Bungo Stray Dogs Vol 11
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review!
The Armed Detective Agency receives an anonymous request-and it's asking for Kyouka's help by name. But during her investigation with Atsushi, ex-Guild member Montgomery keeps mysteriously getting in their way! And as another old foe defies death while seeking a triumphant return, a newer enemy-the sinister Dostoyevsky-bares his fangs against both the Armed Detective Agency and the Port Mafia. Threatening to slowly but surely swallow the dark underbelly of Yokohama, how will this devil of a man alter the playing field...?
Kyouka's permit has finally come in which means it's time for her to officially start work, luckily a job comes in that's just for her. I liked getting to focus on her a little more for part of this volume, and along with getting to see more of Montgomery which was fun, we got to learn a lot about Kyouka and her past, as well as her parents...along with the surprising truth about what happened to them and about Demon Snow. So right away from the start of this volume we had some interesting reveals to deal with!
Things take an even more shocking turn when Fitzgerald makes a comeback, and we actually spend quite a lot of this volume with him as he picks himself up out of the gutter, which is admirable don't get me wrong...but I still don't like him, and starts scheming with the help of Alcott. Interestingly, he does lead us in to a murder mystery, and obviously opens the door for bigger things and plenty more intrigue when it comes to he and his ultimate plan.
This volume is largely setting the players up for the hunt for this specific book, as well as finally telling us what the book is and setting up the Mafia and the Agency for some kind of mutual destruction thing courtesy of one particular player in the game! Volume 11 is nicely paced, provides plenty of intrigue and tension and sets up for some big things to come!
Bungo Stray Dogs Vol 10
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review!
Their war with the Guild may be over-and the truce with the Port Mafia still stands-but the Armed Detective Agency remains as busy as ever, with both Atsushi and Kunikida forced to confront their dangerous pasts. Soon, the agency is making contact with an ex-member to investigate the mysterious group that hacked into the Moby-Dick, but no one can predict where this rabbit hole will lead...
As we join this volume we're post big battle and everything is quite calm and chill.....at least it is for 3 or so pages and then it all goes to hell. We have foreign gangs moving in and one in particular is after the Guilds assets and wants to threaten the agency in to telling them. I have to say, I honestly cackled when the arrogant leader realised just how screwed he was. That however, is just a little, easier dealt with interlude to get our detectives back on their feet and we have a couple of chapters that are like that.
A murder involving a familiar face to Atsushi gives us the chance to get a huge insight in to Atsushi's childhood and his past. It was heartbreaking, and I felt for him and his struggle with his emotions about this person. He's confronted with the fact that what he knows and thinks about this person may be wrong, and this person might not have been as evil as he thought. There are reasons for what he did and poor Atsushi has a bit of a criss about what he should be thinking and feeling and it was believable and I empathised with him a lot.
Kunikida gets some more of the spotlight in this volume as well as he has a situation of his own to handle, facing a foe from his past. I'd forgotten how steadfast he was with his ideals and so on. It was nice to have a bit of action in this volume and get to have a better look at another character that we don't usually get to see as much of, or at least haven't in a while.
We do get some threads woven in this volume of bigger things to come. There's something odd about the controller for Moby Dick and the agency is made aware that there's someone else involved that they haven't seen. We do get to meet a new character called Katai, hacker and futon hider under. He's called in to find out more about the chip, but before things get too serious it turns out he's lovesick and can't do his thing so the agency has to track her down. Honestly I could so tell immediately what the truth was and could see this for the giant misunderstanding it was but it was still absolutely hilarious to me.
As predicted we haven't seen the last of Dostoyevsky and we get to see a decent amount of him this volume...as well as his power. I don't know what it is with manga I've read recently getting in on the gambling hype but we have it in this volume too! I was tense and nervous because quite frankly Dostoyevsky was off to me from the start...he's definitely some kind of evil genius. I was blown away by the final chapter and the chilling end that promises chaos coming for our characters.
This volume has a little bit of a lull with some more light hearted moments, while giving us sprinkles of action and the opportunity to understand a couple of characters more before building up to the big shock ending that heralds things once again getting serious for the next volume and coming story arc.
