Banana Fish

[Agawa]

Published in PULP and then Animerica Extra, Banana Fish is a great shoujo manga about a young gang leader (Ash Lynx) in New York, tracking down the mysterious drug that mentally damaged his brother in Vietnam. While it's not currently being published in any magazines, it's still coming out in graphic novel format. (11/19, currently.)



Who else here is reading this, and do you like it? I'm still stuck fast to it after reading it in installments. Akimi Yoshida's art style isn't the prettiest, but it has a lovely, simplistic look that I'm fond of, not to mention a nice touch of realism. It can be confusing at first - especially in the beginning, the character's blend a bit, but once getting into it I could hardly believe I'd ever had trouble with that.
The books manage a nice balance between conversational and action scenes, and keep up a great pace. This is actually one of my favorite things about the series, because it's so refreshing to see that. Not only that, but I love the conversations, and the character developement.

One thing that's also notable is the amount of action and suspense for a shoujo manga. It's nice to see something that, while classified as a shoujo, doesn't put restraints on itself because of that.

Anyway, I'm sorry for the awkwardness of this post. I wanted to post something on Banana Fish because I haven't seen it mentioned in quite some time, and it's one of my favorites. If you don't know of it, I highly recommend that you check it out for it's believable and interesting characters, and great action scenes and plot.

EDIT: Here's a link to PULP's information blurb on it. (http://www.pulp-mag.com/manga/bf/index.html)

[Kagome654]

You know I hate to say this but the main reason I avoided Banana Fish was because I didn't like the art...after all the bitching and moaning I do about the lack of originality in a lot of manga character designs I overlooked this series because it wasn't pretty enough *shame*

I actually might try picking it up, I'm at a loss for what series to start next and a good shoujo manga with an original twist might fit the bill perfectly.

[Pachinko]

the main reason I avoided Banana Fish was because I didn't like the art.

Same here. The designs are not attractive at all. The story seems to be ok, though. I'm still a little skeptic.

[Demon_Killer]

Same here. The designs are not attractive at all. The story seems to be ok, though. I'm still a little skeptic, though...

i feel the same. I got to page like 9 and it sucks{sorry}lol

[Major Tom]

I've seen this around, and it has been intriguing me.....but I didn't really want to fork out cash for something I didn't like, and it was fairly low on my priorities list anyway.

But now....sounds interesting. Next time I go manga shopping, I'll pick up a volume or two and see how it goes.

It still has my vote for:

best. name. evar.

[Pachinko]

I'd also like to know....

Is it yaoi? The bits I read in Animerica Extra seemed that way.
Just curious.

[Neo-Hunter]

I thought that it was a really good so far, i hope it gets better.

[Agawa]

I came back after awhile, and figured I'd catch up by explaining a bit more about Banana Fish. Talking more here seemed less spammish than making a whole new topic, so...here goes!

I'd also like to know....

Is it yaoi? The bits I read in Animerica Extra seemed that why.
Just curious.
Banana Fish is technically a shonen-ai series. Technically, and I say that because it's not the focus. It's the one of the few 'shonen-ai' series that I've read that spends it's time focusing on the friendship between the two, rather than their sexual relationship. As of now, 14/19 volumes have been published in English, and there's nothing conclusive so far. That should give you a good idea of how important it is. Reading this series purely for the shonen-ai factor - or vice versa - is a bad idea.

Actually, that's one of the things I really respect about it. In shonen-ai manga - heck, most mangas that focus on relationship - it seems like there's often very little developement in the way of the character's getting close, or developing their relationship further. I guess it helps that romance is certainly not the center factor of Banana Fish, but it's nice nonetheless.


As for the art, well, it gets a lot nicer in later volumes, but Akimi Yoshida certainly does have a unique style that take some getting used to. If you really can't get past the art, if her art bothers you a lot, then I wouldn't recommend. I didn't like it at first, but now find it quite refreshing amidst the sea of big eyed bishies.[/QUOTE]

I thought that it was a really good so far, i hope it gets better.

Volume 7 onward is pure gold, in my opinion.

[Pachinko]

Banana Fish is technically a shonen-ai series. Technically, and I say that because it's not the focus. It's the one of the few 'shonen-ai' series that I've read that spends it's time focusing on the friendship between the two, rather than their sexual relationship. As of now, 14/19 volumes have been published in English, and there's nothing conclusive so far. That should give you a good idea of how important it is. Reading this series purely for the shonen-ai factor - or vice versa - is a bad idea.

As for the art, well, it gets a lot nicer in later volumes, but Akimi Yoshida certainly does have a unique style that take some getting used to. If you really can't get past the art, if her art bothers you a lot, then I wouldn't recommend. I didn't like it at first, but now find it quite refreshing amidst the sea of big eyed bishies.

I wasn't planning on buying it, even if it were shounen-ai. I was curious, because it appeared that way in Animerica Extra (which is where I've read a little). The art style offers nothing to my eyes; I just don't like it very much. I can see how it's different than the norm, but if the plotline is kick-ass, something I've seen a million times will still appeal.

[NausicaaBoy]

hmm I was thinking about buying it... interesting Idea for a story...whats the artwork like?

[Suki]

The artwork..is not that pretty... >.< But I can assure you that the plotline is great. ^^ I read until volume 10...although it's in chinese...but still good nontheless. XD