Shin Soukoku - Blog Posts

Talking about this scene where Atsushi and Akutagawa had to fight Ivan

Okay, first off, this is actually such an underrated moment for Sskk's development. It's the first time they use Kokko Zessou (the Singularity of Rashomon [more like rasHOMOn] and Beast Beneath the Moonlight) and Akutagawa and Atsushi learn more about each other as people, plus this is right before they make the six months promise. I really love seeing sskk together where they can actually talk, and don't just fight

And second of all, WHAT IS THIS FACE ATSUSHI??

he looks so into it 🙏

What in the home of sexual is that look, Atsushi 😭 it's already kinky af for Rashomon to wrap around his neck like that AND THEN ATSUSHI REACTS LIKE THAT

Also I'd like to mention Akutagawa is unusually gentle with Rashomon when he uses it on Atsushi

God they're so in love

If This Was a Movie by Taylor Swift fits sskk and I would like to say why 🙏

If anything, it fits them double now, due to chapter 121.5, and it would *so* be from Atsushi's pov after Akutagawa died in their fight against Fukuchi, but it could also be from Akutagawa's pov

"Last night I heard my own heart beating

Sounded like footsteps on my stairs

Six months gone and I'm still reaching

Even though I know you're not there" THAT IS SO SO THEM 😭 like it just fits Atsushi's mourning after Akutagawa died (and the six months lyric is just perfection)

"I was playing back a thousand memories, baby

Thinking 'bout everything we've been through

Maybe I've been going back too much lately

When time stood still and I had you" Atsushi reminiscing and thinking back to the fight with Fukuchi is very well described with these lyrics 

"Come back, come back, come back to me like

You would, you would if this was a movie

Stand in the rain outside 'til I came out"

Just the whole entire song is so similar to them. The pain, the loss, the heartbreak. Everything Atsushi regrets, everything that haunts him about Akutagawa's death. All his hopes that Akutagawa could come back (thankfully he did but then l m a o Atsushi had to go and die •-•)

Sskk makes me unwell I love them so much 😔 anyways I was just obsessing over this song and realized it fit sskk to a painful degree lmao 

Asagiri please I'm begging you I NEED a scene where sskk talk about each other's trauma and trace each other's scars

Like just imagine Atsushi gently touching the scar on Akutagawa's neck with tears in his eyes as they talk about their pasts IT WOULD BE THE THERAPY I NEED

List of songs by Taylor Swift that fit Bsd characters and relationships bc why not;

Fyolai - I Can Do It With a Broken Heart

Fyodor - Dear Reader

Dazai or Ranpo - Mastermind

Soukoku - All You Had To Do Was Stay

Shin Soukoku - invisible string

Shin Soukoku - Enchanted

Shin Soukoku - Treacherous

Shin Soukoku - Midnight Rain

Yosano - mad woman

Chuuya - Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?

Shin Soukoku - Haunted

Shin Soukoku - Ours

Soukoku - happiness

Soukoku - Cornelia Street

Soukoku - I Knew You Were Trouble

Shin Soukoku - Sparks Fly

Shin Soukoku - Timeless

Dazai - Antihero

Akutagawa - Breathe

Soukoku - I Almost Do

Shin Soukoku - Back to December

Ranpoe - But Daddy I Love Him

Dazai - Clean

Shin Soukoku - Come Back...Be Here

Atsushi - Clara Bow

Shin Soukoku - Call It What You Want

Shin Soukoku - Delicate

Atsushi - The Archer

Soukoku - Death By a Thousand Cuts

Kyouka - Daylight

Tachihara - epiphany

Shin Soukoku - I'm Only Me When I'm With You

Soukoku - Forever Winter

Soukoku - Fifteen

Soukoku - Hits Different

Soukoku - High Infidelity

Soukoku - Getaway Car

Akutagawa - mirrorball

Soukoku - Gorgeous

Shin Soukoku - Lover

Gin - Soon You'll Get Better

Shin Soukoku - Glitch

Soukoku - I Bet You Think About Me

Atsushi - I Hate It Here

Shin Soukoku or Soukoku - I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)

Sigma - my tears ricochet

Shin Soukoku - If This Was a Movie

Akutagawa - I Forgot That You Existed

Kyouka, Atsushi or Yosano - Innocent

Soukoku - Is It Over Now?

