Short answer? Yes. Ryunosuke Akutagawa is dead. He died in order to save Atsushi Nakajima when they lost during The Decay of Angel arc. Long answer?
Ryunosuke Akutagawa has to be one of the fans of the Bungo Stray Dogs franchise. The character is everything a fan favorite should be: attractive, dark, and a frigid tsundere. Ryunosuke Akutagawa has shown his fans several faces of the same character, from antagonist to sometimes deuteragonist. However, fans were concerned when Twitter began to flood with manga panels from the Bungo Stray Dogs depicting Akutagawa’s death.
Ryunosuke Akutagawa is the main antagonist of Bungo Stray Dogs’ first season. His primary responsibility is to gather Atsushi Nakajima. As the narrative proceeds, Akutagawa becomes an ally of the Detective Agency. Akutagawa is a formidable figure. Rashoumon is called after the classic novel by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, the author.
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The most devastating blow to Akutagawa’s character journey occurs in Bungo Stray Dogs chapter 87. It is set in the Kamui Revelation Arc when the Detective Agency is up against another terrorist organization known as Decay of the Angel. However, due to a series of circumstances, Atsushi and Akutagawa find themselves battling against Ochi Fukuchi, the leader of Decay of the Angel and one of the most fearsome opponents they have faced. Ochi Fukuchi, also known as Kamui, has the talent ‘Mirror Lion,’ which allows Kamui to boost the efficacy of a weapon by a hundred folds.
The duo loses their struggle against Kamui, and Akutagawa ends up giving his life to assist Atsushi in his escape. Kamui slices Akutagawa’s throat, killing him, near the end of Chapter 87.
Later on, fans find out that Akutagawa has been suffering from a serious illness that shortened his life span. Because of this, fans speculated that Akutagawa chose to give his life in order to have it end in a more meaningful way.
Akutagawa, as a mafia figure, is insensitively aggressive and cares little to nothing about innocent people being wounded. He also seemed to have a temper issue, as he would quickly erupt in bouts of rage. However, when fighting, he is exceedingly cool and can read his opponents effectively. He is a highly excellent fighter who considers Atsushi to be his competitor. Throughout the series, Akutagawa would frequently challenges Atsushi to a battle.
This was definitely one of the most devastating turns of the Bungo Stray Dogs manga and the death of Akutagawa signifies yet another chilling beginning in the storyline.
Curious to find out more? Bungo Stray Dogs is now available in both sub and dub on Crunchyroll.
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