Atsushi Nakajima/Relationships

Armed Detective Agency=


 * -|Port Mafia=


 * -|The Guild=


 * -|Rats in the House of Dead=


 * -|Decay of Angels=


 * -|Special Division for Unusual Powers=


 * -|Others=

Orphanage Director
"He's not dead. He's standing behind you right now. […] He's not gone yet. That man still lives on in my head. By doing the right thing, I can rid myself of the curse that's built up, little by little."

- Atsushi to Akutagawa about his deceased mentor

Atsushi carries hatred and deep fear toward the director of his orphanage, who acted as his caretaker. His negative feelings are due to the Director torturing and abusing him verbally, physically, and emotionally throughout his entire life, up until he was thrown out of the orphanage.

The abuse that Atsushi suffered under the Director's hands still affects him in his day to day life, which was severe enough to give Atsushi daily nightmares and flashbacks, and cause him to hear regular phantoms of his voice as the source of his internal self doubt. He carries so much fear that seeing a mere image of the Director is enough to cause him to panic, and he remarks that the fear he felt in that moment was more intense than even his most tense battles.

Upon the Director's death, Atsushi goes through emotional turmoil and confusion. Dazai helps him realize that he became someone who understands suffering, resists violence, and saves people. However, Dazai also tells him the treatment he went through was barbaric, and that Atsushi obviously is under no obligation to forgive him. When confused about how he should feel, Dazai tells him that usually one cries when losing a father. To this, Atsushi breaks down and cries in both bereavement and relief. From then on, Atsushi asserts that his visions of the Director slowly begin to recede and fade.

Osamu Dazai
Dazai is the first member of the agency Atsushi meets, encountering him when rescuing him from drowning in a river. Dazai quickly assumes responsibility for him, taking him to eat and happily conversing with him. He bribes Atsushi to become bait for the tiger since Atsushi admits that it had been "following" him. Upon discovering that Atsushi himself is the tiger and an ability user, Dazai recommends him to the agency and even walks with him to his entrance exam, under the guise of taking him to a job interview.

Once in the agency, Dazai takes over as his supervisor. Throughout the events, he mentors and advises him, sometimes in the form of teasing or playfully taking advantage of him, such as asking Atsushi to write a report for him. Atsushi remains trusting, albeit bemused at Dazai's constant fluctuations in demeanor and priorities.

They form a closer relationship between them; Dazai often talks Atsushi through his several breakdowns, showing concern for his wellbeing in his eccentric way. In one notable and slightly more harsh instance, when Atsushi panics after harming Naomi and Haruno under Q's ability, Dazai slaps him and sternly tells him that pitying himself will make life an endless nightmare, ultimately snapping him out of a panic attack.

Through time, Dazai would pair Atsushi with Akutagawa, thinking that they could be a new incarnation of Yokohama's Twin Dark, albeit unbeknownst to both Atsushi and Akutagawa. Although Atsushi voices out how incompatible their combat styles and general methods are, Dazai would continually have them work together and subtly attempt to have them complement each other's abilities rather than fight individually.

These periodic advices would apparently lead to Dazai appearing in Atsushi's visions that would apparently replace the orphanage director after his death and following Dazai's arrest. As opposed to the director's disparaging remarks towards Atsushi, Dazai's appearances advise him with vague encouragements in times of conflict, which push Atsushi to find optimal solutions to problems even when faced with almost none. Though Atsushi is not completely aware how this came to be, Dazai's motivations stimulate Atsushi into thinking outside the box, a feat that showcases the growth of Atsushi's trust in Dazai as a mentor figure over time.

Doppo Kunikida
Kunikida is skeptical of Atsushi upon his arrival, shown when he scolds Dazai for spending his money on him and his proposition for Atsushi to join the Agency. Their ideals also clash a couple of times when Kunikida discourages him from trying to save Kyōka, telling him that he can't save everyone (most likely based on past experiences rather than strict ideals). However, Kunikida earns Atsushi's respect most visibly after saving Kyōka, with Kunikida remarking how Atsushi did a great job. Hence, they would develop a professional rapport compared to their initial relationship.