Shin Soukoku - Jump Then Fall

Soukoku - King of My Heart

The Armed Detective Agency - Long Live

Shin Soukoku - Last Kiss

Shin Soukoku - Love Story

Atsushi - Mean

Dazai - marjorie

Kyouka - Never Grow Up

Shin Soukoku - Our Song

Ranpoe - Paper Rings

Soukoku - Style

Atsushi - seven

Shin Soukoku - "Slut!"

Shin Soukoku - Sweet Nothing

Soukoku - Sad Beautiful Tragic

Soukoku - Say Don't Go

Shin Soukoku - This Love

Ranpoe - the lakes

Fyolai - tolerate it

Atsushi - Tied Together With a Smile

Soukoku - The Story of Us

Soukoku - The Way I Loved You

Shin Soukoku - Untouchable

Soukoku - Wonderland

Yosano - Would've Could've Should've

~~

Well that ended up longer than I expected. And I'm probably forgetting some lmao

THIS IS AKUTAGAWA IN CHAPTER 121.5

you know a fic is good when it has this

Sskk's daughter

Her character profile;

Name: Akutagawa Shiori

Name origin: she's the only bsd ship kid I made without an actual name origin 🙏 I made Shiori a long time ago (I've been a sskk enthusiast for an ungodly amount of time), I think I just looked up female Japanese names and picked Shiori bc of the "shi" in it being like the "shi" in Atsushi lol. So yeah there's not really any meaning behind her name

Gender: female, she/her

Family: Ryuunosuke, Atsushi, Hiroshi (older brother)

Ability name: Demon Under the Moonlight 

Ability description: it's basically Atsushi's ability, except she's got grey fur with black stripes. Also in exchange for regeneration, she can manipulate her tiger tail similarly to Rashomon, where it can extend or sharpen. She does turn into a weretiger during the full moon, but they had Dazai deal with that, until Fukuzawa hired her at 14 for an "apprentice detective" spot at the Agency, where Fukuzawa's ability took care of the problem 

Age: 16

Height: 5'5

Occupation(s): student, apprentice detective at the Agency

Likes: chazuke, cats, figs, springtime, ice skating, reading

Dislikes: mandarin oranges, dolls, cigarettes, the smell of blood

Birthday: April 2nd 

Hair color(s): black and white

Eye color(s): silver (right eye), gold and purple (left eye)

~~

I'm horrible at digital art so please excuse the poorly skilled drawing, but the first picture is Shiori in color, the second is just a random doodle and the third is the original draft. I will be drawing her brother soon, but anyways, here's Sskk's daughter! I hope you like her (⁠✿⁠^⁠‿⁠^⁠)

Her birthday is April 2nd because it's exactly between March 1st (Akutagawa's birthday) and May 5th (Atsushi's birthday) lol. Her design is a little crazy, but please know that Atsushi is the one who cuts her hair and that's why it's that horrendous 😔

Shiori is kind and nice, but is usually tactless/blunt and can be really cold when she wants to be. Don't get on her bad side lmao

(regarding this whole "bsd ship kids" series, you're probably wondering how tf any of these very-much-not-biologically-possible characters are here, and since this whole series is just for fun, I don't really care on the answer; I decided on there just being an ability user who can give people children despite gender. Also in terms of abilities for the kids, they will either be mashups of their parent's abilities, or just something similar to their themes, I'm not the most creative person in the world lol. Once again, please don't take any of this too seriously and also ignore my crappy art)

Skk is next :]

Okay so! The results are in :D

I did not think 169 whole people would vote omg 😭 ty to everyone who voted!

Sskk won, kinda unsurprisingly bc sskk is just perfect, so I'll be drawing and revealing my (kind of an OC) sskk love child first. I'll actually be designing and making every ship kid on this poll (and maybe a few that weren't mentioned), this poll was to pick who would be revealed first (⁠~⁠‾⁠▿⁠‾⁠)⁠~

So, in order of who will be revealed from first to last is;

Sskk (26%)

Skk (24.9%)

Ranpoe (15.4%)

Fyolai (8.9%)

Suegiku (7.1%)

Kunibram (6.5%)

Kenjikyou (3%)

Rimlaine (3%)

Steincraft (2.4%)

Tachitani (1.8%)

Other kids of ships that I haven't officially decided on yet (the remaining 1.2%)

I'll be giving each kid a character profile and just some extras on them, and this is just for fun, don't take it too seriously please :>

