Bungou Stray Dogs Watch Order
The Bungou Stray Dogs anime adaptation has a lot of material, but luckily for you – it’s not overly difficult to follow. In this article, we are going to give you the proper (chronological) watching order for the Bungou Stray Dogs anime franchise, including all three seasons, the OVA, a movie, and a spin-off series titled Bungo Stray Dogs Wan!
Editor’s Note: This post is regularly updated to include the most recent episodes and reflect all changes made to the official watch order
Bungou Stray Dogs watch order (at a glance)
- Bungou Stray Dogs Season 1 (2016)
- Bungou Stray Dogs Season 2 (2016)
- Bungou Stray Dogs: Hitori Ayumi (2017)
- Bungou Stray Dogs: Dead Apple (2018)
- Bungou Stray Dogs Season 3 (2019)
- Bungou Stray Dogs Wan! (2021)
- Bungou Stray Dogs Season 4 (2023)
Bungou Stray Dogs watch order (with episodes)
1. Bungou Stray Dogs Season 1 (2016)
The first season had a total of 12 episodes and aired from April 7, 2016 to June 23, 2016.
| No. | Title | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Fortune Is Unpredictable and Mutable” Transcription: “Jinsei Banji Saiō ga Tora” (Japanese: 人生万事塞翁が虎) | 7 April 2016 |
| 2 | “A Certain Bomb” Transcription: “Aru Bakudan” (Japanese: 或る爆弾) | 14 April 2016 |
| 3 | “Yokohama Gangster Paradise” Transcription: “Yokohama Gyangusuta Paradaisu” (Japanese: ヨコハマ ギャングスタア パラダヰス) | 21 April 2016 |
| 4 | “The Tragedy of the Fatalist” Transcription: “Unmeironsha no Himi” (Japanese: 運命論者の悲み) | 28 April 2016 |
| 5 | “Murder on D Street” | 5 May 2016 |
| 6 | “The Azure Messenger” Transcription: “Ao no Shito” (Japanese: 蒼の使徒) | 12 May 2016 |
| 7 | “Love for the Disease Called Ideals” Transcription: “Risō to Iu Yamai wo Aisu” (Japanese: 理想という病を愛す) | 19 May 2016 |
| 8 | “Teaching Them To Kill; Then To Die” Transcription: “Hito wo Koroshite Shine yo tote” (Japanese: 人を殺して死ねよとて) | 26 May 2016 |
| 9 | “The Beauty Is Quiet Like a Stone Statue” Transcription: “Utsukushiki Hito wa Sabi to Shite Sekizō no Gotoku” (Japanese: うつくしき人は寂として石像の如く) | 2 June 2016 |
| 10 | “Rashōmon and the Tiger” Transcription: “Rashōmon to Tora” (Japanese: 羅生門と虎) | 9 June 2016 |
| 11 | “First, an Unsuitable Profession for Her. Second, an Ecstatic Detective Agency” Transcription: “Sono Ichi, ‘Kanojo ni Mukanai Shokugyō’. Sono Ni, ‘Uchōten Tanteisha'” (Japanese: 其の一『彼女には向かない職業』。 其の二『有頂天探偵社』) | 16 June 2016 |
| 12 | “Borne Back Ceaselessly into the Past” Transcription: “Taemanaku Kako e Oshimodosare nagara” (Japanese: たえまなく過去へ押し戻されながら) | 23 June 2016 |
2. Bungou Stray Dogs Season 2 (2016)
The second season also had a total of 12 episodes, and it aired from October 6, 2016 to December 22, 2016.
