Banana Fish
Oshimeter
Synopsis
At only 17, Ash Lynx runs a New York City gang with the face of a model and the sharpshooting skills of a trained killer, because the mafia boss who raised him made sure of both. When his older brother comes back from war barely able to speak, only mumbling the words "banana fish," Ash starts pulling at a thread that connects to something way bigger than street-level crime. Then a dying man hands him a mysterious substance and an address, and suddenly every powerful person in the city wants him dead or captured. Into this mess walks Eiji Okumura, a quiet Japanese photographer's assistant who has no business being anywhere near Ash's world. Their friendship becomes the emotional core of the whole show, and it hits harder than you'd expect from a 24-episode TV series about gangs and conspiracies. MAPPA animated this with a gritty, grounded style that makes New York feel real and dangerous. The tone shifts between tense action sequences and genuinely tender moments without it ever feeling jarring. If you liked the crime drama atmosphere of 91 Days or the bond between the leads in No. 6, this is in that same lane but with higher stakes and sharper edges. Fair warning though, it's a shoujo demographic series that deals with some really heavy subject matter. The emotional weight sneaks up on you and doesn't let go.
Episode Guide
Characters
Aslan Jade Callenreese
Snarky, reckless 17-year-old gang leader with a pumpkin phobia and killer mornings.
Uchida Yuuma
Eiji Okumura
Eiji Okumura: A former Japanese athlete, now a photographer's assistant.
Nojima Kenji
Community Feed
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UP: Domestic Ash and Eiji scenes are PURE. Ash calling Eiji a "good wife" and Eiji doting on him is soft. Blanca's conversation with Ash adds depth. DOWN: Eiji getting shot is TERRIFYING. Ash having to leave him again is heartbreaking but the writing is tight. 🏹
This finale is pure emotional torture. The whole thing feels like sucker-punch after sucker-punch. All we want is for our boy to catch a break -- many (many) tears were shed :(
This finale is pure, unadulterated emotional cruelty. The contrast between Eiji’s letter saying his soul is always with you against the reality of watching Ash bleeding out over the pages in that quiet library completely pulls the rug out. I am completely hollow.
The debut episode of “Banana Fish” is intense and visually engaging. It quickly tells a serious tone and show complex characters. This episode gives a sense of mystery that lingers, which making it hard not to want to continue right after.
Soft, tragic graphics emphasise the mood. Ash reading Eiji’s letter at the library is the peak moment. i feels eternally scarred in my heart, full of suspense, but a great final episode to enjoy.
Chaotic battle graphics feel explosive. Golzine’s fiery final end is the peak moment. I feel a grim sense of dark justice from this episode.
Bloody warehouse graphics are visceral. Foxx betraying Dino is the peak moment. i feels the chaos spiraling out of control.
Gritty street graphics show gang life. The gangs finally uniting under Ash is the peak moment. i feels a spark of hope.
Desperate dark graphics show Ash’s mood. Ash surrendering his freedom for Eiji is the peak moment. i feels his ultimate sacrifice.
Museum graphics are hauntingly quiet. Eiji being shot in the ambush is the peak moment. i feels complete and utter shock.
Warm apartment graphics feel cosy. Ash and Eiji’s "soul" conversation is the peak moment. i feels their pure, rare love.
Sharp assassin graphics show Blanca’s skill. Blanca’s formal introduction is the peak moment. i feels the sheer power gap.
Kinetic escape graphics are fast-paced. Ash’s high-IQ breakout is the peak moment. i feels like cheering for his brilliance.
Sterile facility graphics are eerie. Finding Ash’s "body" on the table is the peak moment. i feels my heart literally stopping.
Bleak hospital graphics feel empty. Eiji, hearing the fake news of Ash’s death, is the peak moment. i feels pure panic.
Epic bridge graphics highlight the scale. The final duel with Arthur is the peak moment. i feels the relief of one rivalry ending.
Intense sewer graphics feel damp. Ash cauterizing his own wound is the peak moment. i feels how tough he’s had to become.
Elegant Yut-Lung graphics are sharp. Ash’s mental breakdown is the peak moment. i feels his unbearable pain and guilt.
Horrific, shadowy graphics create fear. Ash being forced to kill Shorter is the peak moment. I feel absolutely, utterly destroyed.
Detailed library graphics look polished. Discovering the drug’s horrific truth is the peak moment. I feel chilled by the power play.
Banana Fish
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