World Famous Comics: Banana Fish, Volume 1 (Banana Fish (Graphic Novels))
Banana Fish, Volume 1 (Banana Fish (Graphic Novels))
From: VIZ Media LLC Publisher: VIZ Media LLC Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: VIZ Media LLC Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 200 Publication Date: March 31, 2004
Product Description: New York City, 1985. A dying man leaves gay gang leader Ash Lynx a strange drug, the key to something called "Banana Fish." The mysterious potion will lead Ash to a disturbed Vietnam vet who remembers a massacre - and into brutal battle with the mafia over control of the drug.
Must-Read Series On the back page of the cover Viz has the following statement " Epic in scope, and one of the best-selling shojo titles of all time in Japan, Akimi Yoshida put an electric shock into the genre and gained a huge crossover audience through Banana Fish's stripped-down, non-stop style." And boy were they right. Over twenty volumes in length this is an extremely addictive rollacoaster ride. Intense, gritty, violent, action-packed, and suspenseful. This is a manga aimed at older teenagers and adults due to its complex storyline and topics. The term shojo is misused in this book's context, as this is a manga that crosses the border between shojo and shonen and will appeal to guys & girls.
The story is fast-paced and is multi-stranded. Akimi expertly introduces many characters and weaves them in a complex (but never confusing) story. It is 1985 New York - While NYPD is investigating a series of mysterious suicides they escort two Japanese photographers (Eiji and Ibe), who are completing a story about young gangs, to the den of Ash Lynx. Ash is one of the main gang leaders in New York who, due to his looks, brains, and charasmatic personality, is respected and feared. He in turn is under a larger crime syndicate, controlled by Dino Glozine - a mafia like don. When Ash and Dino fall out over a drug sample that falls into Ash's hands, Ash begins an investigation into the name Banana Fish - a term that his sick brother keeps repeating. At the same time one of Ash's gang members tries to take over the gang in a violent raid and Eiji and Ibe find themselves split up and caught up in the following power-struggle.
Many have mentioned that it is a shonen-ai and although it does have an underlying current, this is actually a story of friendship. Imagine the bond of friendship shown in the Shawshank Redemption - this is like that, a self sacrificing and close relationship between Ash and Eiji that grows gradually through the volumes. They form an emotional bond that makes their platonic relationship more close and real than most represented in shonen-ai titles. Akimi also inserts small comic moments to lighten the mood so the story does not get too dark. The drawing style is basic, but the storyline makes up for it. However action sequences are expertly drawn so it almost feels like you are watching a movie. I have read many Manga, but have not been so hooked since I read the Angel Sanctuary series. The closest title I can compare it to is Let Dai, but longer, more complex, more action packed, and a nicer main character. Really recommend as this is one title that stands above the rest.
Banana Fish, Vol. 1 I thought that this was a very well written book. The story was very easy to follow and you can get a feel for what the charecters are going through. The nonstop action and all the twists and turns really got you thinking!
Banana Fish, ridiculous key word for mistery, violence and love Ash Links, the hero of this story, is a "poorest" guy who has everything such as money, beauty, power, skill and inteligence. He is respected by everybody but did not have a friend who shares his saddness. The drama starts with a key of mistery and and goes to the end without stop. Whole story is filled with violence and conspiracy at the dark side of Manhattan, but it's a grace story which express a warmful heart of a sensitive innocent boy. I have read more than 20 times, and could not end without tears every time.
Among 1000s of Manga in Japan, some titles have great stories that can not be fond on even highly applauded novels, and can be understood by real adult. This is obviously one of such segment.
One thing to my regrett, US version of Banan Fish has two series. Prior one (that I have) terminated at Vol.7 which is almost the half of whole story. Beware to get continuing series by cheking the design of cover.
Jinsei
Top favorite manga!!! I've been collecting manga since before they ever hit the American shores. As such, I've read a great many crap load of manga. And, yeah, this one's old, but you know, so is Akira and that one kicks ass too! Do not, I repeat, do not look this manga over simply because of the old school style drawings. The story more than makes up for it, and yes, the drawing style does grow on you. Ah! I can not even begin to tell you how great the story is! It's filled with plot twists and all that good stuff! You know, the stuff that makes stories worth being told. Go out and get this gem now! You'll be hooked by the second volume!
Basically, it tells the story of Ash Lynx (not his real name) who is a freakishly smart and very dangerous street punk. He's got what it takes to become so much more though, so he's adopted and raised by Papa Dino (who also uses him as his personal sex toy, the perv!). Ash isn't about to just take it though, and fights back. One night, he comes accross this stranger dieing in an alley way who gives him a vile of some powder and says "Banana Fish." Ash nearly freaks out because unbeknoweth to all, he has secretly been taking care of his brother who was a mental casuallty of the Vietnam war. And the only words that his brother has ever mentioned since his return are "Banana Fish." Now Ash is hot on the trail of figuring out what the hell "Banana Fish" actually is. He'll just have to go up against a mafia boss, his own father, the US police, and travel several states accross and who knows what else just to figure it out. Some of his friends are killed as he's escaping and he swears revenge against their killers. Up for the ride is his brother's vietnam buddy (who is the guy that shot him up after he went mental and killed everyone in their platoon) who is now a reporter; a Japanese photographer's assistant (aka, a cute kid who is slowly growing sweet on him); his Chinese buddy from another rival gang; and others. Every last one of the characters has a back story and thoughts and feelings. You grow to care for them all! So, stop reading this and go get this manga now!! You'll love it!
Don't let the title fool you ! Ok well, not only is the book not about a banana and a fish as one might expect, I hardly found the book's outside to depict the inside at all ! Yes it's called a shoujo , however I found it to read more like a shonen.. and although there is a few suggestive things within the first volume (just of a backround history of the main charecter being his boss's play thing) nothing is shown , not even a kiss, so don't worry yourself if the label shoujo is keeping you from reading this well written manga ^-^
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
