Bungo Stray Dogs - Volume 4 - Chapter Aft

AFTERWORD 

What did you think of Bungo Stray Dogs, Volume 4? I know I’m repeating myself here, and perhaps it’s a little late to mention this, but each of the plots in Volumes 1 through 4 are independent with their own timelines that follow different protagonists, meaning you can start reading them in any order. So if you accidentally purchased the fourth volume first, there’s nothing to worry about. 

Now, there were a few differences in 55 Minutes compared with the other three novels. Did you notice them? 

First, the protagonist was Atsushi. Each of the first three volumes were side stories that took place before the events of the manga, each told from the viewpoints of different protagonists, but this time, the story revolved around Atsushi. In addition, this volume didn’t take place in the past, but rather sometime after the tenth volume of the manga. In other words, it’s a tale about the “usual” detective agency in novel format. 

Second, the season was clearly described as summer. In fact, seasons have never actually been mentioned flat out in the manga and novels up until now. Instead, they have simply been sprinkled with hints. They could have been spring or fall, but this time, it was made clear that it was a hot summer day. Why? Well, I won’t exactly say why just in case you haven’t read the book yet, but when a certain skill activated, I really felt as if it was during a hot season—a boiling summer day under the clear blue sky. I wonder why I felt that way? Regardless, that’s just how it is. 

Finally, the subtitle is in English: 55 Minutes. Even my editor said I should choose a Japanese subtitle so it would match the first three volumes, but I switch randomly between English and Japanese subtitles in the manga, so I said it felt natural going with English this time, and after some persuasion, it worked. To tell the truth, I just said the first thing that came to my mind, though. (I’ve been getting good at employing sophisms since I started this work; maybe that’s the only thing I’m getting good at.) 

Anyway, I tried out a lot of new things in Volume 4. I hope you can enjoy the main story in the manga while taking delight in learning more about other characters in the novel as if you were watching a movie based on the series. 

And last but not least, I would like to thank Katou, the editor for the manga; Shirahama, the editor for the novels; and Sango Harukawa for always drawing such stylish illustrations for the covers and interior illustrations. I would also like to thank everyone from the printers to the booksellers, and those of you who’ve read the novels! Thank you so much. 

Until we meet again. 

KAFKA ASAGIRI