Atsushi Nakajima

Atsushi Nakajima is the master of Berserker in the ??? Holy Grail war.

"What's better than being alive?" — Atsushi Nakajima

## Profile

### Background

Atsushi Nakajima (中島 敦, Nakajima Atsushi) is the main protagonist of the Bungo Stray Dogs manga and anime series. He is a member of the Armed Detective Agency who possesses the ability Beast Beneath the Moonlight.

### Personality

Atsushi is enthusiastic and passionate, caring deeply about his fellow members of the Armed Detective Agency and for the well-being of civilians and of people in bad situations. During his Entrance Exam that all members must pass to join the Agency, he is faced with a simulated bomb threat. He uses his body to cover the bomb and shield the other members, whom he had never met.

His traumatic past affects much of his daily life, and he is tormented with nightmares, flashbacks, and the internal monologue of the Orphanage Director who abused him. He has a severely low sense of self-worth and is somewhat naive, which causes him to initially feel helpless when confronted with dangerous situations. When paralyzed in guilt and/or fear, he has difficulty reacting or understanding what to do. He also tends to react strongly and believe things at face value, trusting others judgment above his own, even abandoning his own instincts.

For example, when learning of the seven billion yen bounty on his head, he becomes convinced that he is putting the Agency at risk. He feels intense guilt and decides to leave, believing it will keep the Agency from being targeted. He is advised by Kunikida to learn how to become useful rather than worry about the Agency being attacked.

He has a strong sense of morality, which also directly stems from his upbringing. He believes his worth in life depends on his ability to protect others and has an aversion to the abuse of one's power and to preventable deaths. He values life and tries to help even his enemies. This is seen through his interactions with Kyouka and Lucy, and during his battles with Akutagawa.

Although still struggling with his self-esteem and the words of his late Headmaster, Atsushi gradually improves his confidence and sense of self after joining the Armed Detective agency. He continues to be strengthened by several missions and the clashes between the Port Mafia, Guild, Rats in the House of the Dead, and Hunting Dogs (among others). His will hardens in these tough situations, and he becomes steadfast, reliable, and intensely caring.

## Role

Atsushi was sent by the the Armed Detective Agency to investigate a series of incidents and disappearances caused by the Holy Grail Wars, suspecting the Church and a list of several other suspicious individuals of being involved in a conspiracy. Uncovering far more than what he bargained for, Atsushi inadvertently summoned Berserker, now finding himself a part of the very War he was investigating. Bringing her back to the Agency's Headquarters to report his situation, Berserker is brought on board for the investigations. Their searches lead hem to encountering ??? and ???. They engage in battle with ??? to bring ??? in for questioning.

## Abilities

Atsushi has the ability to transform into a white tiger. At first, he doesn't seem to have much control over the transformation, likely due to the fact, or caused by, his unawareness of his state as an Ability user.

After becoming an official member of the Agency and under the influence of All Men Are Equal, he gains more control over his transformations - as shown during his second fight with Akutagawa, when he breaks the transformation on his arms to escape.

Full Body to Partial Transformation: Atsushi has shown several varying states of transformation, which range from a rather large full tiger form, to just slit pupils and tiger stripes on his face. He can transform and manifest various tiger body parts at wills, such as tiger forearms with claws, or a tiger tail.

Regeneration: Also notable is that Atsushi's ability has extreme regenerative powers capable of healing bisection and amputation almost instantly. This was shown during his fight with Akutagawa.

Increased speed and stamina: He has shown to possess immense speed, durability, strength, stamina, and endurance on several occasions. He has also been shown to be a natural fighter in close combat and has shown to very cunning in battle in several fights. However, after using his ability, Atsushi seems to become unconscious and collapses onto the ground.

Enhanced senses: Due to the tiger's nature, Atsushi can hear and see above what is normal for humans.

# References

https://bungostraydogs.fandom.com/wiki/Atsushi\_Nakajima