Bungo Stray Dogs Vol 9
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!
With only minutes to stop the Moby-Dick from crashing down on Yokohama, Atsushi encounters his nemesis, Guild leader Akutagawa, but their face-off turns into a three-man battle when Fitzgerald enters the fray.
The pace is fast from the outset of the volume as Akutagawa has to be dealt with so Atsushi can deal with Fitzgerald and try to prevent the Moby Dick from destroying the city. We get to see Fitzgerald's skill in action and the insight in to his motivation is intriguing too. Of course, it swiftly becomes a three way fight when Akutagawa joins in after the distraction for him comes to an end. Meanwhile Dazai is busy trying to talk some sense in to Kyouka.
I loved how Atsushi and Akutagawa came to an understanding of each other, what their motivations are and so on and Atsushi found out about Akutagawa's thing with Dazai and wanting to be recognised by him. But I mostly loved the two of them going full power for Fitzgerald and dare I say...bonding?! Or at least giving each other a boost.
It goes right down to the wire in this volume, and I was on the edge of my seat and then it gets real heart breaking, real fast and I was so not here for that psyche out, it has to be said. Just wow. Don't toy with my emotions like that.
This volume has made me want a bromance between Atsushi and Akutagawa, especially after the latter dragged the former out out of the Moby Dick! I'm just so here for the two of them being a little duo and I do actually like some of the Mafia members which is why I was so excited for the two organisations finally teaming up! I also loved Ranpo's little buddy moments with Poe.
Alongside all of that, we have some blanks filled in, for example, what Dazai chatted about with Kouyou, as well as his little plan.
Everything with this little "Skill War" arc is wrapped up and it's wrapped up so nicely that I did wonder if this was the last volume, until that is, the last few pages with Dazai's ominous warnings of a menace to come and then the final page revealing yet another unhinged author.
We have the odd moment of humour in a largely tense, edge of the seat volume as we try to save the city. Blanks are filled in, the arc is brought to a satisfying close, with the next stage of the story about to start and a little glimpse right at the end to tease us.
Bungo Stray Dogs Volume 8
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!
Atsushi's far-fetched idea to form an alliance with the Mafia results in a summit between crime boss Ougai Mori and Armed Detective president Yukichi Fukuzawa. But when negotiations fail, Dazai has no choice but to infiltrate enemy territory alone to secure Q. There, Dazai runs into some unexpected trouble...until a familiar man appears before him...!
The time has come ladies and gentlemen, the Agency and the Mafia are finally teaming up against the Guild. I've been waiting for this moment for forever. Okay, since the Guild first appeared, but still. It feels like forever.
It would appear Dazai has some dirt on the Mafia Boss, if the rather intriguing flashback is anything to go by. It also provides us some insight in to what the Mafia boss's motivation might be. Meanwhile Fukuzawa gets his little badass katana moment, it's a shame it ended quickly.
The team up I've been excited for happened too, Chuuya and Dazai team up to launch the first joint attack against the Guild. Or more specifically Lovecraft. I have to say, the true form of Chuuya's skill is scarily badass but the terror is offset by the hilarious bickering between he and Dazai. You'd think they'd focus a bit more.
So, not only do we get a badass fight scene, but we get a nice amount of Ranpo who has a challenge of his own to deal with. He's facing off against Poe and his Black Cat in the Rue Morgue skill. It basically drags Ranpo in to a detective novel and I did have a moment when I kind of thought he was done for.
Volume 8 has a lot of action, and some epic team ups. Things are certainly moving now as the Agency fights back against the Guild with the assistance of the Mafia....sort of. However....that could all be about to come to an end as Astushi bumps in to Akutagawa on his mission to stop the Moby Dick from destroying the city. I spent the entire volume on the edge of my seat, and full of tension waiting to see what was going to happen, and then it leaves us on a hell of a cliffhanger. I anticipate the next volume being just as tense and action packed and I'm so ready for it!
Bungo Stray Dogs Vol 7
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!
