Banana Fish: Episode 24 Reaction! "Catcher in the Rye!"
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มี.ค. 2021
- REACTION POLL: / 47278754
*HEADPHONE WARNING: Just...just throughout. *nervous laugh **
It's all come to this. The final episode of Banana Fish! Bring out your wine and ice cream! Anything to help ease the pain!
There's so much I talk about in the episode, but this series...a masterpiece! Chef's Kiss
Thank you all for voting for this show -- it is now one of my favorite anime and I am SO excited to talk more about this on our TH-cam chat!
March 21st, 2021, at 8:00 am CST -- I will be reacting to the manga, to "Garden of Light" and private option, answering questions, and discussing the amazingness that is Banana Fish! I hope you all can join!
Thank you for all the support!
Patreon: / romaniablack
My Anime: myanimelist.net/animelist/Rom...
Twitter: / romaniablack
Alternate title for this episode: Absolute pain and agony.
Everybody's crying, you happy MAPPA?
MAPPA feeds its animators our tears. I'm convinced of it.
Thank you for the comment!
@@RomaniaBlack They probably do, lol. First it was tears of joy with Yuri on Ice, then it was agony with Banana fish. Now we have JJK and AOT, and who the hell knows where those are gonna go.
Now I'm just imagining that lilo and stitch meme where Lilo is praying for a friend, then it just cuts to Stitch laughing maniacally. That's everyone's relationship with MAPPA right now, but we love them.
@@Anita_Tiraganda Right?! MAPPA putting us through the gauntlet! I'm hoping to eventually get to AOT -- it's going to be on the JJK replacement poll, so there's that. :P
That Lilo and Stitch meme is a perfect representation!! ahahaha!
I bet mappa cried while animating this a million times
I once read a comment. "Ash was born in the sunrise, and gone with the sunset". Most painful comment I’ve ever read 😞
This could be me looking too into it, but in episode 23, when Eiji had been wounded and was in the hospital, after talking to Cain Ash had a little monologue up against the glass looking at the light that was coming from it. He said: "Please don't take him away from me. Please, God. Take me instead".
In a very desperate moment, Ash asked God to take Eiji's place and die in exchange to secure Eiji's safety. This is why I think he accepted his death so easily. It was not because he was badly wounded, with what he has gone through he could have easily survived that. But he probably took it as a sign from above, like that was the deal for Eiji's well being. So he didn't try to fight it at all and went to the library, a place full of happy memories, his safe place, and sitted not in his regular spot, but where Eiji sitted that one time he went to apologize, he looked up at the lights and accepted his part of the deal. He did it silently, in a way that no one would find out until it was too late. Keeping Eiji clueless, because if Eiji had known he would have stayed in America and not gone back to his “world”.
All his life he had had the goal to take revenge on Dino and those who harmed him, and right when it's over and he gets a glimpse of hope for a happy future, Lao appears and stabs him out of nowhere. It was foreshadowed that Eiji would be Ash’s Achilles heel and be the one to lead Ash to his death. In that moment Ash let his guard down completely, because he was hopeful thinking of a future with Eiji. Ash never let Sing tell his guys why he killed Shorter because he was trying to protect them from knowing and getting them involved with banana fish, which makes it ironic that Lao is the one who kills him, someone Ash was trying to protect. Someone who saw Ash only as a monster and nothing else, someone who had no personal attachments to him whatsoever. Lao wanted to protect his brother, but he was blinded by his hate. The fact that Ash didn’t only have zero intentions to kill Sing, but actually saved his life from the fire in expense of everything they had about banana fish, everything they had fought for all this time, only makes Lao's actions that much more painful.
I think Dino’s voice actor had died before this episode, Dino didn’t say a word. And he didn’t need to, all he truly felt for Ash was shown through actions. Dino wanted Ash all for himself, and since he knew he was not going to survive, he decided to help Ash and let him free. Kind of selfish, if he wasn't dying he wouldn't have done that, but kind of a noble death at the same time. Something I find really cool is that Dino dies falling backwards, very similarly as to how Arthur died, both of Ash’s personal persecutors.
The whole time I was thinking... if Eiji coming to Ash's "world" got him into so much danger, why can't it be that Ash going to Eiji's world would give him a normal life? But I guess Eiji never changed himself while being in America, so Ash thinks he is not going to change going to Japan. He thinks he is the problem, he sees himself as a monster (which is wronggg!! Ashh you should have gone to Japann you stubborn baby TT)
To end on a funny note, Sing is the president of the AshxEiji shipping club and I love him so much. His interactions with Blanca were top comedy for such a hard episode, and the slap with Yut Lung was something I didn’t know Ineeded, but was everything I needed. Sing was me this episode, he did everything I would have wanted to do, and said everything I would have wanted to say 😌
Thank you for reacting to this anime, I had heard about it before, but I finally decided to watch it because you were going to react to it. Now it's in my top 2 lol. I promised last week I would wright you an essay for this episode hahaha much love
Oh my gosh...I did not even put two and two together to realize that he was sitting in Eiji's spot. **aggressively pecks at ice cream** That's nice. That's nice.
It makes Lao's actions sooooo much more painful and awful when we the audience know Sing was safe, that Ash wasn't going to be merciless towards him. UGH. And yes, Dino's voice actor died after the project...Dino really came full circle in this show, not letting anyone else kill Ash under his watch. It's almost ironic, after he's gone...only then is when Ash dies. Man.
