES A BREAK.

First of all, he has been carrying the ADA since he was a TEEN. He was 14 when he started working. Then, he had to watch the agency he cared so much about being slowly destroyed while being powerless because he has no ability. He yapped abt having the strongest ability and now he can only watch his only home being destroyed by his lack of ability. The guilt he must feel is CRAZY. Ranpo knows everything which means he knows what his friends are going through and can't do much about it.

Like give my man a break Asagiri (And not only him)

Plz Asagiri i'm begging you add Victor Hugo in BSD. He's my bbg. Not but honestly, he's like everything we need. The real Victor Hugo is a courageous man, even going so far as to oppose Napoleon. He even mocked him (With a painting where Napoleon was seen as a flying bird, where he was scared, and where Victor Hugo was standing behind.) At first he wasn't like that and stupidly followed others. But ! He changed, opposed the death penalty, made an incredible speech against poverty, defended single women which at the time was frowned upon. He even showed in one of his best-known books that a man, judged a thief and who spent 19 years in the penal colony (which is worse than jail), could become a good man. And that only a simple thing, gesture, could change his life.

Plz he'll be so bbg. He'll probably be like in a french gang (or port mafia idk), and he'll join the ADA after. Character development plz.

⚠️ BSD SPOILERS: Chap 145 (?)⚠️

Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive Bram is alive BRAM IS ALIVE

"Night has fallen, and morning will come too,"

Kenji said while gazing at the paddy field.

"Spring will arrive, and Autumn too. Everything is split in halves. The grass grows, trees wither, animals are born, and they die……when you live with the land, you slowly come to understand that nature is made up of halves. When something bad happens……when a storm or erosion happens, we feel like bad things will only continue. But in truth, the good and the bad, they are all part of nature……part of living. That’s how everyone in the village thinks."

"I do not understand,”

Akutagawa said, looking at the same scenery.

"So fortune and misfortune are equal halves? Do you want to say the same thing to my comrades who died in the slums?"

"That is why you’re the half that’s left, Akutagawa-san"

Kenji looked at Akutagawa.

"You survived. And with a very powerful Ability, too. Everybody passed on their good halves to you"

~Kafka Asagiri, Bungo Stray Dogs, BEAST.

COME GET YER FOOD BSD FANDOM here is the rundown of the Anime Expo 2023 Kafka Asagiri panel

Big thank you to Kalai Chik for the transcript and for giving me permission to share this here!! >:]