Atsushi-his confidence shot thanks to Q's mental assault-is finally caught by the Guild, due to Fitzgerald's sheer physical might and Alcott's abilities. Q, left to his own devices, turns his eyes toward his next target-Lovecraft, a Guild skill user shrouded in mystery. Soon, the Guild's scheming turns the promised land of Yokohama into a sea of flames-and Atsushi is forced to stand strong once more!
We wrap up the action from the last volume...before a new problem is presented in the form of the totally creepy Q. He's rather excellently drawn...it really shows the crazy! I have to say the pace on this series is getting better and better.
Poor old Atsushi is determined to protect everyone but he's the one facing down Q. I did quite like Dazai's ominous comments running parallel to the reveal of Q and his battle with Atsushi, it added another level of tension and danger to the event. Unfortunately Atsushi ends up a little bit broken by Q and his power and faces quite the struggle with himself as he needs to overcome it.
Meanwhile Dazai decides to bring the government in to it. So we meet government agent Ango, he's part of the Special Division for Unusual Powers. Fun guy....he gives us an ominous message and it seems the Guild are above the law and basically untouchable, according to his information.
Fitzgerald is also back this volume, and makes his move coming after Atsushi but luckily Kyouka chooses that moment to make her grand return. Unfortunately she ends up in a tricky spot of her own. Interestingly after Atsushi's kidnapping we get a small time jump of a week, to keep things moving along nicely.
We get a lot more of the Guild this volume, which I'm living for because I love seeing authors I know and have read, or loved or hated their books because I had to do them at school! I love seeing what their power is and how it relates to their books. Good old Fitzgerald has his little dastardly plan to enact to. Basically everything goes from bad to worse in this volume.
Like I said, this volume has an excellent pace, and there's plenty of action with a nice amount of focus on the Guild, as well as some other elements being brought in like the government division and some struggles for the characters. We end the volume with a nice amount of despair and a plan involving a team up that I've been screaming for since day one! It's going to be really exciting to see this play out, and things are definitely stepping up!
Bungo Stray Dogs Vol 6
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!
As Ryuunousuke Akutagawa and Nathaniel Hawthorne engage in a life-or-death battle, Chuuya Nakahara has information about The Guild's plot to destroy the Armed Detective Agency. H.P. Lovecraft and John Steinbeck also reveal their powerful abilities!
There's action from the start in this volume as Akutagawa goes up against the ever creepy Hawthorne. The Agency are in a bit of trouble too when an enemy shows up and of course the Mafia wants to pit its two enemies against each other to do the work for them. Standard really.
I have to say, Lovecraft really cracked me up this volume, "Even breathing makes my skin crawl", not to mention the awkward moment when Steinbeck is creepier than Lovecraft.
Volume 6 is an action packed volume as the war gets going, and the sides attempt to get one up on each other. The Agency might win this particular battle but we're left on an ominous cliffhanger when it comes to the girls and Dazai is made an interesting offer and I'm intrigued to see how he'll handle it all. The action and speed of the plot are certainly picking up and the intrigue is getting bigger. We're getting to meet more and more characters and see which powers who has, and it's a lot of fun!
There's an interesting short story at the end of this volume that also sheds some light on Akutagawa and his past as well as how he met Dazai which I feel is going to be important in the upcoming volumes.
Bungo Stray Dogs Vol 5
Rating: 4/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!
The American group of ability users known as the -Guild- appears, led by the wealthy Francis Scott Fitzgerald, who has his sights set on the Armed Detective Agency! Can Agency president Fukuzawa stop him...!? Not if Guild member Lucy Montgomery and can help it!
Okaaaaaaay, it's time for Kyouka's first job as we start this volume! Unfortunately it doesn't go entirely to plan, she does have a rather....special set of skills after all! We get a new character in the form of Kouyou a Port Mafia leader and she makes quite the entrance. It would seem war is about to break out between the Detective Agency and the Mafia, but we've known this was coming for a while as we've been building up to it!
