Banana Fish, Vol. 4

BANANA FISH #4

by Akimi Yoshida

Nature made Ash beautiful; Nurture made him a killer!

VICE NEW YORK IN THE 80s...

Nature made Ash Lynx beautiful; nurture made him a cold ruthless killer. A runaway brought up as the adopted heir and sex toy of “Papa” Dino Golzine, Ash, now at the rebellious age of seventeen, forsakes the kingdom held out by the devil who raised him. But the hideous secret that drove Ash's older brother mad in Vietnam has suddenly fallen into Papa's insatiably ambitious hands--and it's exactly the wrong time for Eiji Okamura, a pure-hearted young photographer from Japan, to make Ash Lynx's acquaintance... 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.

After a failed attempt to kill Golzine, Ash is on the lam with his Shorter, a Chinese gang-member; Eiji, a Japanese reporter who is developing feelings for Ash; Eiji's boss Ibé; and Max Lobo, a journalist and Griffin's former army buddy. Ash heads for his childhood home in Cape Cod and a tragic meeting with his real father. Meanwhile, the group learns that Griffin knew his killer--one Abraham Dawson--back in Vietnam. Could Dawson hold the secret of Banana Fish ?

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, LGBT, Comics, Crime, Queer, Fiction

188 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 1987

About the author

Akimi Yoshida (Japanese: 吉田秋生, Yoshida Akimi) is a Japanese cartoonist from Tokyo, best known for her manga series Banana Fish.
Yoshida studied at the Musashino Art University in Tokyo and made her professional debut in 1977. Despite serialising her works in shōjo manga (girls' comics) magazines, most notably in 'Bessatsu Shōjo Comic' and 'Monthly Flowers', during the 80's she developed a visual style akin to the aesthetics of shōnen manga (boy's comics) of that era, contributing significantly to creating a bridge between these two traditions. This is particularly evident in her international best-seller Banana Fish (1985-1994), a thriller set in New York City blending action and homoerotic romance. Among her other major works are the series Yasha (1996-2002) and Umimachi Diary (2006-2018).
Yoshida's comics have received a number of accolades in Japan, including three Shogakukan Manga Awards (1983 and 2001 in the category 'shojo', 2015 in the general category), an Excellence Award for manga at the Japan Media Arts Festival (2007) and the 6th Manga Taishō award (2013).

Reviews

[Lauren Lanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I refuse to believe Eiji is going back to Japan…. also praying that Shorter doesn’t get blackmailed to betray Ash. This volume was stressful as hell 😭

[Zoyaaa ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

MR. LOVER MANNN AND I MISS MY LOVER!!!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe that Banana Fish is revolutionary in manga history regarding LGBT themes. Ash and Eiji definitely have a romantic relationship, but it's done so subtly and so beautifully - sex isn't needed to show their love.

[Zainab · Rating 4 out of 5]

going feral. going nuts. going insane. clenching my hair in hands. knuckles turning white. SCREAMIIINNNGGG!!!!

[jasper ✮ (ACTUALLY GERARD WAY NOT CLICKBAIT) · Rating 4 out of 5]

missed my baby eiji ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[kay! ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

forever thinking about how from an early age ash had to be hyper vigilant to protect himself. thinking about how ash hates it when people sneak up behind him. thinking about how ash feels comfortable and safe enough around eiji that he doesn’t even flinch or react when eiji approaches him from behind. yeah. i think about that a lot.

[Sarah ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fine, I didn't want a heart anyways...

Listen I will fight anyone who tries to hurt Max, Shorter, Ash, Eiji, and Ibe okay! I am for once in my life attached to ALL the main characters and dear god if any of them die I will RIOT.

This was def better than #3, it delved more into the background and morals of the characters which I loved.

