How To Become Like Dazai Osamu from Bungou Stray Dogs

Osamu Dazai, from Bungou Stray Dogs, possesses a sharp, strategic mind and a deeply complex mentality. He is highly intelligent, often anticipating outcomes and manipulating situations with ease. Despite his carefree, humorous exterior, he hides a dark, nihilistic view of life and a fascination with death, stemming from his traumatic past. Dazai is a master manipulator, able to read people and exploit weaknesses, yet he also shows moments of genuine care for others. His intelligence lies not only in tactics and deduction but also in understanding human nature, making him both a formidable ally and an enigmatic, unpredictable figure.

This guide will walk you through how to think and live like Dazai, from embracing existential curiosity to balancing solitude with connection.

1. Embrace Intellectual Curiosity and Strategy

Dazai’s brilliance is not limited to academic intelligence. He possesses a deep understanding of human psychology, making him a master strategist.

To develop this mindset:

• Challenge your mind daily with puzzles, strategy games, or philosophical readings.
• Study psychology, philosophy, and history to understand how people think and act.
• Become a keen observer—notice body language, tone, and behavior patterns without inserting bias.
• Train yourself to think several steps ahead. Consider possible outcomes and prepare for each one.

Strategic thinking and intellectual depth are the cornerstones of Dazai’s personality.

2. Cultivate Dark Humor

Dazai’s dark humor is more than comic relief—it’s a way of coping with pain and absurdity. His jokes reflect his inner battles and emotional scars.

To practice dark humor:

• Recognize that humor doesn’t always have to be cheerful—it can reveal truth in darkness.
• Learn to laugh at life’s absurdities and your own struggles.
• Use irony and satire as tools for emotional detachment and strength, not as a way to hurt others.

Dark humor, when used wisely, becomes a shield and a lens to survive the chaos of life.

3. Build Emotional Resilience

Dazai’s past is full of trauma and turmoil, yet he continues to move forward without letting his darkness consume him.

To build resilience:

• Accept your past, even the painful parts, and find meaning in them.
• Don’t avoid difficult emotions—embrace them, process them, and grow through them.
• Face obstacles as chances to evolve, not as setbacks.
• Learn to stay composed during chaos by practicing acceptance and detachment.

Emotional strength doesn’t mean avoiding pain—it means learning from it.

4. Understand Human Nature and Motives

Dazai sees through people with astonishing ease. His empathy is sharp, yet detached.

To develop this skill:

• Study books like *The 48 Laws of Power*, or take free online psychology courses.
• Observe people’s actions and facial expressions. Notice their patterns.
• Listen more than you speak and learn to read between the lines.
• Maintain emotional detachment—empathize, but don't internalize.

Being able to read and understand people makes you more aware, strategic, and grounded.

5. Balance Isolation with Connection

Dazai’s ability "No Longer Human" is symbolic of his internal isolation. Yet, he also seeks and cherishes meaningful connections.

To mirror this balance:

• Spend time alone to reflect and grow, but don’t shut out the world.
• Seek relationships that challenge and support you.
• Value your solitude, but also find people who act as your emotional anchors.
• Let others remind you of your humanity, like Oda did for Dazai.

Isolation can lead to self-awareness, but connection gives you purpose.

6. Develop Cunning and Adaptability

Dazai isn’t just intelligent—he’s adaptable and cunning. He reads every situation and responds accordingly.

To develop these traits:

• Stay flexible and open to new approaches when solving problems.
• Learn to influence subtly—reframe ideas to match the interests of others.
• Avoid direct confrontation when unnecessary. Use strategic persuasion instead.
• Analyze before acting, and choose your words with intention.

Adaptability and cunning allow you to navigate the unpredictable nature of life.

7. Foster Existential Curiosity

Dazai is deeply philosophical, pondering the nature of life, death, and human purpose.

To think like him:

• Explore existential philosophy and literature—read Dostoevsky, Camus, or Osamu Dazai’s own works.
• Contemplate life's mysteries without demanding answers.
• Embrace ambiguity and the unknown as part of existence.
• Let your curiosity about life deepen your insight and emotional depth.

Existential thinking helps you face life’s uncertainty with grace and reflection.

8. Find a Purpose Beyond Yourself

One of Dazai’s most profound transformations is when he leaves the Port Mafia and joins the Armed Detective Agency. He finds purpose in helping others.

To do the same:

• Contribute to something greater than yourself—help others, support your community, or mentor someone.
• Align your actions with your core values, whether that’s loyalty, compassion, or justice.
• Let service and meaning pull you out of despair and give direction to your life.

Purpose is what turns suffering into strength, and confusion into clarity.

Final Thoughts

To become like Osamu Dazai is not to copy his outward behavior but to cultivate his inner world. His character is defined by intelligence, resilience, dark humor, empathy, and a search for meaning. He embraces both the beauty and tragedy of life with a calm, observant gaze.

By following these principles, you can develop a mindset that is strategic, insightful, and deeply human—just like Dazai.