This show killed me, resuscitated me, and then killed me again.
106 Reviews
Not completely satisfied..
ronyakalashi23 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I just wish it had a different ending, especially after everything Ash has been through. He deserved happiness and peace so I was really hoping for him to fly to Japan together with Eiji.
But overall it was a good anime, it made me both cry and laugh.
Unusual yet enthralling in many ways
ganymedes198521 March 2019
You begin with a very short war scene at beginning of the millennium, and afterwards get plunged into present day New York.
Here a wild Lynx and a fearless Japanese Bunny have to deal with the various crime syndicates that rule the city.
Many characters have layers of history, some will break your heart, others smash your expectations. The animation is clean and the music is understated. Action scenes balance out nicely with moments of reflection in scenic landscapes.
If it has one flaw, it's that towards the end you can't breathe between the action scenes, which make the last 4 to 6 episodes feel "crammed for time"... I felt like perhaps 30 episodes would have been a more ideal way to tell this story, but that's not how the world of showbusiness works.
Many characters have layers of history, some will break your heart, others smash your expectations. The animation is clean and the music is understated. Action scenes balance out nicely with moments of reflection in scenic landscapes.
If it has one flaw, it's that towards the end you can't breathe between the action scenes, which make the last 4 to 6 episodes feel "crammed for time"... I felt like perhaps 30 episodes would have been a more ideal way to tell this story, but that's not how the world of showbusiness works.
Ruined my life
simranmangaokar2 August 2019
Still Thinking About it
IPyaarCinema10 September 2020
The story is very realistic. The plot is very connected and always bring you surprise. Every episode is very heavy, but mixed with some comedy and it make me love even more.
Not like other anime, where everything happens slowly (a fight take for 1 or 2 episodes) or the pacing is very slow or the character reading their thought (it always drives me nuts), everything in Banana Fish is incredibly well-organized. The pacing is very accurate, give you enough time to feel and understand the situation (with beautiful music in the background) and not taking anything for a nonsense long time. Every dialogue is really connected to the story and also contain a profound meaning.
The animation is magnificent. The first anime that every scene has a good human proportion with both face and body. People interaction looks very realistic, and people in the background are not just standing like a mannequin, they always doing something like a real person. It makes the anime looks more realistic. The background: New York city with many gorgeous graffiti on wall and a splendid liberty statue; china town which always crowded with people, restaurants and lanterns; the Cape Cod's nostalgic view in a windy field with beautiful dawn (it's a very sad scene); and especially the gorgeous Los Angeles city filled with night lights from the mountain's view. Many camera angle choices are very unique and clever, the animation crew did an awesome jobs on this anime.
Soundtrack: its awesome, just listen and enjoy. My favorite is the ending song Prayer X by King Gnu, it gives me a nostalgic feeling mix of happiness and sadness (T.T). The opening clip is very beautiful with a fit music too.
Not like other anime, where everything happens slowly (a fight take for 1 or 2 episodes) or the pacing is very slow or the character reading their thought (it always drives me nuts), everything in Banana Fish is incredibly well-organized. The pacing is very accurate, give you enough time to feel and understand the situation (with beautiful music in the background) and not taking anything for a nonsense long time. Every dialogue is really connected to the story and also contain a profound meaning.
The animation is magnificent. The first anime that every scene has a good human proportion with both face and body. People interaction looks very realistic, and people in the background are not just standing like a mannequin, they always doing something like a real person. It makes the anime looks more realistic. The background: New York city with many gorgeous graffiti on wall and a splendid liberty statue; china town which always crowded with people, restaurants and lanterns; the Cape Cod's nostalgic view in a windy field with beautiful dawn (it's a very sad scene); and especially the gorgeous Los Angeles city filled with night lights from the mountain's view. Many camera angle choices are very unique and clever, the animation crew did an awesome jobs on this anime.
Soundtrack: its awesome, just listen and enjoy. My favorite is the ending song Prayer X by King Gnu, it gives me a nostalgic feeling mix of happiness and sadness (T.T). The opening clip is very beautiful with a fit music too.
