Work Text:
Abstract
Primary argument synopsis: Dazai is incapable of loving anyone as deeply as he loves Oda.
Organization: This analysis is organized chronologically following certain events of the light novel which I have divided into three sections. As I discuss each section, I will be analyzing text, events, metaphors, and symbols relevant to the argument.
Literary devices: Asagiri uses metaphors surrounding natural disasters and symbols such as wind and eyes to subtly convey the importance of certain events and character relationships. Asagiri breaks the novel’s third-person narration three times and switches to the first-person for Oda, Atsushi, and Akutagawa respectively. The characters narrate scenes in which they are confronted with a significant moment of truth and clarity. Whether or not they accept that truth is a different argument. Oda narrates his encounter with Dazai in Lupin in the first person and at this moment, we have no real reason to doubt the reliability of Oda’s narration given his honest nature. The significance of this literary choice will be discussed in the analysis.
Disclaimer: My argument is derived from the literal text. Fandom does not matter in my analysis. Take what you want away from my analysis but do not project your headcanons or ship insecurities onto my work. If you have a problem with what Asagiri wrote in his novel then take it up with him. Thank you and enjoy!
Introduction
Dazai’s canon wants and needs neatly line up as motivations for using the book for personal reasons in Beast AU. First and foremost, Dazai wants Oda alive no matter the cost. Second, he wants Atsushi and Akutagawa to live freely. Third, Dazai wants to see the downfall of Port Mafia. Atsushi and Akutagawa’s combined abilities make them perfect protectors of the only reality where Oda lives which is Dazai’s primary objective in bringing them together. Their mistreatment and traumatization by Dazai is a means to an end to save Oda and destroy Port Mafia, therefore allowing Atsushi and Akutagawa to live freely. The uncanny way these motivations piece together perfectly to form Dazai’s plan to save the alternative universe, the reader could infer that Dazai included all of these details when he wrote in the book initially. The genius strategist’s love for Oda and need for his existence is the driving force of the AU, a force so natural and powerful no one could withstand.
I. Port Mafia
Dazai’s interactions with Atsushi in his office provide the reader with context regarding the luring of Akutagawa and foreshadows Dazai’s encounter with Oda as well as his suicide. Before Dazai leaves to meet with Oda, Atsushi enters his office to report Akutagawa’s break-in when he sees Dazai watching outside the office window. The narrator explains, “It was electrochromic glass that could tint until It was a black wall with the press of a button. However, it had not even been used once in the past four years. And yet, right now, it was a clear gateway to the vast blue sky and the city below” (86). The open window signals the approach of a life-altering event for Dazai, his death. He has been long prepared to do whatever is necessary to save Oda and, at this moment, he looks out on the Yokohama he will sacrifice himself for one last time. Diving into Dazai and Atsushi’s conversation about luring Akutagawa, the change in Dazai’s voice is worth nothing as his voice is described as a “deep, raspy voice that would tear the soul apart of all who heard it” and having a “hint of kindness in [his] hoarse voice” (87, 88). The hoarseness of his voice is attributed to Dazai’s exhaustion having to relive his canon memories while executing his plan to save Oda. The hoarseness can also be attributed to his attempts to stifle his emotions and control his tone. The former mention of hoarseness is when Dazai admits to Atsushi he lured Akutagawa to Port Mafia headquarters. The attempt at intimidating Atsushi into not asking more questions demonstrates Dazai’s conflicted emotions knowing he must hurt Atsushi and Akutagawa for his plan to work. The emotional conflict is heightened as Dazai retains his canon memories and knows he abandoned Akutagawa when he betrayed the Port Mafia. The latter instance of hoarseness is when Dazai is vaguely explaining to Atsushi the events about to occur using a natural disaster metaphor. Dazai tells Atsushi to “imagine that the rain caused a flood and wiped out an entire village or lightning struck a tree and caused a major forest fire. Imagine the slightest earthquake triggered a tsunami and changed the shoreline” (87). Dazai knows what is to come is an unstoppable force, an event that will change the course of their lives. The mention of kindness in his voice refers to Dazai knowing that all the chaos and pain will result in Oda staying alive and setting Atsushi and Akutagawa free. When Atsushi further questions Dazai about the plan, he “saw something far more meaningful in [Dazai’s] distant gaze than some eloquent speech could ever have” (88). Dazai doesn’t need Atsushi to know everything that has happened and will happen is for Oda, for someone he loves, and Atsushi recognizes the plan is far beyond his comprehension. After Atsushi leaves, Dazai whispers to himself “Yes. This is a natural phenomenon. Nobody can stop it… not even I” (88). Dazai creates a phenomenon with such terrifying power that no human or ability user can interfere, not even himself, which he’s known since the beginning. Dazai’s incredible, unflinching resolve is made clear as he goes to disastrous lengths to save this world for Oda.
