- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Viz Communications,U.S. (Feb 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1569313202
- ISBN-13: 978-1569313206
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 14.2 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,023,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fine day for Banana fish....,
This review is from: Banana Fish, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
Banana fish is a classic of the shoujo manga world and is definitely not to be missed. But be warned, you won’t find you usual genre staples here, no sparkly eyed blushing schoolgirls, no endless dilemmas of love and fate, no talking anime sidekicks. Instead we have a gritty saga set in 1980s New York, Criminal gangs rule the streets, Rich mafia bosses dealing in illegal drugs and authorities are powerless against them.Ash Lynx, a tough yet likeable gang leader, who suddenly finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy involving the dark secrets of the experimental mind controlling drug Banana Fish. Before long his quest for answers makes him the target of some very shady characters and then the situation really hots up when those around Ash began to turn against him… Also caught up in the centre of this violent mess is Eiji, a young and innocent Japanese photographer’s assistant. Both repulsed and fascinated by the criminal underworld, Eiji is drawn to Ash like a moth to a flame, quickly forming a deep bond that could go further than just friendship… Banana fish is a must read for any mature manga fan. A complex plot and unforgettable characters make for a story which rightly became one of the most popular manga ever in Japan. And now, courtesy of viz’s new shoujo range, you can get this amazing saga presented in original right to left format and at a new lower price (the cover art is better to!)
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Realistic and addictive Manga for Grown-Ups,
By A Customer
This review is from: Banana Fish: 1 (Paperback)
What is the link between a soldier gunning down his buddies in Vietnam and a Mafia boss in New York 12 years later? The answer is a mysterious drug called Bananafish and a handsome young gang-leader called Ash.The title may lead you to think this is a light-hearted, comedy manga, but you'd be wrong, it is a fairly dark, violent and realistic story about young guys in street gangs with the leadership wars, fighting and prison stints that are part of their life. The cover is a good example of the clear drawing style and 'western' look to the majority of the characters which is very easy on the eye and easy to read (all pages are black and white). The story centres around blonde, blue eyed Ash who is the popular, street-wise and fair minded leader of his gang. One night he stumbles across a dying man who hands him a sample of the Bananafish drug. Of course he knows nothing about the mysterious item, but soon becomes aware of it's significance when the biggest local Mafia boss - Papa Dino - pulls out all the stops to retrieve the phial. As Ash tries to find some information about the substance from his underworld connections, two Japanese journalists arrive at the local Police Department for help on their story about street kids in New York. One of them, Eiji is 19 years old but it is a running joke that he looks a lot younger ... even to other Japanese! They are taken to a club and introduced to Ash and his mates but during their visit a rival gang attacks the place and it’s every man for himself. From here on (without giving too much away) the story develops the Papa Dino connection, kidnap, Ash’s unhappy past and what happened to his brother. It is an addictive story line that keeps you interested and I can't wait for the rest of it to be translated from the original Japanese (only Volume 1 to 6 available so far of about 19 I think!) Be warned that there is some gay subtext so if you are easily offended you may not enjoy that side of it. Having said that, nothing overtly sexual is represented and I can only assume that some kind of romance is going to blossom between Ash and Eiji … I hope so, they are both very cute! This is an example of ‘sho-jo’ manga or girls’ comic, written by a woman for women – and strangely enough features practically no female characters at all! It is the best-selling ‘sho-jo’ in Japan, and I’m really enjoying it.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shojo for mature readers,
This review is from: Banana Fish: 1 (Paperback)
I've been growing tired of Shojo manga lately, it all seems to be pouting pretty boys and ditzy wide-eyed teen girls, so Banana fish was a bit of a shock to the system, and in a good way!The story is very dark, very grittiy and theres not a girl in sight (magical or otherwise). Almost imeadiatly the readre is thrown into a world of mystery. The story opens during the vietnam war. A soldier, driven insane, turns a gun on his comrades. Afterwards he left without the abuilty to speak, except for one single phrase "Banana fish". Fast forward to the 1980's. Gang leader Ash finds a dying man in an ally way. The man gives him a vile containg an unknown substance and the words "Go to Banana fish". What could be the conection between these 2 events, the mafia and a series of mysterious deaths across the city? This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I read it cover to cover in one sitting, and I'm definetly going to get hold of the other books in the series when there published in english (19)
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