Bungo Stray Dogs is one of those rare anime that blends literature, mystery, and supernatural powers into a single masterpiece.
The series reimagines famous real-life authors from Japan and around the world as powerful ability users- each with skills named after their most iconic literary works.
Despite its brilliance, Bungo Stray Dogs often flies under the radar compared to mainstream titles like Attack on Titan or Demon Slayer.
If you’ve just discovered this series or want to rewatch it in the best sequence, this detailed Bungo Stray Dogs watch order will guide you through the anime and movies in both chronological and release order, so you can follow the story without confusion.
Why Watch Bungo Stray Dogs in Chronological Order?
The anime doesn’t follow a strict timeline. It frequently jumps between the past and present, showing flashbacks from the Port Mafia era, Dazai’s past, and the origins of key organizations.
Watching in chronological order helps you understand the characters’ motivations better, especially Dazai’s transformation from a ruthless mafioso to a calm and witty detective.
It also gives more emotional weight to his friendships and rivalries later in the story.
Bungo Stray Dogs Chronological Watch Order
Here’s the complete chronological sequence of Bungo Stray Dogs (including seasons and movies) for the smoothest storytelling experience:
| Order | Title / Arc | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bungo Stray Dogs Season 2 (Episodes 1–4) | TV Series | The Dark Era Arc. Follows Dazai’s days in the Port Mafia and his bond with Oda and Ango. |
| 2 | Bungo Stray Dogs Season 1 | TV Series | The start of Atsushi’s journey and his recruitment by the Armed Detective Agency. Introduces the world’s key factions. |
| 3 | Bungo Stray Dogs Season 2 (Episodes 5–12) | TV Series | The Guild Arc begins, introducing Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and the conflict between The Guild, Port Mafia, and the Detective Agency. |
| 4 | Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple (Movie) | Movie | A mysterious fog drives gifted users to suicide. Dazai and Atsushi team up with the Port Mafia to uncover the truth. |
| 5 | Bungo Stray Dogs Season 3 | TV Series | Opens with a young Dazai meeting Chuuya (Fifteen Arc), then transitions to the Cannibalism Arc and introduces Fyodor Dostoevsky. |
| 6 | Bungo Stray Dogs Season 4 | TV Series | Explores the origins of the Armed Detective Agency, Ranpo’s brilliance, and the rising threat of The Decay of the Angel. |
| 7 | Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5 | TV Series | Continues directly after Season 4. The Detective Agency is framed for terrorism and hunted by the Hunting Dogs unit. Dazai and Fyodor’s chess match intensifies. |
Bungo Stray Dogs Chronological Summary
1. The Dark Era Arc (Season 2, Episodes 1–4)
The story begins years before the main timeline when Dazai Osamu is still a Port Mafia executive.
Alongside Oda Sakunosuke and Ango Sakaguchi, he lives through betrayal, loss, and tragedy that shape his moral shift. Oda’s final wish to save people instead of killing them, becomes the reason Dazai leaves the mafia.
2. Season 1 – The Beginning of the Detective Agency
Atsushi Nakajima, an orphan with the power to transform into a white tiger, meets Dazai and Kunikida.
He joins the Armed Detective Agency, where gifted individuals handle supernatural cases.
The season introduces other members like Ranpo Edogawa (the “Great Detective”), Yosano Akiko, and the rival Port Mafia.
The conflict between Atsushi and Akutagawa becomes central to the story.
3. Season 2 (Episodes 5–12) – The Guild Arc
The Guild, a foreign organization led by Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, enters Yokohama. They target Atsushi to exploit his ability’s value.
This arc showcases large-scale battles involving all three major factions – The Agency, The Guild, and Port Mafia -culminating in spectacular confrontations and unexpected alliances.
4. Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple (Movie)
Set six years after the Guild Arc, mysterious fog envelops the city, causing ability users to die by apparent suicide.
Dazai and Atsushi work alongside Port Mafia members to uncover the cause, confronting the source of the phenomenon -Tatsuhiko Shibusawa.
The movie expands on Dazai’s dark past and his role in past tragedies.
5. Season 3 – Cannibalism and Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Entrance
The season begins with Dazai’s teenage years as he meets Chuuya Nakahara. Their rivalry and teamwork define their characters.
The story then jumps to the present, where Fyodor Dostoevsky manipulates events to turn the Port Mafia and Detective Agency against each other.
This arc deepens the moral complexity of every character involved.
6. Season 4 – The Origins of the Detective Agency
This season focuses on the past of Fukuzawa Yukichi and Ranpo Edogawa, explaining how the Armed Detective Agency was founded.
Meanwhile, Fyodor continues his manipulation, leading to the rise of a terrorist group called The Decay of the Angel, which frames the Detective Agency for mass murder.
Tension builds toward an all-out manhunt.
7. Season 5 – The Hunting Dogs & The Decay of the Angel
The Detective Agency is on the run, pursued by an elite military squad called The Hunting Dogs, led by Fukuchi Ouchi.
Atsushi and Sigma struggle to expose the real mastermind while Dazai faces Fyodor in a psychological duel.
The season balances action, suspense, and emotional storytelling as alliances are tested and secrets revealed.
SEE ALSO:
- Demon Slayer Watch Order (2025): Chronological & Release Order Guide
- (Watch Order) Marvel Movies in Order | Chronological & Release Date
- All One Piece Arcs in Order
- All One Punch Man Arcs in Order
Bungo Stray Dogs Watch Order by Release Date
If you prefer to experience the anime in the order it was released, here’s the list:
| Title | Type | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bungo Stray Dogs Season 1 | TV Series | April 7 – June 23, 2016 |
| Bungo Stray Dogs Season 2 | TV Series | October 6 – December 22, 2016 |
| Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple | Movie | March 3, 2018 |
| Bungo Stray Dogs Season 3 | TV Series | April 12 – June 28, 2019 |
| Bungo Stray Dogs Season 4 | TV Series | January 4 – March 29, 2023 |
| Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5 | TV Series | July 12 – September 20, 2023 |
Where to Watch Bungo Stray Dogs
You can stream all seasons of Bungo Stray Dogs and the Dead Apple movie on:
Crunchyroll (all regions, sub and dub available)
Netflix (select regions)
Amazon Prime Video (availability varies)
For the best experience, start from Season 2’s first four episodes to follow the story chronologically, then move forward in release order.
Bungo Stray Dogs – Recommended Viewing Approach
If you’re new to the series, follow this plan:
Watch Season 2 (Episodes 1–4) for Dazai’s Port Mafia background.
Continue with Season 1 and the rest of Season 2 to follow Atsushi’s story.
Watch Dead Apple to bridge the gap before Season 3.
Finish with Seasons 3–5 in order.
This sequence gives you both the emotional foundation and the intended narrative flow without timeline confusion.
Final Thoughts
Bungo Stray Dogs isn’t just another supernatural battle anime – it’s a series layered with symbolism, literary nods, and complex character psychology.
Every ability name, dialogue, and backstory ties to the author it’s inspired by, creating one of the most intelligently written modern anime worlds.
Whether you watch in chronological or release order, you’ll experience a thrilling mix of philosophy, action, and emotional storytelling that few series match.
Neha is a writer and a graduate of Philosophy Honors. She is an ardent follower of the fiction entertainment industry and loves to read and follow comics, anime, and TV series. Here, at Otakus’ Notes, she is responsible for planning and managing the team and content. Apart from working for Otakus’ Notes, she loves to invest her time in sketching and designing.
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