Can't wait to share my art (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡

I'm aware my art isn't very popular or anything lol but please pick which kid you'd want to see me draw the most<3 (I'm also aware every kid on this list beside Kenjikyou's would be biologically impossible but uhh let's say there's just some ability user or whatever who can let two men have kids or smth, idk I'm here to draw not to have logic mk 😔)

I'll also name the kid and give them a bit of a story when I end up drawing whoever they are :>

now does akutagawa realize that it isn’t just his sacrifice that mattered to atsushi, but the loss of his life as well? that it isn’t only about what he could do with the final moments of his life, but about the void his death, his absence left? now that it has been reflected back to him by the very person he gave everything for—now that he has been given it all in return—does he realize that he might now feel what atsushi felt when he lost him? does he finally understand that his life is as important to atsushi as atsushi’s is to him?

Y'all know that emergency contact trend on YouTube with that "I'm just an ordinary girl" song? 😭 I was imagining if Atsushi did it, with Akutagawa as his emergency contact. The videos that do the trend show clips of whoever the emergency contact is doing silly stuff like "oh look at how unserious my emergency contact is" and then Atsushi would just be like "my emergency contact is blowing up a police station again<3" with the following clip

Atsushi made him blush

Friendly reminder of that time when Atsushi saved Akutagawa from dying by body slam/grabbing him and then Akutagawa proceeded to use Rashomon to keep Atsushi safe as they crashed through the window in each other's arms

You know

Sometimes I just love to read a happy sskk fic

Like, I love when their relationship is angsty or messy or complicated, because that is how it is! But sometimes the hurt gets too painful and I adore how tragic they are but I need happiness

Sskk may not be the softest ship, but it's so refreshing to just read a fic where things are...peaceful. There's no miscommunication, there's no death, there's no tears or despair. It's the aftermath, where Atsushi and Akutagawa have learned to love each other without fear

Where they're together and they're happy, where they can wake up next to each other and walk around the city together and give each other goodbye kisses that aren't actually goodbye

When everything's okay

And sometimes, things are so happy it makes you sad anyway. It makes you sad that Sskk is happy together because you know it isn't true, so while it soothes your soul with the fortune, it also reminds you of canon Sskk and how many doors that they can't walk through

I truly do love the heavy, angsty Sskk fics with all the heartbreak and anguish and forbidden, confusing love that they have with each other. But the fics where they're together, and they have sweet nothings shared between each other is also so wonderful, where things are soft and magical and it's all okay still have a place in my heart

I love the perspectives of their relationship from both sides

I'm aware my art isn't very popular or anything lol but please pick which kid you'd want to see me draw the most<3 (I'm also aware every kid on this list beside Kenjikyou's would be biologically impossible but uhh let's say there's just some ability user or whatever who can let two men have kids or smth, idk I'm here to draw not to have logic mk 😔)

I'll also name the kid and give them a bit of a story when I end up drawing whoever they are :>

Is that sskk fic recommendations I feel in the air? :0

I love the title card omg and I will be bookmarking every fic on this list bc damn, some sskk is truly needed (without sskk I assume I would spontaneously combust)

(yes i had fun with the title card)

The time has come to complete my legacy.

First off, I highly recommend stopping by the list I made some time ago, because those turned out to be timeless classics, must-reads: clicky here click. Special thanks to @beegowhoosh and @mikayuumouse for inspiring me to update this one! If that list feels overwhelming, my personal favourites are: All The Memories Of You by collectingblues, waiting room by srxlee and enshroud me by @lost--dimension; my silly words are just not enough to recommend those enough, truly changed my brain chemistry.

yokohama bay hotel by spirallings [Words: 9.5k | Chapters: 1/1 | T]

Honestly, inject this fic in my bloodstream, I got emotional just opening it and rereading the first line to write this review. Social media AU with vlogger Aku who one day finds Atsushi’s music channel, reaches out to him to express his highest admirations, and the rest is a beautiful story of building trust, friendship and falling in love. Immaculate narration, easy flowing and so heartfelt, had me smiling (and crying but shh) throughout the whole thing. A unique storytelling style through the occasional tweets, texts, emails and subtle descriptions of the scene, mixed with classic narration, strikingly in-character dialogue and songs. Just open it to see what I mean, it is genuinely like nothing I’ve read before and I hold this story very close to my heart. There is also a 150 songs playlist that goes with the fic, def some bangers in there.

and the funny thing is i would have married you (if you had stuck around) by cheezee [Words: 11k | Chapters: 1/1 | T]

Time travel and reincarnation, a tragic (but hopeful nonetheless) story following Akutagawa’s death on that ship and Atsushi traversing space and time to find him again, and again… and again… with the cursed fate taking his love away from him. It’s an emotional ride of happiness and melancholy, hope and despair, broken promises and lost memories. This reads as a classic tale of love, personally reminds me of a greek tragedy, and the writing is impressively poetic, simply pulling on the heartstrings.

