Introduction
Aslan Jade Callenreese, known as Ash Lynx, was a runaway picked off the streets of New York City and raised by the infamous godfather of the mafia, Dino Golzine. Now 17 years old and the boss of his own gang, Ash begins investigating the mysterious "Banana Fish"—the same two words his older brother, Griffin, has muttered since his return from the Iraq War. However, his inquiries are hindered when Dino sends his men after Ash at an underground bar he uses as a hideout.
At the bar, Skip, Ash's friend, introduces him to Shunichi Ibe and his assistant, Eiji Okumura, who are Japanese photographers reporting on American street gangs. However, their conversation is interrupted when Shorter Wong, one of Ash's allies, calls to warn him about Dino. Soon, Dino's men storm the bar, and in the ensuing chaos kidnap Skip and Eiji. Now, Ash must find a way to rescue them and continue his investigation into Banana Fish, but will his history with the mafia prevent him from succeeding?
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Mathinios
It's a real gem. I absolutely loved the music—it's incredible—and the character of Ash Lynx; what a man. There’s even some romance, though I’m not sure it was strictly necessary.
I highly recommend it, even if the ending is quite abrupt. The central storyline really stands out from the rest, and the plot feels dynamic rather than static. Overall, it stays true to the 1985 original—it doesn't lose the essence of the source material.
The animation is great, too! The opening sequence is really polished; for a while, I had it on constant repeat—it's a masterpiece.
I think it’ll appeal to a lot of people, but you do have to pay close attention to the story.
Read at the sourcegarnetredwine
I'm gonna be so for real, when I first decided to watch this show I thought it was just some gay romance or something that was really sad, so I decided to give it a try-- AND BOOOOOOOOOOOOYYYYY was I wrong man. Like astronomically wrong, so much so that it's almost comical.
This anime is literally more in depth and complex in it's plot, characters, and overall storytelling than almost anything else I've ever seen on the internet. I don't want to spoil it, because this is TOTALLY the type of show you HAVE to go in blind for-- but it's messed up as hell, and once you start watching? You can't stop. It does contain some really dark themes, so be warned if you're not used to watching shows that touch on dark topics often, but genuinely, Banana fish is one of the best shows out there if you ca…
Read at the sourceAan1m
If you were to judge this anime strictly from its name you would expect something so far from the truth it’s insane - in reality the show has a very good plot and tells a very profound story and can also relate to the state of youth nowadays - the way it portrays crime and drugs and things like gang warfare is brilliant - ash lynx as a protagonist is a great choice and he is a very conflicted protagonist that’s starts out as a cold and quiet charachter that pushes away everyone apart from those in his inner circle - over the course of the series we see what he is truly fighting for as he meets a great number of pepper and starts to open up - obviously the ending is pretty emotional without getting into spoilers and really felt like a gut punch
Read at the sourcenomiyat0momi
I was really disappointed with the anime; I mean, it’s an anime that was hyped up so much, and I ended up watching a really, really mediocre show.
The anime is full of great ideas that are handled in a really clumsy way. For example, the ambiguity between Ash as the charismatic gang leader and the fragile teenager who’s been abused. It could have been handled with so much more subtlety, showing how Ash’s past shapes his actions rather than what I actually saw.
Similarly, the Dino-Ash relationship on paper, I love it but it was clearly missing that little (big) something that makes the relationship interesting.
It was entertaining at times, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Read at the sourceAkimotoAkira1
As someone who enjoys more lighthearted things, this was a tough watch, because MAPPA nailed the suspense and pacing. The story if quite unique in a way that brings realism to most of it. There is clear character development as they overcome different struggles and characters themselves are quite relatable in their thinking and relationship making processes.
But alltogether this really is worth the watch. You never know whats going to happen in the next minute and it is often not predictible.
One thing that for sure isnt realistic is the gunfights - there would for sure be people who would call 9/11 with all the guns blasting and stuff. But who cares.
Reviewers rating - 9/10
Read at the sourceseleneinsilk
Oh my goodness, where to even start with this anime. I decided to watch it on a whim a few years ago and I still think about it to this day. This anime means everything to me. It has a beautifully tragic plot, characters that you'll love that have their own backgrounds that allow you to really bond with them, an AMAZING soundtrack, and beautiful visuals. This anime will sting you right in your heart, so beware. This anime felt like it was written by someone that just really gets it idk. It touches on topics a lot of anime doesn't, especially in this day and age of everyone trying to make anime bubbly and bright and colorful with the same regurgitated plot. This anime feels like something back when I was a kid, when anime plot had substance like Bleach, Blood +, FMA: Brotherhood, etc. I rec…
Read at the sourceYamiLoon
Banana Fish is a gripping blend of crime, action, and heartfelt drama. Ash and Eiji’s layered personalities and pure bond give the story an emotional core that’s impossible to forget. The series balances intense twists with powerful emotional moments, supported by strong character writing and detailed world-building.