As events progress, Kunikida and Atsushi have more of a mentor–mentee relationship, the former shown training him in the martial arts he learned from Fukuzawa and occasionally giving him advice. Moreover, Atsushi has grown to regard Kunikida as an important figure, to the point of embracing his superior among others after being reunited with him and the Agency after being disconnected from them during the terrorism plot that framed the Agency.

Ranpo Edogawa
Being a new Agency member, Atsushi often wonders about Ranpo's words and actions. He is surprised to witness Ranpo's lack of what seems to be common knowledge, such as how to ride a train; he also doesn't know how to buy a ticket or which platform to go into. Atsushi's respect grows for Ranpo as he learns more about him, though he remains confused about the man.

However, they are on friendly terms, Atsushi going so far as to letting Ranpo climb on his back for a ride. Moreover, Atsushi notices Ranpo's profound concern for the President during the events of Cannibalism, observing Ranpo's seriousness in solving the case like he has never seen before.

On a deeper level, Atsushi holds Ranpo in utmost regard due to his impeccable deduction skill that has helped the Agency numerous times, thinking that Ranpo can even uncover a case without necessary classified data. Like others, Atsushi is left in awe whenever his deduction takes place to the point of offering Ranpo a only to witness a deduction firsthand.

Yukichi Fukuzawa
Like most other members, Atsushi has a healthy amount of respect towards Fukuzawa. He is slightly intimated by the severe man but still obeys him. Likewise, Fukuzawa treated Atsushi like his other subordinates, even willing to postpone work for the sake of rescuing Atsushi when he was once kidnapped by the Mafia, simply reasoning that he needed rescuing.

Akiko Yosano
Atsushi respects Yosano a lot, despite being afraid of her treatment. He doesn't seem to mind carrying her bags and boxes. He also admires her strong will and attitude.

Kenji Miyazawa
Atsushi is partnered with Kenji when they investigated a car explosion incident. Though Atsushi thinks that Kenji's methods of investigating were questionable, he later then dismisses it and follows his lead. Due to naivety and how simplistic Atsushi is, he ends up finding Kenji's methods to be standard, until the pair get surrounded by a group of dangerous criminals, and Atsushi realizes that Kenji's methods work best for him alone due to his personality and ability. As Kunikida states, they are the best and worst team together.

Kyōka Izumi
"It's not up to you to decide who's worth living. Why couldn't you have spoken to her some other way? People can't live unless someone tells them "It's okay to go on"! Why can't you even understand something that simple!?"

- Atsushi to Akutagawa about Kyōka

Atsushi first encounters Kyōka when he assisted Yosano in shopping. He later founds out Kyōka has killed 35 people and wants to stop killing others, he then saves her from the bomb explosion. As someone who understands what she has gone through, Atsushi deeply cares about Kyōka as to accompanying her when they explored Yokohama. He also tries to protect when someone tries to hurt her.

Despite caring for Kyōka, Atsushi has underestimated and has been naïve about the true nature of her darkness and her ability to cause harm to others. This was evident when he refused to believe Kōyō's statement that Kyōka would kill a mass number of people to preserve herself and that she had a natural talent in slaughter. This would be proven true when Kyōka attacked and nearly killed a police officer who tried to apprehend her. This would convince Atsushi that Kyōka's true nature was indeed in darkness and killing. Despite this fact, he has fought to give her a chance, as he believes she was capable of change and overcoming her weaknesses.

Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Atsushi first meets Tanizaki during his entrance exam to join the Armed Detective Agency. After Atsushi has been accepted into the Agency, Tanizaki apologizes for being mean to him. For Atsushi's first job, he is paired with Tanizaki and Naomi to investigate supposed smugglers in the area.

