AtsuKyou

AtsuKyou is the het ship between Atsushi Nakajima and Kyouka Izumi from the Bungou Stray Dogs fandom.

Port Mafia Arc
Atsushi and Kyouka first met in season 1 episode 8 (Chapter 7) as Atsushi accompanies Yosano on her shopping trip. He spots Kyouka in the crowd for the first time. They walk past each other and both start feeling something special. They both turn back and make eye contact with each other. At one point, Kyouka turns around towards the road again, but Atsushi still keeps his eyes on Kyouka. Forgetting about everything but her, Atsushi accidentally runs into a man and falls with boxes.

Later on in the episode, the train Atsushi and Yosano take home is hijacked by members of the Port Mafia. Atsushi runs into Kyouka again and asks her to go away from this place saying that there's the bomb. However, when someone calls Kyouka, he finds out from the conversation that she is a member of the Port Mafia and has orders to detonate a bomb. Kyouka and Atsushi begin to fight. Kyouka starts talking about herself and notes the fact that he and she are orphans.

At one point, Atsushi stops Kyouka and asks where the bomb is. Kyouka shows him the bomb which is in her chest and Atsushi is shocked by seen. He says that he doesn't feel emotions in her words and it seems like she doesn't have one. However, after Atsushi urges her to express herself, she wavers. She gives Atsushi the detonator to deactivate the bomb, but it is remotely force-activated after Akutagawa notices the button was pushed and says there's no need to stop the bomb. Atsushi tries to defuse the bomb but Kyouka tells him that there's no time to stop it and pushes Atsushi away from herself so as to not get hurt him. Finally breaking from Port Mafia's influence and crying, she attempts to sacrifice herself by jumping off the train with the bomb. Atsushi screams, jumping out of the train and falling close to Kyouka before ripping the bomb off her and hugging her from the blast before the two fall into the river. Atsushi pulls Kyouka and himself out of the river, smiling once Kyouka coughs and recovers. Kyouka sits up, looking over to Atsushi smiling at her, and mumbling an erm before Atsushi passes out, collapsing onto her. She looks at him in surprise, forgetting about everything and ignoring the ringing of the phone.

Afterwards, they are both taken back to the agency to be treated. Kyouka is then questioned but insists she will only release intel on the Port Mafia if they take her to eat steamed tofu which Atsushi agrees to, but later comes to regret because of the price of the specific restaurant Kyouka wants to visit. After this, Kunikida strongly advises Atsushi to turn her into the Military Police in private, but Atsushi is very reluctant and decides instead to take her out on a "date". He visibly blushes and stutters after he realizes what he has proposed, but she agrees anyway. The two are seen enjoying themselves all over the city, and Kyouka seems to lose her formerly aloof manner and even drags Atsushi to go to a crepe stand. However, their "date" ends as Kyouka takes them to the final stop on their date. The Military Police Station where she intends to turn herself in.

Just as she is about to turn herself in, members of the Port Mafia kidnap her and Atsushi, bringing them to a barge ship. On the ship, they are held captive as Akutagawa aims to kill Atsushi, and Kyouka unsuccessfully tries to save him but she ends up in a chokehold. Instead of giving in, however, Kyouka says how she enjoyed their time together how "the crepes were good" and Atsushi is shocked. Kunikida eventually shows up and Atsushi is given the chance to escape on his own, but he decides to go back and save Kyouka, the two escape together.

Afterwards, as Atsushi goes back to the office he worries if the others will accept her only to walk to find she is dressed up in a maid costume with the rest all around her fawning over her. Kyouka soon pleads to join the Agency so she could "prove to herself that she could do more than kill," and after hearing this Atsushi backs up her claim, and the president allows it.

The Guild Arc
After Kyouka joins the agency Dazai decides to jokingly set her up as Atsushi's new roommate to "protect her". Later Kyouka has her first assignment and fails miserably, Atsushi attempts to cheer her up and buys her a crepe. He also mentions how she might use her supernatural gift in the future which she is very startled by. The two are interrupted by a Port Mafia member and Kyouka's former superior Ozaki Kouyou, who tells Kyouka that she needs to come back to Port Mafia. Kyouka refuses and tries to fight back, but is quickly bested. Ozaki says she'll kill Atsushi if she doesn't join her, and to protect him she does, before reinforcements from the Port Mafia, Armed Detective Agency, and Guild arrives, and she escapes in the crossfire.