...I wanna be next to you by Iyrs [Words: 2k | Chapters: 1/1 | G]

(i am definitely not biased because I made art for this, no sir) Wonderfully tasteful narration and the softest words of comfort, beautifully showing how much their relationship has progressed, the trust and ease and emotional vulnerability. There is one particular most domestic scene that lives in my mind rent-free, trust me and give this a quick read.

the plan (YOUR FINGERS) by lizandre [Words: 5k | Chapters: 1/1 | T]

I’m gonna struggle a lot to explain this one lol (if the trust me bro argument is not enough). I could personally not find a better word to describe the style of writing than simply genius. If I may quote the author from the summary, this is a story of how “Akutagawa Ryunosuke loses it entirely.” It has the humor, it has the pain, it has the classic psychoanalysis that every good fic has of course. Basically Aku not realizing the emotional turmoil he’s experiencing is not being possessed or mind controlled or going mad, but simply falling in love. And Atsushi being the voice and hand of reason to get him out of his madness. Aku here is as unapologetically dramatic as any theatre kid could be, 10/10, not even trying. Just straight up check everything this person has written imao, this fic is just one of many masterpieces.

Safe Underground by forget_me_nots [Words: 25k | Chapters: 5/5 | M (Violence, Main Character Death)]

This one is a hidden gem, severely underrated, criminally low exposure. It is an AU based on the videogame Lobotomy Corporation (that I actually had no knowledge of, but you don’t need to know it to enjoy the fic at all). Horror, gore and panic with close to zero comfort, grief of death and living nightmares. The style of writing is extremely skillful, with meaningful repeating motifs and metaphors. All of the characters are incredibly well-written and the growing friendship between our main duo in circumstances of utter tragedy is as enjoyable to read as ever. Pay attention to the coffee.

Moonlit Resurrection by june_berry [Words: 143k | Chapters: 16/? | E (Violence, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat)]

And while we’re on the theme of madness! I need to take a deep breath for this one. Incredibly depressing story on existentialism, trauma and self-destruction, told by poetic writing like no other. To quote the author: “Atsushi is hit by an ability that sends him spiraling. Forced to confront his traumatic past or die in two weeks, Atsushi begrudgingly teams up with the man he hasn’t seen in years: Akutagawa Ryuunosuke.” The highlight of this fic is honestly the narration style itself, it delves deep into Atsushi’s and Akutagawa’s minds and perfectly encapsulates their own deteriorating psyche. Deeply introspective. This was, strangely enough and despite the lack of comfort, a healing experience for me, basically a "Hey you see what happens to Atsushi when he got depressed, maybe don't do that." Worked wonders, truly. But be careful if you’re not in a good state of mind because it may have the opposite effect. Also cannot forget to give fair credit to @the-bengali-diva for incidentally introducing me to this one, they’ve even made paintings for the fic! Thank you truly, I would have never found this masterpiece alone!

Of Monsters and Men by Mississippi_moon [Words: 32k | Chapters: 18/18 | T]

On a brighter note! Mercenary Akutagawa failing to assassinate Atsushi, the Prince of Yokohama (and of course slowly falls in love with him instead). Made me smile and laugh and clutch my chest so many times, I just couldn’t put it down [also kindly named my google docs analysis for this “the royal dopamine injection*, i hope that says something on its own]. Very good humor mixed with equally good torture and suffering (and fluff and comfort!). The progression of sskk’s relationship is fantastic. Oh and Atsushi is a badass, that’s very important, long live Boldsushi.

Ma meilleure ennemie by @falloutjuli [Words: 13k | Chapters: 1/1 | M]

I swear I keep stumbling upon this author by accident without realizing I know them and I keep being blown away by their work. If the Arcane reference title is not enough for you, this is a little story about Aku and Atsu being thrown into an unforeseen Parisian vacation, where they dance and get that 'oh, oh' moment. Absolutely perfectly in-character dialogue, with many funny and even more heartfelt moments, all spiced up with the classic sskk banter.

