Bungo Stray Dogs, with its quirky characters and supernatural action, has spawned a number of spin-off manga since its debut in 2012. So, it comes as no surprise that the series has also been treated to a collection of anthologies. The first of these, titled Rei, has just been translated and released in the West by Yen Press. But is it a must-have for fans? Let’s delve into what this collection offers.
Dazai’s Shenanigans and Lighthearted Fun
This first anthology features contributions from fourteen different mangaka, resulting in thirteen chapters and three color illustrations. The stories range from 10-15 pages each and are primarily comedic, focusing on the antics of the Armed Detective Agency or the Port Mafia (or sometimes both!). The collection kicks off with a hilarious tale about Kunikida, fed up with Dazai’s antics, joining a cult. Now, the fate of the entire agency rests on Atsushi’s shoulders as he tries to mend the broken friendship between Kunikida and Dazai.
Dazai, unsurprisingly, is a recurring source of trouble throughout the anthology. We see him dropping in on the Port Mafia just to annoy Chuuya. And then there’s poor Akutagawa, who desperately craves Dazai’s acknowledgment of his efforts, only to overhear Dazai calling Atsushi his partner (for a game, of course, but Akutagawa misses that crucial detail).
Familiar Faces and Missed Opportunities
Of course, the collection isn’t all about Dazai. We get to spend quality time with other fan favorites like Atsushi, Kyouka, and Ranpo. While the anthology doesn’t feature every character from the extensive cast, it does a good job of covering the most popular ones. Notably absent are characters from The Guild, who anime viewers might remember from Season 2. However, with several more anthologies waiting in the wings, there’s a good chance we’ll see them appear in future volumes.
While I enjoyed this collection, it would have benefited from more variety in the storytelling. The focus is heavily on comedic scenarios, offering a glimpse into a lighter side of the characters we don’t usually see. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can get repetitive after a while. This might be partly due to the absence of the original creator duo, Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa, who haven’t contributed any stories to this volume (although Harukawa did create the cover art).
Most anthologies typically include at least one chapter from the original creators, and that’s a missing element here. It would have been great to see some fresh stories from the minds that brought this world to life.
Art and Translation
One of the highlights of the anthology is the opportunity to see how different mangaka interpret the Bungo Stray Dogs characters. The collection features contributions from artists like Ui Kashima (I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School), Mito Aoi (Having an Idol-Loving Boyfriend is the Best!), and Tsubata Nozaki (Your Forma illustrator), along with Neco Kanani, the mangaka behind the Bungo Stray Dogs: Wan! spin-off series. Each artist brings their unique style to the table, and it’s a delight to see how they adapt the characters while staying true to their core personalities and appearances.
The translation for the English release is in the capable hands of Kevin Gifford and Bianca Pistillo, who also work on the main Bungo Stray Dogs series and several spin-offs. This ensures consistency with the established terminology and overall tone of the franchise. The volume also includes helpful translation notes at the end, along with some lovely color pages at the beginning.
Final Thoughts: A Fun Diversion for Comedy Fans
Bungo Stray Dogs: Official Comic Anthology Volume 1 is a fun collection that offers a lighter look at the beloved characters. However, the repetitive focus on comedy might not appeal to everyone, especially those looking for the action-packed narratives found in the main series. If you enjoy the lighthearted humor of Wan!, you’ll likely appreciate this anthology. But if you’re craving a more serious story, you might want to look elsewhere.