Poor old Kyouka is somewhat caught in the middle but determined not to return to the darkness and wants to harness her demon. But with the arrival of Steinbeck and Lovecraft it becomes obvious that it's going to be a three way war. I'm kind of hoping there might be a team up between the Mafia and the Detective Agency!
The authors are here to kick ass and take names but I'm feeling like they're on the wrong side to be honest. Some of my favourite authors have made an appearance in these volumes but they're the bad guys and I'm like aaaah why! Like Hawthorne (The Scarlet Letter) and Margaret Mitchell (Gone With the Wind), and of course the previously mentioned ones. Most of them border on downright creepy to be honest. I do anticipate the next one popping up and seeing what their power is to be honest.
Dazai shows his...creepy side. The president of the agency is quite the intriguing badass, I'm not going to lie, I'm hoping we get more insight in the coming volumes!
Over the course of the first few volumes we've been introduced to the world, the three different factions and their motivations, and the characters...and it's all been leading up to this. Setting the stage. This is the volume when things finally come together, boil over and kick off...and it's certainly explosive. I'm anticipating a faster pace, and more action to go with the further fleshing out of the characters, and the plot in general! Things are definitely about to get even more interesting!
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Bungo Stray Dogs Vol 4
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!
The American group of ability users known as the "Guild" appears, led by the wealthy Francis Scott Fitzgerald, who has his sights set on the Armed Detective Agency! Can Agency president Fukuzawa stop him...!? Not if Guild member Lucy Montgomery and can help it!
Things are really kicking up a notch in this series, and things are finally getting started. We get two new villains in this volume, both of which will be familiar to fellow book nerds and I'm loving how this series keeps me hooked and keeps me reading.
Kyouka, the new character we met from the last volume, fiiinally joins the agency, which should prove to be interesting over the coming volumes. She clearly has a bond with Atsushi, and I can really relate to her. I got where she was coming from and it was easy to sympathise with her. Atsushi for his part, is really growing and developing as a character which is interesting to see, especially as Kyouka plays a role in it!
In this volume we get to hang out with Kenji for a chapter, getting to know another of the agency members. I'm not sure what word I want to describe Kenji with, whether it's air headed or naive, but he certainly has an interesting way of doing things. We spend another chapter with the mafia, specifically Higuchi. Things are quite precarious for her with Akutagawa out of action and it was interesting to get a look at how the enemy operates. A new ship was kinda born too, while getting a look at the inner workings of the mafia and the relationship between Akutagawa and Higuchi.
As for the rest of the volume, we get a new story arc and you guys.....Fitzgerald is a proper douche. It's brilliant. We have literary figures we're more familiar with popping in, our main characters are based off of Japanese authors, but with this volume and the previous we're getting more and more literary figures...and they're the bad guys. Which I love. I love seeing what their powers are and how it relates to their books. In this volume we have Fitzgerald who's the head bad guy, and Lucy Maud Montgomery (the author of Anne of Green Gables in case you where wondering), who's a complete psycho. I'm seriously living for this series and the literary aspects to it!
We als get another new character, who was shady right from the start and it turns out we've just met the Mafia boss and he's not happy. It looks like there's going to be an all out war between all three organisations which should prove to be interesting. We're delving deeper and deeper in to the plot. Until now, I feel like we've been being introduced to the mafia and the agency, the world of the series and being eased in to everything as we get a feel for how things are between both groups, and over the course of volume three...things started to build up. Another group was introduced, and this volume really starts to kick things off.
This arc ends leaving us open for the next one and for things to finally start in earnest. I'm waiting to see which author is going to pop up next! This series really appealed to the book nerd part of me, and since last volume we've started to get in to the more obvious literary aspects with the authors and a few references. I actually get so excited when I spot one! We got a really fun guide to the Japanese authors our group are based on, and I'm hoping for more of that in the coming volumes!
With volume four, there's more action, drama and excellent artwork. I love the way the abilities are drawn, and the characters. The story moves along in this book as the Guild makes their move and comes out as an opponent, with the Mafia opting to fight back too. The agency has two enemies coming for them, and things are going to get even more exciting!
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