#I'm sorry but like. I wholly lack the confidence for saying that my interpretation of someone's words is the correct one.

[kyouka-supremacy]

BSD Official Guidebook Gongeroku - Uemura Yuto & Ono Kensho interview

※ As usual, I'm heavily relying on automatic translators for this, so if you notice any mistake, please feel free to bring it to my attention! I'll be posting the original text in reblogs.

Thank you for your hard work in recording seasons 4 and 5. The story has now come to an end, with the story left “to be continued”¹.

Uemura: In “Two Hours Later,” Atsushi (Nakajima) and Ryunosuke (Akutagawa) trust each other; the exchange “Just the two of us?” "Do we need more?” also occurs in episode 53, but this time Atsushi is smiling a little. He says “Let's go, Akutagawa”, and takes on the challenge. I think it was a very hopeful ending, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the relationship between the two will develop. Also, I'm curious about Akutagawa's outfit. He had something on his head… Ono: That's right. (Akutagawa) looked strong. It seems like he's regained his sense of self, so what will happen next? What are Akutagawa and Atsushi fighting against? I'm curious about it all. I felt like the 5th season ended on an interesting note.

The story ended with Atsushi and Akutagawa fighting together, but looking back at the first season, what do you think has changed about Atsushi and Akutagawa?

Ono: I think the biggest thing is that now they're able to have a conversation. Uemura: That's right. At first, the two of them couldn't have a conversation at all. Atsushi said “I don't understand you at all” (Episode 23). Ono: The relationship started out with each saying “this is what I think'”, not listening to what the other person had to say, and then fighting, so that's where the biggest change happened. I really felt this change during the conversation on the ship² at the end of Season 3 (Episode 37), where they say: “Don't kill anyone for six months. Then you will come to see the truth in its simplest form”. Uemura: Atsushi started out thinking “I can't survive like this”, but then he joined the Armed Detective Agency and found himself in a position to save people. In the process, he made various choices, thinking about what Dazai (Osamu) would do, and what his colleagues at the Armed Detective Agency would do. He was finally able to accept himself and think that maybe there was a meaning to his life. In particular, the movie Bungo Stray Dogs: DEAD APPLE and the conversation with the headmaster (episode 31 part 2) were major turning points for him. He was able to face his inner self. I think that it was through these experiences that he was eventually able to make that “promise” with Akutagawa. Ono: Akutagawa is always one step ahead of Atsushi. But Atsushi is grows up really fast, right? He is the main character after all (laughs). So I think that Atsushi is gradually beginning to see Akutagawa³. Uemura: That's right. I think Atsushi originally had a very narrow vision. But after going through various experiences, his vision has finally broadened. And I think he's now able to see Akutagawa clearly. If you have a narrow vision, you can't accept any way of thinking different from your own; but as your vision gradually broadens, you start to accept that there are other ways of thinking, too. I think that's why he was able to have a dialogue.

On the contrary, what do you think remains the same about Atsushi and Akutagawa?

Uemura: Atsushi has grown and become more confident, but he still panics when he hits a wall. I've been playing Atsushi for a long time, so I'd like him to be to take a decision more quickly, but Wakabayashi Kazuhiro (sound director) would tell me, “It's too early, not yet” “It's not time yet”. When you can see what's ahead, you just want to move forward, but Atsushi takes many detours and puts his full effort into each step. I think that's what makes Atsushi unique, so I always try to cherish it. Ono: One thing that remains unchanged about Akutagawa is that he is always aware of Atsushi. I think that the relationship between Akutagawa and Atsushi, with Dazai in the middle, has not changed at all, and Akutagawa is the one who is acutely aware of that. In Season 5, Akutagawa says that fighting alongside Atsushi is “a trial (that was given to him by Dazai)”, but even though he says that, the fact that he's also aware of Atsushi has not changed.

The “trust” between the two was evident in their deadly battle against Ochi Fukuchi (episodes 53 and 54).

