A brand-new manga adaptation within the popular Bungo Stray Dogs universe is set to launch on March 4, 2025. This latest installment, titled Bungo Stray Dogs: The Untold Origins of the Detective Agency, will delve into the backstory of the iconic Armed Detective Agency, offering fans a glimpse into the organization’s formation.
Tomori Adachi Takes the Helm
The new manga will be drawn by Tomori Adachi. While Adachi is responsible for the art, Sango Harukawa, the illustrator of the original Bungo Stray Dogs manga, is credited with the character designs. The manga will be serialized in Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace magazine.
A Prequel Story
The Untold Origins of the Detective Agency is a prequel set 12 years before the main story of Bungo Stray Dogs. The manga is an adaptation of the third light novel in the Bungo Stray Dogs series, written by Kafka Asagiri and illustrated by Sango Harukawa. This installment promises to reveal the circumstances surrounding the agency’s establishment and how its key members came together.
What to Expect from the New Manga
Delving into the Past
The story will focus on Yukichi Fukuzawa, who works as a bodyguard in Yokohama. Through a series of events, he ends up taking care of Edogawa Ranpo, a unruly genius boy. The encounter between Fukuzawa and Ranpo leads to the founding of the Armed Detective Agency.
A Well-Loved Prequel
Notably, while this prequel story arc is now receiving a manga adaptation, it has already been adapted into an anime as part of the series’ fourth season. This suggests the popularity and importance of this storyline within the Bungo Stray Dogs canon.
Bungo Stray Dogs: A Multimedia Phenomenon
Bungo Stray Dogs, abbreviated as BSD, began as a Japanese manga series written by Kafka Asagiri and illustrated by Sango Harukawa. It has been serialized in Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace magazine since December 2012. The series has gained immense popularity, leading to various adaptations and spin-offs.
The Premise
The series is set in Yokohama and features characters named after influential authors throughout history. Each character possesses unique abilities based on the works of the author they are named after. The story primarily follows the members of the Armed Detective Agency as they protect Yokohama from threats, including the Port Mafia.
Manga
The Bungo Stray Dogs manga has been compiled into 26 tankōbon volumes as of February 4, 2025. Yen Press licenses the series for North America.
Anime
Bones produced an anime television series adaptation, directed by Takuya Igarashi and written by Yōji Enokido. The anime comprises five seasons. Bones also produced the film Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple in 2018.
Light Novels
Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa have also written a series of light novels that delve into the backstories of characters, including Osamu Dazai.
Other Manga Adaptations and Spin-offs
- Bungo Stray Dogs: Beast: A manga adaptation of the Beast light novel, illustrated by Shiwasu Hoshikawa, was launched in Monthly Shōnen Ace in December 2019. This spin-off presents an alternate timeline where Ryūnosuke Akutagawa joins the Armed Detective Agency, and Atsushi Nakajima is a subordinate of the Port Mafia.
- Bungo Stray Dogs: Dazai, Chūya, Jūgosai: This spin-off manga, focusing on Dazai and Chūya’s backstories, began serialization in Monthly Shōnen Ace in July 2022.
- Bungo Stray Dogs: Storm Bringer: A manga based on the light novel Storm Bringer began serialization in Monthly Shōnen Ace on January 24, 2025.
- Bungo Stray Dogs: Wan! is a comedy spin-off manga series.
Reception
Bungo Stray Dogs has garnered positive reviews and boasts impressive sales figures, with over 10 million copies sold.
Where to Read
Bungo Stray Dogs manga is available for purchase in both Japanese and English. Online retailers such as Amazon and eBay offer various volumes and sets.
The Significance of The Untold Origins of the Detective Agency
Bungo Stray Dogs: The Untold Origins of the Detective Agency promises to be a significant addition to the Bungo Stray Dogs franchise. By exploring the origins of the Armed Detective Agency, the manga is set to enrich the understanding of the characters, their motivations, and the world they inhabit. Fans can look forward to uncovering the hidden stories and formative experiences that shaped the agency into the organization they know and love.
The release of Bungo Stray Dogs: The Untold Origins of the Detective Agency on March 4, 2025, is highly anticipated by fans of the series. It is a chance to revisit familiar characters in their early years and witness the events that laid the foundation for the Bungo Stray Dogs universe.
