15 Best Quotes from the Bungō Stray Dogs Anime & Manga

Bungo Stray Dogs might never end up in the history books among the “Big Three” anime series, but it’s definitely a title to look out for. This seinen title follows the members of the “Armed Detective Agency” as they try to protect Yokohama from the mafia. A popular title with a respectable fandom, Bungo Stray Dogs has been adapted into several media and with more material on the way, we have decided to talk about the series a bit.

This list is going to include a total of the best 15 Bungō Stray Dogs quotes you need to know from various chapters and episodes. The quotes are taken from various contexts and situations, and we have decided to group them based on the message they are conveying.

1. “You don’t really understand God one bit, do you? ‘Perfection and harmony’? God doesn’t give a single care about those. I’ve seen it so many times… His gimmicks are the accidental and the illogical. That’s… a weakness you and I both have. We thought of thousands of ingenious schemes, and we still ended up in here… in a prison at the ends of the earth. The ones who actually make the world turn… are those who scream within the storm of uncertainty and run with flowing blood.” – Osamu Dazai

This is a very realistic approach to both religion and the world in general. Dazai rejects the idea od a God, especially a caring one, since injustice is omnipresent in the world, and Dazai’s bitternes with such foolish notions is clearly reflected in this sentence. This is a man’s world and man is the only species that makes it turn and with which everything begins. And ends.

2. “Just what is an ‘ideal’? […] If you ask me, the answer is clear. It is a word written on the cover of my notebook. My notebook is omnipotent. It guides me as a principle, as a master, as a prophet. At times, it becomes a weapon and also a key.” – Doppo Kunikida

There is a lot to be inferred from Doppo’s quote. One is his self-awareness, as this quote clearly illustrates just how… aware he was of himself, to use an euphemism. The second are his powers, which are elegantly introduced here; they truly are varied and that is reflected within this quote. Finally, it goes back to the beginning and the discussion about what an ideal is. If you want to know more, you should definitely check the series out.

3. “So that one time… And that other time… All the pain I’ve suffered… But when you put it that way… I see… I see… So that’s why. Nobody hates me. […] Ha-ha-ha… Ha-ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! It all makes sense! So everyone is just a big baby! Well, of course they are! The world isn’t a disgusting place! Not at all! It’s just a simple, stupid place! Looks like I’ve gotta protect these stupid toddlers myself!” – Renpo Edogawa

Ranpo is, as the author whose name he bears, a very intriguing character and his specific, if not unique, worldview is clearly reflected in this quote. This quote is also a very perspective-changing one as it literally illustrates the change of perspective that Ranpo went through while uttering it. From that moment on the world became a much more benign, yet simpler place for him.

4. “You want to know what death is? I’ll tell you. Death is the loss of life. Despite everything doctors like me attempt… a patient’s life can still fall through our fingers. You think death lies in the apex of science? Anyone with such little regard for life will die by my hand.” – Akiko Yosano

Befitting of the fourthg place is Akiko Yosano’s concept of death, as the number four is associated with death and bad luck in Japan. Be that as it may, Akiko had a very practical approach to the concept as death was simply the loss of life for her, which – ultimately – resulted in a very straightforward view of life. That is why she cherished life and why she disliked people who did not cherish theirs.

5. “Undefeated by the rain, undefeated by the wind, undefeated by metal pipes, knives, or aluminum bats, strong in body, undefeated by desire and certainly without offending others, always with a quiet smile to be such a person.” – Kenji Miyazawa

This one is also very interesting as it reflects Kenji more than most of his deeds. This is actually pretty decent philisophy and quite a decent description of a man who is resilient enough to go through life and can withstand all of life’s hardships while carrying a smile on his face. This is both realistic and heavily symbolic.

6. “Listen. You told me if you put yourself in a world of violence and bloodshed, you might be ale to find a reson to live. You won’t find it. You should know that. Whether you’re on the side that takes lives or the side that saves them, nothing beyond your own expectations will happen. Nothing in this world can fill the hole that is your loneliness. You will wander the darkness for eternity.” – Sakunosuke Oda

Dazai was the person that Oda told this to. This is a very bitter and grim quote that illustrates two things about Oda. First, that he is a guy who has been through a lot and that he knows that violence is not the solution to one’s psychological despeir, as he has tried solving it via violence himself. Secondly, that he is aware of what lonliness truly is and how big of an issue it actually can be and how it cannot be eliminated with anything.

7. “So… I actually have two responses. Here’s the first, ‘cos it’s fuuuuun! It’s fun, it fills me joy, and it gives me such thrill. I’m just like any other cold-blooded killer! I have no grand motive! I’m an enigma with no inner persona! Well.. that’s the first reason I give my victims, sounds like it would make sense, no? Being killed by an inhuman monster is unfair but they at least die convinced. However, since you aren’t on my list of targets, I will give you the real answer. I am a perfectly sane person. I known murdering is evil, and I feel guilty as anyone would. I’m sure you want to ask why I still kill despite that. Well, let’s see do you like birds? ‘Cos I do. The full freedom of flight, not being bound by gravity. It’s what I always wanted.” – Nikolai Gogol

Spoken like a true psychopath, Gogol actually have us a pretty great insight into his psyche with this one. There is absolutely no need to go beyond this basic quote if you want to understand his dual personality. On the one hand, he acts like a murderour madman who enjoys the killings, but that is just an act, because Gogol is perfectly sane and aware of the implications of his deeds. Yet, he continues killing because it gives him a sense of freedom that he had always wanted in life.