[Alex Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, estuvo potente y muy emocional. Me encantó. Mi favorito hasta ahorita.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Não sei se é porque eu fiquei bastante tempo sem ler Banana Fish por perder exatamente essa edição ou qual outro motivo, mas achei que aquilo que me fazia vibrar com esse mangá se perdeu na primeira parte deste volume. Já no segundo, temos a preparação e o estopim de uma guerra de gangues de Nova York que é bastante eletrizante. A relação entre Ash e Eiri parece ir e vir, e o leitor nunca fica realmente sabendo se o que sentem um pelo outro é apenas uma super mega forte amizade ou se é um amor com uma super mega forte atração. A autora parece colocar pistas aqui e ali, mas a confirmação parece nunca vir. Ou será que virá? Esse quadrinho para em um momento gritante para a guerra de gangues de Nova York e dá vontade de sair correndo para o outro volume. Mas eu vou dar um tempinho e depois retorno à carga. A shippagem é forte em você, Luke! =)

[Léa · Rating 4 out of 5]

MES PETITS COEURS

[Ri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing Ash fumbling with DOS is what reminded me that this was first published in the 80s. It's incredible how ahead of the times this manga was, really. The relationship between Eiji and Ash is by far one of the most human, real things I've read about in a while (if not ever) and even today it's deemed controversial by some. As something that "spoils" all the otherwise great action and heavy plot instead of making it all the more complicated, intense and, in the end, heartbreaking.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how they all stay the night in a complete stranger's house and no one bats an eye about it lmao

Anyway, this was so sad. Everything's getting more and more messed up and I feel bad for Ash and Shorter who happen to be in the middle of it all.

[Angela R. Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

- the HUMOR IS GOLDEN
- Eiji and Ash are even better in the manga
- the OLD BASTARDS are BLESSED
- Shorter is 11/10
- the manga is fast paced but like... comforting more so than the anime that made me scream

[Dani (ダニ ¦ 다니) · Rating 5 out of 5]

No.

[Mawdz :] · Rating 5 out of 5]

eiji :/

[Reg 🦇 · Rating 4 out of 5]

this volume was so stressful omgggg !!!
eiji :((( shorter :(((

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars. Was my heart ripped to shreds? Yes, but it will only get worse. This is like digging into the surface we still have to reach the depths if ya know what I mean. We discover a lot about Ash in this volume. We get development on what Banana Fish really is. And we meet new characters. New dangers are certainly on the horizon. Overall it was a solid volume.

Again, this manga discusses serious topics. And there is mention of rape in this particular volume.

Ash’s backstory absolutely ripped my heart out of my chest. It’s so upsetting he experienced something so terrible when he was just seven. He was just an innocent boy it’s so heartbreaking. Especially when you know Ash’s dad went to the police and even then they didn’t believe what that man had done to him, just because he was a boy. I don’t even want to think about how genuinely distraught Ash must’ve been to have found no help in people who were supposed to help him. They even had the audacity to blame Ash for what the man did. It also upsets me that he had to kill at age eight, he was so little.

But Eiji makes a point, he is still strong, of course he struggles to open up and trust people, but he was never broken down.

Sadly Jennifer is killed by Golzine’s men and Ash’s Father is seriously injured. But he protects Ash, gets rid of his fingerprints and tells him to leave before the police arrive.

Now there was a complete shift in tone.

That one scene where Ash and Shorter are stealing chickens for dinner was funny, they’re so prepared. I loved meeting Max’s ex wife Jessica, she’s such a bad bitch. I love her. Max and her still act like an old married couple at dinner while everyone else just watches silently. Ibe and Ash both scolding Max was highlight worthy content.

Ash and the others go in search of Professor Dawson. They arrive in time for Dawson’s son as he’s being kidnapped. Ash and the others save him, he claims to be Dawson’s adoptive son. Ash tries to get into the his computer with the password Yau-si, the professor’s son’s name.

When Yau-si walks up to Ash as he’s trying the password, Ash startles and immediately turns to him. But when Eiji does the same thing, Ash doesn’t even flinch. This is one of those little ways that show how Ash trusts Eiji unlike others around him. I found it to be a really subtle but powerful example of their shared familiarity and trust. Something Ash doesn’t really share with anyone except Eiji.

Ash finds out that Banana Fish isn’t a person, it’s a drug.

Shorter is visited by “Yau-si’s” Brother. Who is really just Yut Lung the guy Golzine sent out to hunt Ash down. Yut Lung’s Brother tells Shorter to betray Ash and act like there is no deception going on. He has to follow Yut Lung’s orders now.

