Dazai Osamu

Dazai Osamu is a popular character in the Bungou Stray Dogs fandom, as well as a major character in the series.
 
==History==
Dazai first appeared in Chapter 1 of the manga, when Nakajima Atsushi rescues him from a suicide attempt by drowning in the river. He became popular among fans for his good looks, ridiculous mannerisms, tragic past, and cunning intellect. He used to be a member of the Port Mafia, a main antagonist group in the series, before defecting after the death of his best friend. Apart from this, his backstory is very mysterious. In canon, Dazai is suicidal, and his suicidal tendencies are frequently played for comedy.
==Common Pairings==
*Dazai Osamu/Nakahara Chuuya: juggernaut ship in BSD fandom. Popular because of their status as ex-partners. Also known as Soukoku, or "Double Black."
*Dazai Osamu/Oda Sakunosuke: popular due to Oda's influence on Dazai to leave the Port Mafia and pursue a way of life that embraces saving other people. Also known as a very tragic ship, seen in the Beast spin-off series.
*Dazai Osamu/Kunikida Doppo: one of the most popular ships with Kunikida, as they are currently partners in the Armed Detective Agency.
*Dazai Osamu/Fyodor Dostoevsky: Dostoevsky is perhaps the only character in canon who can match Dazai's intellectual abilities, so they are often shipped together. 
*Dazai Osamu/Nakajima Atsushi: In canon, Atsushi understands that Dazai has a dark past, but he also holds complete and utter faith that his mentor is a good person who wants to protect his friends and city. Many fanworks often explore this dynamic.
*Dazai Osamu/Akutagawa Ryuunosuke: Akutagawa is constantly seeking Dazai's approval in canon, even after his defection from the Port Mafia, which may lead to much angst and pining in fanworks.
==Fanon and Common Tropes in Fanworks==
===As a Genius/Master Manipulator===
Dazai's intelligence plays a major role in the canon plot, so many fans explore his feelings and self-image through fic and other works. His perspective is also largely absent from the mainline story (perhaps because it would serve as a spoiler for the storyline itself), which leaves much to be explored in fanon.
===Suicidal tendencies/Self-harm===
Like his real-life counterpart, Dazai's character often attempts suicide. These attempts are often played in a more comedic light in canon, and not without controversy in fandom. His suicidal tendencies are so much a part of this character that Dazai-Typical Suicide References is its own tag on AO3.
===Defection from the Port Mafia===
Dazai originally joined the Port Mafia in order to find a reason to live. However, after years of bloodshed and violence, he was convinced by his friend Oda Sakunosuke to leave the Mafia. His defection plays a major turning point in the events of canon, and many fans enjoy exploring his headspace before, during, and after his decision to leave. Fanfiction set during Dazai's time in the Port Mafia is also popular, as two of his most popular pairings (Sokoku and Odazai) involve characters who were, or are, members of the Port Mafia.
===Death===
Many fans speculate that, at the series' end, Dazai will die., meta on what the ending of the manga might look like for Dazai. Whether that be by an eventual successful suicide attempt or by saving his friends, no one can say (as the series is still ongoing). Regardless, many fanworks explore this possibility.
===Other Common Tropes===
*Little Black Dress or Fandom bicycle: Because of Dazai's influence on the lives of many of the characters, he is often shipped with several characters.
*Angst: Due to his suicidal tendencies, many fan creators explore his mental health struggles.
==Example Fanworks==
===Fanfic===
* Cacoethes by Pastel Stained (Umazes): Soukoku fic detailing their relationship before and after Dazai's defection from the Port Mafia.
===Fanart===
* Dazai Osamu by cascadiing.
===Vids===
* young and menace by pingvi: AMV heavily featuring Dazai. 
===Meta===
* On Dazai's speech patterns by gold-pavilion.
===Other Fanworks===
==Archives and Communities==
* AO3 tag
==Links and Resources==
* Osamu Dazai at Bungo Stray Dogs wiki - canon resource
==References==
Category:Bungou Stray Dogs Characters