Also, I really grew to LOVE Sing in this series -- and I could not be happier that he not only makes it out but is teaming up with Dragon Moon to help. Oh, OH ,that slap-off between him and Yut-Lung nearly made the episode twenty times happier for me...I didn't know I needed it, either! ^^
Thank you so much for the kind words! :) I am SO thankful that it won the poll, or I may never have seen this either and it wouldn't be in my top two as well. I appreciate the essay!! :D :D
Your comment is beautiful. I want to ask, what else is your favorite anime besides banana fish? (You wrote that BF is in the top 2)
@@imaginationann2991 Thank you so much for the comment! It's hard to narrow down my favorites -- since they change as I watch new things -- is it weird that Banana Fish may be taking the top spot?! Hahaha, but if I had to do a current Top 10, it would be (subject to change and in no particular order, haha):
1. Banana Fish
2. Haikyuu!!
3. Sk8 The Infinity
4. Jujutsu Kaisen (but I'm anime only right now on this series)
5. Cowboy Bebop
6. Given
7. Yuri on Ice
8. Free!
9. Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood
10. Mo Dao Zu Shi (even though it's a donghua, I'll still put it on the Top 10! :) )
And for Manga, it would be:
1. Banana Fish
2. Haikyuu!!
3. Doukyuusei (Classmates)
4. Twittering Birds Never Fly
5. Toilet-Bound Hanako Kun
6. Dragonball Z (I would tie it with One Piece, if I had to add an honorable mention)
7. Fruits Basket (I haven't watched the new anime yet)
8. Slam Dunk
9. Given
10. My Hero Academia
@@imaginationann2991 thank you :) And my other favourite is "Terror in Resonance", I must have seen it al least 5 times showing it to other people sgdhv it's also on netflix 💕
@@RomaniaBlack Thanks for the answer!
I highly recommend you to read the novel "Mo dao zu shi" (if you haven't already). You probably know that due to Chinese censorship in dongha, the romantic line has been removed (which is actually very beautiful and tender), and the plot itself is a little crumpled in some places. I read the novel after donghua and was absolutely thrilled.
You have very cool reactions. I hope that I wrote without mistakes, greetings from Russia 😌
The scene that got me to cry the most was when Eiji said he wouldn't say sayonara to Ash because he would see him again but he has no idea that Ash died so he won't be able to see him :( He never really had a chance to say goodbye to him and that breaks my heart. Anyway, I love you reactions and I look forward to them every week! Thank you, and I can't wait to see your new reactions!
Ahhh, right?! The fact that Ash and Eiji never got a proper goodbye KILLS ME! I hate it so much! :( :( It just makes the series sadder as a whole, because we've spent all this time working to keep them together and in the end it doesn't pan out. T_T
Thank you so much for the kind words, though! :) I'm glad you've enjoyed the reactions and hope you like what's to come!!
When I watched Banana Fish the first time I had already been spoiled on the ending so I didn't expect it to hurt as much but I was so wrong its almost funny. I binge watched the last 9 episodes in one night which was honestly one of the worst mistakes ive ever made lol I was so emotionally drained and then I finally got to the end and by then it was 5am the next morning. I cried so much and had to keep pausing because I kept forgetting how to breathe. And after the episode was finished I just sat in my dorm room crying until 6am when I finally got to sleep. Then I woke up around 10, remembered what happened and started crying all over again. I remember that night sending voice messages to my friend just in tears, I was feeling all the emotions. She didn't even know what Banana Fish was but apparently me sending her 10+ voice messages of me bawling my eyes out saying "He didn't deserve this" at 5 in the morning was enough for her to agree that he definitely didn't deserve it. People warned me about Banana Fish but i'm the type to listen to warnings but always assume I could handle it or to always assume those warning are blown a little out of proportion. I however, have learned my lesson. The warnings were right. I should have prepared better lol. I have still not fully recovered and its been months. Since i have watched it I recommended it to two of my friends and one said "Thank you it was amazing" and the other said "Its great, but I hate you, pay for my therapy" and she hasn't even gotten to the end yet lol I feel sorta bad. Banana Fish is so amazing overall though and it was fun to get to watch it again with you. It is one of my favorite anime and although it caused me so much stress and so many tears it was all worth it. It brought up a lot of interesting conversations and I love shows that make me think and can make me emotional so I think Banana Fish is amazing. Wow this was long lol I'm sorry I just ramble sometimes. I'm excited to see what you react to next, and thank you for all the reactions you have done thus far
You binged the last 9 episodes in ONE sitting?! Oh my gosh -- I'm glad you're okay! I don't know if I could have handled it! Yeah, that would have been a straight-up purging of emotions!! Yeah, I wasn't prepared for this show in Episode 1, and people warned, and I was like, "oh, haha, okay!" And then Episode 9 hit and I was like, "Oooooh, they may be onto something." ^^ This show is definitely one that just emotionally steamrolls over you!
NO worries -- thank you for the kind words! I'm so excited for the new series to start next week, but Banana Fish will always have a special place in my heart! :3
@@RomaniaBlack Yeah lol it was definitely poor decision making on my part. I only did it because I started off watching it good, I watched an episode or two a day but then just fell into long spans of time where I just completely avoided it. I refer to that time as self preservation but nevertheless I was putting off finishing it which seems to be a bad habit of mine. I have seen so much anime (And shows in general) but have finished barely any. I don't do well with endings so avoidance is always my go-to strategy. So that night I just decided I was going to finish it. The bad thing is that I was so drained and just a crying, nervous, exhausted mess by the end that I had to re-watch the last episode again the next day because I was afraid I might have missed a lot.
Yeah same, it took me a couple episodes before it really set in that I probably should have took those warnings more seriously. I think I was also thrown off by how angry the show made me. The person I had spoke to told me it was so sad that I probably wouldn't recover so I was just expecting never-ending tears. But while I definitely felt sad in the beginning, for the most part I was just angry. Just seeing all these horrible things happening to this child at the hands of adults made my blood boil. So I sort of made up my mind too early thinking "Not as sad as they said, i'm just mad." I thought I had it all figured out when in reality I just needed to give it more time. Tears fell many times while watching the show and I completely agree it is 100% a show that emotionally steamrolls over you. Every time I thought it just couldn't get worse, somehow it did. It was exhausting to watch.
It was a show I wasn't planning on watching so I allowed myself to be spoiled thinking "It doesn't matter because I'll never watch it." While I do wish I would have been able to go into the show blind now that ive seen it and fallen in love with it. On the other hand, I really don't know if I would have been able to handle it. I took Ash's death so hard and I knew it was coming the whole time. The fact that he dies right at the end too... I would have been so misled if I hadn't already been spoiled. I would have thought we were either getting a neutral ending where they part ways and live their own lives or I would have thought we were getting a happy ending where Ash gets on the plan and goes to Japan. Never would I have thought that in the last 5 minutes of the last episode they would kill my boy off. I'm rambling again but the point is while I am a bit sad I was spoiled, I also think its for the best because I would have had a whole panic attack.