I don’t care about whether it’s BL or not.
Banana Fish is a poignant exploration of trauma, corruption, and the human capacity for love. Through harrowing experiences, the series delves into the devastating effects of sexual abuse and societal decay. Yet, amidst the darkness, it portrays the healing power of genuine connection and affection, offering a glimmer of hope in a world marred by violence.
However, the pacing can feel too fast in certain scenes, making some emotiona…
Read at the sourcecronaaa
Banana Fish is not really for people who are too weak emotionally (I kind of regret not taking other reviews seriously, haha). But here we are. At first, I thought it was just another action anime with gangs and fights. But the more I watched, the deeper and heavier it became. The story slowly revealed painful things, and by the time I got to the last few episodes, it was honestly hard to watch. I don’t know if I’m just being too emotional, but some scenes made me feel really uncomfortable and sad. It made me realize this anime is not just about action. It’s about pain, survival, and things people don’t always talk about.
The anime deals with very serious and mature topics like child @buse, se*ual 3xploitation, gang v1olence, and emotional trauma. These aren’t shown in a soft way, they ar…
Read at the sourcehbaby1093
I just gave this show a re-watch (I thought I had given it a review after my first viewing, but I guess not). So I'm here to give my review this time.
This show centers around Ash and Eiji and the raw and realistic depictions of being a youth involved in gangs in NYC.
It is insurmountably painful, and devastating, and yet beautiful too - all at the same time. It doesn't shy away from any of the realities of gang life, but in that same token, it also depicts how sometimes flowers can bloom even in the ash...and in this context...Ash and Eiji's relationship.
They really are yin and yang, balancing each other perfectly. Their "friendship" is honest and genuine and makes you root for them right from the start.
I really will never forgive the writers for not giving Ash the ending he deser…
Read at the sourceMello4163
Banana Fish: The Most Exhausting Waste of Time I've Sat Through
I forced myself to watch this show. I’m not even joking—I had to mentally drag myself through every single episode like it was some kind of punishment.
Every time an episode started, I’d catch myself thinking the same thing:
“When is this gonna end?”
Not because I was emotionally wrecked. Not because it was intense.
But because I was bored and tired of pretending this show was going anywhere.
It’s one of those anime where the opening episode tricks you. It drops you into some dark, fast-paced setup and you think, “Oh damn, this might be fire.” Spoiler alert: that fire turns out to be a flickering candle in a wet basement.
The Plot – Directionless, overloaded nonsense
This show is desperate to seem smart. It tosses in conspi…
Read at the sourcescy318
(vague-minor spoilers)
From what I’ve gathered, Banana Fish has something of a sacred reputation within the BL anime community. I guess there’s just something about overly melodramatic (implied) BL that’s so intoxicating to some people.
Banana Fish follows gang leader “Ash Lynx” as he investigates his brother’s death, which is inexplicably linked to an enigmatic “Banana Fish”. The first quarter of the anime introduces this concept and reveals that Banana Fish is actually an extremely dangerous drug.
Right from the first episode, you’re dumped into grimy, dirty 1980s New York, and heaps of intrigue and mystery are unloaded everywhere for you to digest. It was this gritty, atmospheric tension that got me hooked on this anime instantly.
Then, Ash meets this Japanese guy who’s with the…
Read at the sourceElj842
Banana Fish is an experience of a lifetime. It's been days since I've watched it and I'm still affected by its last episode. Right off the bat, for people who come here expecting a typical BL story, this show is not that. Banana fish contains extremely triggering subject matters and traumatic moments, so it's not for everybody. There's a deep connection between two male characters that is the heart of the show, but the nature of this love is up to interpretation. But if you're looking for a soul-wrenching crime-drama thriller, this show is a really good one.
Without spoiling too much away, this series tells a story of two contrasting worlds that under normal circumstances should never have merged. It's a simple coincidence that lets two entirely different people meet under the most cruel…
Read at the sourceEmoBreadstick
I’ve seen this series once before a few years back. A few days ago, I decided I’d rewatch it for nostalgia’s sake almost— and by doing that, I rediscovered why I loved this anime to death back then.
I’ll start off with the visuals and music. I don’t want to get into the deeper topics right off the bat. Anyways, I absolutely loveeee Survive Said The Prophet and their music in Banana Fish: Found & Lost as well as Red. I see them as pieces of art, and I’ve listened to the songs for years, thanks to the anime. The other opening and ending don’t stand out as much to me, but they’re still good. Moving on to themes, Golzine’s theme is so good. Literally sends chills. When you hear it, you know something’s up. Yut Lung’s is really beautiful, and there’s something so familiar about how it sounds b…
Read at the sourcebingusmingus
Banana Fish is one of the greatest anime that I have ever watched.
