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.
Ash is held captive and interrogated by the brutal Colonel Foxx who does everything in his power to get information on Golzine's "ace in the hole" against the U.S. government. But a caged animal can be held only so long before it bites back. Chaos erupts and Eiji's life hangs in the balance while Ash's key players are captured and brought to Mannerheim's dreaded complex.
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).
Tình cảm của Ash khổ quá, nặng nề quá chừng. Cái giây phút con người ta nhận ra vì một người mà yếu đuối đến bất lực, nước mắt chảy tràn và chỉ biết cầu xin Chúa, là một sự tàn nhẫn vô cùng.
Wow, things are really freight-training to the end. Some unexpected (although I really should have some of it coming) events occur, rather shocking considering all the narrow escapes that have happened throughout the series up to this point. This series does have a tendency to create internal problems for itself. When you create a character (like Ash) who is unbeatable (or at least all-but-unbeatable), who you compare to a god, a demon, a devil (depending on your perspective) - how do you create any kind of dramatic tension. The character is clearly smarter than everyone else, he's faster, and has more stamina and endurance. He's not stronger than any other person like himself, but his other attributes still make him unconquerable. So, do we ever really think Ash is going to fail? No, not really. But hopefully the character is charismatic enough, interesting enough and compelling enough that the other stuff doesn't matter. Well, the finish line is in sight and I can't guess if this is going to come out good or bad at this point. It's certainly looking bad at the end of this volume, but there's Ash involved. So if anyone can pull it around and save the day, it's Ash Lynx.
4.5/5 stars. Hi, I’m sad. That’s all. It was the recurring emotion while reading this volume. Just... sadness.
On a happier and slightly more uplifting note: LOOK HOW AMAZING MAH BOI EIJI LOOKS IN THAT COVER, he is SERVING.
Major TW for mentions of rape in this volume.
Eiji, Jessica, and Sing have found Ash, Max and others who got caught by the enemy.
Foxx wants to partner with Ash to take Golzine down and he knows that Golzine has a secret he just doesn’t know what it is. It’s Banana Fish y’all.
NOPE! That’s is not allowed, Foxx. Get yo damn hands off. Nasty, crusty, trashy man.
“My mind and my spirit are mine.”
You tell ‘em Ash.
The face Eiji and Sing made when Ash scolded them, protect them.
It takes a year off my life every time Ash flinches when people put their hands on his shoulder. Even when it’s people he trusts. My emotions are suing.
The fact that Eiji just knew that Ash had been through it and hugged him. Neither of them had to even say a word. Eiji just knew. Don’t try me, I will cry where I stand.
Lao can sit down and just play nice for once. He’s acting like he knows the whole story. Sir, you do not.
Sing has some sense. He knows that Ash is a great leader. And he knows they all have to work together to take down Golzine and Yut-Lung.
Speaking of, Yut-Lung the snake is back and snakier than ever.
Yut-Lung wants Lao to kill Eiji but he refuses. He explains he doesn’t have beef with Eiji. But he mentions he has beef with Ash, which is the biggest mistake of his life.
Yut-Lung explains that Lao could basically never take down Ash. Sir, don’t test him.
Yut-Lung knows that Ash lets down his defenses around Eiji. He explains that that is the best time to get him. It would actually benefit them to have Ash and Eiji together. I hate all of you and I hope you choke.
Quick intermission note but Blanca does not want anyone to kill Eiji... he once told Ash he couldn’t promise Eiji’s safety but he is doing what he can to save him. Thank you for the attempt, Blanca.
Ash is talking to Eiji and he wants him to get protection under Newsweek. He doesn’t want Eiji to argue and he doesn’t. Eiji knows going away to let Ash end this situation is best. Especially because he doesn’t want to get in Ash’s way.
“If I can change places with you, Ash. I would do it.”
I’m sad now... and I’m about to get sadder.
“You are always in the most danger. I want you to be safe. I don’t want you to fight anymore. I wish you never held a gun again.”
I’m already sadder, but I’ll still get even sadder.
“I always wanted to live a better life than this. A more normal life.”
I’m incredibly sad. Ash you deserve all the good things.
“You can Ash! You still can! It isn’t to late. Come to Japan with me. You can do anything you want, Ash.”