Before Dazai leaves his office to meet Oda, Dazai sits at his desk with “a faint darkness in his eyes as he gazed at the space between this world and the next” (97). The line foreshadows his suicide as he observes the veil between life and death but also refers to the Beast AU world and canon world that Dazai has blurred for himself. It’s worth noting that he is not looking out the Port Mafia window but rather out at the precarity of reality. Once again, Dazai “mutters hoarsely” to himself as he crosses the room and leaves his office to meet Oda at Lupin (99). This rough image of Dazai is about to crumble completely the moment Oda steps into Lupin.
II. Lupin
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of the encounter in Lupin is how the entire scene is narrated by Oda. Oda is characteristically observant, honest, and an analyst with over thinking tendencies which will become more apparent as the scene progresses. As previously mentioned, first person narration occurs when the character is confronted with a moment of truth. The truth is that Dazai wants to save and protect this world. This single truth is what carries the entire novel itself and allows for analysis of Dazai’s specific motivations.
As Oda takes his first steps into Lupin, “the dark dry staircase to the basement made [him] feel as if [he] were going back in time” (125). The blurring of the two worlds is present the moment he steps into Lupin where Dazai is already sitting with a drink. When Dazai realizes Oda has arrived, his “lips curled into a smile so subtle [Oda] thought [he] was maybe imagining things” (125). Even if Oda doubts himself, Dazai’s known subtle, mischievous nature signals to the reader that what Oda is “imagining” is what is truly happening. As if to verify Oda’s imagination, Dazai “wore a mellow smile that seemed so natural on him” as they exchange greetings (125). Dazai’s usual unreadable facade begins to crack with the appearance of this natural smile.
As Oda sits, jazz plays softly in the background, he observes the song is “a song about a heartbreaking farewell” (125). A song about a farewell playing at the beginning of their first interaction foreshadows this is their only encounter as Dazai wants to properly say goodbye to Oda before facing death. As they converse, Dazai continues to call him “Odasaku”, and Oda notices “[Dazai] wasn’t smiling at me. He was smiling for himself. But it seemed forced as if he had no idea what kind of expression to make” (126). Dazai struggles with his emotions as he fails to maintain his composure around Oda and begins to show vulnerability. Dazai then gestures to the seat next to him as he offers to make Oda a drink. Oda chooses to sit one seat away and Dazai is caught “staring at the empty spot next to him as if he was reflecting on something” (126). Dazai becomes so caught up in his time with Oda that when Oda behaves in ways showcasing the distance between them, Dazai freezes up not knowing what to do with his feelings of longing and despair. These moments continue to happen as if Dazai forgets which world he is in, only to repeatedly break his own heart. Oda recalls, “Dazai drank alone for some time after [making Oda’s drink]. Only the sound of the ice clinking in his glass—a substitute for words—filled the air” (126). Dazai breaks the silence “as if he couldn’t take [it] any longer” and he “fixed [Oda] with an earnest gaze. His eyes were strong, staring directly into [Oda’s] (126). Dazai stares into his eyes in a futile attempt to connect with him and communicate what can’t say with words. Dazai goes on to rave about his new tofu recipe and Oda observes “he seemed genuinely happy. [Oda’s] impression of this young man had completely changed from when [he] first met him moments ago. He smiled like a lost child who had finally found his house” (127). Oda experiences Dazai completely caught up in the excitement of talking to him, oblivious to the world around them. Dazai’s façade has fallen apart before Oda’s eyes as he notes Dazai’s childlike behavior. The line “smiled like a lost child who had finally found his house” calls upon Dazai’s behavior after Oda’s canon death. Dazai was inexplicably lost after resolving himself to leave Port Mafia, his only family, and has been navigating working in the light completely alone. When Dazai is with Oda in Lupin, he once again finds the person who offers the same security, comfort, and warmth of a home. When Dazai is with Oda he is not alone nor is he lost; he is at home.