You're welcome, I'm really glad I found your channel. I found it around my second semester in college and because of the virus there were a lot of issues. A lot of people went home when classes went online but I had to stay so it was pretty lonely. Your videos were nice to pass the time and you watched a lot of my favorites. I'm excited for next weeks series too. Once I saw it was Bungo Stray Dogs I decided to get your Patreon. Bungo Stray Dogs is a show I started, loved, and never finished so it will be nice to pick it up with you.
@@bobabiin2703 I binge-watched Devilman Crybaby last year, so I understand your feelings there! it seeeeems like a great idea at the time, right?! I'm very fortunate that you all did NOT spoil me as I watched through this show -- I could tell so many people wanted to, but they were kind enough to let me watch it without spoilers, and I'm so thankful for that! :D I never thought it'd end with one dying and one living -- I thought it would be an "all or nothing" situation, but that's Banana Fish for you! :3
Thanks again -- I'm glad you found the channel! I started this mainly because of the pandemic and I was stuck at home and decided -- after years of being away from anime and manga -- to get back into watching shows and reading series. I'm so glad I did! And I am VERY excited for Bungo Stray Dogs, so that should be a fun show to watch! :D
Oh my God.. this episode hurt me so much, I still cry while I knew what was going to happen!
Ash’s death hurts me so much, his past, everyone who wanted to hurt him is dead. He could have finally been quiet with Eiji, but it didn’t go as planned.
Knowing that Ash let himself die, he could have called 911, but he thought it’d be better if he left in peace. From where he is he knows that on earth there is someone who loves him and who will think and pray for him.
The legend of Ash Lynx
This episode, I've watched it a few times now, and it's still painful...man...Ash finally found peace, but it wasn't with Eiji like we all wanted, and I just...yeah, he could have called...but....man...just a legend, indeed!
Thank you for the comment! I hope you can make the live chat on the 21st! :3
Ash just sat there and let himself bleed out for HOURS. In the end no one was able to kill him but himself :( Banana Fish pain starts out at a normal level... but you will keep thinking about it everyday forever and it just gets worse and worse. Thanks for all your reactions!
That is JUST the worst to think about! T_T Ash was the only one to truly kill himself...that's just....you're right, the more you sit and think about it, the sadder it gets! :(
Thank you for the comment and kind words! Hopefully, we all make it to the livestream on the 21st to reminisce about Banana Fish again and read Garden of Light/Private Option. I hope you enjoy the other reactions, too!
@@RomaniaBlack It's ok.. even though I obviously don't agree with it, I think he was happy with his decision, thinking that he was protecting Eiji (of course little does he know how poorly Eiji deals with it..)
@@kriamt27 Right?! It's sooooooo frustrating, but what can we do? **sigh**
This is my absolute favorite series of all time and it BROKE me. I have to say, I saw the ending coming around episode 5/6 and episode 9 only confirmed my fears when it showed it wasn’t afraid to kill off the main cast.
I also found the ending to be cathartic since, to me, this was Ash finally finding peace. Sure, he wasn’t physically there with Eiji, but like the letter said “my soul is always with you”. He wasn’t completely alone. After everything he had been through, all of the pain and suffering, he was finally able to find peace and let go. He could rest.
Sing and Dragon Moon’s relationship and dynamic is so interesting and if I’m being totally honest, they are my favorite characters, even above Ash and Eiji. Even since the beginning they had such a great chemistry and it’s even better in the manga with how they play off of each other. I always saw Dragon Moon as Sing’s mentor (of sorts) since he had his back so many times, like getting him out of trouble with his brothers, literally bailing his ass outta jail. Now, with Sing, Yut Lung is on his way to finding his own peace.
I love this series so much, thank you for sharing your journey through it with us here on youtube and I’m looking forward to the live chat next weekend!
There was so much foreshadowing with Ash's death throughout this series, especially episode 13 for me, but for some reason, I thought either they would both die or neither...and I started getting hopeful in this episode after Foxx and Golzine died -- like, The heroes won! Right?! But yeah, episode 9 proved...no one is safe. T_T
And yeah, reading Eiji's words, he seems to be at peace with being able to pass, finally. UGH. Still hurts, though! But Sing and Dragon Moon's dynamic has totally surprised me -- I've come to love Sing SO much in this show; I'm happy he's ended up okay, seemingly. ^^
This show has become one of my favorites! And I'm so excited to talk more with you all!! Thank you for the kind words!! See you on the 21st!
The ending of this show had me stuffy-nosed the whole night and the next morning I woke up feeling groggy and queasy 😭
RIGHT?! It's Eat-a-Pint-of-Ice-Cream worthy! :(
Thank you for the comment!
This show is truly a masterpiece. I was so in shock after these episodes that I went through the five stages of grief in 5 seconds repeatedly.
If covid wasn't around, I'm sure to this day, people would STILL be placing flowers on the real seat he sat on in New York Library. I can't wait for you to get into Garden of Light!!
Oh my gosh, people put flowers on that seat in the library?! Oh...oh wow...**sniffles** Man, that hits ya! And yes, this show is an absolute masterpiece! It's hard to not go through the stages of grief with this show, especially by the end.
Thank you for the kind words and comment! I am SO excited or Sunday! :)
When I first heard of Banana Fish I thought it was a silly anime with just a funny tittle. Oh how I was wrong..
One of my classmates had watched it and said that it was so sad, so one day back in November at 1 in the morning I decided to give it a shot. It was a Rollercoaster of emotions for me and I finished it the following morning. It really took me by surprised that Ash had died. But I knew someone was going to die because I had accidently spoiled it, but the thing is I didn't know if Ash or Eiji was going to die.