Ono: When Akutagawa was wounded by Fukuchi Ouchi's Amenogozen, and he says "You fool, get out of here" as he lets Atsushi escape, in the original comic Akutagawa has a sad expression on his face. However, in the anime, he has a desperate expression during the fight. The difference is very striking. I felt like the expression in the anime was an expression that matched the visual flow. That left a strong impression on me.

Afterwards, Akutagawa, who has turned into a vampire, faces Atsushi at the airport (Episode 60).

Ono: By this time, Akutagawa had completely become a vampire. I was able to record the scene with Uemura-kun, but… Uemura: Ono-san seemed to have a hard time. Atsushi tries his best to talk to Akutagawa, saying “It's me, don't you recognize me?”, but he can't get the conversation going. When he called out “Akutagawa!”… Ono: “Shhhh”. Uemura: That was all. But there was a moment when he regained a little sense of self. Ono: That was the toughest one. I put a lot of thought into how to express it. Uemura: In that scene, Atsushi was hoping that he would regain his sense of self. I think that was a kind of dynamic that had never existed before.

Having performed for so long up to season 5, what does “Bungo Stray Dogs” mean to you two?

Ono: This is a project that I'm putting my life on the line for. Akutagawa also puts his life on the line, so I feel like that is something we have in common. I think there is something I can learn from Akutagawa's desperation and his approach in facing challenges. When Akutagawa first appeared in the first season, Wakabayashi-san told me: “He doesn't sound strong”. It's a statement I still recall. The recording of Akutagawa started from there, so I hope I have been able to improve on that now, and I would like to continue to do my best without letting my guard down. Uemura: After recording the scene with Atsushi and Akutagawa, Wakabayashi-san said: “It looks like both of them have a lot more to scream”⁴. Ono: Oh, did he say that? Uemura: That's right. I'm so grateful for receiving such words. “I want you to go even further”, isn't that what they meant? I feel that if Bungo Stray Dogs will continue from now on, I will have to do something even further than that. Ono: I see. I guess I'll have to give it my best as well. Uemura: Personally, I would like to see what happens to Atsushi in the future, so I'm looking forward to the next developments.

In the fifth season, Dazai refers to Atsushi and Akutagawa as “the soukoku of a new era”⁵. In season 5, there was a scene where the soukoku duo of Dazai and Nakahara Chuuya played an active role; do you think the two of you can lead a new era?

Ono: Uhm, neither Akutagawa nor Atsushi are as smart as Dazai (laughs). Uemura: Right. I would like to see more of Atsushi and Akutagawa joining forces… But Chuuya and Dazai are both still very active (laughs). Ono: Yes. Both of them are still amazing. I don't think Akutagawa and Atsushi can realistically compete. Well, let's try our best to achieve that goal. Uemura: As the story progresses, I think it would be great if the two of them could become a duo known as Soukoku. It's different Soukoku from Dazai-san and Chuuya, it's a Soukoku that is unique to the two of them.

¹ The 「未了」 of the episode 11 ending ² This bit confused me, but they are indeed using 「船」 ship. They're probably referring to how the scene was showed as flashback while Atsushi was on Fitzgerald's ocean liner. ³ 「それでだん だん敦にも、芥川が見えてきたんだ なと思いますね。」 not sure about this one. Began to see Akutagawa in his own eyes? Began to see Akutagawa in himself? ⁴ 「まだまだ2 人とも叫べそうだな」 not sure about this one either 😔 Is it “it looks like both of them can scream even more”? ⁵ Unless I'm widely mistaken, this is a misattribution; Dazai says this in episode 24, not in season 5 (please correct me if I'm wrong). I don't remember Dazai saying anything similar in season 5.

[lyricalive]

Why do you identify as Maribel so much? like, why you like the Sealing Club? (Renko included) I'm sorry if this is a weird question, it's just that they don't seem to be very popular in the fandom :''(

The first thing that drew me to Maribel was my huge,self-defining interest in the philosophy of subjectivity:  things that can’t be definitively categorized, distinctions that are very fragile, the ability to perceive similarthings as different or different things as similar.  The way that everything boils down toperspective and perception.  The way thattotal opposites, like fantasy and reality, can blend into each other.

