Atsushi Nakajima

Lore & Background

Atsushi's character was originally conceptualized as a 24-year-old man but was changed to an 18-year-old to better fit the narrative structure. Artist Sango Harukawa designed him with white hair and a long, dangling belt resembling a tail to hint at his ability to transform into a large white tiger. The character is based on author Atsushi Nakajima's 1942 story Sangetsuki, which features a young man who uncontrollably transforms into a tiger. Kafka Asagiri intentionally wrote him as a person with no personality initially, making it easier for readers to connect with the unique characters around him. His design also serves to heavily contrast his rival, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa. Atsushi's arc involves growing self-confidence after being shunned by his orphanage, remembering kneeling before a stained glass window during his banishment.

In Their Own Story

Atsushi first appears in the manga as an abandoned orphan eager to rob others to survive until he saves detective Osamu Dazai from drowning. Realizing Atsushi is a weretiger, Dazai and his partner Doppo Kunikida recruit him for the Armed Detective Agency. During an encounter with young mafia assassin Kyōka Izumi, Atsushi becomes concerned she is forced to kill; he saves her from a bomb strapped to her after learning she had taken 35 lives. Yukichi Fukuzawa recruits Kyōka, placing her under Atsushi's care in his apartment. Later, the Guild places a bounty on Atsushi, claiming hidden treasure is bound to his powers. During the battle with the Guild, Atsushi clashes with Akutagawa to stop the airship Moby Dick from falling on the city and defeats leader Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald. Kyōka stops the airship, passing her test to join the agency. In a later arc involving the Rats in the House of the Dead, Atsushi and Akutagawa search for the virus origin but do not find it, deciding instead to fight within six months.

Reader's Guide

Atsushi's ability, called Beast Beneath the Moonlight, allows him to turn into a large white tiger with incredible strength, speed, durability, and regenerative capabilities. Although initially weak-willed, critics noted his rivalry with Akutagawa and his care for Kyōka Izumi helped him grow stronger. In the 2018 film Dead Apple, Asagiri emphasized Atsushi's psychological development while maintaining his persona as a weak but relatable person. Voice actor Yūto Uemura notes that finding Kyōka and wishing to protect her from a dark fate was a major impact on Atsushi's development. Uemura highlighted the scene where Atsushi contests with Akutagawa on the airship Moby Dick as showing his strength of will. Despite having difficulty portraying his power, lines interacting with people from the Guild gave a good impression of his strength.

Did You Know?

• Atsushi was originally created by Kafka Asagiri as a 24-year-old man before being changed to an 18-year-old.
• The character is based on the writer Atsushi Nakajima's 1942 story Sangetsuki about a young man who transforms into a tiger.
• Artist Sango Harukawa gave Atsushi white hair and a long belt resembling a tail to hint at his transformation ability.
• Atsushi was expelled from an orphanage, remembering kneeling in front of a stained glass window during the banishment.
• In the anime film Dead Apple, Asagiri decided against having the reanimated mafia member Sakunosuke Oda save Atsushi.