She isn't seen again for a while until she shows up to save Atsushi who is attacked by the Guild leader, she tries to protect Atsushi; who is injured, but both end up taken hostage by the Guild. Kyouka feeling as though she can't save anything only kills does little to escape or help save the city from destruction until eventually, Dazai convinces her to help. Unable to stop the ship from crashing into the city Atsushi grows desperate, and then he hears Kyouka's voice. She tells him she is able to set up a drone to destroy the ship before it crashes into the city, and that she will not be able to escape with them as she is chained up. Atsushi tries to come up with a different plan but time is up and the survivors are all hurled out of the ship on parachutes. Believing her dead Atsushi is very distressed, only later does he find out from Dazai and the President that Kyouka was able to escape. She arrives on land and Atsushi runs and embraces her.

In the movie, Dead Apple, Atsushi and Kyouka are both asleep in their dorm, both dreaming of their own abilities and a strange fog. Kyouka wakes Atsushi, telling him what was happening to her and him telling her the same thing was happening to him. They exit the dorm to see all of Yokohama is covered in a thick fog. They meet up with Kunikida, who explains that the reason for the mass suicides of ability users was another ability that made people's abilities turn against them. Kunikida tells them to go find the ability user, who is currently teamed up with Dazai and a man named Fyodor Dostoyevsky, while Kunikida stays behind to fight against his own ability. The two encounter Akutagawa, and soon have to face off on their own against their abilities in order to reclaim them, which they successfully do. Atsushi, however, is still unable to use his ability in spite of defeating the duplicate tiger, and so Kyouka and Akutagawa decide to face the ability user on their own, leaving Atsushi behind. However, Atsushi regains his memories of his childhood when he was tortured by Shibusawa, the ability user behind the fog, and also regains his ability, and joins Akutagawa and Kyouka in defeating Shibusawa.

Hunting Dogs Arc
After the Detective Agency was framed as criminals known as Decay of Angels, Kyouka like others (Kunikida, Yosano, Junichiro and Kenji) decide to escape. However, when they are making a plan, Kyouka tells Kunikida that she wants to go back because she feels that Atsushi might be in a trouble and wants to help him. Kunikida is very surprised and tells her that this is insane and they just need to run away. He adds that there will be no place to hide or run and she may die. However, Kyouka with a serious face states that she doesn't care and ready go so far for Atsushi. Kunikida gets that she won't change her mind and hands her some of his notebook pages in case of emergency.

She arrives just in time to rescue Atsushi from a barrage of shots from the military police at the basement of the hostage situation site and knocks them out unconscious. Kyouka then informs Atsushi that the Agency is wanted as a criminal organization, with "escape" virtually impossible for them. She grabs his hand and they run. They head back to the crime scene and hide on the ceiling using some of Kunikida's pages.

After two days, they come out of hiding, with Atsushi who becomes very sad about the heard news of other members. It makes Kyouka sad too, but then she reminds him that their first priority is survival amidst his disbelief in recent happenings. As they go along the streets filled with news about the Agency's terrorist acts, Kyouka notices that Atsushi watches the news and she advises him to face forward and keep going. Then she gives him a hat to hide his face and tells him that they need to procure money to flee with and later take a train somewhere far to escape together. Atsushi agrees but worrying about the future, he asks her what will be after this and Kyouka replies that she doesn't know. Atsushi realizes that Kyouka is right and the plan of Decey of Angels is well thought out and both of them cannot fight them. However, as Atsushi ponders what Dazai-san would do in this situation, he comes up with an idea. Atsushi plans to collaborate with Fitzgerald using his Eyes of God to locate Mushitaro, who warned The Agency about their plan and has knowledge of the Decay of Angels. Kyouka is dubious of seeking help from their previous enemy because he may sell them to the military police, but Atsushi thinks that it might be their only choice.

As soon as they enter Fitzgerald's office, they see Louisa who was attacked by Nathaniel. Louisa asks them to help her boss. Atsushi tells Kyouka to take care of Ms. Alcott and runs to help.

After Nathaniel leaves, Fitzgerald notice that before Hawthorne left he used his ability to the pen. Francis was about to die and Atsushi would lost their chance to save the Agency If Kyouka haven't seen the message from the screens which was sent by Dazai who got arrested.