Dazai begins to talk to Oda about his novel and encourages him with “crystal clear eyes” that he can write any story with ease (128). Dazai’s eyes are referenced by Oda multiple times throughout their interaction exposing Dazai’s true emotions of excitement and hope. Once again, Dazai gets caught up in the conversation and Oda remarks how they’ve “just met” (128). Dazai immediately freezes “with his drink still in hand. The glass, his boyish expression, even his breathing seemed to be frozen in time. [Oda] imagined something completely ridiculous for a moment: [Oda] felt as if the young man sitting before [him] was about to cry” (128). Dazai attempts to keep his heart from breaking and stifles his emotions by shutting down as “his cheerful, boyish expression was now gone” (128). Oda then turns the conversation to the luring Akutagawa to Port Mafia. However, Dazai is still unable to confront this reality as “[Dazai] observed [Oda] in silence… it was as if he were staring at [Oda] from a thousand years in the future” (128). Finally, Dazai reengages the present moment when Oda asks why he lured Akutagawa to Port Mafia headquarters, where “faint cracks appeared in [Dazai’s] expression. For a brief moment, he seemed as shocked as if he had been stabbed right in the heart. Only for a brief moment, though. His sage smile, like that of a man who had been alive for thousands of years, immediately returned” (129). Dazai knows he can’t hide the truth from Oda but he can’t explicitly tell him either because Oda himself is the reason behind luring Akutagawa.
After Dazai admits to luring Akutagawa, Oda verifies Dazai’s identity as Port Mafia boss and draws his gun on him. Dazai’s eyes are naturally drawn to the gun and Oda observes how “Dazai didn’t seem too appreciative of [his] gesture, though. He looked at the gun as if he was trying to restrain himself” (129). Dazai does his best to keep his emotions at bay as he tells Oda to “put that gun away”, however Oda keeps the gun aimed at Dazai’s head (129). Dazai starts to lose control of his emotions as he explains to Oda he didn’t want to become boss and “his piercing gaze bored a hole right through [Oda]” (130). Dazai’s eyes give Oda complete access to how he feels but this Oda does not know Dazai; he only takes notice of the vague lingering familiarity that fills the bar. Oda finds himself wanting to believe Dazai, “his eyes were so genuine that [he] almost started to believe him” (130). However, Oda is not convinced even when Dazai tells him “this isn’t a trap I would never even dream of doing something like that to you” (130). Oda admits to himself that “[Dazai] sounded like he was telling the truth” but “[Oda] couldn’t trust [his] own eyes anymore” (130). Dazai telling Oda that they were friends in another world does little to waver Oda as he’s concerned for Akutagawa despite entertaining the thought. In this moment, both men experience the same internal conflict and finds themselves wanting to understand and be understood by the other. The moment quickly passes as Dazai feverishly admits “[he] did it to protect this world”. Dazai starts speaking again and “in a halting tone” says “Odasaku, listen. I—” but is interrupted by Oda’s response “don’t call me that… my enemies have no business calling me that” (130). Dazai’s heartbreak is written all over his face and spreads throughout the bar, “he suddenly looked like he was struggling to breathe. His face twisted, and his eyes wandered about meaninglessly. He opened his mouth, then closed it. It was as if he was fighting something that couldn’t be seen” (130). Dazai is fighting his own emotions, the urge to scream or cry, and losing. He starts to let go of any hope he still had when he walked into Lupin because his eyes “wandered… meaninglessly” as he realizes he is still lost.
