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BANANA FISH #8
Banana Fish, Vol. 8
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 squares off with Arthur in a final showdown, but can Arthur be trusted to stick to the rules that he has set up? This showdown has Ash and Arthur surf a sea of blood through the bowels of the New York subway system.
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 squares off with Arthur in a final showdown, but can Arthur be trusted to stick to the rules that he has set up? This showdown has Ash and Arthur surf a sea of blood through the bowels of the New York subway system.
200 pages, Paperback Manga
First published July 26, 1989
16 people are currently reading
904 people want to read
About the author
Akimi Yoshida
185 books247 followersAkimi 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
May 8, 2023
Banana Fish can do no wrong. Amazing character arcs, great action that isn't too saturated, and a queer coded couple whom I love to death, Fun fact - this series sky rocketed the yaoi genre.
August 4, 2022
Fight scenes on trains are superior. This volume was intense and I loved every bit of it.
March 16, 2021
i can slowly feel my mental health deteriorating again😀
June 18, 2021
“The cold heart that’s not afraid of death.. the cold mind that plans and leads and schemes.. It’s just because you need it that way inside, don’t you? You.. you need to push it all under the ice..”
December 8, 2023
every volume of bf just twists the knife a little bit more and more 🙃
anyways,,,
onto the next volume because obviously i’m a sucker for devastating angst!!!!!!
anyways,,,
onto the next volume because obviously i’m a sucker for devastating angst!!!!!!
January 5, 2025
HOW MANY TIMES IS TOO MANY TIMES FOR ASH TO GET HURT AND INJURED?? LET THAT BABY BOO REST WITH HIS BOYFRIEND FFS!!!
December 10, 2018
Omg the tension.
Leave Ash and Eiji alone.
Leave Ash and Eiji alone.
May 14, 2022
Amo cada tomo
July 31, 2025
!!!!!?!!!?!!!?!!!!!
June 21, 2021
Ame cada página, reí y lloré. Cada palabra que se decían me destrozaba el alma, porq ya vi el final. A veces cuando ves el anime primero, no te dan ganas de leer el manga, pero aquí, quiero leer cada letra de los personajes. Pienso en todo lo que ocurrió, cada situación que encamino para llegar a ese" final.
August 8, 2018
Oh, Dios. Cuanta intensidad. Eeeeel shiiiip tiene mi corazón quebrándose.
Arthur, maldita rata asquerosa.
Arthur, maldita rata asquerosa.
November 25, 2021
I’m hooked again.
This is a solid series. In this volume we have a showdown, a double cross, and we really get to see the main character evolve in some exciting ways.
I think the best part of this is seeing whether or not Ash will keep his humanity as he sinks deeper into the criminal world. I find myself really caring about this character.
I think I’ll cap off 2021 by seeing this series through to the end. I’m nervous about what is coming next, and I like it.
This is a solid series. In this volume we have a showdown, a double cross, and we really get to see the main character evolve in some exciting ways.
I think the best part of this is seeing whether or not Ash will keep his humanity as he sinks deeper into the criminal world. I find myself really caring about this character.
I think I’ll cap off 2021 by seeing this series through to the end. I’m nervous about what is coming next, and I like it.
January 19, 2022
"Is it true you can't really be friends if you live in different worlds?
Do you really believe that?"
En pocas palabras, un volúmen muy cruel, sangriento y emotivo.
Do you really believe that?"
En pocas palabras, un volúmen muy cruel, sangriento y emotivo.
August 29, 2021
Manga Eiji I care you
October 9, 2021
8/10
January 20, 2023
i'm screaming: this is f* ash lynx!
September 6, 2024
Bắn 🔫 nghẹt thở
October 22, 2024
Halloween, trains, the twin towers, the public library, Ash and Eiji bantering… what more could anyone want
November 28, 2020
Ash telling Eiji that he's nothing exceptional HURTS. But I fully understand where he's coming from. If you've been raised to take all that abuse and all that torture in a world where you have no choice sometimes to kill or be killed you'd develop thick skin too and avoid trying to find a higher purpose than the purpose you've built for yourself in the circumstances from which you've come.
