Oda Sakunosuke

Oda looks much older than his 23 years.

Overall Impression: A tall young man with a tired, distant expression. Despite his dangerous work, there's no aggression in his appearance, but rather a deep melancholy and inner detachment. Dazai described his gaze as "the eyes of a man looking at a corpse."
Face and Hair: He has medium-length, slightly tousled dark red hair and dark blue eyes. His color scheme is warm, which contrasts with the dark mafia setting.
Clothing: Wears a dark blue shirt with thin gray stripes, black pants with a leather belt, and a long light-colored coat. He wears brown shoes.

Oda is a paradoxical man: a mafioso with the soul of a philosopher, a professional killer who doesn’t want to kill.

Apathy and the Search for Meaning: Oda's greatest tragedy is that he lives without desire or emotional engagement. He feels no passion, anger, or satisfaction in life. His greatest dream is simply to "sit in a room overlooking the sea and write a book," but he believes he has no right to do so, as he has never truly "lived."
· "The Principle of Non-Violence": Despite his title as a mafia militant, he refuses to kill. He has vowed to never take another life under any circumstances. His ability is perfect for this: he can see 5-6 seconds into the future, allowing him to neutralize enemies without resorting to lethal force.
Empathy and Caring: (set four years before the "Dark Era"), his deep humanity is revealed. He finds 16-year-old Dazai, mortally wounded after a mission, and takes him home. Oda doesn't lecture, stops trying to learn anything about Dazai's wounds, and doesn't try to "save" him by force—he simply makes him curry, washes his clothes, and calmly waits for the boy to wake up. This unobtrusive, everyday care becomes the foundation of their friendship.
Wisdom and Mentorship: Oda became Dazai's guide. He understood that no matter what mask Dazai wore, deep down he sought goodness. He offered simple yet profound advice: "If both good and evil hurt you equally, be on the good side. It's a little better."
Love for children: He dreamed of adopting the five orphans he cared for. These children were the only ones who made him feel like a full person.

Oda's story is an arc of redemption that ends tragically.

Professional Assassin: Before joining the Port Mafia, Oda was a legendary hitman. He worked "unusually emotionlessly," like a tool. He killed without hatred, simply fulfilling contracts.
Meeting a Writer: A key moment in his life is described in his novels. He once killed a high-ranking official, and before his death, the official asked, "Have you ever thought about yourself?" Soon after, he met an elderly writer (resembling Natsume Soseki), who told him that a murderer couldn't write a book because "to write about people, you need to know them."
Joining the Mafia: Oda joined the mafia, hoping to find answers and perhaps learn to be a "human." He handed over his gun to the boss (Mori Ogai) and asked for a job that didn't require killing. Mori accepted him, assigning him the dirtiest, lowest-paying jobs.
· "Dark Era": The events leading to his death. Mimic (an organization framed by Mori) murders five of Oda's adopted children before his eyes to provoke him into a final confrontation with André Gide. Oda breaks his oath and takes brutal revenge. In the final battle, he kills Gide, but is fatally wounded himself.
Death and Legacy: Oda dies in Dazai's arms in the mansion. Before he dies, he speaks words that become prophetic: "You will always see darkness, no matter how far you go. But within, you will find a little beauty. Become someone who saves people." It is this last will that leads Dazai to leave the Port Mafia that same day and eventually join the Armed Detective Agency.

This is the deepest and most fateful relationship in Oda's life. Their friendship is one of the most tragic and important.

Start:
Their first meeting took place approximately four years before the events of the "Dark Era." Oda, not yet a mafia member, found a wounded 16-year-old Dazai on his doorstep. Oda didn't ask what happened, didn't lecture him, and didn't try to "save" him by force. Instead, he silently washed Dazai's dirty clothes, tended to his wounds, cooked curry, and waited for him to wake up. This unobtrusive, everyday act of care struck Dazai as a shock: he was used to people either ignoring him, trying to exploit him, or pressuring him to help. Oda simply accepted him as he was, asking nothing in return.

After this, a strange but strong friendship develops between them. They often meet at the Lupin Bar, along with Ango. Oda becomes something of a father figure or mentor to Dazai, but without the pressure. Dazai, a genius and wearer of many masks, can be more sincere around Oda. Dazai nicknamed Oda "Odasaku" and always calls him by that name.
Oda sees through his performance and understands that behind Dazai's cynicism and frivolity lies a deeply unhappy child searching for meaning. He doesn't try to change Dazai, but his calm presence and honesty have a calming effect on him.
Oda values ​​Dazai, despite his eccentricity and danger. He sees him not as a "Demon prodigy," but as a confused boy. Dazai admires Oda for his principles, his refusal to kill, and his dream of writing. For him, Oda is an example of someone who, despite a dark past, tries to live a different life.