| No. | Title | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | “The Dark Age” Transcription: “Kuro no Jidai” (Japanese: 黒の時代) | 6 October 2016 |
| 14 | “Nowhere to Return” Transcription: “Modorenai Basho” (Japanese: 戻れない場所) | 13 October 2016 |
| 15 | “A Room Where We Can Someday See the Ocean” Transcription: “Itsuka Umi no Mieru Heya de” (Japanese: いつか海の見える部屋で) | 20 October 2016 |
| 16 | “Bungou Stray Dog” Transcription: “Bungō Sutorei Doggu” (Japanese: 文豪ストレイドッグ) | 27 October 2016 |
| 17 | “Three Companies Conflict” Transcription: “San Shakyōgō” (Japanese: 社競合) | 3 November 2016 |
| 18 | “The Strategy of Conflict” Transcription: “Funsō no Senryaku” (Japanese: 紛争の戦略) | 10 November 2016 |
| 19 | “Will of Tycoon” Transcription: “Wiru Obu Taikūn” (Japanese: ウィル・オブ・タイクーン) | 17 November 2016 |
| 20 | “Though the Mind May Be Wrong” Transcription: “Atama wa Machigau Koto ga Atte mo” (Japanese: 頭は間違うことがあっても) | 24 November 2016 |
| 21 | “Double Black” Transcription: “Sōtsu no Kuro” (Japanese: 双つの黒) | 1 December 2016 |
| 22 | “Part 1: Poe and Rampo / Part 2: Moby Dick, Swimming in the Sky” Transcription: “Sono Ichi: ‘Pō to Ranpo’ / Sono Ni: ‘Ten no Umi o Yuku Shiro Kujira no Ari te'” (Japanese: 其の一『ポオと乱歩』/ 其の二『天の海をゆく白鯨のありて』) | 8 December 2016 |
| 23 | “Rashōmon, the Tiger and the Last Tycoon” Transcription: “Rashōmon to Tora to Saigo no Taikun” (Japanese: 羅生門と虎と最後の大君) | 15 December 2016 |
| 24 | “If I May Shed Away My Burden Now” Transcription: “Moshi Kyō Kono Nimotsu o Oroshi te Yoi no nara” (Japanese: 若し今日この荷物を降ろして善いのなら) | 22 December 2016 |
3. Bungou Stray Dogs: Hitori Ayumi (2017)
In this OVA episode, the members of the armed detective agency discuss the most suitable candidate for deputy commissioner. Doppo Kunikida, as usual, runs the official errands scheduled in his appointment book. Unexpectedly, there is an incident with a bomb that challenges the ideals he has always upheld. How will he proceed when he must weigh one life against hundreds?
| No. | Title | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| OVA | “He Walks Alone” Transcription: “Hitori Ayumu” (Japanese: ひとりあゆむ) | 4 August 2017 |
4. Bungou Stray Dogs: Dead Apple (2018)
The first Bungou Stray Dogs movie, set after the second season and the supplementary OVA. It has a runtime of 90 minutes and was released on March 3, 2018. The plot will be provided below.
| No. | Title | Original Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Bungou Stray Dogs: Dead Apple Transcription: Bungō Sutorei Doggusu Deddo Appuru (Japanese: 文豪ストレイドッグス デッドアップル) | 3 March 2018 |
5. Bungou Stray Dogs Season 3 (2019)
Season 3 returned with an additional 12 episodes, which aired from April 12, 2019, to June 28, 2019.
| No. | Title | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | “Dazai, Chūya, Fifteen Years Old” Transcription: “Dazai, Chūya, Jūgo-Sai” (Japanese: 太宰、中也、十五歳) | 12 April 2019 |
| 26 | “Right Now, God” Transcription: “Aragami wa Ima” (Japanese: 荒神は今) | 19 April 2019 |
| 27 | “Only a Diamond Can Polish a Diamond” Transcription: “Daiya wa Daiya-de Shika” (Japanese: ダイヤはダイヤでしか) | 26 April 2019 |
| 28 | “My Ill Deeds are The Work of God” Transcription: “Toga Ataeru wa Kami no Gō” (Japanese: 咎与うるは神の業) | 3 May 2019 |
| 29 | “Slap the Stick & Addict” | 10 May 2019 |
| 30 | “Herurisu / Portrait of a Father” Transcription: “Sono Ichi ‘Herurisu!’ Sono Ni ‘Chichi no Shōzō'” (Japanese: 其の一「ヘルリス！」 其の二「父の肖像」) | 17 May 2019 |
| 31 | “Fitzgerald Rising” Transcription: “Fittsujerarudo・Raijingu” (Japanese: フィッツジェラルド・ライジング) | 24 May 2019 |
| 32 | “The Masked Assassin” Transcription: “Kamen no Ansatsusha” (Japanese: 仮面ノ暗殺者) | 31 May 2019 |
| 33 | “Cannibalism (Part One)” Transcription: “Tomogui (Sono Ichi)” (Japanese: 共喰い(其の一)) | 7 June 2019 |
| 34 | “Cannibalism (Part Two)” Transcription: “Tomogui (Sono Ni)” (Japanese: 共喰い(其の二)) | 14 June 2019 |
| 35 | “Cannibalism (Part Three)” Transcription: “Tomogui (Sono San)” (Japanese: 共喰い(其の三)) | 21 June 2019 |
| 36 | “Echo” Transcription: “Ekō” (Japanese: 回向) | 28 June 2019 |
6. Bungou Stray Dogs Wan! (2021)
Bungou Stray Dogs Wan! is a spin-off series based on the spin-off manga of the same name. Most of the episodes were divided into several shorter segments. The series had a total of 12 full episodes that aired between January 13, 2021, and March 31, 2021.
