Player Information

Name: Macaroni
Contact: [email protected][Bad username or site: “roniknowszilch” @ ”plurk.com”]
Age: 30
Other Characters: Rin Okumura hellskitchen

Character Information

Name: Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Canon: Bungou Stray Dogs
Canon Point: Ch. 52 during the fight against Ivan Gorchakov
Age: 20
History: Here

Personality:
Despite climbing up the ranks within the mafia, and having an infamous reputation that precedes him, Akutagawa sees himself as a weakling. He pushes himself to go beyond expectations to gain the approval of the man he idolizes. Gaining this praise is Akutagawa’s will to live, so he can finally prove to himself that he’s no longer weak. There are many defining factors in Akutagawa’s life that shape the way he views the world, himself and the people around him.

His low self-esteem stems from his very humble beginnings in the slums of Yokohama. It’s been said that Akutagawa was an emotionless child. The orphan children that he survives with find him weird and the adults of the slums call him a heartless child. Perhaps, he doesn’t know how to convey emotions, or he’s been desensitized by his parent’s death and being an orphan living on the streets. Though it’s clear that something is off when it comes to processing his own emotions. However, with the death of the orphans, he realizes hatred. He feels this new emotion with great passion. Akutagawa abhors the men who beat his friends to death, to the point where he wishes to exact revenge against them. He seeks vengeance for his fallen comrades, ready to throw his life away. Akutagawa is willing to die because he knows his life has no value. So he reasons, his death can send at least one of the assailants to hell, and that would make his life valid. When he goes looking for the men, he finds Dazai instead and sees that he has killed the men for him. He confides in him that wishes to find a will to live. With Dazai taking Akutagawa under his wing, he learns the emotions of respect and sadness for the comrades he couldn’t save and wouldn’t know the meaning of their lives. These early emotions are what guides Akutagawa in his life journey.

After Dazai saves him from the slums, Akutagawa gains a respect for him. With this respect puts Dazai on an unhealthy pedestal as he brutally shapes him into being a mafioso. Akutagawa is impressed with Dazai because he’s the youngest mafia executive in the history of the Port Mafia. Dazai has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous men in Yokohama. He has brains and can be quite ruthless to both enemies and allies alike, so it’s no wonder that Akutagawa idolizes and strives to be someone like him. Dazai embodies Akutagawa’s vision of strength, a representation of being a useful asset which increases a person’s value in the eye of society. Akutagawa undergoes Dazai’s harsh training because he believes it will make him become stronger as well. Though he doesn’t believe that can be stronger than Dazai, and he doesn’t strive to be. Knowing Dazai well, he knows he can never match him when it comes to intelligence and strategies. Instead, he does seek his recognition. If Dazai can acknowledge him, it means he can finally be satisfied with what he has accomplished. And so, to maintain his value to his organization and himself, he pushes himself to be, forming his will to live in being praised by Dazai.

Akutagawa is a lone wolf. Like in his childhood, he’s quite emotionless, and no one can really tell what he’s thinking. Akutagawa doesn’t seem to be close to anyone and doesn’t seem like he’s likely to make friends. Though, he appears to be short-tempered, easily getting irritated and even lashing out at his subordinates. Though his volatile and ruthless attitude makes his subordinates fear him and strives to complete the missions efficiently. Akutagawa has an intolerance for failure and incompetence. He often can be relentless when he suffers from a devastating blow himself, becoming obsessed with the idea of settling the score. Even if he’s the leader of the guerrilla group in the mafia, he often acts alone. He prefers to take on any of his opponents personally and refuses the need of assistance. He goes by his instinct in certain situations or takes on solo missions such as when he’s sent after the two members of the Guild. Akutagawa is emotionally detached, but he is passionate about his work. He takes pride in his strength and effectively uses it to knock down any obstacles in his way.

Akutagawa is ready to kill anyone in his way. He doesn’t care what type of person is standing in his way, woman, or child, he’ll cut them down all the same. He even is quite ruthless when he murders, preferring that his victims have a quick death. He doesn’t feel any remorse for killing, and it seems so effortless for him. Dazai admonishes him since Akutagawa rather kill opposing threats first before interrogating them for Intel. Akutagawa doesn’t value life, because he believes the world doesn’t value it either. The weak make room for the strong. The weak aren’t spared from being killed because they are feeble. Instead, they are killed because they are unable to be strong. So, he doesn’t get how a person who values life, who saves the weak from death, can be strong. The only life that has the right to live is the one who proves they can be stronger than the weak.