So the moment were ash got stabbed, I paused everything and just sat there sobbing and shaking, I couldn't believe that had happened. So know whenever I see an edit or video of Banana fish I'll just start crying.
After I finished banana fish in the next following days I read Garden of light and let me tell you, I was in even more pain. I was just a mess but I loved it. I love rewatching banana fish.
I heard that Ash sat in the library for 6 hours just bleeding out and thinking about Eiji & reading his letter. And he sat in the place where Eiji used to sit.😭😭
I love this show so thank you so much for watching it. Your reactions were great. And I can't wait for what other things you'll react to next.
YES! I thought, oh, what's this anime?! The title is strange, but should be fun, right?! Oh ho ho ho, what a summer child I was...
I really thought that Ash and Eiji both were going to die, and I'd made peace with that, because I thought, "Well, at least they'll be together, then." And then we got THAT ending?! Ooohhh....I'm not sure I'm ready for Garden of Light, now, the more people talk about it being painful.
So...ah, the 21st should be fun, then! I'm excited to read it with you all! The fact that Ash sat where Eiji was just makes me sad, too!
But, in the meantime, thank you SO much for the kind words! I really appreciate it, and I'm excited to see how these new shows work out! :3
@@RomaniaBlack No problem you have become one of my favorite reactors, and I'll continue watching you. 😊 And yes prepare yourself for Garden of Light...😭 I'm so excited and ready for the 21st.
@@kaeya6708 Aw, thank you for the kind words!! I appreciate that so much! :) And aaahhh, the 21st is going to be fun! I can't wait! **mentally prepares**
The symbolism in this show is all pointing to this ending, when you really look back. I hate when I hear people saying "Ash shouldn't have died". His death makes the most sense of any ending you could ask for. What was waiting for him if he carried on living? There was no future for him with Eiji, he would always be looking over his shoulder for enemies. Garden of Light was what broke me after finishing Banana Fish. I'm looking forward to hearing your review of it 😊 enjoy your wine and ice cream!
That and also the fact that when he tan was the only time he let his guard down and allowed himself to hope, and then he got stabbed by someone otherwise insignificant. He then realized what the lion was doing and what a hopeless situation he was in, that he could not reach the top but he hoped. Anyways I’ll go cry my eyes out now
@@ana_vicosa579 RIGHT?!! That first line of your comment! Ughhhhhh.... **eats ice cream aggressively**
Oh, it makes SO much sense that Ash died. I hate it. HATE IT, because you want someone like Ash to end up happy...but then...without Eiji...would he have truly been happy? Nope. Probably not. And that's why the ending works.
Ohhhh, I've heard Garden of Light is going to be something...it's going to be a fun chat, right?! ^^ Thank you for the kind words and comment!
FRRR IM JUST I CANT EVERYTHING IN THIS SHOW IS JUST.
@@zzzgyu Right!? It's SO GOOD! T_T
It's a dream of mine to visit New York City and sit at the library where Ash ..... There are many reasons to f visit NYC, but Banana Fish is my number one reason. Thank you for all your reactions, i enjoyed your reaction/discussion immensely. Looking forward to your manga discussion.
YES! I've been to NYC before, but it was before I watched Banana Fish -- now, if I go back, I HAVE to visit the public library and sit where Ash was! Thank you so much for the kind words and comments on here! In the livestream, everyone got me to read Garden of Light, the epilogue in Vol. 19 of the manga. **nervous laughter** If you get a chance to check it out!
I did not cry when I watched this episode but garden of light wrecked me. Thank you so much for the beautiful ride I will miss your reactions.
Oooh, everyone is giving me ominous vibes about Garden of Light -- I guess we'll find out Sunday, eh?? Thank you so much for the kind words -- this series has been a RIDE! I will miss reacting to this show, but I am happy to move on to new shows that I will hopefully end up loving just as much!
I did not expect him to die like that! Wow, this episode has got me sobbing. Rip Aslan. 😭
RIGHT?! A gut punch to the feels, indeed! Thank you for the comment! RIP, good sir!
VA of Ash which is Uchida cried after the series. They're like doing conference I guess. That's a testament of how brilliant and great this show is all about. Especially Yoshida, we thank you for writing a well thought and superb manga that cemented your career and brought new heights of popularity as to this day. Its just show how classic this story.
And finally, romania thank you for appreciating and loving banana fish as much as we do. You're the only reactor I enjoyed watching.
You're very respectful and not judgmental. ✨👍
Oooh, I'm not sure I could watch that -- Uchida crying! I don't blame him though!! I can't imagine voicing a character like Ash through all this and then it ends...ahhh! Definitely a testament! That manga -- it's SO good!
And thank you so much for the kind words! I really appreciate that -- that's a huge compliment, and I'm humbled by it for sure! :) Here's to the chat on the 21st! We can still talk about Banana Fish, then! ^^
@@RomaniaBlack you're most welcome. I think you're humble since the first day I watched your reaction that's why I love it
@@aldevinecalosor I appreciate that so much! Thank you!! :D :D
WARNING MY ENGLISH IS PROBABLY BAD XD
First off, I can’t believe that this is the end of you reacting to banana fish. It has been a wild ride and I have thoroughly enjoyed your reactions and analysis of the characters and the story. Your reaction to this anime has been my favourite so far and I think it has to boil down to the fact that you bring so much knowledge around symbolism and just an understanding of literature with you in these reactions. I’m really going to miss it!
I’m going to talk about the way Ash died and about how I found the ending, bc I’m sure a lot of people were miserable when they found out that they wouldn’t end up living happily ever after in japan. But I think it’s both heartbreaking and beautiful.
Was the way Ash died a set-up?
In episode 14 Cain says to Sing (who is worried about Ash possibly getting killed by Arthur) that "Nobody is strong enough. Hell only be killed if he brings it on himself." So, Ash got stabbed once by Lao but if we just look back and remember all the times Ash has gotten hurt worse and almost died but didn’t, he clearly wouldn’t have died this time. So you could say that he chose to bleed out for hours, on his own accord. The conversation with Blanca showed us how he had taken his advice about Eiji to heart - he can’t be with Eiji bc they are from two different worlds and that Ash is only going to bring harm wherever he goes, and he can’t live with himself knowing all the pain and violence he has caused other people. Having had this conversation prior to his death probably tainted his decision making of what to do after reading the letter and after getting stabbed. This is not to say that Blanca is the sole reason for why Ash chose to bleed instead of getting help but its an interesting perspective.
So how did I find the ending?
I personally think the ending is beautiful in its own way. I don't like the fact that he died in the library... But a much as I wanted to see Ash and Eiji reunited at the airport i think this ending makes more sense to me even if it hurts that he dies. There is no denying that Ash loves Eiji..(and vice versa) Like.. they are soulmates no questions about that. And it was destined to happen - (remember the love charm Eiji's sister gave him instead of a good luck charm.) Anyway...
When we see Ash open the letter and we see the ticket, both the viewer and Ash get a sense of hope. (I can only imagine all the images of things they could experience together flashed in Ash's head.)
Ash finally has someone who is willing to love and protect him without a price (in contrast to his past) someone who isn't afraid of him and someone who would believe in him no matter what.
At that moment he makes up his mind. He is going to run and get his happy ending. Unfortunately he gets stabbed and both Ash and the audience is crushed. Whyyy the heck did you let your guard down ASHHH!!?? Whyyy?
Him letting his guard down is significant bc it shows how comfortable he has become at the idea of being together with Eiji over time...we see it prior in ep 7 where we see how he dosnt mind when Eiji is walking up behind him but he noticed instantly when it was Yut Lung... and in that moment I think he realizes the danger he will always attract. Ash would have been able to spot that someone was watching him when he was in the library with Sing but he didn't. In episode 12 when Eiji comes to apologize he comes up to Ash and says, "you knew I was here. Don't pretend you didn't"... this is just to show the contrast of him being aware of everything to slowly letting his guard down the more he gets to know Eiji.
I the moment he got stabbed I think that he understood that wherever he goes and whoever he's with - that danger is going to follow him and ultimately hurt the people he loves...
Another thing to note is Eiji's speech when he is sitting in the plane and the plane is about to fly off.
In that moment he recollects his fight with Ash in episode 12 and of when he went to apologize.
In that scene we see Eijis point of view. What he is thinking while looking at Ash. As we have just seen he said the following: "He was sitting there quietly. So serene, set apart from the world of violence and fighting. But so alone. And such indescribable and sublime loneliness. I wanted to protect you from fate. The fate that tries to carry you away, drifting further and further. That's when I thought... That is believe in him, no matter what. No matter what would happen. That I... That I at least would..."
Following this speech, Ash going to the library as Eiji says, is where Ash would be able to be set apart form his world of fighting and violence to go unwind and maybe feel a sense of normal. When he is reading the letter at the library he is sitting in the chair Eiji sat in in episode 12 and I think he does that to be able to feel connected to Eiji one last time.
Eiji remembering the story about the leopard and how Ash can change his destiny is heartbreaking seeing as how he is slowly bleeding out.
When the novel "the snows of kilimanjaro", the story of the leopard, is first brought up in the Anime is when Ash is talking about death. He said that he dosnt fear death. That there were so many times where he felt that death could be better. That death would have seemed tempting. When he thinks of death he thinks of that leopard. "Why had he climbed so high up the mountain? Did he get lost while hunting down prey till he reached the point of no return? Or had he climbed higher as if possessed by some urge and collapses trying? What's his carcass like? Was he trying to go back? Or to keep going higher? Either way, he must have known that he wouldn't be able to make it back"... Ash ends with this line: "I've never feared death, but I've never wished for it either" . Eiji comes in and reassures him that humans can change their destiny. They have wisdom leopards don't. "Besides, you're not a leopard. Right?"... In that scene Eiji is reassuring ash that he has a choice in how he wants to live out his life. Ash is not a leopard who's is running towards his death. There is much more to life.
Bringing this up in the letter is a reminder to Ash that he can come to Japan if he wanted to. If he truly wished to. And I think that he really did want to the moment he saw the ticket... But ultimately that didn't happen. In the end he didn't actually change his destiny... but atleast he did chose his death.
Eiji's letter ends with the line, "You are not alone... my soul is always with you." We see Ash look into the distance crying tears of joy? knowing he has someone who's always there for him, knowing in death that they will meet again.
The last frame is him slumped over the table with a soft smile on his face. He chose to die because he knew that he would bring danger wherever he goes... And he died with the words of his soulmate fresh in his mind... and while I think that it's heartbreaking I also think it's beautiful.
Man, your post was so good and there was so much I agreed with! Yessss, re-watching now that you know what happens in Episode 24, there are so many foreshadowing moments, like the ones you pointed out! It really is a beautiful ending in how poetic it is for Ash -- he finally gets peace, in his safe spot, knowing Eiji is with him and is going to live on.
But of course, then it's heartbreaking, because we've rooted for them to be reunited and together this whole series....man, Banana Fish...we should have expected it, right? Ahhhh...this was such a beautiful analysis! Thank you so much for the kind words and comment! I hope that in future shows I react to, I can have a similar experience to that which I've had with Banana Fish! Despite the pain, it's all so good and worth watching.
I think that Ash actually lives in the anime which you can see this from the opening
In the opening you can see him wearing the same clothes he was wearing when he was stabbed but he is walking at night while holding his abdomen or maybe Eiji's letter which we know is the same day because it started snowing in the morning when Ash was stabbed and in the opening you can see it's still snowing with previous snow on the ground but he's walking at night.
