Banana Fish
Summary: Aslan Jade Callenreese, known as Ash Lynx, was a runaway picked off the streets of New York City and raised by the infamous godfather of the mafia, Dino Golzine. Now 17 years old and the boss of his own gang, Ash begins investigating the mysterious "Banana Fish"—the same two words his older brother, Griffin, has muttered since his return from the Iraq War. However, his inquiries are hindered when Dino sends his men after Ash at an underground bar he uses as a hideout.
At the bar, Skip, Ash's friend, introduces him to Shunichi Ibe and his assistant, Eiji Okumura, who are Japanese photographers reporting on American street gangs. However, their conversation is interrupted when Shorter Wong, one of Ash's allies, calls to warn him about Dino. Soon, Dino's men storm the bar, and in the ensuing chaos kidnap Skip and Eiji. Now, Ash must find a way to rescue them and continue his investigation into Banana Fish, but will his history with the mafia prevent him from succeeding?
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Aslan Jade Callenreese, known as Ash Lynx, was a runaway picked off the streets of New York City and raised by the infamous godfather of the mafia, Dino Golzine. Now 17 years old and the boss of his own gang, Ash begins investigating the mysterious "Banana Fish"—the same two words his older brother, Griffin, has muttered since his return from the Iraq War. However, his inquiries are hindered when Dino sends his men after Ash at an underground bar he uses as a hideout.
At the bar, Skip, Ash's friend, introduces him to Shunichi Ibe and his assistant, Eiji Okumura, who are Japanese photographers reporting on American street gangs. However, their conversation is interrupted when Shorter Wong, one of Ash's allies, calls to warn him about Dino. Soon, Dino's men storm the bar, and in the ensuing chaos kidnap Skip and Eiji. Now, Ash must find a way to rescue them and continue his investigation into Banana Fish, but will his history with the mafia prevent him from succeeding?
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Banana Fish Trailers
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Banana Fish Review
Banana Fish — Aslan Jade Callenreese, known as Ash Lynx, was a runaway picked off the streets of New York City and raised by the infamous godfather of the mafia, Dino Golzine. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Action, Adventure, Drama, Suspense conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.45). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Banana Fish offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Action, Adventure, Drama, Suspense, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Callenreese, Aslan Jade
Main
Uchida, Yuuma
Japanese
Okumura, Eiji
Main
Nojima, Kenji
Japanese
Alex
Supporting
Ishiya, Haruki
Japanese
Arthur, Frederick
Supporting
Hosoya, Yoshimasa
Japanese
Blanca
Supporting
Morikawa, Toshiyuki
Japanese
Blood, Cain
Supporting
Miyake, Kenta
Japanese
Bones
Supporting
Niwa, Masato
Japanese
Callenreese, Griffin
Supporting
Fusegawa, Kazuhiro
Japanese
Callenreese, Jim
Supporting
Hoshino, Mitsuaki
Japanese
Crosby, Marvin
Supporting
Ishizuka, Katashi
Japanese
Dawson, Abraham
Supporting
Hayashi, Yuu
Japanese
Dawson, Alexis
Supporting
Ugaki, Hidenari
Japanese
Dickinson, Charlie
Supporting
Ueda, Youji
Japanese
Dr. Meredith
Supporting
Nagasako, Takashi
Japanese
Evanstine, Willard
Supporting
Shimoyama, Yoshimitsu
Japanese
Glenreed, Michael
Supporting
Tomita, Miyu
Japanese
Golzine, Dino
Supporting
Ishizuka, Unshou
Japanese
Gregory
Supporting
Shimura, Tomoyuki
Japanese
Holstock, Thomas
Supporting
Matsukawa, Hiroki
Japanese
Ibe, Shunichi
Supporting
Kawada, Shinji
Japanese
Staff
Ootsuka, Manabu
Producer
Uryuu, Kyouko
Producer
Utsumi, Hiroko
Director, Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation, Assistant Animation Director
Yamada, Haru
Sound Director
Arai, Nobuyoshi
Episode Director, Storyboard
Ezaki, Shinpei
Episode Director
Gotou, Yasunori
Episode Director
Hashiguchi, Junichirou
Episode Director, Storyboard
Hishikawa, Naoki
Episode Director
Kubo, Yuusuke
Episode Director, Storyboard
Makita, Kaori
Episode Director, Storyboard, Assistant Director
Matsuda, Kiyoshi
Episode Director, Storyboard
Nishihata, Yuuki
Episode Director
Shishido, Jun
Episode Director, Storyboard
Tokudo, Daisuke
Episode Director, Storyboard
Umemoto, Yui
Episode Director, Storyboard
Hayashi, Akemi
Storyboard, Chief Animation Director, Character Design, Animation Director
Hisagi, Akitsugu
Storyboard
Matsuo, Kou
Storyboard
Nagai, Shinpei
Storyboard