#bsd chapter 128

I think it's really interesting how both times, right before we've seen Fyodor reincarnate, we see him make this pose. The same pose Jesus made as he died on the cross, before coming back.

When Jesus was killed by man, he came back again as half man and half God. And as Jesus died for our sins (not only metaphorically, but also him literally dying because of the sin of us killing him), he returned as the hope to guide us away from our mistakes.

I think this ties in really nicely with Fyodor's ability, his motives, and how he views himself. We know Fyodor has this sort of God complex where he views himself as the hand to correct our mistake and remove the world of ability - like Jesus were to remove the world of sin. I mean, just imagine the first time Fyodor was killed (likely with an ability considering his mindset), in orthodox Christian Russia. It makes sese how he would have gravitated and turned to the Christian culture he grew up in, and in turn, began to view himself similarly to Christ; thinking they're both sacrificing their lives for the same great cause.

See how his head is bowed? We'd assume he looked defeated and had given up if we didn't know how Fyodor was. And in the Bible, Jesus "bowed his head and gave up his spirit" (John 19:30) as his final act before dying. And now we see Fyodor in the same position. Bowing his head, and maybe even giving up (had the snipper not shot him).

Also, the real Dostoevsky also placed a lot of emphasis on Christs suffering in the path to redemption and the value of faith offering meaning beyond the physical world (which we see in bsd Fyodor with how he talks of transcendence, ect.)

ATSUSHI WEARING AKUTAGAWAS COAT ONCE AGAIN HE’S ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL 😭😭

bsd chapter 128 vs chapter 31

the first fight naturally comes to mind while reading the recent chapter, since for the second time in the manga we get a lovecraftian monster. side by side comparison shows us some of the pages are based on the same layout and even more references, especially between Atsushi and Chuuya.

in both fights it's only one person from the partnership fighting, but with help from the other, since it takes the both of the two to use corruption / black tiger. (i wonder if Akutagawa was admiring Atsushi like Dazai admired Chuuya).

while corruption drains Chuuya, Atsushi's tiger powers act vice versa. they both use ungloved hands to use their abilities.

i like how Chuuya is calmer (when he's conscious, before using corruption) and Atsushi more enraged. of course part of that is bc Atsushi's fighting against Dostoyevsky.

skk's fight in ch 31 was their first fight after not talking for 4 years; sskk's fight is (one of the) final fight(s) against Dostoyevsky. the parallel fight is just another proof of sskk's partnership having fully formed.

it reminds me of when skk acted like they wanted to kill each other in front of Dostoyevsly (Meursault) – a strategy earlier used by shin soukoku in front of Fukuchi (bsd ch 87).

some other thoughts:

Atsushi's wearing Akutagawa's jacket and Chuuya got rid of his signature one.

both chapters mention works of the real life authors: in ch 128 Dostoyevsky mentions Atsushi's Light, Wind and Dreams; in 31 Dazai and Chuuya bicker about which tactic would be better, which are named after real Dazai and Chuuya's works.

the fight in ch 31 was against the Guild and in 128 the Guild is fighting on their side.

Withered chica ahh arms.