I admire Yukari as the most powerful presence in Touhou,something that really defines the meaningfulness as Touhou as a series for me,because I believe very strongly in “boundaries” as an extremelyimportant concept that affects anything and everything.  I can’t just directly relate to such a badass,though.  The more reserved Maribelrepresents the external study of the same ideas – while still fascinatingly playingwith the border of actually embodying it herself – so she became someone I feltcomfortable attaching to.

She is a human who is more personable than a youkai; furthermore, being a college student on the border of childhood and adulthood makes her feellike a more timeless attachment than a particularly very young or old character… especially for me, a very childish adult.  Her role as someone who is very immersed in dreams/daydreams, who lets fantasy takea large role in her life over more practical things, is easy to identifywith.  Her personality is mostly positive,but she has well-established fears, and she relies on Renko to keep her focused forward.

When Lori first told me she felt “like the Renko to myMaribel,” she meant it as a compliment to my creativity, as if my lyricismrepresented a frame of mind that was like a new world to her.  I was absolutely touched by this, especiallybecause I could say similar sentiments in return about her own talents.  With the detail she puts in her art and designs, forexample, it’s clear that she also has special eyes.  Having complementary but different strengthsis something I love about the Sealing Club’s dynamic, and about relating tothem.

Independently, I like Renko as a character even more than Maribel.  From the most superficial points – althoughpurple is my favorite color, Renko’s modern black and white is much more of my preferredfashion style.  She’s more targeted inher aesthetic.  She’s smart, geeky, fun.  She has the vibe of a protagonist, someone worthputting in charge of a club.  I interprether as being very dense in her perception of others’ feelings but very honestand straightforward in expressing her own, which is a really charmingpersonality to me.  She’s full of obscureknowledge, and full of confidence.  Asthe objectivist, she sees “what is”… but it doesn’t limit her from “whatcould be,” rather making her ready to accept anything and fit it into thepuzzle of reality.  She’s so cute and likable and cool.

No matter what, they are much better as a pair.  In generalabout the club…  I just really, reallylove everything about the aesthetics they represent and the ideas theyinspire.  I’m fascinated by mythology, dazzledby stars, and god do I adore trains.  I love playing with theconcept of time and the meaning of dreams.  I want to see what they see, know what they know.  I love their wittiness, their quirkiness, theirdelightful fluffy banter.  I love the cozinessof their context.  I love how theyprovide a new subtle perspective on the motifs of Gensokyo, constantly teasing atit – requiring knowledge of Touhou to appreciate their stories more, so it constantlyjust reinforces my love of the whole.  Ilove the closeness of their friendship and the limitless possibilities of theirteamwork, the way they make each other more interesting as they interact.  I love them being more “normal” humans, as I said, but not a “normie” sort of normal, being more in the fringes of their society.  Their occult pursuits give them the appeal ofchuunibyou, people who reject thecommon reality to earnestly embrace something greater… and they have the skills and mindsets to actually achieveit.  I love how they give hope of outsidepeople being able to reach amazing places, too.

By the way… do you think they’re unpopular with the fandom?  I think they’re rather popular, although ofcourse they always deserve to be more so.  Lori actually tells me she feels a little hipster-ish about the increasing attention they get,because she’s been interested in them even longer than me.  I can relate; when I get really attached tosomething, I kind of wish to monopolize it more.  (So it does make me happy if you perceive meas “one of the few” who appreciates them well.)

At the same time, I obviously don’t want them to beignored.  Overall, I think they’re in agood place.  They are the Secret Sealing Club after all, so theycan’t be wholly mainstream; their underground nature is part of their appeal.  But they do get a fairly satisfying flow ofart compared to some other characters.  Theyget a good deal of respect from talented Tumblr artists, they get this awesomelydedicated blog that wonderfully captures their everyday life, and they even gotthat lovely fan anime!  Because they haveso much music associated with them on their CDs, they also get a lot ofarranges.  …Also, being so loosely connected yet so technically isolated from the rest of the series, there are noshipping debates about them at all.  Ifyou ship them with anyone, you ship them with each other, making them one ofthe most popular ships due to lack of conflict.   As it should be.