Dazai keeps trying to explain his way through negotiations with Oda’s gun aimed at his head, but “remnant particles of his emotions wandered about the bar. Nobody said anything for a while after that. Only silence. Like a sweet farewell, a melancholic piano tune began to play in the background” (132). The piano tune signals the end of their meeting; Dazai is saying goodbye. Dazai tries to regain his composure and says to Oda, “a life with someone you can say goodbye to is a good life, especially when it hurts so much to say it to them. Am I wrong?” (132). Oda agrees with him and honors his request to not shoot him in Lupin even though he doesn’t understand exactly why he would do this favor for Dazai. Finally, Dazai ascends the stairs “never to look back again” (132). Dazai remembers the pain of saying goodbye to Oda in the canon, but this time he can say goodbye knowing Oda will go on living. He takes solace in knowing Oda will have a good life without him, something Dazai will never have in any world. Dazai loves Oda so much as to refer to the short time spent in Lupin with him as his whole life. As Dazai leaves, his resolve to save this world and Oda is solidified as he never turns to look back. Dazai’s determination to commit suicide has never been as strong or unwavering at any point previously in the canon.
III. Sacrifice
Dazai witnesses the end of Atsushi and Akutagawa’s battle on the Port Mafia rooftop. Dazai is described as “something alien” as he spoke to them (148). Dazai is elated as he has successfully gotten them to work together and confront their trauma. He then fires Atsushi so he can “live in the outside world. Now, go—to a world of light” (148). Akutagawa is suspicious of Dazai’s intentions which prompts Dazai to explain the true nature of this world; the use of the book, the singularity he made, and how he needs Atsushi and Akutagawa’s help protecting this world. After the explanation, “Dazai walk[s] over to the edge of the roof” readying himself to take his own life as he warns them that only three people can know the truth (150). Dazai says to himself, “the time has finally come” and slowly smiles as he basks in the breeze blowing at his back, “it’s a strange feeling, really. It feels like the night before you go back to your hometown” (151). Akutagawa keeps pressing him for answers again about why he is so intent on saving this world. Dazai closes his eyes, grinning “almost nostalgically” and answers, “this is the only world where he’s alive and writing novels. I can’t let that world disappear” (151). Dazai is sacrificing himself so Oda can live in a world without Port Mafia and he can write his novel. Then “the wind grew stronger, beckoning him, and Dazai slowly leaned back” his eyes closed and his smile “dreamy” when he spoke, “the time has finally come. This long-awaited moment: I can’t wait. I truly cannot wait… but I do have one regret: I’ll never be able to read that novel you complete one day. That’s the one last thing I wish I could do” (151). Dazai leans back off the building and silently falls to the ground with a smile on his face. There is silence between Atsushi and Akutagawa as the aftermath consists of “a strong gust of wind blowing by… The red sunset’s glow… The red cobblestone... That setting sun...” (152). Dazai “went where he wanted to go” and “the only one that knew the whole truth was the crystal-clear wind that traversed the Yokohama skies and watched over the city” (152). The significance of the wind refers to Dazai’s soul. The wind only appears when Dazai is getting ready to commit suicide and is lastly mentioned once he has passed to the other side to join the other souls wandering Yokohama. Red in this scene is not only a reference to blood but the intensity of Dazai’s love for Oda and the need to keep the world he lives in safe as the sun sets on Dazai and Yokohama.
In the light novel illustration, Dazai is smiling as he falls to his death while Atsushi and Akutagawa look on exhausted and powerless (153). There is a photo of Oda in the corner of the illustration, implying that the wind is carrying the photo out of Dazai’s coat pockets. Dazai smiles knowing that not only is he finally going to die, but he’s dying to save Oda.
Works Cited
Asagiri, K. Beast. YEN PRESS, 2021.