Banana Fish review: A dark and fascinating journey

Comprehensive review and recommendation of BANANA FISH

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

July 6, 2018 - December 21, 2018
1:00～

■Broadcasting station

Fuji Television

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 24

■Original Story

Yoshida Akio

■ Director

Hiroko Utsumi

■ Production

・Animation Production: MAPPA

■Works

© Akimi Yoshida, Shogakukan/Project BANANA FISH

■ Story

New York. Ash Lynx is a boy with an exceptional appearance and outstanding fighting ability. He leads a street gang and hears a man killed by his gang utter the mysterious word "Banana Fish" before he dies. At the same time, he meets Eiji Okumura, a Japanese boy who has come to cover the story as a cameraman's assistant. The two decide to investigate the mystery of "Banana Fish" together.

■Explanation

"BANANA FISH," a comic by Yoshida Akimi that has sold over 12 million copies, has been made into a TV anime. The original was serialized in "Bessatsu Shojo Comic" (Shogakukan) from 1985 to 1994, and has continued to be loved by many fans ever since. The anime adaptation faithfully reproduces the tension and human drama of the original, while also taking measures to make it resonate with modern viewers. In particular, the detailed depictions of the New York cityscape and the characters' expressions and movements have been praised.

■Cast

・Ash/Yuma Uchida ・Eiji/Kenji Nojima

■ Main staff

・Original work: "BANANA FISH" by Akimi Yoshida (published by Shogakukan Flower Comics)
Director: Hiroko Utsumi; Series Composition: Koji Seko; Character Design: Akemi Hayashi; Chief Animation Directors: Ayumu Yamada, Shinpei Kamata, Tomohiro Kishi; Main Animator: Koji Kuki; Color Design: Chikako Kamata; Art Director: Toshiharu Mizutani; Director of Photography: Yusuke Tanoura; Editor: Hiroshi Okuda; Music: Shinichi Osawa; Sound Director: Yo Yamada; Animation Production: MAPPA

■ Main Characters

Ash Lynx is the boss of a New York street gang. He is a beautiful boy with blond hair and green eyes, an IQ of over 180, and outstanding fighting skills. He grew up in a harsh environment and is deeply scarred, but he continues to fight to protect his friends.
Eiji Okumura is a Japanese university student who came to cover street gangs as a cameraman's assistant. He has a pure and honest personality that warms the hearts of those around him, but he also has a stubborn and reckless side. Through his encounter with Ash, he begins to reexamine his own values ​​and way of life.

■Subtitle

・#01/A Perfect Day for Banana Fish (2018/07/05)
・#02/In a foreign country (2018/07/12)
・#03/Crossing the river and entering the woods (2018/07/19)
・#04/This Side of Paradise (2018/07/26)
・#05/Death to Morning (2018/08/02)
・#06/My Lost City(2018/08/09)
・#07/Rich Boy(2018/08/16)
・#08/Tribal Story (2018/08/23)
・#09/Waltz with me (2018/08/30)
・#10/Return to Babylon(2018/09/06)
・#11/Beautiful and Cursed (2018/09/13)
・#12/To have or not to have (2018/09/20)
・#13/The Snows of Kilimanjaro (2018/10/04)
・#14/The Night is Gentle (2018/10/11)
・#15/Garden of Eden(2018/10/18)
・#16/Sad Peacock (2018/10/25)
・#17/Killer (2018/11/01)
・#18/Islands in the Ocean Currents(2018/11/08)
・#19/Ice Palace(2018/11/15)
・#20/The Unconquered (2018/11/22)
・#21/Unconquerable (2018/11/29)
・#22/Lying on my deathbed(2018/12/06)
・#23/For Whom the Bell Tolls(2018/12/13)
・#24/Catcher in the Rye (2018/12/20)

■ Related works

BANANA FISH

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period: 1~13
・Found & Lost
・Lyrics/Survive Said The Prophet
・Composer/Survive Said The Prophet
・Arrangement/Survive Said The Prophet
・Song/Survive Said The Prophet
・OP2
・Period: 14~24
・FREEDOM
Lyrics: Shunichi Tanabe; Music: Shunichi Tanabe; Singer: BLUE ENCOUNT
・ED1
・Period: 2~13
・Prayer X
・Lyrics/Daiki Tsuneta ・Composition/Daiki Tsuneta ・Arrangement/King Gnu
・Song: King Gnu
・ED2
・Period: 14~23
・RED
・Lyrics/Survive Said The Prophet
・Composer/Survive Said The Prophet
・Arrangement/Survive Said The Prophet
・Song/Survive Said The Prophet

■ Evaluation

"BANANA FISH" is an anime based on the original work by Akimi Yoshida, and its deep story and appealing characters have attracted many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Ash Lynx and Eiji Okumura leaves a strong impression on viewers by depicting friendship, trust, and conflict. In adapting the work into an anime, efforts were made to ensure that it resonates with modern viewers without compromising the atmosphere of the original work, and the detailed depictions of the New York cityscape, characters' expressions, and movements have been particularly praised.

Ash Lynx, played by Uchida Yuuma, is a complex character with beautiful looks, high intelligence, and fighting ability, but also with emotional scars. His inner thoughts are carefully portrayed, allowing viewers to empathize with his suffering and growth. Meanwhile, Okumura Eiji, played by Nojima Kenji, is a character who has a pure and honest personality, but also a stubborn and reckless side, and is shown growing through his encounter with Ash.

Director Hiroko Utsumi faithfully reproduced the tension and human drama of the original work while also making efforts to make it resonate with modern audiences. In particular, the detailed depiction of the New York cityscape and the characters' expressions and movements has been praised. Series composer Koji Seko also deeply moved viewers by skillfully incorporating the story of the original work into the anime.

MAPPA, the animation production company, captivated viewers with their beautiful visuals and detailed drawings. In particular, the depictions of the battle scenes and New York cityscapes left a strong impression on viewers. In addition, Shinichi Osawa, who was in charge of the music, enhanced viewers' emotions with music that matched the story. Music, including the theme song, is an important element in livening up the story.

■Recommendation

"BANANA FISH" is a work that has a deep story and attractive characters. It is especially recommended for those who are interested in the relationship between Ash Lynx and Eiji Okumura, and the depiction of the New York cityscape. It is also recommended for those who want to experience the tension and human drama of the original work in an anime. It is also recommended for those who want to enjoy beautiful visuals and music.

This work leaves a strong impression on viewers by depicting friendship, trust, and conflict. In particular, the careful portrayal of Ash Lynx's inner world allows viewers to empathize with his struggles and growth. On the other hand, Eiji Okumura's growth is also an important point that cannot be overlooked, as he is portrayed to have a stubborn and reckless side despite his pure and honest personality.

The work's appeal is also enhanced by the talents of the staff, including director Hiroko Utsumi, series composer Koji Seko, animation production by MAPPA, and music by Shinichi Osawa. In particular, the detailed depiction of the New York cityscape, the characters' expressions, and movements have been highly praised. In addition, the music, including the theme song, is an important element in livening up the story.

"BANANA FISH" is a work that has a deep story, attractive characters, beautiful visuals and music. Please watch it and experience its charm.