| No. | Title | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Bungou Stray Dogs REAL” Transcription: “Bungō Sutorei Doggusu Riaru” (Japanese: 文豪ストレイドッグスREAL) “What’s Inside the Locker?” Transcription: “Rokkā no Nakami wa Nandesho na?” (Japanese: ロッカーの中身はなんでしょな？) “An Unfruitful Exchange” Transcription: “Kamiawanai Yaritori” (Japanese: 噛み合わないやりとり) | January 13, 2021 |
| 2 | “Let’s Go Flower Gazing!” Transcription: “Ohanami ni Ikō!” (Japanese: お花見に行こう！) “To The Baths!” Transcription: “Ofuro ni Ikō!” (Japanese: お風呂に行こう！) | January 20, 2021 |
| 3 | “Operation Errand Run” Transcription: “Otsukai Dai Sakusen” (Japanese: おつかい大作戦) “Finders Kyouka’s” Transcription: “Kyōka no Hiroimono” (Japanese: 鏡花の拾いもの) “Rampo-san’s Day Well Spent” Transcription: “Ranpo-san no Orikō na Ichinichi” (Japanese: 乱歩さんのお利口な一日) | January 27, 2021 |
| 4 | “Akutagawa-kun’s Errands” Transcription: “Akutagawa-kun no Otsukai” (Japanese: 芥川君のお遣い) “The Mafia Member Who Doesn’t Kill” Transcription: “Korosazu no Mafia” (Japanese: ころさずのまふぃあ) “Forming a Duo With Him: The Serious Part” Transcription: “Aitsu to Konbi〜Maji-hen〜” (Japanese: アイツとコンビ〜本気編〜) | February 3, 2021 |
| 5 | “Dazai and Chuuya, Pretentious Fourteen-Year-Olds” Transcription: “Dazai Chūya Jūyon-sai (Chūnibyō)” (Japanese: 太宰・中也14歳（中二病）) “A Day in Yokohama” Transcription: “Toaru Yokohama no Ichinichi” (Japanese: とある横浜の一日) “The Boy and the Puppy” Transcription: “Shōnen to Koinu” (Japanese: 少年と子犬) | February 10, 2021 |
| 6 | “Dazai-san’s Nail Biter” Transcription: “Hiyahara Dazai-san” (Japanese: ヒヤハラ太宰さん) “If Only I Could Express My Hundred Thoughts” Transcription: “Hyaku no Omoi o Tsugeta Nara” (Japanese: 百の思いを告げたなら) “Please Share! Armed Detective Agency!” Transcription: “Kakusan Kibō! Busō Tantei-sha!” (Japanese: 拡散希望！武装探偵社！) | February 17, 2021 |
| 7 | “Bungou Stray Dogs Preschool” Transcription: “Bunsuto Hoikuen!” (Japanese: 文ストほいくえん！) | February 24, 2021 |
| 8 | “Hang in There, Higuchi-san!” Transcription: “Ganbare Higuchi-san!” (Japanese: がんばれ樋口さん！) “And the Tracks Go On and On” Transcription: “Senro wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo” (Japanese: 線路は続くよどこまでも) “Operation Body Double Nom Nom” Transcription: “Kage Musha Mushamusha Dai Sakusen” (Japanese: 影武者むしゃむしゃ大作戦) | March 3, 2021 |
| 9 | “Dr. Yosano’s Whoopsies! Forgetfulness” Transcription: “Yosano Ishi no Ukkari! Wasuremono” (Japanese: 与謝野医師のうっかり！忘れ物) “Miscellany on Shrimp Tails” Transcription: “Ebi no Shippo no Etosetora” (Japanese: 海老の尻尾のエトセトラ) “Me Drawing You Drawing Me” Transcription: “Boku o Kaku Kimi o Kaku Boku” (Japanese: 僕を描く君を描く僕) | March 10, 2021 |
| 10 | “Oden with the White Tiger” Transcription: “Shiroi Tora to Oden o” (Japanese: 白い虎とおでんを) “Elevator Panic” Transcription: “Erebētā Panikku” (Japanese: エレベーターパニック) “The Armed Detective Agency Beats the Heat” Transcription: “Busō Tantei-sha Nōryō o Suru” (Japanese: 武装探偵社納涼をする) | March 17, 2021 |
| 11 | “The Dark Era” Transcription: “Kuro no Jidai-hen” (Japanese: 黒の時代編) | March 24, 2021 |
| 12 | “Swap Theater” Transcription: “Torikaekko Gekijō” (Japanese: とりかえっこ劇場) “My Treasure” Transcription: “Watashi no Takaramono” (Japanese: 私の宝物) “Nakajima Atsushi’s Plan” Transcription: “Nakajima Atsushi, Kakusaku Suru” (Japanese: 中島敦、画策する) | March 31, 2021 |
7. Bungou Stray Dogs Season 4 (2023)
The Fourth season of Bungou Stray Dogs started airing in January 2023 and is currently ongoing
| 38 | “The Lone Swordsman and the Famous Detective” Transcription: “Ko Kenshi to Meitantei” (Japanese: 孤剣士と名探偵) | 5 January 2023 |
| 39 | “The Day Is a Dream, The Night Is Real” Transcription: “Hiru wa Yume, Yoru zo Utsutsu” (Japanese: 晝ひるは夢、夜ぞ現) | 11 January 2023 |
| 40 | “The Secret Founding of the Detective Agency” Transcription: “Tantei-sha Setsuritsu Hiwa” (Japanese: 探偵社設立秘話) | 18 January 2023 |
| 41 | “A Perfect Murder and Murderer (Part 1)” Transcription: “Kanpekina Satsujin to Satsujin-sha (Sono Ichi)” (Japanese: 完璧な殺人と殺人者 (其の一)) | 25 January 2023 |