Shattered my mental health
sophiejustamante30 August 2020
One of the best anime/manga written!
venesejulia8 February 2019
Bananafish has opened my eyes to some of the darkest side happening around us which people are mostly silent about.. it's a lot deeper than i thought it was. The adventures and the relationships of the protagonists while fighting the mafia are very interesting and unique in the anime world..
WOW! INCREDIBLE!
cmarino-2433216 January 2019
It such a riveting story. I didn't think I was going to be able get into but I'm hooked. Love the main character ASH. He is complex, intelligent, strong, fierce, and compassionate. This show is really well written and worth the watch.
A masterpiece
ninagirl777011 May 2019
Shattered
idontknow-6531520 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Just when we thought his life started, it actually came to an end.
What broke the most was that after everything that he's been through, he was finally free. He was ready to start a new life with Eijin, he was ready to move away, he was ready to start a new life, HE DESERVED BETTER!!
I think the message that this show was trying to send us is that life it too short, so try to spend as much time with your loves ones and try to enjoy life because you can be alive in a second and dead in the other.
What broke the most was that after everything that he's been through, he was finally free. He was ready to start a new life with Eijin, he was ready to move away, he was ready to start a new life, HE DESERVED BETTER!!
I think the message that this show was trying to send us is that life it too short, so try to spend as much time with your loves ones and try to enjoy life because you can be alive in a second and dead in the other.
totally differenet
puneetsharma910 August 2018
Different story then usual this time story is about the USA that odd and their crime syndicate involves a boy from japan who came with journalist and finding of banana fish which is very mysterious everyone trying to mystery of it but villain never let anybody know about it.
Eiji Okumura(Boy from Japan) involve or called stuck in gang war of two group and save by Ash a gangster but have a painful history that gain sympathy from Eiji.
Eiji Try everything he can do to help his saviour but there is too much danger.
AN MUST WATCH!!
jessicascanlon-8107725 September 2020
I must admit, the title of this show made me feel an somewhat confusion as to why everyone was saying "Watch Banana Fish", but when I did I must admit it's the best show I've ever seen and had massively changed my life.
Gets boring with repeated kidnapping and being a gangster giving up and surrendering
ranamagar21 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
akimi yoshida
fatememohmdzde14 June 2021
It had a strong start and It was able to attract the viewer i think,but after like 12 episodes we watched the anime deviated from the original story & the further we went the more colorful the Mafia story became than the banana fish.
Also the end of the show disappointed me like what the hell was that!!!
Everything just went very good and meaningful But the whole anime was attacked by the old writer's nonsensical idea in the end!!
It could have been a good anime, but they didn't lead it unfortunately!
Also the end of the show disappointed me like what the hell was that!!!
Everything just went very good and meaningful But the whole anime was attacked by the old writer's nonsensical idea in the end!!
It could have been a good anime, but they didn't lead it unfortunately!
Banana fish
elloydredding21 September 2019
A fresh take on the Banana Fish manga
ljfseven-4577922 August 2018
The Banana Fish anime is an updated story taken from the previous Banana Fish manga (comic). Not only is this a fresh take on the manga, but provides a story and setting that isn't very common in anime.
The anime is set in New York and follows a gang leader (Ash) who befriends several unlikely people to solve a mystery and obtain revenge. This anime is in no way family friendly and has quite a bit of violence, drugs, sexual situations and a disturbing sexual backstory.
The anime is set in New York and follows a gang leader (Ash) who befriends several unlikely people to solve a mystery and obtain revenge. This anime is in no way family friendly and has quite a bit of violence, drugs, sexual situations and a disturbing sexual backstory.
it still hurts
charleymcfee-3544612 December 2020
great anime
x-4734826 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
-this part of my review doesn't contain any spoilers-
if you're here you're probably interested in the series anyway so just give it a watch. for me this anime is 10/10, story is very emotional, art is unique and pleasant to watch, animation is great, soundtrack is just perfect and I love how different the characters are. watch. it.