I’m impossibly sad.
“I’m bad news, Eiji. Doesn’t matter where I go... you’ll get caught up in it.”
I’ve exceeded sadness.
“You think I will wish you are not with me? Because you are bad news? I’m telling you, that will never happen- and you should know that better than anybody. I don’t want to lose you! For you, I would do anything, Ash!”
My sadness has entered the stratosphere and surpassed a whole other dimension of pain.
“Then maybe you can start out by teaching me Japanese.”
I’m emo. And I want to cry.
They took out the Sayonara part from the anime. Thank god because that part absolutely bROKE ME.
The way Eiji pushed Ash out of range of the gun. Love, that shot was meant for you :( be careful.
Eiji opening his eyes to look at Ash just to make sure he was alright. I’m... words cannot describe. Only :(
“Ash? Are you okay? Good.”
The fact that Ash was so desperate he was willing to go to the hospital even though he knew he shouldn’t.
Now it’s Eiji’s shot at 50/50 live or die, I’m-
Eiji got shot and nearly died, and his concern every time he opens his eyes is to ask if Ash is okay. I have no words.
Chill Blanca.
“Well, Eiji doesn’t exist in order to make you feel better. You selfish son of a bitch.”
Ouch.
“I wish I’d never taken over this gang. I swear to God.”
Seeing Sing cry hurt my soul a certain way. Not Sing breaking down :(
Lao saying that he and Ash don’t get along is the biggest joke. Sir, YOU don't get along with him and he couldn’t care less. He has bigger problems than your opinion.
“Stop being so goddamn hard on yourself! You’re a good friend and a great boss, Ash.”
Thank you Cain for that, we all appreciate it.
“Eiji, I wish I could be there with you. I’m sorry. I let them hurt you. I let you get hurt. Oh, God. Just please don’t die. Please, Eiji. Don’t let him die, God. Take me instead.”
Ash, dear, it’s great that you’re worried about Eiji and all, and I will cry so don’t say that again, but I think God heard that wish a little too clearly. We meant let them both live. Please and thanks.
Yes, Yut-Lung you have every right to be filled with hate. Doesn’t mean you have to take it out on an innocent guy named Eiji or on Ash. Take it out on Golzine or someone who deserves it.
“And now only he gets to find redemption?”
Uh, if you’d stop trying to kill innocent Eiji I’d gladly accept your redemption arc, Sir. In the meantime, stop being an ass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
so eiji’s going to get better and then he and ash will reunite and they’re going to buy three tickets to japan and teach ash japanese and live happily ever after, right? right?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I feel like people severely underestimate Ash because they only see him and his pain on a surface level. They don't see that he's highly resilient- he'll do whatever it takes to leave his past and not let it control him. They think that just because he was Golzine's pet that he'd be easy to break and subjugate but that's not true. If anything his spite, hatred, and sheer force of will are enough for him to overcome everything they throw at him. Like he said you can take his body and control him physically but you can't take away his mind and soul - it's forever his. No matter what you do to him, he'll still get the upper hand. He has no plans to die but he's not afraid of death. Because probably to live for him is already a fucking nightmare and these moments of peace are just a respite from his current hellscape. Death would be a gift for someone who was put into a world where everyone wanted to take something from him, make him into something he's not, and no one cares about him at all - aside from Eiji who sees who he is in these small quiet moments of peace. Eiji sees him as a person, not as a provider or giver of anything they might want from him. Eiji is just different and Ash has had a metaphorical taste of what it feels like to be normal and to be cared about and cared for and he would probably fight tooth and nail to keep that around- to keep Eiji around. Eiji makes him human and inspires him to be someone better than the world he was built up in and groomed for. It's the hugging for me. It's Eiji being the only one who can get close to Ash for me. It's Eiji being the literal only person Ash feels safe with for me. Subconsciously and sometimes consciously Ash is aware that the only time he feels truly safe is with Eiji and having Eiji close or knowing where he is.