Also, the official website of Bananafish from Mappa under the character charts that explains the relations between the characters (bananafish.tv/special/relation/), they've greyed the colors of those who died and you can see that Ash still has colors. It used to be grey after episode 24 but then they returned the colors to Ash I guess maybe they wanted to keep it ambiguous. There is also an official art of Ash and Eiji in Japan opening a Cafe called Bananafish Cafe & bar which was so adorable which was for an IRL Cafe 😍. Not sure if this was just meant only as advertisement, but still.. it was too adorable not to mention. The official arts for this show are amazing. 😊
I'm going to interpret this like Disney movies where they take horrific stories and turn them to marketable Disney princesses! 🤧 And in my Disney movie (the anime) unlike the Manga.. Ash lives hahaha
But for now, I know that they're together and have opened a Cafe in Japan living a simple life 😍🎉💐🇯🇵
I'll take that ending, Khater! Ash and Eiji opening a cafe in Japan and living the simple life! That's what we all want, right?! I can't wait to read the epilogue on Sunday, but for now, I will accept this as canon! :D :D Thank you so much for the comment!!
To be fair it was never disclosed in the anime that he died and is up to interpretation I like to interpret that he was just resting and gets back up as he always does I refuse any other ending no one @ me
I thought Eiji and Ash both went to Japan
It's what we all wanteddddddd! Thank you for the comment! T_T
素晴らしいリアクションをありがとうございました！
私は24話の後は放心状態になりましたよ〜
親切な言葉とコメントありがとうございます！ このシリーズはすっごく良かった。 シリーズが終わったなんて信じられない！ ええ、シリーズの終わりに起こったことすべてで空っぽに感じるのは簡単です。 T_T
I cried this month watching it and now I'm crying again seeing the scene again with this reaction
Ahhhh, it's definitely a "give us the ice cream" moment! T_T
Thank you for the comment!
Have you read Garden of Light?! To keep hurting some more... Great reaction.
If anyone deserved all the happiness in the world, that was definitely Ash.
Garden of light was what hurt me the most
She's gonna read it live on 21st March!
Hey! YES!! On March 21st at 8:00 am CST I'm going to be reacting to Garden of Light, Private Option, and talking about the manga vs the anime! It's going to be fun! :D Thank you for the kind words, and YES. Ash deserved happiness...we can only hope he's found peace.
@@RomaniaBlack are you gonna be posting it on regular youtube too because i have stuff to do and i really don’t wanna miss it-
@@zo0mbi The livestream will be on TH-cam and I'm going to save it on here, so if anyone can't make it or misses part of it, they'll be able to watch it later! :)
You made it!! This episode...man.
Blanca and Sing were the perfect duo. I love when Sing said "don't worry, I won't get in your way", and Blanca replied with "I know", showing Sing that he takes him seriously and doesn't see him as a burden or a kid (even though he IS a kid)
Golzine's death was so symbolic, since he was literally falling into a pit of flames. Some say it wasn't painful enough; I think they mean that it wasn't dramatic enough and he got to die on his own terms, which sucks.
Ash vs Foxx was brutal. You could see right there in those scenes how hard Ash was willing to fight to LIVE...which brings me to the end.
I hated it! And I don't just mean that I hate that he died; sad endings exist. I hate it because it goes against everything we've seen him do and say so far. I even did some googling and apparently, the author felt that "those who take lives should pay with theirs"; in other words, Ash had it coming. I hate that he was punished for surviving in a world that he was forced into. I'll always cherish the plot and the characters, but as far as I'm concerned, Garden of Light doesn't exist, and Ash is just sleeping😌
We made it! This episode was such an insane conclusion to the series...I can't believe it's over. @_@
Blanca and Sing working together -- I didn't know I needed it! And to think way back in Episode 19 when they first met, that they'd be working together to take down mercenaries! :)
Golzine's death was SOOOO symbolic -- he wouldn't go down without making sure no one but him could kill Ash, and then yeah, he died on his own terms. And mannn...you're right, Ash finally fighting to truly LIVE was brutal with him vs. Foxx, but then, when he has a sliver of hope and escaping with Eiji, the story comes back around and reminds Ash of the world he's been entrapped and that he can't escape. Ahhhh, I'm scared for Garden of Light now....Sunday should be a fun one! :P Thank you for the comment!!
Still working on catching up on all the episodes but I loved going back and rewatching the show through these ! Your commentary is wonderful and so entertaining , thank you for watching this show ! Can’t wait to see your reaction to Private Opinion
Oh, thank you so much for the kind words and for watching!!! :) I am verrrry excited about the chat on Sunday, and to react to Private Option and Garden of Light! :D
I woke up this morning and chose pain, decided to rewatch every single one of your Banana Fish reactions. Still had my heartbroken as harshly as the first time 💔 day well spent!
HOLY $%&* -- you chose PAIN, indeed! Man, thanks for the kind words, but that is a torturous act. I think the BF Fandom revels in the pain, though, haha!
i had to keep track of time for i can watch this early, i still can’t believe banana fish ended like that. this episode was too much. great reaction though!!! very happy to be apart of this journey : ).
I'm still in shock, to be honest! This episode was a LOT -- such an end to the roller coaster! Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm so glad we all went on this journey together and I hope to see you in the live chat! :D Thank you for the comment!
@@RomaniaBlack sure! when will the live chat be?
@@Taquitoo It's going to be on March 21st -- this Sunday -- at 8:00 am CST when I normally upload the new episode! :) I hope you can make it! Should be a long chat! Ahahah!
yeeea and i'm crying again :D
idk if someone has already made this observation but to me ash not seeking for help literally in the part where eiji is saying he's not a leopard because he can change his destiny represents perfectly the fact that he still thinks he can't change his destiny (as well as the leopard). there'll always be someone after him, he'll never get away from the hell he lives in. so he chose to finally rest. and the symbolism of him dying in his favorite place while reading eiji's letter i cantttt !!!! also the fact that it was lao the one who killed him, like, the most random "nobody" in the series just shows he . actually . can . not . get . a .rest .
thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, i'll be waiting for more
Yeah, the sadness is palpable, right?! People have noted that in the library, Ash doesn't sit in his normal spot, but instead in the spot Eiji sat in that one time he was there....that really made this all the sadder for me. T_T
And the fact that it was Lao, who was resistant to the idea of change that Sing and Cain stood for with Ash, speaks volumes and is so symbolic to me....ugh....**aggressively eats ice cream**
Thank you for the comment and kind words! Hopefully you can make the chat on the 21st where we can all gush/sob/rant more about Banana Fish! :)
Thank you Romania, for such an enjoyable ride! All the pain and happiness was so fun to see! Ash didn’t deserve that though... but hey at least fox is gone! Can’t wait to see what other reactions you have in store! (Told ya you’d need the ice cream)
I did! I DID Need it! Thank you so much for following me on this journey, too, and for all the kind words! I'm excited to start the next show and get wrapped up in it! :D But yeah...so sad for Ash. T__T
@@RomaniaBlack oh yea the author supposedly made the anime ending open ended on purpose in case someone didn’t tell you before! It had a slightly different ending in the manga which I think you will probs read in the live chat. Also is that vanilla?