So let us stop talkin' falsely now, The hour's getting late by FallOutJuli (again) [Words: 17k | Chapters: 1/1 | T]

This story made me so happy, an instant fix for a bad day at work that I still remember and am grateful for. Slow burn 1920s AU with reporter Atsushi and singer Akutagawa, great banter and even greater collaboration between those two, gradually growing closer and learning they can trust and be good for each other, both finding a muse in the other.

all is finally quiet by @aurorahrt [Words: 2.5k | Chapters: 1/1 | M]

“Did you,” Akutagawa breathes, gasping as Atsushi presses the palms of his hands into Akutagawa’s shoulders, “know you were going to live?” “No,” Atsushi whispers, leaning close, eyes sharp. “I had a feeling, but… no. Did-,” “No.”

There is simply no better collection of words to express my feelings than this quote. Please read this if you need something to soothe your heart after chapter 121.5, or just in general for an introspective character study focused on the ever so complicated relationship of sskk, flourished with beautifully written domestic fluff, anxieties and quiet comfort, soft kisses and even softer words of reassurance. I am almost tearing up again just writing this silly tiny review, those two have my heart and more.

And that’s a wrap, see you in another half year when I possibly sort through 100 fics more! All of the above mean a lot to me, so please check them out if anything from my passionate ramblings catches your eye. And go give the authors some love, they’re doing god’s work here <3

I already did another poll (it ended) with different songs, the winning song was Fight or Flight by Conan Gray, and I wanted to make another due to the huge amount of songs that fit sskk! All these songs fit sskk at some point in their relationship or dynamic, but I wanna see which one people think is the best suited<3

If my future boyfriend doesn't propose to me with some variation of "will you marry me, you fool" I'm not saying yes

Help imagine married sskk 😭

Atsushi: Ryuu honey can you do the dishes

Akutagawa: I already did them last night

Atsushi *with his hands on his hips*: I did not get stabbed by Amenogozen to save you just to have a lazy husband. Now go do the dishes

Like there's not even much of a joke here I just love what married sskk in their happily ever after would be like. They'd be so imperfectly perfect, and also it'd be funny to see them bicker, especially with their pasts

I absolutely looooove your sskk posts, thank you for writing about them and analysing them so well. You’ve helped me understand them so much more❤️

For the ask, what are your favourite fics for them👀

I see so many people analyze Bsd characters and relationships (they're all amazing), glad I can contribute with some sskk analysations :> (I do do other analysations ofc, but they're mostly in rants to my friends about Bsd characters 😔)

I read a lot of fanfiction (it is the backbone of my sanity<3) so I skedaddled over to Ao3 to get a list of my favorite fics/oneshots for this ask :D

I won't go into detail about every oneshot/fic on this (bc then we'd be here all day lmao) so please read the tags of the fics once you look them up<33

~~

The Air we Breathe - by GiftedEcho

I love you more when you never hide your heart - by wowie_me

Weak Inhibitions - by StickyRice_94

i can taste it in your tears - by Sorry_I_Panicked

trapped in grief - by illiterate_hermit_crab

surprise birthday, birthday surprise - by space_ace00

all is finally quiet - by auroraheart

i want to be somebody to someone (somebody to you) - GhouliGhost (this fic is locked so only people with Ao3 accs can read it)

vienna waits for you - by nemui (ribbonelle) (this fic is locked so only people with Ao3 accs can read it)

The Last Time - by Nqnameiiis7

Love me all night long - by Funky_Unravel

In this darkness, light me - by Funky_Unravel

A Christmas Night of Firsts - by GojosFunkyBitchGlasses

(Zoo)Keeper of My Heart - by GojosFunkyBitchGlasses

Hushed secrets (keep the heart at bay) - by Funky_Unravel

Smile for the Camera! - by SadDetectives

If Our Love's Insanity (Why Are You My Clarity) - by BuryYourDoves

the memory of your name - by Sorry_I_Panicked

Broken Record - by illiterate_hermit_crab

I Say, Take Me Out! - by Thunderbirds_and_Lightning

i was lost within the darkness (but then i found you) - by EmeraldEclipse

~~

Sorry the list is kinda short 😭 I've read a lot more good fics and oneshots but these were some of the ones I found in my bookmarks (also I read on Ao3 for quite a long time before I got an account because I didn't really have any reason to get an account until I wanted to start posting [yes I'm an Ao3 author], so there's a lot of lost fics that I read but can't find again 😭🙏 it haunts me to this day)

Also if anyone seeing this post has any sskk fic and/or oneshot recs (even if it's your oneshot fic or oneshot lol), please comment bc I need more sskk content in my life :]

And I'm sorry there's not much angst on this fic and oneshot list, I can never find enough sskk angst 😔

Oh and here's some of my sskk works! (yes I will be shameless and put them here muahahaha);

My Heart Didn't Start Until I Met You - by MikayuuMouse

The Ring Reminds Me of You - by MikayuuMouse

Wrapped Up Like a Present - by MikayuuMouse

Shin Soukoku Oneshots— Open For Requests! - by MikayuuMouse

(I promise I'm gonna update the Requests sskk book soon 🙏🙏)

And thank you, anon, for asking this so I could share of Ao3's lovely sskk works with the Internet :> please support the authors and their wonderful fanfiction! (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡

I WILL NEVER GET OVER BSD X TAYLOR SWIFT THINGS 🙏 they're always so good 😭

reputation by Taylor Swift

Shin Soukoku from Bungo Stray Dogs - My take on how the album reputation by Taylor Swift represents SSKK with each song with a bonus perspective.

1) ...Ready For It?

Perspective: Akutagawa

Lyric/Quote: "I see nothing better, I keep him forever, Like a vendetta" & "I know I'm gonna be with you, so I'll take my time"

2) End Game

Perspective: Akutagawa

Lyric/Quote: "I got a bad boy persona, it's what they like, you love it, I love it too 'cause you my type, You hold me down and I protect you with my life" & "You've been calling my bluff on all my usual tricks"

3) I Did Something Bad

Perspective: Atsushi

Lyric/Quote: "This is how the world works, You gotta leave before you get left"

4) Don't Blame Me

Perspective: Atsushi

Lyric/Quote: "For you, I would cross the line" - "My name is whatever you decide, and I'm just gonna call you mine" - "And baby, for you, I would fall from grace"

5) Delicate

Perspective: Akutagawa

Lyric/Quote: "My reputation's never been worse, so you must like me for me" & "Sometimes when I look into your eyes, I pretend you're mine, all the damn time"

Bonus from Atsushi's perspective: "Handsome, you're a mansion with a view"

6) Look What You Made Me Do

Perspective: Akutagawa

Lyric/Quote: "I don't trust nobody and nobody trust me" & "The role you made me play of the fool"

Bonus: "The old Taylor can come to the phone right now, Why? Oh, 'cause she's dead"

7) So It Goes...

Perspective: Atsushi

Lyric/Quote: "You know I'm not a bad girl but I do bad things with you" & "But when you get me alone, it's so simple"

8) Gorgeous

Perspective: Atsushi

Lyric/Quote: "There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have" & "'Cause you're so gorgeous, it actually hurts"

Bonus: "You should take it as a compliment that I got drunk and made fun of the way you talk"

9) Getaway Car

Bonus: Dazai/Chuuya

10) King Of My Heart

Perspective: Atsushi

Lyric/Quote: "You are the one I have been waiting for" & "My broken bones are mending"

11) Dancing With Our Hands Tied

Perspective: Akutagawa

Lyric/Quote: "I, I loved you in spite of, Deep fears that the world would divide us" & "And say, say that we got it, I'm a mess, but I'm the mess that you wanted"

12) Dress

Perspective: Atsushi/Akutagawa

Lyric/Quote: "Even in my worst times, you could see the best in me" & "Everyone thinks that they know us but they know nothing..."

13) This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things

Bonus: Dazai to Ango

14) Call It What You Want

Perspective: Atsushi

Lyric/Quote: "My castle crumbled overnight" & He built a fire just to keep me warm"

Bonus: "My baby's fit like a daydream"

15) New Year's Day

Perspective: Atsushi

Lyric/Quote: "But I stay when you're lost, and I'm scared, and you're turning away" & "Please don't ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere"

Bonus: "You and me, forevermore"

BDJJDKGRSJKBJF THAT IS AN AMAZING MUSIC ANALYSIS OMG?? You described Fight or Flight so well 🙏 also it happens to be winning in the polls lmaoo so people are agreeing

All the songs in the poll fit sskk (for different reasons at different points in their relationship) and I just wondered which one sskk shippers thought was the most accurate one<33

Thank you for your thoughts on the songs ⊂⁠(⁠´⁠･⁠◡⁠･⁠⊂⁠ ⁠)⁠∘⁠˚⁠˳⁠°, unhinged sskk shippers are the best ones ✨

Do you think there's a chance that Shin Soukoku could become canon? I know that Bungou Stray Dogs isn't primarily a romance anime, among other things, but do you think it's possible?

Yep, I think it's possible

I usually give essay-long replies on Sskk anon asks lmao but I'll be short

I think the possibility *of* sskk becoming canon is low, mainly just because Bsd isn't a romance manga/anime

But I think if it *did* become canon it would make a lot of sense. Their dynamic already has a lot of romantic undertones to it, so I think if one day Asagiri made it canon, it would not feel forced or anything at all. It would feel natural because I mean, they just go so well together

There's a chance it'll be canon, there's always been a chance, but it's probably not that high. It's possible, but we'll just have to wait and see

Now every time I hear the word "fool" I go into cardiac arrest. Thank you, chapter 121.5

I really like how you talk about sskk, do you have any reviews about them?

It's super obvious that I love Sskk, and it's true, I do, I'm completely enamored by the ship and I love their relationship dynamic so much (I love Bsd for a plethora of reasons, such as the individual characters, plot, abilities, depictions of mental health, etc, not just sskk ofc, but sskk has always been something that's interested me a lot and it's my favorite ship) so I'd love to give some reviews!

I won't be able to name every reason or review on this ship lol I just have too many, but I'll try to list some of my favorites

I don't ship Akutagawa nor Atsushi with anyone else besides each other, because to me they're soulmates. I adore their symbolism of the yin and yang, Akutagawa being the yin (evil with a bit of good) and Atsushi being the yang (good with a bit of evil). I think they have a very unique duo concept while still fitting as the next generation of Double Black/Soukoku

Also I'll never get over how much they actually like and respect each other. They might bicker and argue, but they've only fought like, twice. The first time was their first meeting and they fought because they weren't personal enemies, they were organization rivals. Then the second time was Atsushi desperately trying to save Kyouka, and people seem to forget that in the beginning Atsushi didn't know his own strength. Until he became an Agency member he wasn't able to control his ability, and he couldn't even remember transforming

A *huge* thing for a view on Sskk's relationship is circumstance. In the main series of Bsd, Atsushi is told to stay away from Akutagawa because he's a Port Mafia member. He isn't told about Akutagawa's personality or who he is as a person, because why would he? He's simply the enemy (at that point in time). Basically, the whole reason they were so adverse to each other was because the only information they were given about each other was to hate each other

Akutagawa never truly hated Atsushi for who he *was*. He was told to dislike Atsushi, along with every single other Agency member. Akutagawa has said he doesn't hate Atsushi twice, once in the manga where he said "I only hated you for your good fortune," as he was jealous of Atsushi and how Dazai treated Atsushi. The second time was in the 55 Minutes light novel

I kinda rambled a lot, but all in all, Atsushi and Akutagawa have never *personally* hated each other. It's all circumstance. Look at BEAST, when Akutagawa and Atsushi meet, they meet at a cafe and have no idea who the other actually is. They get along easily and enjoy each other's company, relating to each other and talking comfortably. It just goes to show that they might clash but in the end, they go so well together and support each other

So that's my review on how they actually don't hate each other lol

I think Akutagawa does respect Atsushi, and vice versa. I think their relationship is something similar to "I wish you never came into my life, because now I can't live without you,"

It's fairly obvious that Atsushi mourned Akutagawa and replayed his death many times in his head after Akutagawa died at Fukuchi's hand. Atsushi might call Akutagawa annoying but he missed him, and even was able to quote Akutagawa's last words back at Akutagawa before dying for him. Atsushi even canonly feels safe around Akutagawa, because he trusts Akutagawa. He trusts Akutagawa won't try to (seriously) hurt him nor kill him (at least until the six months are up)

(actually, regarding that for a second, I highly doubt the promise will actually go through. Or at least they'll pretend to want to fight, and then one of them is going to fold and admit that they don't want to do the death match. They would [and did] literally both die for each other, they're not killing each other any time soon)

Anyways

Their trust runs deep, even if its unspoken. Akutagawa is basically completely vulnerable without his coat/Rashomon, yet he gives it to Atsushi because he *trusts* Atsushi to use Kokko Zessou (the Singularity of their abilities) properly

Also in Wan!, which is to some extent canon btw it's confirmed to just be an alternate chibi universe, Atsushi stalked Akutagawa for a bit to see if he truly wasn't killing anything and then proceeded to comically see Akutagawa not even kill a mosquito. So after he sees that Akutagawa is true to his word he buys some pork buns for Akutagawa and gives them to him as a gift. Akutagawa splits open the bag with Rashomon and takes the food and I just found it really sweet that Akutagawa took the food that Atsushi bought for him. I know it's just Wan! and it's all silly, but idk it warms my heart that he didn't just throw out the food that Atsushi got for him 😭 (btw this is Wan! episode 4/chapter 66) (and even if I'm wrong about Wan!'s canonical credibility, this is still one of my favorite sskk moments and I don't really take it that seriously lol)

Also, Akutagawa has stated that his reason to live is to get Dazai's validation, to have Dazai admit that he is indeed strong and worthy (in BEAST his reason for living was to find Gin). Akutagawa even says he doesn't fear death, but he fears dying before proving himself to Dazai. The thing is, I think Atsushi could become his new reason to live (I know how cheesy this sounds 🙏). Atsushi 100% recognizes Akutagawa as strong and capable, and I just really think that protecting Atsushi and fighting alongside him could be Akutagawa's new reason to live (or at least, *a* reason)

Also another point of how much Akutagawa trusts Atsushi (whether or not he wants to admit it) is that he told Atsushi about his lung condition. Akutagawa is obsessed with power because of how Dazai trained (abused) him. He wants and needs status and to be feared, Atsushi even calls him out for "killing just to look powerful". Why would he keep his lung condition a secret? Because sickness is *weakness.* He despises being seen as weak or defenseless, but with Atsushi? He knows Atsushi won't ever think he's weak. So he tells Atsushi (and inadvertently Fukuchi) about his lung disease, trusting Atsushi with the information

Okay so these are (some) of my reviews on their canon relationship and why I think they're so perfect for each other, and ofc I had more reasons and opinions about sskk (I swear I'm normal about them 😭), it's practically an endless list

Also I love every single depiction I've seen of domestic/no abilities au sskk. I know their relationship isn't necessarily soft, but it could be. The look Atsushi gave Akutagawa before turning into bubbles was very soft.

As a romantic couple, they would be wonderful for each other. They're literally the perfect balance, and I think it would be a healthy and loving relationship just with some (weightless) arguing. That's just their personalities lol

And I think no matter what universe they're in, they're still going to be connected to each other. In BEAST when Atsushi enters the cafe, Akutagawa takes immediate note of him although he looks comparatively normal. Akutagawa senses his strength and notices him. I think even if in a world where they've never met, if Atsushi walked past Akutagawa one day,Akutagawa would turn around to look at him, and vice versa. They're very intertwined and I adore that part of their relationship

Oh, and I'm not saying it's odd or specifically special that Atsushi cares about Akutagawa, after all he's kind and cares about many people like Kyouka, Dazai, Kunikida, Ranpo, etc. But Atsushi has *extreme* trust issues so the fact that he trusts Akutagawa along with caring about him really shows how different their relationship is. Also it goes to show that Atsushi doesn't view the world as black and white, and doesn't only like the "good guys" and hates the "bad guys". Atsushi cares about Akutagawa despite all of Akutagawa's sins and debatable flaws, because he *likes* Akutagawa. And Akutagawa caring about anyone ever is pretty unusual lol. Atsushi, Gin, and his friends from the slums who died might be the only people he actually gives a damn about (he hates Dazai)

Also I do think they have the potential to become canon, it's unlikely due to a bunch of different reasons (such as Bsd isn't a romance manga/anime), but if it did become canon, it would just make a lot of sense. Seeing them navigate their relationship together while also dealing with Fyodor, Amenogozen, The Book, etc and their own internal struggles would be extremely interesting. I just know Asagiri would write it wonderfully

Dear Lord I talk about them too much 😭 anyways thank you sm for asking this and I hope you like my reviews<333

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