Ep 4. The Tragedy of the Fatalist

The Tragedy of the Fatalist, the fourth episode of Bungo Stray Dogs' first season, follows the Port Mafia's hunt for a wanted man named Kajii Motojirou. As they track down his whereabouts, one of their members, Akutagawa, discovers a strange book lying in the abandoned house they are searching. The book belongs to Kajii Motojirou, and after reading it, Akutagawa finds himself transported into the book's narrative.

The narrative is that of a tragic love story between a fatalist writer and his lover, a cancer patient named Michizumi. In the story, the writer, Tsushima, believes that everything is predetermined and that his fate is already decided. He meets Michizumi, who teaches him to love life and live in the present. Though she is dying, she convinces Tsushima to write a novel for her, which he does and dedicates to her memory after her passing.

While Akutagawa is trapped in the narrative, the rest of the Port Mafia continues their search for Kajii Motojirou and eventually catches up to him. However, the narrative of Tsushima and Michizumi begins to bleed into reality, and the Port Mafia members find themselves facing some difficult questions about their own beliefs and desires.

The Tragedy of the Fatalist is a gripping episode that delves into the nature of fate and the importance of living in the present. It features some stunning animation, particularly during the scenes where Akutagawa is transported into the book's narrative. The episode is a standout in a season filled with great moments and sets up some intriguing threads that are further explored in later episodes.