Yosano Akiko from Bungo Stray Dogs - PTSD war trauma analysis PTSD

Yosano Akiko

与謝野 晶子

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Yosano's traumatic experiences during the war, where she was forced to repeatedly heal soldiers only to watch them suffer, have left deep psychological scars. Her PTSD manifests in her avoidance behaviors and emotional responses.

Key Episodes: Season 2, Dark Era Arc

Detailed Analysis

  • Directly Experiencing Traumatic Events: Yosano directly healed all of those soldiers repeatedly during the war.
  • Witnessing Traumatic Events: She witnessed the soldier who gave her the hairpiece hang himself.
  • Avoidance of External Reminders: When faced with Mori, Yosano was visibly on edge and reacted angrily.
  • Inability to Remember Aspects of Trauma: After witnessing the soldier hang himself, her memory became fuzzy.
  • Self-Blame: Yosano blamed herself for what happened to the soldiers because her healing ability wouldn't let them die.
  • Persistent Negative Emotional State: After watching the soldier hang himself, Yosano fell into a depression for years.
  • Reckless Behavior: After witnessing the suicide, she said she "blew up stuff all around."

Trauma Impact

Yosano was forced during wartime to repeatedly heal dying soldiers using her ability, only to watch them sent back to die. She witnessed one soldier's suicide, a soldier she had grown close to. This caused her to spiral into severe depression and reckless behavior. She was locked in a padded room for years after going "crazy."

Even in the present day, reminders of her past (like Mori) trigger intense avoidance responses and anger. She shows persistent negative emotions, inability to experience joy, and deep-seated guilt for her role in the war.

Summary

Yosano is very traumatized. Her war experiences, forced healing of dying soldiers, witnessing a soldier's suicide, and subsequent mental breakdown all clearly demonstrate severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.