surprise surprise, i'm unfortunately not dead (yet). and before you call me batshit crazy for the title, hear me out.
because I can tell you I didn’t stop at batshit crazy, I'm probably clinically insane.
((note: if someone had already posted this theory, please let me know. I usually do a quick search before I post my theories, but I didn’t get to do that this time and I’d hate for someone to think I would claim an unoriginal theory to be my own.))
anyways, here goes the theory. spoiler break below for the manga >>
These panels were pretty shocking to me.
To be honest, the first times I’ve seen Dazai appear in Atsushi’s conscious/subconscious, I thought it was just part of his mental shift. As others have probably suggested before, I thought that Dazai was slowly replacing his old headmaster. Like a shift from his past trauma to the inspiring motivation and confidence that Dazai (somehow) instilled within him. I thought that was a nice touch on Asagiri’s part.
But okay, Dazai has materialized out of nowhere for way too many times to be explained by an Atsushi’s-mini-epiphany and a shrug of the shoulders. And this can be taken storywise as well, because at this point Dazai’s appearance has moved the plot too much.
So like any other mentally healthy person I think there are two main ways to explain Dazai’s apparent incorporeality.
1. The Book, which you saw coming from ten miles away
You can probably piece this together before I explain anything. But being the annoying entitled jackass I am, I will proceed to do so anyway. And generously tell you why I disagree with it.
Dazai has demonstrated his nullification on the book through BEAST already, and it wouldn’t be strange if another version of himself had that same influence on this very universe. Disregarding whether or not this universe is the “OG” universe, I think there’s valid reason to believe that #our-verse Dazai has contacted other Dazais to make short, somewhat-materialized appearances in this world.
But, thinking about how this can work, is somewhat difficult.
Firstly, in order to transcend universes I think we can reasonably assume that we must have a Dazai have ahold of his universe’s Book. So it goes like: you give a Dazai a book -> he contacts his clone -> he teleports -> he headpats Atsushi or whatnot.
Let’s recall BEAST as an example. It was stated that it took place in a timeline where Dazai somehow got ahold of the Book. I’m not exactly sure how this is, but this would imply he was able to read the future and possible timelines of pretty much every existing universe.
I include possible, because he says the BEAST world was the only one in which Odasaku could live. But he would have had to go back into the past of that BEAST world, because it starts when Akutagawa meets Dazai- far before Odasaku’s fate. Meaning, the future would not have happened were it not for the interference of alter-Dazai. So there’s a variable, possible timeline for BEAST in which Odasaku would not have lived.
The definition for the Book, if I recall correctly, is that whatever is written in it becomes true, as long as there is karmic balance.
...Since when did the Book contain all futures?
That would mean our timeline is written in as well. If “our” Dazai did contact the others through the Book, he already a) has the book, and b) knows its possible futures. And we’re only seeing the most successful timeline in this world, where every Dazai has decided to cooperate.
The reason why I’m somewhat reluctant to agree with this, is the incongruity it develops with a), as well as the fact that every appearing Dazai looked the same.
I did say two main ways, didn’t I?
Oh shit, you saw this coming too.
Jokes aside, I want to reference my old theory in which I stated a possibility that Dazai is competing in existence between his soul and his ability, and the current Dazai we see now is a mixture of the two. (You can check it out in my bsd theory tags.)
Why did I want to reference this theory?
Because I’ve been thinking recently:
An existence has capacity for two entities, a soul and an ability. They establish a mutual relationship by the soul allowing the ability to reside in the existence, and the ability being used freely in its exchange. Additionally, the host soul must be stronger than the ability (as noted by 55 Minutes and Dead Apple).
What’s happening in Dazai, or at least what I propose, is that the soul and the ability aren’t in this equilibrium. This is what I think disables Dazai from using NLH at his own free will- either the ability is too strong, or the soul is too weak.
Now, every other ability user can somewhat bring their abilities under control. Kunikida is still Kunikida when he uses Doppo Ginkaku. Kenji returns to Kenji after using ((insert whatever his ability is called in English)). Chuuya is still Chuuya after using Corruption.
But Dazai, is perpetually both Dazai and NLH.
Here it goes, stay with me.
Every time we have seen Dazai in Atsushi’s conscience, he was in jail. However, the image is wearing the same clothes as he is when Atsushi interacts with him.
This clues that whatever is talking to Atsushi, is some essence of Dazai, in the form that Atsushi knows him in.
So where does this so-called essence come from?
a. There is an OG Dazai, associated with the Book, that is leading Atsushi to the Book. Thus, fulfilling his title as the “Tiger Beetle” as told by Fitzgerald’s mystery fortune teller.
b. There is a fragment of the soul that is not occupying Dazai, due to his conflicted existence, and it is roaming the current world. Whenever it comes in contact with Atsushi, it manifests in the form he knows of. Thus, materializing isn’t actually materializing- it’s Dazai who’s speaking, but Atsushi who’s perceiving the soul in a different way.
I know the theories this time are pretty weak, but I thought the whole question was worth addressing anyways. Let me know which, if any, of these, are most plausible. Please also tell me if there are any discrepancies with whatever evidence I've brought up.
Stay safe, and thanks for reading!