-the rest of this review contains MAJOR spoilers. seriously don't read further if you haven't watched it thanks-
I guess the thing that's mostly disliked about this anime is how repetitive it gets in the middle of the show (a peaceful moment (usually short) -> Eiji gets kidnapped -> Ash goes and sacrifices himself -> Eiji/gang/Max save Ash -> repeat) But what people don't get is how different Ash is every time this cycle continues. He gets way more scared and the last time something like this happens he panics so much that people he works with are confused. It also shows how close he gets to Eiji throughout the series. I feel like this series has a lot of deep undertones that I would love to discuss but it's supposed to be a review so I won't go into that lol. The only thing that disappointed me about this anime is the last 5-6 minutes of the ending episode. You're telling me Ash survived child trafficking, so many sexual assaults and life-threatening situations just to be killed by Lao? He wasn't suicidal so why didn't he even try to survive? Why didn't anyone in the library notice him? And Eiji goes to Japan even though he knows how unstable Ash is, even though he promised to stay with him forever.. There are rumours that Ash may have survived that so let's hope for the best.
if you're here you're probably interested in the series anyway so just give it a watch. for me this anime is 10/10, story is very emotional, art is unique and pleasant to watch, animation is great, soundtrack is just perfect and I love how different the characters are. watch. it.
-the rest of this review contains MAJOR spoilers. seriously don't read further if you haven't watched it thanks-
I guess the thing that's mostly disliked about this anime is how repetitive it gets in the middle of the show (a peaceful moment (usually short) -> Eiji gets kidnapped -> Ash goes and sacrifices himself -> Eiji/gang/Max save Ash -> repeat) But what people don't get is how different Ash is every time this cycle continues. He gets way more scared and the last time something like this happens he panics so much that people he works with are confused. It also shows how close he gets to Eiji throughout the series. I feel like this series has a lot of deep undertones that I would love to discuss but it's supposed to be a review so I won't go into that lol. The only thing that disappointed me about this anime is the last 5-6 minutes of the ending episode. You're telling me Ash survived child trafficking, so many sexual assaults and life-threatening situations just to be killed by Lao? He wasn't suicidal so why didn't he even try to survive? Why didn't anyone in the library notice him? And Eiji goes to Japan even though he knows how unstable Ash is, even though he promised to stay with him forever.. There are rumours that Ash may have survived that so let's hope for the best.
Why is no one talking about this?!
danisbelmm24 November 2020
Seriously, bless the day I decided to listen to a random internet person and watch this!!! I swear this is so underrated it makes me sad. I've watched many popular shows that aren't even half as good as this is!! Every episode is like a mini-movie packed with action and character development. Each character is interesting and three dimensional. Music and opening are amazing and well fitting!
I understand is not for everyone and it could be triggering but this seriously worth watching for older people!!!
I understand is not for everyone and it could be triggering but this seriously worth watching for older people!!!
Perfect Adaptation
conbro5114 February 2020
Banana FIsh is a manga written in the late 80's and early 90's that tackled heavy topics such as race relations, gangs, sexual abuse and LGBTQ+ relations while also help a captivating story. The 2018 adaptation not only lived up to the manga's reputation but dare I say improved it. Modernizing the story and characters truly enhances the viewers experience. The show has incredible characters, story telling and soundtrack. The characters and their relationships are displayed so well that you almost feel as if you are apart of them. Mix those relations with the incredibly diverse soundtrack, you've got yourself a masterpiece that will leave you sobbing.
My man Golzine
jeffjr-9245813 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Gets shot twice and left to die
Walks into a warzone
Dodges missiles and gunfire
Silently follows an armed, notorious mercenary
Shoots him in the head
Refuses to elaborate
Falls into an explosion
Sigma billionaire grindset.
Walks into a warzone
Dodges missiles and gunfire
Silently follows an armed, notorious mercenary
Shoots him in the head
Refuses to elaborate
Falls into an explosion
Sigma billionaire grindset.
