TV-Series
Description
Ryunosuke Akutagawa is a slim-built man with very pale skin, frequently seen covering his face with his hand during coughing fits. His short, choppy black hair falls with side bangs that reach his chin and fade to white at the tips, framing sharp, dark grey eyes. He typically wears a long black coat over black-fitting pants and dress shoes, a white dress shirt, and layered ruffled fabric beneath a white jabot. During his time in the slums, his clothing was dirty and ragged. On his days off, he dons a simple black coat and frameless tinted glasses. When using his ability, Rashōmon, the coat envelops his entire body, including his mouth. After being bitten by Bram Stoker, he takes on a vampiric appearance marked by black sclerae and vein-like markings beneath his eyes.
He adheres to a stark, survival-of-the-fittest worldview, believing the weak should perish to cull the strong. Ruthless and vicious, he stands among the Port Mafia’s most dangerous members, commanding fear from allies and enemies alike. His demeanor is typically detached and aloof, though he possesses a fragile temper, especially when confronted with incompetence or failure from subordinates. Despite his brutality, he disdains meaningless torture and prefers swift kills when possible. A deep-seated desire for approval from his former mentor, Osamu Dazai, drives much of his behavior, fueling a bitter resentment toward Dazai’s new protégé, Atsushi Nakajima. This rivalry, born from feelings of inferiority and replacement, gradually evolves into a grudging respect. Akutagawa occasionally shows sincerity, maintaining an amicable relationship with his younger sister, Gin, and apologizing to subordinates like Higuchi when they assist him. He is characterized by brutal honesty and rarely lies.
Akutagawa and his sister Gin were orphans raised in Yokohama’s slums among roughly eight other children. The slums’ poor air quality damaged his lungs, resulting in chronic health issues. After the other children overheard details of a Port Mafia shipment, they were hunted down and killed, leaving only Akutagawa and Gin alive. Seeking revenge, Akutagawa went to the transaction site only to find the six men already dead by Dazai’s orders. Dazai offered him a choice: become his subordinate or take enough money to escape poverty forever. Overcome by rage and newfound respect, Akutagawa joined the Port Mafia. Under Dazai’s mentorship, he endured extreme training but never received the approval he craved. Dazai’s defection left him with lingering inferiority and an unrelenting drive to prove his worth.
In the *BEAST* alternate universe, Akutagawa is a member of the Armed Detective Agency. There, he wears a fraying gray overcoat stolen from one of the outlaws he killed before joining the Agency, symbolizing his thirst for revenge. His background parallels the main timeline, including the death of his companions and an encounter with a man in black—implied to be Dazai—who deemed him weak and took Gin captive. This version of Akutagawa spends four and a half years searching for his sister and maintains a cynical view of justice and retaliation.
His ability, Rashōmon, allows him to manipulate his clothing—typically his coat—transforming it into a shadow-like beast capable of consuming anything, including space itself. The ability is highly versatile, serving offensive, defensive, and utilitarian purposes. Key techniques include Rashōmon: Agito, which crushes targets with jaws; Rashōmon: Murakumo, a giant clawed appendage for slashing attacks; Rashōmon: Higanzakura, which uses tendrils to lift and impale targets with spikes; Rashōmon: Sawarabi, where spikes emerge from the ground; and Rashōmon: Devoured Space, which manipulates space to create barriers. He can also use Rashōmon for stealth, restraint, or as demonic armor. The ability requires time to activate its spatial distortion and can be nullified by powers like Dazai’s No Longer Human. It is named after a short story by the real-life author Ryunosuke Akutagawa, echoing themes of survival and moral ambiguity.
Akutagawa first appears as a primary antagonist tasked with capturing Atsushi Nakajima for the Port Mafia. Their early encounters are violently charged, with Akutagawa viewing Atsushi as weak and unworthy of Dazai’s favor. Their rivalry peaks in a battle on a sinking ship, where Akutagawa is severely defeated and left comatose. After being rescued by his subordinate Higuchi and the Black Lizard, he apologizes to her, displaying rare humility. He later participates in operations against the Guild, facing opponents like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Margaret Mitchell, where his unresolved injuries and personal struggles resurface. During the Cannibalism arc, he is forced to cooperate with Atsushi under Dazai’s direction, leading to a tentative and grudging partnership. In the Hunting Dogs arc, Akutagawa is turned into a vampire by Bram Stoker and temporarily serves under Fukuchi, though he eventually breaks free from vampiric control. Through these events, his relationship with Atsushi shifts from outright hostility to a complex rivalry defined by mutual respect and occasional cooperation.