| 42 | “A Perfect Murder and Murderer (Part 2)” Transcription: “Kanpekina Satsujin to Satsujin-Sha (Sono ni)” (Japanese: 完璧な殺人と殺人者（其の二）) | 2 February 2023 |
| 43 | “Tragic Sunday” Transcription: “Higekinaru Nichiyōbi” (Japanese: 悲劇なる日曜日) | 9 February 2023 |
| 44 | “Dogs Hunt Dogs” | 15 February 2023 |
| 45 | “You a Child of Sin, I a Child of Sin” Transcription: “Kimi mo Tsumi no Ko, ga mo Tsumi no Ko” (Japanese: 君も罪の子、我も罪の子) | 22 February 2023 |
| 46 | “A Dream of Butterflies” Transcription: “Chō o Yume mu” (Japanese: 蝶を夢む) | 1 March 2023 |
| 47 | “In Lament of My Wingless Body” Transcription: “Hanenaki mi no Kanashiki ka na” (Japanese: 翅無き身の悲しきかな) | 8 March 2023 |
| 48 | “Jailbreak” Transcription: “Datsugokuki” (Japanese: 脱獄記) | 15 March 2023 |
| 49 | “Bungo Hound Dogs” Transcription: “Bungō Haundo Doggusu” (Japanese: 文豪ハウンドドッグス) | 22 March 2023 |
| 50 | “Skyfall” Transcription: “Sukaifōru” (Japanese: スカイフォール) | 29 March 2023 |
What is the plot of Bungou Stray Dogs?
Atsushi Nakajima is a teenager who was expelled from his orphanage and consequently is forced to live on the streets. As he stands by a river on the brink of famine, he rescues a man who was attempting suicide there.
That man turns out to be Osamu Dazai, who along with his partner, Doppo Kunikida, are part of a special detective agency; a detective agency whose members possess various supernatural powers and deal with cases that are too dangerous or difficult for the police or army. Atsushi also learns that the two men are on the trail of a tiger that has recently appeared in the area, around the same time he arrived in town.
The tiger seems to have a connection to Atsushi and as the case unravels, it’s clear that Atsushi’s future will involve much more of Dazai and the rest of the detectives.
Many of the characters have been named after famous writers, while their powers are named after their works or characters, including Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, Atsushi Nakajima, Agatha Christie, Osamu Dazai, Fyodor Dostoyevski, Rampo Edogawa, Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Kyōka Izumi, Kenji Miyazawa, Doppo Kunikida, and Akiko Yosano.
Bungou Stray Dogs: Dead Apple
Years ago, the most violent fighting in Yokohama was the “Dragon Head” conflict, which involved numerous organizations, resulting in 88 deaths. The night before its conclusion, when Osamu Dazai was still part of the Port Mafia, he and his partner Chūya Nakahara discovered a man named Tatsuhiko Shibusawa.
In the present, the Armed Detective Agency is assigned a task in which they must investigate alleged suicide cases of hundreds of people possessing supernatural abilities around the world, which occurred when a mysterious fog passed over their countries. The Special Operations Division deduces that this incident is linked to Shibusawa, now a self-proclaimed “scavenger.”
The night before the Agency begins work, Atsushi Nakajima has a disturbing dream of his past at his former orphanage, where a misplaced door painted with a white tiger is shrouded in mist. Kyōka and Atsushi contact government agent Ango Sakaguchi, who had tracked down the other Agency detectives, all of whom are struggling against their own abilities.
As each of them battles his own abilities, Atsushi deduces that subduing the ability involves destroying a jewel embedded in them and then defeating his white tiger. An agency in London called the Order of the Clock Tower sends a gifted to incinerate Yokohama in order to destroy the city with the dragon to prevent it from spreading.
Atsushi remembers that when he was a child, Shibusawa tortured him to get the ability out of him: “the tiger” and the antithesis of all special abilities. However, the torture failed and Atsushi lost control of his ability from then on, turning into a tiger and killing Shibusawa in the past. Despite this trauma, Atsuhi accepts his actions and powers, and regains her tiger persona.