In later events, Atsushi is paired with Tanizaki once again by Ranpo to investigate the death of his orphanage director. Upset from seeing his orphanage director's face, Tanizaki brings Atsushi coffee and attempts to console him, thinking Atsushi is sad from his loss. Atsushi and Tanizaki would also work together in infiltrating the Moby Dick. During the flight, the two were visibly shaken and anxious, with nonetheless Tanizaki attempting to ease Atsushi's nervousness by assuring that he is piloting the chopper.

Despite their healthy relationship as co-workers, Tanizaki would not hide his menacing aura even towards Atsushi when it comes to Naomi's safety. In the instance that Tanizaki overheard Atsushi's apology towards Naomi and Haruno for hurting them, Tanizaki creeps behind Atsushi and intimidatingly questions him about the incident.

Naomi Tanizaki
Atsushi meets Naomi for the first time during his entrance exam. Similar to her brother who acted as a bomber, Naomi acted as the hostage; Atsushi ended up shielding a bomb with his body to prevent it from exploding in the office, only to find out it was a fake to test him. Like the other Agency members, Atsushi was initially bothered by Naomi's behavior around Tanizaki, to which Kunikida simply asked Atsushi not to ask about them. He would also work with Naomi and Tanizaki on his first assignment for a client.

In general, Atsushi and Naomi are on good terms, looking out for each other's well-being as subordinates. When Atsushi was kidnapped, Naomi personally asked the President to intervene in addressing Atsushi's rescue, leading to him being saved in time. Likewise, Atsushi becomes visibly frustrated when he inadvertently harmed Naomi and Haruno while cursed by Q. The guilt, despite the act not being of his volition, still led Atsushi to apologize to them, though the clerks have already buried the incident in the past.

Kirako Haruno
Atsushi and Haruno have a healthy relationship within the Agency. He cares for her as with other subordinates, with Atsushi undergoing a breakdown when he unknowingly harmed Haruno and Naomi while cursed.

In the end, despite not doing it out of his own will, Atsushi still apologized to the clerks, though Haruno mentioned that they do not keep such petty grudges for long in the Agency.

Ryunosuke Akutagawa
"It's true that I'm foolish and worthless. But it sure beats being you - a murderer who just wants to bandy his power around! Am I wrong? You've got the power and status but you still fight 'cos you want to be feared! That's far more worthless in my book."

- Atsushi to Akutagawa

Atsushi first met Akutagawa in a dark alley on a mission with Tanizaki and Naomi in which he was tricked by Higuchi who was on a mission to capture him. After his incident, he came to fear Akutagawa as a person who could kill him and would cower in fear about the thought of him, but he also developed a dislike and hatred of him. Later, when he is captured by him and trapped on a boat, he is faced with an enraged Akutagawa who has come to hate him after he finds out Atushi is Dazai's current subordinate and is favored by him while he was ridiculed by Dazai moments earlier.

Thought initially fearful of him, when he saw how Akutagawa looked down on Kyōka and tried to kill her, he challenged him to a battle and demanded to know why he couldn't tell Kyōka anything better than that she was worthless if she couldn't kill. Enraged and full of bitterness and wishing to protect Kyōka, Atsushi defeated Akutagawa and left him in the ocean for dead. Despite defeating Akutagawa and nearly killing him, Akutagawa would continue to live in Atsushi's mind similarly to how the orphanage director would speak to him through hallucinations.

During their second meeting, Atsushi would project his hatred towards him and accuse Akutagawa for only being a serial killer who only wants people to fear him only to be strongly berated by Akutagawa that he is wrong and that he considered him disgusting for wallowing in self-pity despite having everything including a wondrous ability, friends who care for him, and praise from Dazai just by pure luck and not counting his blessings. It's from this encounter that Akutagawa gained more interest to know Atsushi more overall despite his scathing hatred and disgust for him, while Atsushi considered Akutagawa to be much stronger than him and worthy of Dazai's acknowledgment.