He mentions suffering from both humiliation and defeat on multiple occasions. Instead of wallowing in self-pity he allows his shame to empower him. For Akutagawa to be so adamant about being strong, he must always consider his weaker self. He remembers how helpless he was as an orphan, and he couldn’t do anything against the gang that murdered his peers. For many years, he strives to improve himself, so he can never feel that vulnerability again. Akutagawa also suffers humiliation under Dazai’s harsh beatings, where there’s an audience to witness his pain. He must swallow his pride to absorb the things that Dazai tries to teach him, and he must agonize through pain, so his body can be more accustom to it. Though even if he experiences negative associations with defeat and humiliation, he does see optimism in his past disgraces. Shame is something he endeavors to overcome, and he wills himself to be stronger, so he never knows what it feels like. Though he accepts that failure is necessary before one can succeed. Defeat acts as a motivation to better himself.

Despite accepting failure, Akutagawa is also very prideful. He hates to lose to anyone, and Akutagawa knows his level of strength is above average. So, when he’s defeated by the likes of Atsushi, it bothers him. Instead of accepting the loss, he continuously challenges the man-tiger to a fight, trying to prove his preeminence and beliefs, that the weak make room for the strong. His pride is often damaged by people Dazai acknowledges to be strong, despite not giving him the same amount of praise. It leaves Akutagawa to wonder why he isn’t worthy? He turns his uncertainty towards that person, trying to prove his worth and strength as well.

Before Dazai leaves the mafia, he tells Akutagawa that Oda Sakunosuke is stronger than him because he doesn’t kill. This confounds Akutagawa because he doesn’t believe anyone who doesn’t kill can be strong. In the Mafia, being able to kill seems like a requirement and it allows someone to be able to climb up ranks. Killing is a means to an end, a necessary evil that someone in the mafia must commit to staying alive. Though Oda remains as a low-ranking member because of this trait, Dazai acknowledges him because he respects life and can stick to his conviction even in the mafia. The leader of Mimic humiliates Akutagawa, who calls him unworthy and chooses Oda instead. It puts into question his own strength since someone who kills should be worthier than someone who doesn’t. When Dazai leaves the Mafia after Oda’s death, Akutagawa can only think that Oda inspires his mentor’s decision. Oda’s life has a considerable impact on Dazai that he decides to leave power and influence behind. Unable to make sense of it, Akutagawa hunts down the remaining member of Mimic as if to prove his superiority.

Even if he kills the remnants of Mimic, he still yearns for Dazai’s praise. Even if he’s able to climb the ranks of the Mafia on his own, he’s not satisfied until his former mentor can acknowledge him. So when he learns that Dazai takes Atsushi under his wing, he’s driven to be greater to him. Akutagawa finds Atsushi irksome simply because Atsushi isn’t the ideal of strength as he understands it. Atsushi is someone who has a similar background of suffering as Akutagawa, but unlike him, he is accepted by Dazai. He feels Dazai’s acknowledgment of Atsushi is unfair since he doesn’t have to undergo the same cruelty as him. The Armed Detective Agency also accept the man-tiger with open arms, while Akutagawa must fight his way within the mafia. Akutagawa feels as if Atsushi has been handed everything, unlike Akutagawa who worked very hard to get to where he is. Especially when it comes to Atsushi’s grasp of his own abilities, where he continuously improves with each challenge. Akutagawa’s powers take time to gain such a great control of Rashomon. He even needs Dazai’s help to perfect his ruptured space. He’s also jealous of Atsushi’s vitality and the tiger’s impressive regeneration whilst Akutagawa has always been sickly, and he can’t heal as fast. After his fight with Atsushi on the cargo ship, he receives serious injuries that take months for him to recover from, and it leaves him defenseless.

Though, Atsushi’s existence threatens everything he knows about how the world works and everything he believes about himself. Atsushi doesn’t wish to kill, but instead, he wishes to save people even if his life is on the line. It’s being able to save people that empower him and causes him to exceed expectations. Atsushi also believes if he saves people that will grant him permission to live. This idea clashes with Akutagawa’s since he believes the weak will die to make room for the strong, and those who are strong are able to live. Dazai takes pride in Atsushi, even blatantly rubbing it in Akutagawa’s face. So, if Dazai believes that Atsushi is better than him, wouldn’t it suggest that his existence is inferior, or maybe a mistake? Akutagawa hates Atsushi because he sees the admiration that Dazai affords Oda for keeping to his principles. While working together Atsushi even criticizes Akutagawa for only wanting to kill everyone he sees and believes this is the reason Dazai abandons the mafioso. Instead of, Akutagawa lashing out at Atsushi, he makes a face, as if Atsushi’s assumption is something that Akutagawa contests as well. Atsushi puts Akutagawa’s own perception of strength to the test. Though, he remains adamant about proving his superiority over Atsushi to Dazai.

Akutagawa isn’t only “kill, or be killed”, he does have a softer side to him. When he’s severely injured after his fight with Atsushi, assassins take him captive. His subordinates come in to rescue him. He apologizes for giving them the trouble. In that situation, Akutagawa is unable to defend himself, and the mafia abandons him. Out of loyalty to their boss, his subordinates were willing to help. Knowing Akutagawa and how he views himself, he probably thought no one would come to his rescue. In that act, his subordinates prove that they value their boss and his life, even if it means risking their own. He appreciates their effort, because it only proves his worth as their leader, even as a human being.