Ibe wants Eiji to leave with him to Japan as soon as possible, but knowing Eiji he is sure it’ll be difficult to convince him to go willingly. Ash overheard him and Max, telling them he’ll talk to him. His plan is essentially to break his heart lol, he’s straight up going to tell Eiji that he will only be in the way. But we all know he’s tryna get Eiji out of there before things get too violent. He really just wants to keep him as far away as possible, to prevent him being hurt because of his involvement with Ash. Ash appreciates that Eiji helped him out without asking for anything in return, he thinks Eiji deserves to live without having to carry a gun to survive like he does. This is all to say, my heart broke. But nothing hurts more than seeing my baby Eiji cry... that’s a lie, many things about this manga hurt, but seeing Eiji or Ash cry is definitely on the top 3.

So Yut Lung catches on to the fact that all of them are like, trying to protect Eiji at all costs which is straight facts. He notices that even Ash lets his guard down only for him. He finds this as a point of weakness for Ash, and decides to use this against him. He asks Shorter to kidnap and take Eiji away. Yut Lung knows that Ash will save Eiji no matter what, based on what he’s seen. He sees this as the perfect way to lead Ash into a trap.

At the end of the volume, Jessica and her son are in danger. I’m both looking forward and dreading the next volume because I think I know what’s going to happen... I’m not ready to cry.

[Francisca Ojeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cambiaron el sentido de lectura AHHHHHH. Bueno al menos ahora se lee de la forma original JSJSJSJSJ

🚨TW: menciones indirectas de abuso sexu@l

🐉 Escala de dolor: 8.5/10
🐉Razón del dolor: VARIAS
-Una de las cosas más tristes de banana fish no es el final, si no la vida de algunos de los personajes, historias que se sienten tan reales que te destrozan de a poquito. Ash tenía 7 años cuando pasó por primera vez. 7 PINCHES AÑOS WEY 😭 y su padre fue un inútil que no lo apoyó. ¿Como apoyas a tu hijo en una situación así?
-También me dio pena la situación de Eiji. Ash y Ibé quieren devolverlo a Japón para garantizar su seguridad, pero si lo hacen simplemente lo van a hacer sentir inútil. 🥺
-Why does this have to be so saaaaaad???😩
🐉Información nueva: creo que Yut Lung no tiene el tatuaje de la familia Lee, o al menos no lo alcancé a ver. (UPDATE: ok no tiene el tatuaje, es un brazalete)
Also se nota mucho que es una diferente época, los 80 creo.
🐉Momento favorito: Ash en la computadora, cuando llegan por detrás Yut Lung y luego Eiji. Es sutil, pero esta escena muestra la confianza que le tiene a Eiji 🥺 (Lamentablemente también le deja saber a Yut Lung cual es la debilidad de Ash)
🐉Comentario: Al fin apareció Yut Lung YIIIIII. Lo malo es que cuando ví el anime no me di cuenta de que tenía 16 y ahora que estoy leyendo el manga DUELE PORQUE TAMBIÉN ES MUY JOVEN PARA TODA MIERDA QUE LE HA TOCADO VIVIR 😭 Creo que este ha sido mi volumen favorito hasta el momento. Tengo miedo porque ya se lo que se viene 😪

[Mikael Kuoppala · Rating 4 out of 5]

In volume 3 ”Banana Fish” turned into a welcomed direction as the character-driven tale introduced us to Ash’s father. Volume four begins at our protagonist’s childhood home and further illuminates his past through the troubled relationship with his dad. Soon the direction of the volume changes, however, and we are on the road again.

Volume 4 is more about the group dynamics of our posse of characters chasing the mystery of the drug called “Banana Fish”. As they get closer to solving the mystery of the compound their interaction takes the front row. Ultimately, seeds for some Machiavellian plotting are sown, promising dramatic plot twists and ambiguous questions of loyalty. Solid plotting, great pacing, deepening characters. This is going well.

[Aleja Uribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las cosas se van poniendo cada vez más interesantes. Todo se está poniendo en contra de Ash y sus amigos.

[Pao ✰ ☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4'75🌟

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hacking montage!

[Lily]

OH EIJIIII

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shorter better stay loyal to Ash or I’m going to sob.