@@diginovastar6325 Oooooooooooooohhhh, okay, now I'm super hyped to get to the manga and for Garden of Light next weekend! And hahaha, it's vanilla bean! :) I'm allergic to cocoa, so vanilla bean it was! ^^
thank you so much for ur reactions 🙏
Thank you so much for the kind words and the comment! I hope you enjoy the future reactions!
Idk if its true but i read somewhere that Satos song for Yuki(in given)was also Eijis goodbye song to Ash which is so heartbreaking
Oh my GOD, that is HEARTBREAKING if that's true.... T_T Thank you for the comment -- Ash and Eiji are such an OTP!
@@RomaniaBlack LITERALLY ITS SO HEARTBREAKING AND FOR NO REASON
@@idekkk7869 Yesssss....at least we can all cry as a fandom together! T_T
You said "I feel saddest i feel satisfied by the ending and i don't know why but i can't explain."
I wonder that's because, despite the tragic consequences, it's happy for Ash.
He was released from loneliness. He got a soulmate. And he no longer has to fight with someone's malice or obsession.
He dies, but finally gains love and freedom, forever.
This fact overwhelms us.
The enchantment of this story is that it always contains conflicting elements. And it's ironic and cruel.
Yes, I couldn't have said it better myself -- Ash finally can "fly" and have his freedom, without the pain of the world around him that he's become so entrenched in. It's cruel, ironic, sad, but like he said back in episode 15 (I believe), he found a peace in death coming for him and an escape from his pain. **sniffles** It's so sad, but he found his soulmate that will always be with him and he won't be lonely. Ahhhh...this series. So good! Thank you for the comment!!
@@RomaniaBlack
Thank you for your reply.
I have a lot to ask you, but I may not be able to join the TH-cam chat. OMG!!
Do you blame Lao?
All the foreign viewers seem to hate him, but in Japan no one hates Lao as far as I know.
Judging from what Lao had known (Shorter was killed by Ash, and Sing will face off against Ash.), it makes sense to kill Ash. Lao just tried to protect Sing at the risk of his life.
You used to say "Ash's karma", I think that's exactly what it is.
Do you think Blanca became Ash's ally from the middle?
I think Blanca was Ash's ally from the beginning.
Blanca knew that if Ash loved someone and tried to escape to the outside world, Ash would follow the same path he went through. So he said, "Give up and go back to Monsieur."
The same goes for the contract with Yut Lung. Blanca did not intend to turn into Ash's enemy.
Blanca couldn't just leave Yut Lung alone. Because Yut Lung has lost an important person．Yut Lung's situation was the same as him.
What do you think about Dino didn't shoot Ash in the end?
@@GlennGouldful If you can't join the chat, it's okay! It's getting recorded so anyone that can't make it can go back and watch the chat and reactions -- with time zones being like they are, I know some people will probably be asleep when it's going on! Haha!
I don't necessarily blame Lao -- he was definitely spurned by the system he was apart of, and while it seems Cain and Sing transcended beyond the "old gang fighting ways" of where the series started, Lao wasn't at that point. And like you said, he feared for Sing's life and wanted to avenge Shorter's death. The part that I hate is that if Ash had just told Lao about the circumstances surrounding Shorter's death, or if Lao had known Sing was no longer truly in danger, it all could have been avoided. That's what hurts the most. >.<
I questioned at first if Blanca was truly Ash's ally -- when he throws the knife at Eiji's picture in the manga and in the first few scenes that he's in. I do think the manga does a much better job of showing Blanca transitioning to being Ash's ally -- it has more time to do so than the anime does with the half-dozen episodes he is in. I agree with you about his stance with Yut-Lung!
And ahhh, Dino...that's such an intriguing moment; when he has the chance to shoot Ash, but doesn't. In the end...I'm not entirely sure why he doesn't, unless he's just at his limit and wanted to make sure no one else killed Ash, but Dino definitely pulls some weight by the end of the show that I didn't expect him to, particularly in being the one to take down Foxx.
Can't wait to hear your opinion on Garden of Light. I love your every reaction from the beginning of the episode to the end of the episode. Honestly, I didn't cry in the final episode. Sad "Yes", shock "Yes", but I didn't cry (But still feeling sad). Garden of Light, however. Didn't expect anything, because we know Ash is dead. But, it turned out that unexpectedly, I cried non-stop and even imagined it until this moment. Strangely, I was crying even at the beginning of Eiji's appearance ... it's like somehow suddenly my tears flowed. So, yeah ... can't wait to hear your opinion on Garden of Light.
I was originally really, really excited to read Garden of Light, since it's the epilogue...but now...I'm nervous based on everyone's comments! **nervous laugh** No spoilers between now and then, but I am looking forward to the chat as a whole! Ahhh...I'm excited to talk with you all on Sunday! Thank you so much for the comment!!
this show will forever have a place in my heart, I JUST CANT. tbh, i feel relieved that ash died in that library, at least he didn’t get his guts pulled out by dino or the other dudes 😁 i mean what else would he have in his future with him?? basically eiji traveled to america in the beginning and left at the end, literally changing hundreds of peoples lives . like people say, u can change urs and other peoples life in just a click of a button. i just can’t describe how good this show is, it literally has EVERYTHING and it’s so satisfying when u finish the show and connect the dots!!SJDIFKDKKWFLJDJDJFKD‼️‼️‼️ one thing i’m actually glad with is that every character kinda had their own ending, not too bad so the author won’t let us hanging on them. but in conclusion, ash and eiji are both safe now in their own worlds !! thank you for this great journey! i hope to check out your other videos :))
This series, just a MASTERPIECE from start to finish! I'm so glad I was able to watch this series, because it's one of my favorites now! Yeah, of all the deaths Ash could have had over the course of this series, the ending is the most "peaceful" in a strange way...but still so heartbreaking! Eiji's impact is definitely incredible in this show....ahhh...it's just so satisfying to see connect together from start to finish; it's a bittersweet ending for sure, but fits the theme of the show SO much!