Over the course of their relationship, Atsushi has had a strong dislike and hatred for Akutagawa overall due to disagreeing for his belief systems about who and what is considered strong and considers his view on himself being weak as absolutely preposterous. His hatred for Akutagawa is similar, if not parallel to, his hatred for the orphanage director, which caused him to at times have unjustified hatred for Akutagawa in which he would dehumanize him as a monster who can only kill and hypocritically strongly reject his right to live, despite Akutagawa showing moments of compassion and proving him otherwise.

These feelings only became stronger after the passing of the orphanage director, in which he believe the only way to get revenge against him was to defeat Akutagawa and erase the Director from his mind. Ironically, this mindset has negatively impacted the partnership between him and Akutagawa due to Atsushi having no trust in Akutagawa due to not having any desire to know and understand him and only rejecting him as a person. Because of their opposite perceptions, when Dazai partners the both of them to work together, Atsushi and Akutagawa would almost fail to harmoniously perform the task.

Nevertheless, their partnership is not completely unsatisfactory, as they would eventually realize rare moments of successful collaboration that defeats even difficult opponents by combining their powers. As a matter of fact, the duo's complementary qualities compelled Dazai to even partner the both of them amidst their past hostilities, thinking that Atsushi's speed and stamina can play a suitable vanguard to Akutagawa's strength as rearguard. Even the war hero Ōchi Fukuchi believes that such strategy can work and even possibly defeat someone like him.

Though initially full of flaws, the partnership between Atsushi and Akutagawa soon developed through time and experience. This collaboration birthed Beast Beneath the Moonlight–Rashōmon, which requires Atsushi to get shrouded in Rashōmon and morph with his tiger ability. The two first used Toramurakumo against Fitzgerald and later Black Tiger's Supreme Claw on Goncharov, both of which won their respective battles. The duo also claim the latter as their strongest move yet, which can cut through even abilities and whence no life form can quite possibly survive an attack.

However, the two do not deny wishing to give up to the other, which leads to the two making a deal to fight each other in six months' time. Knowing Akutagawa's nature, Atsushi demands him not to kill anyone within those six months, a promise that Akutagawa would hold on to with genuine sincerity that even shocks Atsushi. Moreover, out of respecting their six-month deal, Akutagawa reached the point of saving Atsushi and letting him escape from Fukuchi at the cost of his life. As a result, Atsushi greatly mused on Akutagawa's stand and wondered why Akutagawa would do such thing, leaving him with no answers from others nor himself.

Ōgai Mori
Atsushi and Mori once met each other without Atsushi knowing that Mori is the Mafia boss. During their encounter, Atsushi, Tanizaki, and the casually-clad Mori all got transported to Lucy's dimension; during this incident, Mori imbued the value of strategizing in and reminded Atsushi how only he could save his comrades in the room—the very people whom he heard has rescued him as well during his abduction. Afterwards, Atsushi was constantly guided by the doctor in Lucy's game, which eventually led to their victory and the release of their peers.

Before parting ways, Mori imparted some words of wisdom on Atsushi. He advised that every problem, no matter how difficult, has an optimal solution if he chooses to face his problems and avoid giving up in confusion, which earned Atsushi's gratitude. Eventually, Atsushi would naturally come to know that Mori is the Mafia boss.

Kōyō Ozaki
As the one who apparently wishes Kyōka back to the Mafia after leaving, Kōyō struck as an adversary to Atsushi during their initial encounter, which was a violent skirmish in itself. Likewise, the Mafia executive perceived Atsushi as vermin who fed Kyōka delusions and one who only wished to exploit her ability. This opposing dynamic between them sparked a conflict over Kyōka's welfare, much to Atsushi's anger towards Kōyō when Kyōka went missing after her intervention.