I knew it. Lao was the snake. Punk ass bitch, but thank god he still has a semblance of guilt. Yut Lung wants to kill Eiji so that Ash can go back to Golzine and grow to be this Prince of Darkness that he's destined to be. So that Yut Lung can destroy him later on when they're both on equal footing unlike now. That's so fucking dumb, to be honest. Why are you forcing Ash's hand when he clearly doesn't want anything to do with that life. You could easily take Golzine and Union Corse but you choose to wait until Ash becomes the leader? Why bother playing the long game when you can just kill off the weak and dumb Golzine and leave Ash alone? Everyone wants to see bloodshed for no other reason than seeing bloodshed. Everyone wants to dominate those who are weak and for what? recognition? for pride? Lame.
"I don't want you to fight anymore... I wish you never hold a gun again!" Oh, Eiji baby this is a dead-end of a conversation. WAIT-Why does Blanca not want Yut Lung to kill Eiji !??!?!?!! "I don't want to lose you! For you, I would do, anything, Ash!" my fucking heart!!!! OH MY GOD EIJI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not crying no I'm not...fuck my heart!!!
I don't think Ash is getting redemption, at least Eiji isn't his redemption. The only person who can give you redemption and the only person who can accept what happened to them and building something out of the nothing they were given is themselves. Yut Lung has power, money, influence, and the trust of his people. Ash has one of those things. By hyper fixating on Eiji and ruining Ash, Yut Lung isn't doing himself any favors of redemption and growth as a person. He's mainly acting out of hatred and spite and clearly, he's not using it right.
A veces creo que cada volumen de esta historia es una prueba para saber qué tanto dolor puede soportar tu corazón. Siempre se puede poner peor y tu corazón va a soportarlo. Porque la trama de la historia te atrapa y quieres saber cómo terminará. Es decir, ya sabes que no puede terminar bien pero aún así continuas. Es como la vida misma. Aunque se ponga terrible, no hay más remedio que seguir adelante. Esta es una historia brillante a pesar de la tragedia o precisamente por ella. Voy a llorar mil años, adiós.
"My hands are dirty with other people's blood. I don't even know how many people I've killed, Eiji. More than I could count."
Ain't that the truth? Even after learning about his tormented childhood, one of the hardest parts of Ash being this story's hero (or anti-hero) is the body count and the question of whether he can be redeemed. How does Eiji overlook it all? Young love, I guess. Ash obviously sees something in Eiji that he never was and never had the chance to be, something he wants to protect. And Eiji wants to save Ash. Hope they get their happy ending!
having Sing as my favourite character in this saga is both thrilling and miserable but I think that goes for every character lol. while I recognize the series has some period typical homophobia (the manga being written in the late 80s and all) I still think the main theme is the cruelty of powerful men who don't spare neither women nor boys they seem 'inferior'. the story often draws comparisons between the women r4ped (Jessica, Yut Lung's mother) and Ash's r4pe so I feel like more out of homophobia the writer is motivated by her hatred of men
Este es uno de mis volúmenes favoritos de la serie
Este volumen tiene mucha acción, me hizo llorar al menos dos o tres veces, conocemos el lado frágil de Yut Lung, sus motivaciones y empezamos a ver otro lado de Blanca. Pero lo mejor es cada interacción de Ash y Eijji, la conexión espiritual entre ambos se hace más profunda y dolorosa.
Okay. This volume tries to get at what is causing the animosity between the two factions. It seems that this is going to be a smaller story. I wonder what it will do with some of the loose ends that this creates?
I do admit that the smaller focus brings up some interesting questions. I do look forward to the wrap up.
(THIS REVIEW IS ORIGINALLY FROM STORYGRAPH, FROM 23RD MAY 2025.)
I think a recurring motif that has definitely become the heart of the overarching story is tenderness. In this realistic but harsh depiction of the world, the moments when there is quiet, and Ash and Eiji can be normal people, can be heartbreaking. It really puts you in a state.
While Ash recovers, with Eiji in tow. They had some good times together. It was then two punks from Sing’s outfit burst into their room, busting caps on their asses. Eiji was shot much to Ash’s consternation. He in turn shot them in cold blood. Eiji got sent to hospital.
3.80 - Good It's funny how Foxx has less worth than a monkey. I feel bad for all the people Foxx has had relationships with. When Ash was quivering that was the first time I've seen Eiji's mature expression. Some of the dialogue at the end didn't fit the atmosphere.