He’s even capable of some form of sympathy. When Atsushi investigates the death of his headmaster, Akutagawa decides not to provoke him into a fight. He feels that Atsushi probably has so many emotions to deal with, that’s he’s not in the right state of mind. A victory with a cloudy mind, wouldn’t be really a win. So he lets him off, so he can deal with his feelings. In another way, he tries to instill a will to live with Kyouka too. After thinking she’s responsible for her parent’s death, she begs Akutagawa to kill her. Instead, he assures her that her ability is useful. Even if she uses her ability to kill, it makes her valuable within the mafia. He guides her in hopes she will develop her own determination to live on.
He also displays a fondness for his younger sister. They both suffered in the slums and entered the mafia together, but he can still be protective of her. Despite his sister being a formidable woman in her own right, he still walks her home and often does what she asks without argument.

From surviving in the slums to becoming a fearsome mafioso, Akutagawa has proven that he’s anything but weak. Meeting Dazai changes the trajectory of his life, but it’s really his own perseverance that accomplishes his goals. His ambition might be commendation from his mentor, but the people in his life, whether ally or foe, already acknowledges that strength.

Abilities:
Rashomon- Akutagawa’s ability takes the form of a shadowy beast that derives from the piece of clothing that he wears. Notably, since Akutagawa wears a black coat, the beast often comes from his strands, but it has also been reported that he can summon it while wearing other garments. Rashomon can be used in both offensive and defensives modes depending on the form it takes. Rashomon can create a barrier that eats the space between Akutagawa and an object. It can become an extension of his arm. It takes the appearance of jaws or a net for capture. It can even envelop Akutagawa and take on the form of armor. It seems that Akutagawa’s ability is very versatile, and he’s been able to adapt it to befit any situation. Despite how formidable his ability is, Rashomon does have its weakness to ability users who can nullify powers such as Dazai, or even if Akutagawa isn’t wearing clothing, he’s unable to summon Rashomon. Rashomon’s ruptured space takes time to power up for it to act as a proper barrier that eats up the space between Akutagawa and any opposing objects.

Strengths: Relentless, Rational, Bold, Strong, Motivated
Weaknesses: Low self-esteem, Stubborn, Ruthless, Seeks approval, prideful

God/Shinki: Shinki
Why?: Akutagawa works in the Port Mafia as an executive member, and his whole existence is proving himself. In the same respect, if he’s under the care of a god, he would do his best to be useful to them.
Top 3 Choices: N/A
God Type: N/A
Cause Of Death: Akutagawa dies from the virus that Alexander Pushkin’s ability inflicts on him. The virus eats away at his internal organs and he’s probably in agonizing pain.
Vessel: Black Trenchcoat
Name Location: His right wrist
Power: Spatial Depletion – Similar to Akutagawa’s Rashomon: Devoured Space, he can delete the space around him and any opposing objects. By manipulating the space around objects, he can make an impenetrable barrier, since the space around the objects gets consumed. Though, it takes time to power up. The space in question can’t be too large, limited to the space around the user.

Writing Sample

Sample:
[Lesser known gods can fade out of existence? Akutagawa doesn't argue with it since it's reasonable for something obsolete to disappear. If a god can no longer be useful and lack the adulation of followers, then they are a burden. What these dying gods can't do, someone more adequate will surely accomplish.

Though, here he is, acting as moral support for a fleeting god's last attempt to stave off their extinction. It just seems pathetic, to fight desperately and only for it to be in vain. Still, there's something about the struggle that resonates with Akutagawa. Wanting to resist death even if they know the odds are against them, somehow Akutagawa can understand it.

He looks down at the stack of flyers that the mountain god wants him to pass out. Although, it’s one way to gain attention, it’s unwise. He tosses them at the god, the papers flying in all directions.]

You think these pointless flyers will do the trick? Then you should just accept defeat.

[If this deity really wants to extend their godship, then passing out scrap paper isn't enough. Akutagawa isn't about to sugarcoat the severity of this god's plight. If they truly desire to live, then they must push harder than this.]

If you’re a mountain god, then you must do something more impactful.

[Akutagawa considers something, looking up towards the god’s mountain.]

If someone were to be trapped there...?

[To risky? What if someone is hurt? He hears the god’s protest well, but if he wants to live there must be a price. A god’s popularity exponentially increases when it’s for someone’s safety. Why else do people turn to gods if not when they are in crisis?]

A life for a life. Although, they don’t have to die. What will it be? Do you want to be revered, or do you want to be forgotten?

Other

Anything Else?: Akutagawa suffers from a cough when he’s alive, will he still have this cough even as a shinki? Maybe it’s more of habit, but not really aggravated by sickness? Please let me know how I should go about this, Thank you!