The two parties then exchange terms for their deal, with Fitzgerald wishing to have the Agency doctor revive Margaret and have her kill Hawthorne. However, Atsushi refuses and calls Fitzgerald an egoist. When they were about to leave, Alcott advises Fitzgerald to bring Atsushi and Kyouka to Margaret, whose comatose condition has worsened. Seeing her status, Atsushi agrees to the deal, but Kyouka still doubts it and asks Atsushi if he is sure about that. Atsushi says that he knows about Kunikida-san's reaction who would get angry about wasting his strength helping every poor soul he runs into but Atsushi states that he cannot ignore someone suffering because in the past he was in a similar situation. Kyouka looks at Atsushi and remembers how he saved her from her dark past and remarks that he doesn't need to change.

Side Content/Spin-Offs
BSD Wan!=

Let's Go Flower Gazing!
In episode 2 (Chapter 7), Kunikida approaches Atsushi and tells him to prepare a spot for the Armed Detective Agency since the spots gets really crowded. Early in the morning, Atsushi heads to the park and notices that it's crowded, he then notices Kyouka sitting and asks her why she is there, Kyouka reveals the she overheard the conversation about saving a spot. Atsushi asks her how long has she been waiting at the park. Kyouka tells him that she had been waiting since evening and has prepared lunch as well. Crushed by the thought of him getting a praise and starts feeling himself guilty. He notices a tall tower of boxes which turns out that Kyouka prepared a plenty of lunch boxes. Kyouka gives him one and Atsushi opens it. He is surprised how perfect it made is. Later, Kyouka tells him that she was looking forward to looking at the cherry blossoms. Atsushi smiles at her and thanks her for everything.

Finders Kyouka's
In episode 3 (Chapter 17), walking in an alleyway, Kyouka finds a lost kitten and takes it with her to the Agency. The cat instantly takes a liking at Atsushi, which Dazai thinks may be because it sees him as a fellow cat, though Atsushi retorts that he is a tiger. Kunikida lectures Kyouka on the responsibility of taking care of an animal. He proceeds to feed it with milk, though Kunikida informs them that they cannot keep it.

In the meantime, the Agency members look after the cat and enjoy spending time with it. Kyouka later decides to put it up for lost and found, eventually making its way back to its grateful owners. As Miiko the cat is returned to its home, Dazai cheers Kyouka that they still have a cat with them, much to Atsushi's chagrin.

Bungo Stray Dogs Preschool!
In episode 7 (Chapter 15), Atsushi asks Kyouka what the thing she's holding is, and she tells him it's a pair of scissors, used for cutting paper. She proceeds by saying he mustn't use them to stab people. Kyouka then cuts out colored papers and Atsushi guesses them to which all of them nothing look like what she intended. Kyouka becomes embarrassed and summons Demon Snow to rip all the cut-outs. In manga, the two start making paper animals. Kyouka makes a rabbit, while Atsushi makes a tiger. Seeing Atsushi's tiger, Kyouka gets scared and summons her ability "Demon Snow".

The Armed Detective Agency Beats the Heat


In episode 10 (Chapter 57), Armed Detective Agency go to watch fireworks. Atsushi and Kyouka admire the pretty sparklers, and Atsushi even draws a tiger in the air using the sparks. He continues to draw animals while Kyouka guesses what the shapes are. Then, the agency members watch the rocket fireworks. Just as they are watching it, Dazai softly speaks that if he has to go, he'd like to go out as beautifully. Hearing this, Atsushi responds that he prefers him not to go and glances at Dazai.

In the mid-credits scene, Atsushi tells Dazai to not say what he said, not even as a joke. Meanwhile, Kyouka glances at Atsushi then the fireworks and tells that they are beautiful.

"Snow White" Fairytale


In chapter 66, BSD characters are in Snow White fairytale. Kyouka (Snow White) is kicked out from her home because of Lucy (Queen of certain country) who become very angry and jealous when the magical mirror (Poe) told her that Kyouka is the most beautiful person in the world, not her. Lucy even breaks the mirror because of her anger, but later restor it. Despite of this, Kyouka is a strong person. Later on, she meets Dwarfs and becomes friends with them. Then, she started living together with them. Then Lucy sees by the mirror that Kyouka is having a good time which become a new reason of her anger and she decides to kill Kyouka with cursed apple.

Afterwards, Dwarfs become very sad that Kyouka fall into Queen's trick. Dazai says that they need a prince's kiss to lift curse. At that moment, Atsushi comes and asks where Snow White is. Dazai tells Atsushi to kiss Kyouka. Atsushi comes closer to her face and almost kiss her, but Lucy comes running and starts yelling at Atsushi. As a result of the loud noise she made, Kyouka wakes up.