4 stars just because I wasn’t as entertained on this volume but I really still enjoyed it.

[maggie 𖦹 · Rating 5 out of 5]

yut lung my king 😛😛

[Gavs · Rating 2 out of 5]

me pareció bastante flojo este tomo :)

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

SNIFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

We learn through Ash’s father about the young gangster past, and it is not pretty. It doesn’t take long before Dino’s men find and attack Ash and his friends. The group escape and are on their way to Los Angeles. They do a small detour and visit Max’s ex wife and kid (not a so great idea.)

Anyway, the gang go investigate the address that the dead man gives to Ash in the first book. The house belong to Dr.Dawson, brother of the Andrew Dawson (who work for Dino), and have “disappear” six month ago. They meet his adoptive son, the enigmatic Yau-si and also discover that Banana Fish is a drug (which we knew for quite a while…). Shorter get caught in some Chinese gang trouble by the Lee, a powerful family that have allies themselves with Papa Dino.

Sunichi wants to send Eiji back to Japan since things are starting to be way too dangerous. Ash wants to protect him and decide to tell him he’s in the way (Ouch….) Poor Eiji feel pretty useless and unwanted.

There is a lot of news plots opening and new characters. I feel thing won’t be easy since the enemies now know about Ash weakness, aka Eiji. The book also ends with a cliffhanger and I fear the worst for some characters in futures books.

[Isi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the manga, it was entertaining, and it left me in shock in several parts. I'm really liking this saga

omg i hate Ash dad, what he did to Ash as a child, i will never forgive him.

OMFG THEY SHOOT JENNIFER AND ASH DAD, NOO JENNIFER DIDNT DESERVE THAT. I feel bad about ash dad dying, but not for him, for Ash :(. Ik he sacrificed himself but i still dont like him

omg they killed chickens, i-

they get to L.A and see Max's son, and then his ex-wife comes out and pulls a shotgun on him, what? i was shocked. Turns out she thought Max wanted to steal the kid. They go to dinner, and poor kid, all his parents do is fight.

Ash calls Jessica an old lady lmao. i dont really like her. They go to a doctor's house, they find his son but they are attacked by Dino's men. Inside the house they look for information, they find a computer and search about banana fish.

There is a moment in the previous scene where Ash is startled when the boy enters, but when Eiji enters he doesn't even flinch <3333, i love them

Shorter talks to a guy, and it looks like he wants to warn him about something/someone.

Ash and Griffin fight about the banana fish information, Ash wants to use it against Dino, but Griffin won't let him.

omg the guy told Shorter to spy for him. Shorter interrogates the doctor's son, and it turns out he was lying, that he is Yut Lung, OMFG.

Ash tells Eiji that he's in the way and to go back to Japan (not because he wants to, but to protect him <3). Poor both of them, Eiji thinks what Ash tells him is true, he thinks he's in their way; and Ash, he feels bad for having said that to Eiji 😭😭😭😭

OMFG YUT LUNG TELLS SHORTER THAT HE SHOULD KIDNAP EIJI, BECAUSE HE IS ASH'S ONLY WEAK POINT, AGH I HATE HIM. Poor Shorter, he doesn't want to do this, but if he doesn't they will hurt his sister.

Dino's men arrive at Jessica's house, holyshit.

[Lily Violet ⭐ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might not be as action packed as someone would hope for in a gang-based story and it is full of long conversations between characters, often found to be pondering and in dazes of never ending trails of thought or deep in heated disputes - but the topics of every word spoken was deep and burden bearing. Finding out more of Ash's childhood and the contrast between him and Eiji.

"The two of us live in different worlds."

Ash looks at Eiji and sees the life he wish he had. Also, setting us up for a great next chapter, with a very open and loud person, Shorter, now under the control of the cunning and calculating minds of Chinese superiority, has now set out new problems for Ash as it will become increasingly difficult to avoid Golzine.

The way Yut Lung, introduced this chapter, already shows signs of his past and the way he was treated is actually so disheartening and disgusting. He's more like Ash than he'd like to imagine, but he could never let his guard down for anyone, as Ash has the capability to do so for Eiji.