Nonetheless, after the incident and despite lingering antagonism towards each other, Atsushi and Kōyō conversed about Kyōka. Kōyō opened up about the girl's dark nature and implored Atsushi to help her achieve her wish of living in the light. Despite Atsushi witnessing Kyōka succumb almost always to her killing instincts, he would recall Kōyō's words and attempt to help Kyōka retract her supposedly natural disposition, testament of how Atsushi and Kōyō developed a rather mutual rapport towards each other when it comes to Kyōka's well-being.

Michizō Tachihara
Despite being member of the Port Mafia, Atsushi entrusted a baby to Tachihara during the chaos of the Q's widespread mania, much to the latter's confusion and reluctance.

Lucy Maud Montgomery
"You've got the wrong idea. I'm not strong, and I'm not popular. In fact, my entire life has been cursed. I know full well how you feel, envying and hating everyone around you."

- Atsushi to Lucy

Atsushi first met Lucy during the Guild's arrival and abduction of Kenji and Naomi in Lucy's dimension. Lucy evidently despised Atsushi, an orphan like her but has been welcomed into the Agency out of warmth unlike her who needed to complete her mission, otherwise she would be kicked out of the Guild. Atsushi tried to correct her that he had always been cursed throughout his life, contrary to her claims of how Atsushi was very blessed with his gifts.

Their confrontation soon led to Lucy's defeat at Atsushi's and Tanizaki's collaboration, leading Lucy to be demoted in the Guild. Atsushi visibly found sympathy for her, and he eventually confronted her by stating the very similar conditions they experienced in their past orphanages. Lucy gradually and subtly retracted her grudge towards Atsushi, albeit still showing signs of coldness to him. He then offers her his genuine gratitude for always helping him, which Lucy bashfully accepts.

Over time, Atsushi grows comfortable with Lucy and treats her as an opponent-turned-subordinate. This rapport is apparently shared by Lucy herself, who would occasionally aid Atsushi and his comrades in the Agency however way she can, even if she is not an official member herself.

As a result, Atsushi is quick to protect her like how he would with his subordinates, shielding her from attacks and protecting her in any way he can. Likewise, Lucy does not hesitate to save Atsushi to the best of her ability, even if it meant potentially harming her.

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald
"Powerful? You?! Neither money nor abilities are for blowing up whole cities! People are only powerful so that they can extend a helping hand to those struggling in the depths of despair!"

- Atsushi refutes Fitzgerald's belief towards power

Atsushi's notoriety among the Mafia ultimately stemmed from Fitzgerald, who placed a bounty on him. Hence, Atsushi evidently came to be on negative terms with the Guild leader even before their first direct encounter. As the three-way conflict erupted, Atsushi perceived Fitzgerald as the primary individual whom he must defeat to put an end to the gifted war in Yokohama. In doing so, despite Fitzgerald's numerous times overwhelming Atsushi in strength, ability, and experience, Atsushi did not give up in vanquishing him, even to the point of collaborating with Akutagawa, with whom Atsushi also has a hostile relationship, in battling Fitzgerald.

Notably, Atsushi and Fitzgerald have opposing perspectives towards wielding power. While Fitzgerald sees power, especially money, to be used as a means to trample on the weak and to further one's self-preservation, Atsushi highly rejects this notion, believing otherwise that power should be used to help rather than destroy others. Amidst their differences, Atsushi recognizes Fitzgerald's firm resolve deep down towards his family.

Over the course of events, especially after Fitzgerald helped in locating Fyodor Dostoevsky which put an end to the Cannibalism incident, Atsushi relatively gained an amount of trust towards Fitzgerald. As such, he sought Fitzgerald's aid when the Agency was framed for terrorism. Though their negotiation started off on bad terms, they later reached a compromise, leading to mutual faith in each other's organizations and ending in Fitzgerald helping Atsushi and Kyōka find Mushitaro Oguri. Atsushi would also go as far as defending Fitzgerald, assuring that he is someone who would not betray them in their circumstances even when everyone in the Agency and the Mafia seemed to think that Fitzgerald sold them to the government.