DMM's popular game "Bungo to Alchemist" is also available as a smartphone app, and is popular with many users, especially women. It's known for its high-quality character design, story, and music. A TV anime adaptation is finally scheduled for April 2020, and the excitement is building. In this article, we'll introduce the story of "Bungo to Alchemist." What exactly is the story about?
Bungo to Alchemist Story Part 1⭐︎ Set in "A Japan with an Alternative History"
The story of Bungo to Alchemist begins in "A Japan with an Alternative History." The setting is a modern Japan with a touch of Taisho-era romance. One day, an abnormality occurs in which literary texts suddenly begin to turn black. They then disappear from people's memories as if they had never existed. The world of books is being destroyed by an entity known as the "Invaders." To counter this power, a group of people with special abilities known as "Alchemists" are dispatched to the National Library. They reincarnate Japan's greatest literary figures and begin the battle.
What is an "Alchemist"?
In Bungo Stray Dogs, the "Alchemist" refers to the player. Alchemists possess special abilities and the power to reincarnate great literary figures. The goal is to collect and strengthen literary figures in order to defeat enemies.
Bungou Story Part 2⭐︎ Choose a starting literary figure and welcome them into the library
At the start of the game, you can choose one of the four "Starting literary figures" to acquire.
Sakunosuke Oda
One of the early great writers. He was active in the early Showa period as a writer of the Burai school. A native Osakan who speaks in the Osaka dialect, he loves curry. His representative works include "Fufu Zenzai" and "The Paradox of Youth." He is associated with great writers such as Osamu Dazai and Ango Sakaguchi. His voice actor is Masaya Onosaka.
Haruo Sato
One of the early great writers. He had an astounding 3,000 disciples, and was highly revered. Apparently, he had a hard time dealing with one of his students, Osamu Dazai...? His most famous work is "The Sick Rose." He is associated with such great writers as Osamu Dazai, Masuji Ibuse, Junichiro Tanizaki, and Kafu Nagai. His voice actor is Yuki Hata.
Tatsuo Hori
One of the early great writers. Despite his cute appearance, he is a man. He is an idol-like boy who is loved by everyone he meets. He is considerate, but his tendency to read the situation too much can backfire. He has a strong fear of snakes. His representative works include "The Wind Rises" and "The Holy Family." Related writers include Ryunosuke Akutagawa and Riichi Yokomitsu. His voice actor is Koji Takahashi.
Shigeharu Nakano
One of the early literary figures. He belonged to the proletarian literature movement. Though he appears calm and collected, he is a young man harboring a sense of guilt. He regrets having chosen literary pursuits over his own beliefs. His representative works include "Uta no Wakare" (Song of Parting) and "Muragimo" (The Muragimo). He is associated with Takiji Kobayashi and Nao Tokunaga. His voice actor is Kenji Akabane.
What about Shusei Tokuda?
Along with the other early writers, Tokuda Shusei is also one of the first writers to arrive at the library. He appears in the tutorial, so he's also known as the "tutorial writer," and can be recruited and used in battles from the start. His literary style is characterized by what's known as naturalism. He was one of the students of Ozaki Koyo, led by Ozaki Koyo. His most famous works include "Arakure" and "Shukuzu." Related writers include Ozaki Koyo, Izumi Kyoka, and Shimazaki Toson. Incidentally, he's also the most popular character in Bungo Stray Dogs.
Bun-Al Story Part 3⭐︎ Dive into the Soul Book
Up to this point, you've gathered two starter and two tutorial authors. Since you can form a faction of up to four people when you actually go into battle, you'll need to reincarnate two more authors. To do this, you'll "dive" into a book called a "Soul Book" to bring in your new allies.
Dive One Person
What's different from other social games, such as "Touken Ranbu," is that you need to dive into one of your fellow authors to reincarnate one person. The more Western ink you use, the more likely you are to get a rare author.
Rainbow Rare
Authors reincarnated against a rainbow background. Rainbow Rare Authors are the rarest. There are currently three rainbow authors in the game: Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Osamu Dazai, and Kyoka Izumi.
Gold Background
A literary figure reincarnated against a gold background.
Silver Background
A literary figure reincarnated against a silver background.
Plain Background
These writers are reincarnated with a plain background. Generally, there's no significant difference in stats between rainbow, silver, and plain backgrounds. It's fine to start by choosing a writer whose appearance you like.
Bun-Al Story Part 3☆ Dive into the Harmful Book
Once the writers gather, they will dive into the "Harmful Book." Harmful Books are books that have become corrupted, and they will dive into stages named after each book. The stages are named after works written by Bun-Al authors, such as "Run, Melos" and "The Restaurant of Many Orders," which should be a delight for fans.
View "Recollections"
By diving into designated stages with specific members, you can view special conversations called "Recollections." In "Recollections," you'll reminisce about reuniting with old friends, or find yourself in a tense mood with a writer you weren't on good terms with... You'll get to learn about the relationships between the writers.
Bun-Al Story Part 4☆ Eating at the Cafeteria
The writers in "Bun-Al" lose stamina and hunger after diving into books. Unusually for a game system, they get hungry, so they need to eat at the cafeteria. The cafeteria menu changes depending on the time of day and the day of the week, with dishes like tempura soba and monkfish hotpot. Some of the menu items are seasonal, so don't miss out! Recently, shortcuts have made it possible to eat without going to the cafeteria, but there are still many flashbacks that can only be seen in the cafeteria, so be sure to stop by.
The food looks delicious!
All the food in Bungo Stray Dogs looks so delicious that it's even been dubbed a "food-teasing game." The characters are so passionate about the food that the official website even published a book dedicated to Bungo Stray Dogs' food. I can't wait to see how the cafeteria scenes will be portrayed in the anime.
Bungou Stray Dogs Story Part 5☆ Characters Other Than the Authors
Bungou Stray Dogs also features characters other than the authors. Since they are deeply connected to the authors, they also appear in the story.
Director
The director of the Imperial Library in Bungo Stray Dogs. He appears alongside his right-hand man, Neko, in tutorials and event stage explanations. Like the librarian (the protagonist), the director possesses alchemist abilities, but his powers are unstable and he is unable to maintain them in the mortal world for long periods. He also exchanges letters with the librarian, who apparently reports on his work.
Cat
He's the director's right-hand man. Although he's a cat, he speaks human language fluently and says, "I don't have a name yet." He's a calm and collected male cat who serves as the director's messenger.
Aka
Aka is a character who appears midway through the story. He is a researcher at the library. He and Ao form a duo. Aka loves sweets and has a charming mole near his eye. He appears to support the special librarian. He exchanges letters with the librarian, but despite his young appearance, he has a somewhat cheeky attitude and tone. He also has a fear of ghosts.
Ao
Like Aka, Ao is a character who appeared midway through the story. He's particular about his glasses, and in stark contrast to Aka, he likes spicy food. He appears to support the special librarian. Unlike Aka, he seems to be okay with ghosts.
Bun-Al Story Summary!
That's a summary of the story of "Bun-Al!"! Fight as reincarnated literary figures in a world filled with Taisho-era romanticism. What kind of world will the anime present? I'm really looking forward to it!
