Fans of Bungo Stray Dogs received major news when the manga’s creators revealed that the first part of the series will conclude with the upcoming chapter on March 4. Written by Kafka Asagiri and illustrated by Sango Harukawa, the supernatural mystery series has built a devoted audience over more than a decade, blending literary-inspired characters with noir detective action. This milestone marks a turning point for the story and raises questions about the next narrative phase for Atsushi Nakajima and the Armed Detective Agency.
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What the “First Part” Ending Actually Means
When a long-running manga announces the end of its “first part,” it usually signals a narrative pause or the closing of a major arc rather than the series’ permanent conclusion. For Bungo Stray Dogs, this likely means the culmination of key plotlines involving the agency’s conflicts, allies, and antagonists, setting the stage for a new arc, time skip, or tonal shift in subsequent parts. Readers should expect resolution for several story threads, followed possibly by fresh mysteries and character developments in the next installment.
Quick Timeline: Manga, Volumes, and Releases
Manga Origins and Publication
Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa launched Bungo Stray Dogs in December 2012. Since then the series has steadily released collected volumes, and the manga reached its 27th compiled volume in September 2025. English-language readers can follow official releases; Yen Press published the 26th English volume on January 20, helping the series reach a wider international audience. For convenient purchasing, official retailers such as Amazon carry new volumes and special editions. Yen Press remains the primary English-language publisher for the series.
Spin-offs and Extras
The chibi-style spin-off Bungo Stray Dogs Wan! by Kanaineko first launched in December 2015 and has enjoyed its own success with multiple volumes (currently 14). Wan! offers lighthearted, comedic takes on the main cast and has proven popular enough to receive its own anime adaptation.
Anime Adaptations and Film
Bungo Stray Dogs has been adapted for television and film multiple times, expanding the franchise’s reach beyond manga readers.
- TV anime Season 1: April–June 2016
- Season 2: October–December 2016
- Season 3: Premiered April 2019
- Season 4: Premiered January 2023
- Season 5: Premiered July 2023 and concluded in September 2023
An anime film, Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple, opened in Japan in March 2018 and was later made available to international viewers through streaming platforms in September of that year. The franchise’s anime adaptations and film have helped popularize its unique premise: an agency of detectives whose supernatural abilities are often inspired by famous literary figures.
Wan! Anime and Ongoing Adaptations
The Wan! spin-off received its first anime season in January 2021, which was carried by major streaming outlets and received an English dub. A second season for Wan! has been announced and is slated to premiere this year, continuing the lighthearted side-stories of the Bungo Stray Dogs universe.
Where to Read and Watch
To follow the main series and spin-offs, official physical and digital releases are your best option. Yen Press handles the English manga editions and is a reliable source for newly translated volumes. For anime, major streaming services that acquired licensing rights have carried both the TV seasons and the Dead Apple film. Subscribing to the official streaming services not only ensures quality viewing but also supports the creators and licensors behind the franchise.
Why This Moment Matters for Fans
The end of a major arc is always a pivotal moment for long-running series. For Bungo Stray Dogs, the conclusion of the first part means:
- Major character growth and closure for long-developing relationships and rivalries.
- A narrative reset that could introduce new threats, allies, or a tonal shift.
- Potential changes to adaptation schedules—anime studios often use major manga milestones as the basis for new seasons or film projects.
Beyond plot, the announcement fuels community speculation over upcoming directions for characters like Atsushi Nakajima and Osamu Dazai, and what fresh literary nods the authors might introduce next. For collectors, the release of milestone volumes often comes with special covers or limited-edition bonuses that are worth watching for.
What to Expect Next
While the immediate next chapter will close the first part, readers should prepare for a window of transition: short-term epilogues, side stories, or a brief hiatus may follow before the creators launch the next major part. Keep an eye on official channels for announcements about new arcs, special editions, or anime adaptations tied to the upcoming material. In many cases, manga authors use the gap between parts to regroup creatively and plan expansive narrative moves, so expect ambitious storytelling ahead.
Fan Reactions and Community Buzz
Social media and fan communities typically see a surge of responses when a series reaches a turning point. Expect commemorative fan art, retrospectives on the series’ best moments, and detailed theory threads predicting what the next part will explore. If you’re part of these communities, this is an ideal moment to revisit earlier volumes or catch up on the anime seasons to refresh your memory before new developments arrive.
Final thoughts: The closing of Bungo Stray Dogs’ first part is both an end and a beginning—an opportunity for the story to pivot into bold new territory while allowing readers to savor the culmination of long-running arcs. Whether you’ve followed the series since its launch or are just catching up now, this announcement is a good cue to collect missed volumes, revisit the anime, and prepare for what promises to be an exciting next chapter in the franchise’s ongoing saga.