Akutagawa enjoys antique calligraphy, paintings, tea, and figs, while disliking plants, dogs, baths, broad beans, and mandarins. His poor health, especially his lung condition, stems from his childhood in the slums. He avoids bathing due to a perceived vulnerability without his clothing, which is essential for manifesting Rashōmon. The character is named after the real-life author Ryunosuke Akutagawa, a renowned Japanese short story writer who committed suicide at age 35, inspiring aspects of the character’s backstory and health struggles.
He adheres to a stark, survival-of-the-fittest worldview, believing the weak should perish to cull the strong. Ruthless and vicious, he stands among the Port Mafia’s most dangerous members, commanding fear from allies and enemies alike. His demeanor is typically detached and aloof, though he possesses a fragile temper, especially when confronted with incompetence or failure from subordinates. Despite his brutality, he disdains meaningless torture and prefers swift kills when possible. A deep-seated desire for approval from his former mentor, Osamu Dazai, drives much of his behavior, fueling a bitter resentment toward Dazai’s new protégé, Atsushi Nakajima. This rivalry, born from feelings of inferiority and replacement, gradually evolves into a grudging respect. Akutagawa occasionally shows sincerity, maintaining an amicable relationship with his younger sister, Gin, and apologizing to subordinates like Higuchi when they assist him. He is characterized by brutal honesty and rarely lies.
Akutagawa and his sister Gin were orphans raised in Yokohama’s slums among roughly eight other children. The slums’ poor air quality damaged his lungs, resulting in chronic health issues. After the other children overheard details of a Port Mafia shipment, they were hunted down and killed, leaving only Akutagawa and Gin alive. Seeking revenge, Akutagawa went to the transaction site only to find the six men already dead by Dazai’s orders. Dazai offered him a choice: become his subordinate or take enough money to escape poverty forever. Overcome by rage and newfound respect, Akutagawa joined the Port Mafia. Under Dazai’s mentorship, he endured extreme training but never received the approval he craved. Dazai’s defection left him with lingering inferiority and an unrelenting drive to prove his worth.
In the *BEAST* alternate universe, Akutagawa is a member of the Armed Detective Agency. There, he wears a fraying gray overcoat stolen from one of the outlaws he killed before joining the Agency, symbolizing his thirst for revenge. His background parallels the main timeline, including the death of his companions and an encounter with a man in black—implied to be Dazai—who deemed him weak and took Gin captive. This version of Akutagawa spends four and a half years searching for his sister and maintains a cynical view of justice and retaliation.
His ability, Rashōmon, allows him to manipulate his clothing—typically his coat—transforming it into a shadow-like beast capable of consuming anything, including space itself. The ability is highly versatile, serving offensive, defensive, and utilitarian purposes. Key techniques include Rashōmon: Agito, which crushes targets with jaws; Rashōmon: Murakumo, a giant clawed appendage for slashing attacks; Rashōmon: Higanzakura, which uses tendrils to lift and impale targets with spikes; Rashōmon: Sawarabi, where spikes emerge from the ground; and Rashōmon: Devoured Space, which manipulates space to create barriers. He can also use Rashōmon for stealth, restraint, or as demonic armor. The ability requires time to activate its spatial distortion and can be nullified by powers like Dazai’s No Longer Human. It is named after a short story by the real-life author Ryunosuke Akutagawa, echoing themes of survival and moral ambiguity.
Akutagawa first appears as a primary antagonist tasked with capturing Atsushi Nakajima for the Port Mafia. Their early encounters are violently charged, with Akutagawa viewing Atsushi as weak and unworthy of Dazai’s favor. Their rivalry peaks in a battle on a sinking ship, where Akutagawa is severely defeated and left comatose. After being rescued by his subordinate Higuchi and the Black Lizard, he apologizes to her, displaying rare humility. He later participates in operations against the Guild, facing opponents like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Margaret Mitchell, where his unresolved injuries and personal struggles resurface. During the Cannibalism arc, he is forced to cooperate with Atsushi under Dazai’s direction, leading to a tentative and grudging partnership. In the Hunting Dogs arc, Akutagawa is turned into a vampire by Bram Stoker and temporarily serves under Fukuchi, though he eventually breaks free from vampiric control. Through these events, his relationship with Atsushi shifts from outright hostility to a complex rivalry defined by mutual respect and occasional cooperation.
Akutagawa enjoys antique calligraphy, paintings, tea, and figs, while disliking plants, dogs, baths, broad beans, and mandarins. His poor health, especially his lung condition, stems from his childhood in the slums. He avoids bathing due to a perceived vulnerability without his clothing, which is essential for manifesting Rashōmon. The character is named after the real-life author Ryunosuke Akutagawa, a renowned Japanese short story writer who committed suicide at age 35, inspiring aspects of the character’s backstory and health struggles.