Death and Will:
After the children's deaths, Oda goes on a quest for revenge, breaking his oath. Dazai tries to stop him, but Oda is adamant. In a battle with André Gide, Oda is mortally wounded. Dazai finds him dying in the Mori mansion. Their final conversation is one of the most powerful moments. Oda tells Dazai that he will always see darkness, but there is beauty within the world, and asks him to become the one who saves people.

Ango is the third member of their trio at the Lupin Bar, and their relationship is more complicated than it seems.

Friendship at the bar
Oda and Dazai often sit at the bar with Ango, sipping whiskey and chatting about life. Oda treats Ango warmly, like a friend. Ango, a serious and responsible mafia worker (actually a government spy), can relax a little in Oda and Dazai's company. Oda appreciates his intelligence, reliability, and calm nature. They form an unusual but harmonious group: Dazai chats and jokes around, Ango grumbles, and Oda listens silently, occasionally interjecting insightful comments.

Betrayal and understanding
In "Dark Era," it is revealed that Ango is a double agent working for the government. He was leaking information about the mafia, which led to a conflict with Mimic. Dazai is furious, feeling betrayed. Oda, however, despite his pain, reacts differently. He understands that Ango had no choice: he was simply doing his job, like the rest of them. When Ango, in a panic, tries to explain himself, Oda shows no hatred. He accepts the situation as it is, which underscores his fatalism and deep understanding of human nature. He does not condemn Ango for betraying him, because he himself was once a killer, and Ango is just a cog in a larger game.

After Oda's death
Ango grapples with Oda's death. He helps Dazai after his departure from the mafia, feeling guilty for failing to prevent the tragedy. His relationship with Dazai remains strained, but both remember Oda and his ideals.

Children are the most important and most vulnerable place in Oda's heart.

Who are they?
Five orphans whom Oda took under his informal guardianship. They lived in a neighborhood he frequented and spent time at a small curry restaurant. Their names are Kosuke, Katsumi, Yu, Shinji, and Sakura (some translations may differ). They are boisterous, lively, ordinary children who adore Oda and consider him their protector.

Oda's attitude
For Oda, these children are a chance for redemption and meaning. He dreams of officially adopting them, giving them a normal life, an education, and care. He buys them gifts, looks after them, and worries about their future. He feels more "alive" in their company because they love him unconditionally, unaware of his past as a murderer. They call him "Oda-san" and see him simply as a kind adult.

Tragedy
In the Dark Age, Mimic kidnaps and kills children to provoke Oda. Their deaths are the most terrible trauma of his life. For the first time in a long time, he experiences pure, all-consuming rage and grief. He realizes he has lost everything he wanted to live for, and this drives him to break his oath. Revenge for the children becomes his final act, but also an act of despair: he understands that he can no longer live.

Curry. This is perhaps his most well-known gastronomic preference. He makes curry for young Dazai, and in the "Dark Era," he, Dazai, and Ango often eat it at the diner. For Oda, curry is simple, filling, and "human" food.
Literature and writing. His cherished dream is to write a novel. He loves reading and reflecting on human nature. His meeting with a writer (probably Natsume Soseki) became a turning point in his life: it was after this encounter that he decided to give up killing, because he realized that a murderer would not be able to write about people.
· Quiet gatherings at the bar. He enjoys the relaxed atmosphere of the Lupin Bar, where he can have a drink with Dazai and Ango, chat about life, or just enjoy the company of friends.
Children. Oda truly loved the five orphans he cared for. They were his meaning; for their sake, he wanted to live and change his destiny. He dreamed of adopting them and giving them a normal life.
· Caring for loved ones. He enjoys being helpful to those he cares about: he washes Dazai's clothes, cooks him food, listens to him, looks after his children, and buys them treats.

Murder and violence. After leaving the mercenaries, he adopted a firm principle: never kill. He abhors the very thought of taking a life, and he tries to avoid even fights, using his ability only for self-defense or incapacitation.
· His own past. He deeply regrets the years he spent as a cold-blooded killer and believes it robbed him of the right to be happy and write books. He doesn't like to remember those times.
· Cruelty towards the weak. He reacts especially strongly to threats to children. When Mimic kills his adopted children, for the first time in a long time, he consciously breaks his oath and goes for revenge, because he cannot forgive such evil.
Hypocrisy and pretense. Oda cannot stand falsehood, though he accepts Dazai with all his masks. He himself is averse to pretense and games, preferring honesty and straightforwardness.
· His own apathy. He suffers from an inability to experience strong emotions, from a life devoid of desire. This is an internal conflict that he dreams of overcoming through creativity.

