Atsushi Nakajima (中島 敦) is the protagonist of Bungo Stray Dogs!! The story primarily focuses on his experiences when after being thrown out of the orphanage he lived in, he becomes a member of the Armed Detective Agency. His ability, Beast Beneath the Moonlight, allows him to transform into a white tiger (in other words, he's a weretiger!!). This comes from the real author Atsushi Nakajima's short story 'Sangetsuki' about a man who turns into a tiger.
Atsushi starts out as a very weak and uncertain character, sort of naive with a tendency to freeze up in dangerous situations, and a ton of self loathing as a result of his upbringing. He cares very deeply for others, and is consistantly willing to save people even if attempting to do so puts his life on the line as well. Though I mention this as one of his strengths, I think it's important to bring up that he is often self sacrificial and protective of others because he thinks this will give him worth and make him deserving of being alive. but with all that said, although he continues to struggle internally and with everything the plot loves throwing at him, Atsushi is a kind and often upbeat (compared to. the majority of the cast LOL) person who continues to grow and strengthen his sense of self as the story moves forward.
love this guy!!! Atsushi quickly became one my favorite protagonists of anything ever when I found BSD at age 14 LOLL I love this guy. when I was reading it for the first time at that age I was like wow...he's so me....and I do still find him incredibly relatable. Aside from simply finding his personality charming, I also find his flaws very interesting? his growth as a character I feel is very realistic, being really nonlinear and messy and kind of slow. he is growing and getting stronger, but it is taking time and there are still internal struggles that he himself doesn't even really see (I'm eyeballing his tendency to rely on Dazai for advice and answers to the point he seeks guidance from him whether or not he's actually present. something something Dazai's way of mentoring others isn't the greatest. but this isn't the place to elaborate on that lol). I've seen people complain about his weaknesses before but I like how it is written!! I think about it a lot and because this show is so stupid complicated(in a good way) I don't know what path lies ahead for Atsushi and his personal journey but I want to see it to the end ablablablabla !!!!!
worlds smallest atsushi gallery