Something about this anime is special to me. It shouldn't really interest me. Sure, I watched Cowboy Bebop years ago and enjoyed it, but I've never really been able to find myself getting so invested in the story of an action anime, hell, action in any form of media, as I got with Banana Fish. Watching it felt like a drug, I could not stop.
The anime itself seems like the embodiment of its main character: violent, beautiful, dramatic and yet so cold at times. It puts up a façade; from the outside in the show seems to be a fun shonen, not all too introspective and a delight to watch. The viewer will get satisfied by the violence and the eventual outcome of the story. Sure, this show too has epic scenes of gunfights, fistfi…
Read at the sourcemomochi22
If you like josei and want to read this then idk, sure it's interesting to see the perspective of a male abuse victim and it's cute how in love Ash and Eiji are...
BUT THAT IS IT! other than Ash's past and a few cute Eiji and Ash moments this anime has nothing. Everyone has plot armour, none of the stakes feel real, the world setting doesn't feel real at all despite being based in NY, there are no interesting dynamics between the gang members or the villains, they either hate ash or follow him blindly...
Bad characters, bad writing, bad plot.
Worth watching on 2x speed for Ash and Eiji only if you are a diehard fujoshi but you will get crumbs.
Read at the sourcealexswrld
Amazing, fantastic and tragic. Banana fish was the first anime that really had me full-blown sobbing. Ash Lynx is raised by an infamous gangster, Dino Golzine. When Ash grows up, he has his own gang and must stop Dino from catching hold of the Banana Fish, a mysterious drug that causes insanity. Ash is a victim of rape, sexual assault, child pornography and human trafficking and along the way of him searching for redemption he meets Eiji, an innocent assistant cameraman from Japan, him and Ash become extremely close and Eiji joins ash through his journey to stop Dino. People may argue over this being a BL or not but if you ask anyone who actually watches BL, we all can agree it is.
It's an absolute masterpiece of a story but I am a little bias, I mean I have a banana fish tattoo on me, b…
Read at the sourceItseren_iguess
This anime has genuinely changed how I look at anime. It took me almost 2 years to finish because my friend alluded to a sad ending and I wasn't ready for the show to end. Its beautifully made and the storyline kept me engaged. The character interaction and backstory is well done and the characters feel alive, theres incentives as a viewer to care about what happens to a character(either good or bad depending). This anime has some elements that I don't see as often in anime, it takes place in the US and I found that I could genuinely believe that it took place there, mind you I'm Canadian so my opinion may differ from an American.highly recommend this anime.
Read at the sourceCurlybrace101
In 1985, the manga "Banana Fish" by Akimi Yoshida would begin serialization in Bessatsu Shoujo Comic. It would run for 9 years, totaling 110 chapters and 19 volumes, establishing itself as a pioneer of the BL genre despite keeping the relationship between the male leads ambiguous. In 2018, this legendary manga finally hit the silver screen with a condensed adaptation updated to a modern day setting done by MAPPA, finally bringing this iconic and influential plot to wide audiences.
And that plot is...frustrating.
Like most early BL, Banana Fish is a story of tragedy. It is a tale of bad things happening to young men who never get to be happy. And it feels...sensationalized.
Human beings have a fascination with pain and trauma. We pack it into our stories for the catharsis of enjoying the…
Read at the sourceDompa112
I was a bit hesitant to watch this at first since for me it looked like some boy love show. The manga was josei. But its made by MAPPA and then i saw several reviews saying the anime is more than just that and you dont need to be into that stuff. So i thought id give it a chance.
Turned out the reviews were wrong. Most likely these were reviews from people who hadnt fully embraced and understood their own sexuality yet. You absolutely need to be in on boy on boy love stuff. Theres just no other reason for this show. I can only say one good thing about it. The first OP. Survive said the Prophet never dissapoints. The rest is forgettable.
Story. Boring. Only used to drive the boy love stuff forward and keep it still being anime material. Theres some mysterious drug called Banana Fish. It…
Read at the sourceUnknownIdiot3211
I am incredibly angry at the ending. I love everything about this show, I am just annoyed at the ending. Which shows you how invested I actually got into the show. It's about this japanese 19 year old who went to NY, USA to shoot photos of crime in NY. Well, he ends up getting mixed up with this American gang leader and that whole thing. Its action oriented with small touches of romance and a lot of drama as well. Oh, and a ton of past trauma. I recommend people watch it so they can share the same frustration that I have now. Anyways, watch the show. It's great.
Read at the source