8. “A human life is priceless, and,in its own way, so is that license. That is the soul of our company. It contains the very heart and soul of Natsume-sensei who devoted his all to bringing that agency to our side. You nouveau riche types, heads stuffed with bales of cash… you could never obtain one that easily.” – Yukichi Fukuzawa

As the president of the Armed Detective Agency, Fukuzawa has demonstrated amazing skill in handling the agency’s missions but he also showed that he cared deeoply for his employees, as well as for humanity in general. He was neither ruthless nor a narcissist, as this quote shows. He actually did care and that was the result of his master’s teachings from the past.

9. “I told you—I am always thinking about the organization as a whole. Just like you see here, I received a Skilled Business Permit, so the government has more or less given us approval to conduct our illegal activities. And right now, Sakunosuke Oda is risking his life to eliminate a troublesome, violent group. It’s a win-win situation. So why are you so angry?” – Ōgai Mori

The evil leader of the Port Mafia, Mori is actually quite an intelligent and cunning person. He likes to think ahead as he wants to be prepared for what his opponents might have for him. This quote illustrates all the dangers he carries with himself, as well as an explanation about why he was chosen to be the nex Port Mafia leader, despite the fact that there were may contenders.

10. “I’ve been thinking about it all along. At the moment the flame of this short life goes out, what should I say? But every time, like grasping mist with my hands, the answer didn’t take form. I understood it now just a few seconds ago. I don’t need words but only actions.” – Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

Ryūnosuke Akutagawa was a truly great Japanese writer and that is, at least partially, reflected throughout this story as well, as it makes perfect sense for Akutagawa to say such thing. He was both a very philosophical and practical person, as it can be observed from the quote we have provided you with to talk about later.

11. “Is there no divine justice in this world? I have withstood a barrage of hardship and pain… never yielding, no matter how steadfast the foe! In a world refusing to accept loyalty and piety…tyranny may yet provide the kindling! Thus I, Ōchi the layman with a heart of steel and bones of ice will exercise the wiles of heaven and earth!” – Ōchi Fukuchi

A very moralistic quote, indeed, as per Fukuchi’s usual behavior. This old guy was quite intelligent and this quote is a solidly intriguing insight into his psyche and how he percieved the world around thim. It was a truly violent world that he was in and he has given himself the task of cleansing it, which is a commont motif in Western media as well, but in his own unique way.

12. “No matter where I run, the tiger follows. It’s the same as the way I can’t escape the beating of my own heart… for you’re my strength to keep living. I hear you well, now. I understand your words well. I know. I know everyone’s souls are on fire. I’ll say the same to you. Hurry up, or I’m leaving you behind. Come, tiger!” – Atsushi Nakajima

Of course that we would put Nakajima on this list. What kind of list would this be otherwise? Be that as it may, this quote was Nakajima’s motivation to himself and a discussion he had with the tiger, who was an innate part of him sna dwhich he had to have under control. Despite the fact that it is highly specific in terms of a lot of things, it can also be applied to various real-life context and situations, so feel free to motivate yourselves with it. This is truly an inspiring quote from Nakajima so enjoy it.

13. “Hey, Odasaku, do you know why I joined the Mafia? I joined the Mafia because of an expectation I had. I thought if I was close to death and violence—close to people giving in to their urges and desires, then I would be able to see the inner nature of humankind up close. I thought if I did that… I would be able to find something—a reason to live.” – Osamu Dazai

Dazai’s thoughts on violence were actually based on experience and nothing else. This was a rather complex quote abut people, martial arts and the huan condition, which also illustrates how goog the series is, as this one and similar quotes are a reflection of the series’ important narrative elements as we have seen so far.

14. “I don’t fear the enemy. I don’t fear the pain. What is fear is that I’m alone. […] Solitude scares me. At the orphanage, solitude was the norm for me. But now, this same solitude scares me. I wish there was someone fighting at my side. Anyone would do. Somebody…” – Atsushi Nakajima

Here is yet another example of Nakajima’s words, this one without too much additional drama or anything else. It is simply a story that gave us a better insight into Nakajima’s psyche and his motivation, as he explained how afraid he was of solitude. Such quotes are an example of why the series is so good.

15. “You agency people are living testaments to justice. Frankly, your sparkle mesmerizes me. The Decay of the Angel’s plan is the true embodiment of evil. That’s what makes it worth assisting in! It’s time to break out of this prison! The inherent brain-washing we call morality! I seek freedom for my soul more than any kind of joy!! So listen to the screams of my own free will!” – Nikolai Gogol

We actually decided to close this one off with Gogol, whose rationale we have already explained. It is a fact that Nikolai Gogol enjoys what he does and we have already quoted him liking the freedom that murdering others provided him with. Now, this quote goes even farther as we can actually have a brilliant glimpse directly into Gogol’s mind and the philsophy behind his killings, whoever grim it might be at this point.