I don't fully understand the whole plan for the use of Banana Fish but from what Ash said it's definitely something that's crazy fucked up. US politicians are going to use Banana Fish to "infect" the people in Central American in a circumvented way to start a coup d'etat and overthrow the "communist" leaning government and destabilize Central American governments. Golzine wants in because it would then consolidate all the drug cartels and drug lines running from Central America to Mexico to the US- he'd had a monopoly. While the US govt is going to get into a highly potential war. Typical. The US butting into other countries and governments for their own agendas. War is good for the US if they've already invested in the right industries and play their cards right.
Ash is also right that if they would ever get caught the most they'll get is a congressional hearing, the CIA saying they knew but didn't do anything and someone becomes the fall guy and there's no actual change that will occur. The US gov't will continue to find a way to use Banana Fish or to involve themselves in the Central American conflicts under the guise of democracy.
oh my god, this is the Halloween moment everyone in the fandom loves so much.uWu I'm so soft.
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE SECOND HALF I WILL RIOT.
Arthur is a scumbag. He really is. I hope breaking the rules means that not only is Harlem and Chinatown now both against him and his crew they're also on Ash's side because they lost their own men in the crossfire who were trying to keep the fight clean and fair.
In the end, Arthur is such an utter coward, he lets his men do the dirty work while he controls them. He has not brains he just has vengeance and spite. Also, Fredrick is his first name? That just exudes punk ass bitch vibes.
I hope Ash kills him in hand to hand combat.
I don't fully understand the whole plan for the use of Banana Fish but from what Ash said it's definitely something that's crazy fucked up. US politicians are going to use Banana Fish to "infect" the people in Central American in a circumvented way to start a coup d'etat and overthrow the "communist" leaning government and destabilize Central American governments. Golzine wants in because it would then consolidate all the drug cartels and drug lines running from Central America to Mexico to the US- he'd had a monopoly. While the US govt is going to get into a highly potential war. Typical. The US butting into other countries and governments for their own agendas. War is good for the US if they've already invested in the right industries and play their cards right.
Ash is also right that if they would ever get caught the most they'll get is a congressional hearing, the CIA saying they knew but didn't do anything and someone becomes the fall guy and there's no actual change that will occur. The US gov't will continue to find a way to use Banana Fish or to involve themselves in the Central American conflicts under the guise of democracy.
oh my god, this is the Halloween moment everyone in the fandom loves so much.uWu I'm so soft.
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THE SECOND HALF I WILL RIOT.
Arthur is a scumbag. He really is. I hope breaking the rules means that not only is Harlem and Chinatown now both against him and his crew they're also on Ash's side because they lost their own men in the crossfire who were trying to keep the fight clean and fair.
In the end, Arthur is such an utter coward, he lets his men do the dirty work while he controls them. He has not brains he just has vengeance and spite. Also, Fredrick is his first name? That just exudes punk ass bitch vibes.
I hope Ash kills him in hand to hand combat.
July 3, 2023
Part 1 of the big showdown between Ash & his rival Arthur. Once the action starts there's no end until nail-biting cliffhanger conclusion. Yikes! And I don't have time to jump into the next volume yet. Argh!
February 16, 2024
Dios, no puedo evitar preocuparme por Ash por todo el lío en que se ha metido... (ya se cómo termina todo esto).
September 10, 2025
A pattern is emerging in the structure of these volumes. There are a few quiet moments where relationships are explored and expanded. Some move towards the greater arc, and then some explosive action sequences. The exposition is trying to be a show rather than tell. It largely succeeds.
However, as the plot evolves there has had to be some ways of sharing some of the larger machinations that wouldn't make sense to be in frame. These are exposed through conversations between journalists, police, and the main characters.