 * -|Official BSD Anthology =

In BSD Anthology 4 Chapter 2, feeling shy and blushing, Kyouka asks Naomi for advice about Atsushi, as she wants to surprise him with a thank-you gift. For Atsushi, Naomi suggests that her and Kyouka make a home-cooked meal together. They start by deciding on what to cook, and Naomi asks Kyouka for what she wants to make. Kyouka suggests different kinds of Tofu, which causes Naomi to worry that they might have to give up without even trying. Naomi thus advises Kyouka that the kind of meal they plan to cook needs to to be both stylish and feminine in order to impress Atsushi. It’s at this moment where Kunikida and Dazai come into the room. Kunikida is angry with Dazai, telling him that they need to move on to their job in Aomori, but Dazai informs Kunikida that he plans to first go receive his market exchange reward. Dazai opens his market exchange reward and everyone sees that it is for apples. Dazai shows these apples to Kyouka and Naomi notes that the fruits would definitely make a girly-chic meal.

Later on, Kyouka (whilst blushing) confesses to Atsushi about her plan to make a dinner feast for him that day. Atsushi is very shocked to hear this, and doesn't know what to say (he too starts blushing). Naomi reminds her that they need to go now to begin cooking. After this, Atsushi goes on to tell the other agents how happy he is that Kyouka is going to cook a meal for him. Dazai responds that he's glad for Atsushi and gives him a single present. On his way home, Atsushi wonders about Kyouka’s meal plans, figuring that it will just be some kind of Tofu dish. However, he reassures himself that whatever Kyouka makes him, it will be delicious. Upon arriving home at their apartment, Kyouka greets Atsushi, and presents him with his dinner. Atsushi is very pleased, but since Kyouka has prepared so many dishes containing apples, it becomes immediately apparent that he’ll quickly reach the limits of his appetite for them. This prompts Atsushi to consider the flavoring that Dazai gave him as a gift, and he thinks to himself that he can still hear Dazai’s voice and wonders if it means he’s going crazy. These thoughts are interrupted by Kyouka, who thanks him with a smile, remarking that "Seeing someone's excitement can make me happy... I never knew." Atsushi returns her smile, thanking her for the meal, and complimenting that it was very delicious.

Quotes
"It's fine. I won't fail. Because I'm together with you."

- Kyouka to Atsushi

Fanon
AtsuKyou is the most popular hetero ship in the Bungou Stray Dogs fandom. Fans of the ship point to the two's close professional and personal relationship as proof of a budding romance, along with some fans of the ship theorizing that Kyouka has a possible one-sided crush on Atsushi due to many hints throughout the series pointing to this direction. Though the pair do indeed share a tight bond over their traumatic pasts (pasts which they've helped each other work through), cemented by their many struggles shared together as members of the Agency, currently their relationship is best described as a "close friendship" (For his part, Atsushi admits to seeing her as something of a little sister in the official Bungou Stray Dogs anthology).

Although the ship is very popular among the Eastern fandom, the ship is often controversial among the Western fandom due to the age gap between Atsushi and Kyouka, with Kyouka being in her teens at 14 years (DoB Nov 4) and Atsushi being a young adult in his late teens at 18 (DoB May 5). This a difference of about 4 - 1/2 years, which isn't an uncommon age gap for adult couples, but can be seen as relatively large one between two teenagers of the likes of Atsushi and Kyouka. For their part, most of the ship's fans do typically prefer to see AtsuKyou only fully actualizing once the two have both come of age.

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Trivia

 * Atsushi was the first person to successfully demonstrate to Kyouka that her life is precious, and he truly cares about her.
 * They are often depicted together in official promotional artwork, mayoi cards and on the covers of Young Ace magazine.
 * In one piece of official art, Kyouka is depicted blushing at Atsushi as he smiles at her.
 * In BSD wan! Dazai often teases Atsushi and Kyouka, saying that there's something special about their relationship.
 * In BSD wan! Chapter 66, Kyouka played the role of Snow White and Atsushi played the role of her prince. They almost kiss, but Lucy stops them.
 * In dangerous situations, both Kyouka and Atsushi have been demonstrated to care about protecting each other more so than preserving their own lives.
 * In Chapter "A Sweet Day Out", Chuuya is shown to openly believe that Atsushi and Kyouka are dating.
 * The series’ animators often draw them together outside of official promotions. When season 4 was announced, many members of the animation staff posted their own fan works of the couple.
 * In the spring of 2016, AtsuKyou was ranked in 1st place in the top 10 anime couples and was there for 3 weeks.

Variations

 * Dazushi Family the familyship between Osamu Dazai, Atsushi and Kyouka.

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