Incredible Rollercoaster Ride
jasminn_tan10 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Hooo boy! I had no idea what to expect when I started this anime but BF brought me on a wildly emotional rollercoaster ride and I'm still not over it. BF deals with dark themes like rape and violence in general so even though there aren't graphic rape scenes, it could be triggering for some.
I didn't know that I would get so attached to Ash Lynx but I love him and I'm actually relieved that MAPPA gave us a rather ambiguous ending, instead of following true to the manga which sadly confirmed Ash's death. I can't believe how good this anime is; it's so well developed and the characters are so multifaceted that you can't help but feel for them. I love the development of Ash and Eiji's friendship and relationship and although it's not canon that they were in a romantic relationship, you can tell that they truly loved each other; their souls were inexplicably intertwined and I started crying when Eiji's letter to Ash was revealed. I especially loved when he wrote in his letter "My soul is always with you." That hit me right in the feels! I also really love the soundtrack they used in the opening and ending credits.
I didn't know that I would get so attached to Ash Lynx but I love him and I'm actually relieved that MAPPA gave us a rather ambiguous ending, instead of following true to the manga which sadly confirmed Ash's death. I can't believe how good this anime is; it's so well developed and the characters are so multifaceted that you can't help but feel for them. I love the development of Ash and Eiji's friendship and relationship and although it's not canon that they were in a romantic relationship, you can tell that they truly loved each other; their souls were inexplicably intertwined and I started crying when Eiji's letter to Ash was revealed. I especially loved when he wrote in his letter "My soul is always with you." That hit me right in the feels! I also really love the soundtrack they used in the opening and ending credits.
Started off good but then became boring
Irishchatter10 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I mean if you want to watch a gangster anime, then this is your bet! However I got really bored of the characters quickly and the storyline. I suppose when Ash was teaming up with the guys I just think nope not watching anymore. To be honest, he'd be better off working on his own to get the baddies since he is suppose to be sorta a badass. I do respect the anime but I'm not really a massive fan of it, not that I don't like gangster anime but its just my interest quickly ran out in its mid way.
Also for the kiss, Ash and Eiji would've been a good couple. Although you don't see them taking it further but same time, the kiss definately took me by surprise!
I would say this anime is ok but not as good as I would like it to be!
Also for the kiss, Ash and Eiji would've been a good couple. Although you don't see them taking it further but same time, the kiss definately took me by surprise!
I would say this anime is ok but not as good as I would like it to be!
Overrated
fajjjer16 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This anime is trying to be so deep to the point that it missed it.
First of all, there's no plot, the story goes on and on in circles and that can be proven by the number if times ash or ejie were kidnapped and saved by each other.
Second, it discusses rape and pedophilia which is a great thing but they did a terrible job doing so, they ended up downplaying it, we didn't truly see the psychological effect left behind on Ash other than violence!
Third, invincible characters get on my nerves, it's different if it was an anime with super human powers, but they were all norma except for Ash he gets shot multiple times but he keeps going like it's a scratch.
Finally, i give it 3 stars, 1.5 stars for the book references and another 1.5 stars for all the gay shit.
First of all, there's no plot, the story goes on and on in circles and that can be proven by the number if times ash or ejie were kidnapped and saved by each other.
Second, it discusses rape and pedophilia which is a great thing but they did a terrible job doing so, they ended up downplaying it, we didn't truly see the psychological effect left behind on Ash other than violence!
Third, invincible characters get on my nerves, it's different if it was an anime with super human powers, but they were all norma except for Ash he gets shot multiple times but he keeps going like it's a scratch.
Finally, i give it 3 stars, 1.5 stars for the book references and another 1.5 stars for all the gay shit.
Enthralling Action Anime
aveadone24 August 2019
Don't be fooled by its low popularity. It's the most underrated anime of all time.
It's characters are effortlessly lovable, with an action packed plot every episode.
The show deals with many dark and heavy topics, but is also heartwarming and funny at times.
Anyone who watches it to the full will be touched by the relationships, plots, and overarching message. This anime is very close to my heart, no matter what.
See also
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