He speaks slowly and thoughtfully. His speech is unhurried, and he pauses frequently, as if considering each word. This creates the impression of a man who lives at his own pace.
· Cooks curry. The novel mentions that he is skilled and enjoys cooking, and curry is his signature dish, which he treats Dazai to.
· He cares for others without words. Instead of preaching, he takes action: bringing food, washing clothes, waiting for people to wake up without asking questions. This silent support is his way of showing love.
· Avoids using his ability offensively. His "Flawless" ability allows him to see the future for 5-6 seconds, but he uses it primarily to dodge attacks or protect others, rather than attack.

Age: He's only 23 in the Dark Age, but his experiences make him look and act considerably older.
2. A nickname in the past. He was known as a hitman who left no trace and worked with cold precision. He was a legend in the criminal underworld.
3. The decision not to kill. He went to Port Mafia boss Mori Ogai, handed over his gun, and asked for a job that didn't involve killing. Mori assigned him the dirtiest and lowest-paying job, but Oda agreed.
4. Saving Dazai. Four years before the events of "Dark Era," Oda found a 16-year-old boy, wounded and dying, on his doorstep. He brought him home, treated his wounds, washed his clothes, cooked curry, and waited silently for him to regain consciousness. This meeting marked the beginning of their unusual friendship.
5. The Dream of a Book. Oda wanted to write a novel, but he believed he first had to "come alive" himself—learn to feel like an ordinary person. He believed that a writer should understand people, and he didn't consider himself one because of his past.
6. Prophetic Words. Before his death, he told Dazai, "If both good and evil hurt equally, choose good. It's slightly better." These words became Dazai's last will and testament and the reason he left the mafia for the Armed Detective Agency.
7. Ability. The name of his ability, "Flawless," is ironic: Oda himself considers himself far from perfect, but his gift allows him to avoid mistakes in battle.

The relationship with Mori is that of a subordinate and a ruthless strategist.

Deal and work
When Oda joined the mafia, he handed over his pistol to Mori and asked for a job that didn't involve killing. Mori agreed, but gave him the dirtiest, lowest-paying, and least prestigious jobs—cleaning, trash collection, and menial tasks. Oda accepted this without complaint, seeing it as punishment for his past and a way to atone. Mori, a pragmatist, used Oda as a tool, but didn't fully trust him.

Manipulation and cruelty
In "Dark Era," Mori deliberately pits the mafia against Mimic, knowing Oda's attachment to the children. He doesn't take sufficient measures to protect them, effectively allowing Mimic to kill them in order to drive Oda to the point where he will fight and eliminate André Gide himself. Mori uses Oda as a pawn, disregarding his feelings. Oda ultimately realizes he has fallen victim to the boss's game, but is powerless to change the course of events.

The Jew is the main antagonist of The Dark Age and Oda's philosophical mirror.

Similarity
André Gide is a former assassin, like Oda. He, too, has long since lost the meaning of life and has become obsessed with the idea of ​​once again facing a worthy opponent. He feels a kindred spirit in Oda, as both are people who live without emotion or purpose, but Oda is trying to change, while Gide is not. Gide wants to force Oda to return to killing, so that they can have a real duel.

Confrontation
Gide personally kills the children to break Oda. He achieves his goal: Oda takes up arms. In the final battle, the two fight equally, using their precognitive abilities. Oda wins, but is mortally wounded. Their duel symbolizes the struggle between Oda's past and present: he destroys his dark essence in Gide, but at the cost of his own life.

A fateful conversation
When Oda was still a contract killer, he once carried out a murder and after the kill he met an elderly writer. The writer told him that a killer couldn't write a book because "to write about people, you have to know them." These words deeply resonated with Oda. He realized that his life was devoid of genuine experience, that he wasn't "living," but merely existing. This became the impetus for his decision to leave the assassin's craft and strive to become someone who could one day write a novel. The writer became his guide to a different life.

It's a small but heartwarming detail. The bartender at Lupin's is a silent observer who serves Oda, Dazai, and Ango. He doesn't intrude on their conversations, but creates a cozy, safe atmosphere. For Oda, this bar is one of the few places where he can relax and be himself among friends. The bartender likely knows their secrets, but he remains silent, which commands respect.