This volume sets up an important show down. We are just under halfway through the series and the tension to move from a gritty gang war into something more sinister. There has to be a lessening of that threat in order to expose the others.
Given how the series has gone, there is the opportunity to scare the reader into who is going to die.
However, as the plot evolves there has had to be some ways of sharing some of the larger machinations that wouldn't make sense to be in frame. These are exposed through conversations between journalists, police, and the main characters.
This volume sets up an important show down. We are just under halfway through the series and the tension to move from a gritty gang war into something more sinister. There has to be a lessening of that threat in order to expose the others.
Given how the series has gone, there is the opportunity to scare the reader into who is going to die.
May 10, 2021
Arthur wants a meet, he also wants to settle the score. So did Ash. Cain Blood, leader of Black Sabbath, offered to be a witness. They met at the subway that’s closed off. An ideal place for one on one fight arena. They knew the rules. No cheating, no firearms, just only knives. Ash must abide by it. So will Arthur. But, sorta predictably, Arthur already had an ace up his sleeve. Once executed, there’s no turning back. However, there’s a drawback Arthur had not expected, several variables he hadn’t counted on. Arthur should have thought the plan through. Well, when one gets desperate, someone will be making mistakes.
December 18, 2023
Il capolavoro di Akimi Yoshida, a mezzo tra un noire e un boy love, scritto anni '80, troppo presto per poter rivelare l'amore tra Ash e Eiji, che tuttavia traspare; è un legame troppo forte quello che vediamo in ogni azione di Ash che tende a proteggere Eiji anche a mettendo in pericolo la sua vita; Eiji a sua volta si fa coinvolgere nella triste e violenta quotidianità di Ash per restare sempre a suo fianco. Epilogo tragico, da cavare il cuore, ma tutto sommato giusto. Da leggere e gustare in ognuno dei suoi 10 volumi della Panini Comics.
December 20, 2023
La aparente calma antes de la tormenta. Si bien es cierto que Ash y compañía nunca están exentos de tener problemas, este tomo me gustó porque al menos momentáneamente las cosas iban bien y no había tanto sufrimiento de por medio, pero como ya había visto el anime, ya sabía lo que me esperaba más adelante y debo admitir que me costó horrores terminar con el manga. Ufff fue un camino difícil y seguiré sin poder superarlo. Cada vez que pienso en Banana fish se me forma un nudo en la garganta, pero aún así amo mucho esta historia.
Calificación: 4.4
Calificación: 4.4
February 4, 2024
I want to start off by saying I’ve watched the anime, but there was not one moment in this book where I wasn’t engaged, in the edge of my seat wanting more! It’s just so great to see Ash’s feeling from Eiji blossom; though he doesn’t show it in the best way it’s heartwarming! I love how much action and beautiful pictures this book contains. All of the gangs bonding was lovely. I’m obsessed. I felt we got a deeper look in Ash’s personality, feeling likes and dislikes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2021
This is such a dynamic entree in this series. Not only is it action packed, but the artwork itself is some of the most beautiful so far.
I wish it didn’t end in such a cliffhanger, especially considering the stakes that are at play, and the fact that it’s becoming harder and harder to find these volumes.
I wish it didn’t end in such a cliffhanger, especially considering the stakes that are at play, and the fact that it’s becoming harder and harder to find these volumes.
April 28, 2021
DIOS QUE BUEN TOMO, la relación de ash y eiji me dan ganas de llorar por lo linda y a la vez trágica que es, me siento muy apegada emocionalmente al anime y con el manga me esta pasando exactamente lo mismo. Pasaron tantas cosas que ni siquiera se bien que decir solamente ARTHUR FOME SUCIO ASQUEROSO.
May 14, 2022
It’s comical that Arthur thinks that not only does he know Ash so well, but also that the only thing that separates them is how Arthur is “more ruthless and has more ambition”. This guy has to stop fighting with someone so much smarter then him, someone who has more drive and a better reason to be fighting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews