Banana Fish

Banana Fish is a manga that I couldn't help but critique every time I read a volume. There were recurring elements that irked me, yet I was eager to dive into the next one. The story kicks off with our protagonists unraveling the enigma of Banana Fish. As it progresses, the narrative expands into a broader saga involving crime syndicates and government corruption, particularly in relation to Ash, our main character. Interestingly, Banana Fish becomes less central as the plot advances, giving way to these larger themes.

Let's get the negatives out of the way first. I found some repetitive scenarios frustrating, especially for Ash. To clarify, there are five primary villains: Dino Golzine, Blanca, Yut-Lung, Colonel Reed, and Arthur. Only Arthur (and somewhat Yut-Lung) actively seeks to kill Ash, leading to:

1. Villains hunting Ash but needing him alive.
2. Ash's friends getting captured, so he surrenders to free them.
3. ???
4. He escapes.
5. Repeat.

This pattern persists throughout the series. Despite the unique challenges each scenario presents, it's puzzling how villains repeatedly fall into the same trap. Another annoyance was the constant emphasis on Ash’s extraordinary abilities. His IQ started at an already insane 180 but later jumped to "over 200." Besides intelligence, Ash has SWAT-level aim, political acumen surpassing journalists, scientific knowledge rivaling professors, and unmatched tactical prowess. While explanations exist for his abilities, they often feel exaggerated. For instance, during a raid, Arthur's men panicked upon seeing Ash retrieve his gun, knowing he could overpower them effortlessly. However, I appreciated the clever and mostly believable depiction of his intelligence, like identifying an impostor by smell or testing if a room was soundproof.

Moving past criticisms, what made me love this manga were its characters and dynamics!

Ash, despite my earlier gripes, is a vulnerable child yearning to escape his painful life. Moments when his mental resilience cracks are emotionally powerful, especially in intimate conversations with Eiji, Max, or Blanca, and through flashbacks showing parallels between early Ash and his final form. His growth and internal struggles kept me engaged.

Eiji serves as Ash's safe haven, preventing him from going fully rogue. What makes Eiji special is his care and understanding, figuring out overlooked internal struggles others ignore. He's the human element missing from the cast, never giving up on anyone and boldly facing danger despite being physically weak. Eiji also acts as a catalyst, making others question their morals.

Support heroes like Max, initially closest to Ash, provided introspection before Eiji took over. Max, almost a father figure, had a compelling journey. Chun leads a major street gang, contrasting Ash by facing immense pressure. Shorter is the truest friend ever.

Support villains include Blanca, whose unpredictable moves intrigued me. Arthur and Colonel Reed, while not individually fascinating, created conflict well. Yut-Lung, a smart and complex character, challenged by Eiji, was excellently written.

Golzine, initially underwhelming, grew intriguing as an ego-driven villain who underestimated himself. His ambiguous motives added depth.

The art excels, except for oddly drawn blood, capturing New York's essence beautifully.

In conclusion, Banana Fish boasts an exceptional supporting cast and pacing, despite minor quirks. Lastly, the ending is bittersweet, beautiful, and profoundly captures the characters' psychology.

During the Vietnam War in 1973, an American soldier goes insane and starts gunning down his allies and friends. After killing off a majority, we see that he has developed dementia, continuously repeating one line: “banana fish”. This manga was created by Akimi Yoshida (who also made Kisshō Tennyo) back in 1985, and it's considered the most manly shoujo to date. Frederik Schodt, a popular translator (whose works include Phoenix and Rose Of Versailles), remarks that it's “...one of the few girls' manga [a]...male adult could admit to reading without blushing.” The series, Banana Fish – which ran until 1994 with a total of 19 tankobon volumes – remains one of the 50 best classic manga of all time. It's challenging to describe how the plot, narration, and pacing unfold in Banana Fish. Even as you begin the manga, the overwhelming intensity is immediately present, even if characters haven't been fully introduced yet. It is certainly not a straightforward series; there is no clear "beginning," "rising action," or "climax." As it chronicles the lives of NY gangs and gang warfare, it does so extremely realistically. It can fluctuate between something described as “tension, strain, bombs, and anxiety” and a calm, relief-filled respite. This is easily the best part of Banana Fish: there is no filler, and the way it presents the story is invigorating and interesting. The plot is air-tight. As a result of such an amazing plotline, we are also given well-developed characters. There is no single main character, as several are heavily expanded upon. All major characters are introduced early on (and memorizing names isn't an issue). No character is introduced just for the sake of plot. Each major character is given a three-dimensional personality (along with some backstory frequently talked about and expanded on) and they all have inner, realistic struggles relatable to most of us. In short: yes, they're pretty great. Ash Lynx, for example, is the head of his gang. Blunt, rude, and often recognized as juvenile, we are led to believe that's all we should expect. But that's not so. Although he has killed, he is no heartless thug. Despite years of trauma, he is still the softest gang leader out there. The tough cynicism he takes on conceals a wish to be treated as a normal human being, for he never wanted the life Dino Golzine gave him. In contrast, we're introduced to Eiji Okumura (who is equally interesting): a fresh-out-of-highschool athlete who has travelled to New York to be a photographer's assistant. But that kind of description doesn't do him justice. Although not every single character is memorable, many complex ones are. The atmosphere and setting in Banana Fish are spectacular. Though I haven't lived in NY, the amount of time and research put into understanding the city is impressive. It wasn't just some label stuck on the city to make it feel pretentious. Many mangas use NY to seem 'cooler', but this was different. Banana Fish made me feel like I knew NY (even though I probably don't, highlighting the incredible, “slummy” atmosphere created). It was the little things: actual street signs, large neighborhoods, or building complexes in relation to certain areas. And it wasn't just NY that was researched; there was also the nature of drugs, a key plot point. The planning and effort were used to their fullest during the creation of this manga – brilliantly. Despite how good this is, what really stands out is that it was made for girls (as it was serialized in Betsucomi). Although Banana Fish can be easily treated as a seinen (or mature shounen/josei), it is probably best read as shoujo. This manga proves that although most modern shoujo are bad, classics (or “hidden gems”) still hold promise. Reading this can drastically change one’s opinion on shoujo for the better, which is amazing on its own. Not only that, but this manga holds tons of historical value to the 80s and 90s, as it was extremely popular in Japan. Back in 1998, the Japanese magazine Comic Link hosted a poll for the "50 Best Manga", and unsurprisingly, Banana Fish ranked #1. That kind of respect and praise definitely holds merit in the manga world today. To be completely honest, there were some minor nitpicks I had when reading this, but by the time the final few volumes came around, the mangaka, an experienced professional, had noticed them and fixed/rectified them. They weren’t even “problems” per se; the criticisms I had were just some minor things I thought would give the manga that extra edge. And it did. Certainly, there should be no disagreement. Banana Fish is a gritty, detail-oriented masterpiece, as well as a big milestone. Lines such as “Know how to use an M-16?” to “He's got a grenade launcher!” will not be found in shoujo today, making Banana Fish just that much better. There is a little something for every kind of manga reader to enjoy in this (yes, I may be specifically looking at you fujoshis). So without a doubt, it gets a full 10.0/10.0 from me. Definitely check this title out; I really don't know what else could be said. And finally: I will put a warning on this manga, as there is harsh rape and pedophilia portrayed; so caution to younger readers. ★★★★★★★★★★ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Banana Fish was a manga that I couldn't help but judge harshly due to its recurring annoyances, yet I eagerly awaited each new volume. It starts with the main characters investigating the mystery of Banana Fish but soon expands into a larger narrative involving crime syndicates and government corruption, especially surrounding Ash. As the story unfolds, Banana Fish itself becomes less central, giving way to other elements.

One persistent issue is the repetitive scenarios, particularly those involving Ash, where villains pursue him but must capture him alive, resulting in a cycle of captures and escapes. Additionally, the constant emphasis on Ash's extraordinary abilities—his intelligence and combat skills—becomes excessive and somewhat absurd, despite occasional clever depictions.

However, what truly captivated me were the characters and their dynamics. Ash's vulnerability and inner turmoil, especially in intimate moments with Eiji, Max, or Blanca, added depth to his character. Eiji, despite seeming ordinary, stands out for his empathy and unwavering support for others, serving as a catalyst for self-reflection among the cast.

The supporting characters, such as Max, Chun, and Shorter, each contribute uniquely to the narrative, with Blanca and Yut-Lung standing out as compelling villains with complex motivations. Even Golzine, initially overshadowed, reveals layers of ego and delusion that make his character satisfyingly nuanced.

The artwork, while occasionally humorous in its depiction of blood, excels in character design and setting, immersing readers in the world of New York City.

In conclusion, Banana Fish boasts a remarkable supporting cast and pacing, despite persistent quirks. The ending, in particular, stands out as a bittersweet and beautiful conclusion to a captivating story.