Thank you so much for the kind words! This was definitely a journey reacting and I hope there's another show I end up watching now or in the future that you join in on the reactions! Thanks for commenting! :D
@@RomaniaBlack YESSS I AGREE, I JUST CANT DESCRIBE HOW GOOD IT IS, I HAVE NO WORDS 😭😭
@@zzzgyu DITTO!
I STILL CANT HELP CRYING 2 YEARS LATER
RIGHT?! It's soooooo darn sad! :( :( Still gets me even watching all this time later!
Thank you for the comment!
💔😭 I hate this anime! I love this anime! But I hate this anime! ... I love it? .... 😭💔
Thanks for your reactions and sharing your thoughts with us. I really enjoyed (?) it.
*sending hugs* ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much for the comment and kind words -- and the hugs! They were needed!!
This anime is one of my favorites, but it guts me to the core. Are we all masochists for loving it? Maybe. In any case, I have loved watching this show and talking with you all about it! I can't wait to do that more on the 21st! ^^
I have seen the last episode only a few times, (too painful) but i cry every time.
It's SO painful; I don't blame you!! T__T
Especially this wholesome show and lovable, relatable characters!!!
RIGHT?! At least Sing lived! And Dragon Moon....ahhh...I didn't see him and Sing working together coming!
@@RomaniaBlack yeah definitely ash and eiji 2.0 type of haha
I am not okay, but thank you so much for uploading. This broke my heart. I think this has become my favorite anime of all time. I won't spoil your final response for future watchers, but I feel the same way you did about the episode. I just (*sighs*)...I cannot. :(
This show was too good. I think it's a 9/10 for me. I'll have to watch all of these again to decide if I rate it higher. XD
Thank you SO much for the comment and kind words! Ahhhh, and yes, Banana Fish is the DEFINITION of Bittersweet -- there's so many wonderful moments...and so much pain. I really love it. I'm excited for you to get into the manga and hopefully the epilogue. The Epilogue, Garden of Light, is what truly broke me. T_T
Cain's words in jail came true. Ash's letting his guard down for whatever reason will be the death of him.
UGH. Yesssssss, Cain knew what was up -- that moment always gets me, because we get swept up in it all (just like Ash) and put our own guard down as the audience...and we pay the price of Banana Fish for it. **cries** Thank you for the comments and watching with me!
and he did "stabs ice-cream"
Bwahaahahaha -- oh my gosh, one of my favorite parts of my rant. Thank you for bringing that up.
**Stabbing ice cream violently** is officially a mood for Banana Fish. ^^ Thanks for the comment!
Theres only one word for this episode and its PAIN.
You are 1000% correct! Ice cream required, wine optional! Thank you for the comment!!
Now that this is the last episode of bf I really wanted to say that I love how much research you do. It's something that I really enjoy to watch and one of the many reasons that you grew to be my fav reaction channel. So thank you so much!!
I don't know if I can come to the live chat but if not I make sure to watch it in the week after.
I want to say a lot but I probably forget a lot of things and I try to not write too much.XD I need to reread the manga,I feel like I forgot so much information from it.
I totaly understand what you mean with the first episode. It really feels like you watch it for the first time.
Arthurs death really feels like 'now we're gonna get started for real'
I never noticed that with Yut-lungs hair.That's amazing.
The Blanca and Sing duo is something I never knew I needed but I'm all in for it.XD
I love this scene with Sing and Yut-lung. I will try to keep the it short about this scene.XD
Yut-lung's expression when he told Sing that he can go ahead and kill him makes me want to cry. He just really don't know what to do afer he got his revenge.
I love that this feel like Sing is going to be the person Eiji is for Ash. The person who will care about you finally is here.
I feel like Sing to some characters. If a character is seemingly bad but the reason they are like that is because they are broken,I can't bring myself to hate them. I try but I just can't.
Maybe Yut-lung and Sing are my fav ship.
There is another story from Akimi Yoshida called 'Yasha' and in chapter 46 we see Sing and a talk what is with Yut-lung.I wouldn't say it's really canon because it's in another manga but it's still interesting to see. My shipper heart went full on. XD So if you want maybe you like to read this chapter after garden of light.
I never tought Eiji will survive this show. I'm still suprised.
I had so many different scenarios in my head how this episode is ending but I NEVER thought it's gonna end like this.
A lot of people hate this ending but I personaly like it because we don't know if Ash could become happy in japan. He had to go through so many things,that nobody should ever have to go through,and killed so many people and even friends. This would probably haunt him forever so maybe he wouldn't have found peace in himself. So he could at least die with a smile on his face.
After I watched the christmas event of banana fish I fell in love with Yut-lung's seiyuu, Fukuyama Jun,which is now my favourite.
The seiyuu of Dino,Ishizuka Unshou,died some time after banana fish started airing,which maybe is his last project. So I wanted to say that he was an amazing seiyuu and he really did an awesome job voicing Dino.
Wish you a wonderful day!!
Oh yeah, if you can't make the live chat, it'll at least be up there to watch the reaction! And thank you for the kind words -- this series has been really special to me and I've enjoyed watching it week to week and commenting with you all!
I'm so glad others share in that sentiment about the first episode - it may be the perfect pilot episode! Ooooh, the Sing/Yut-Lung relationship and his duo with Blanca was just...I didn't know I needed it! I have heard of Yasha, but thank you for letting me know the specific chapter! I may have to read that afterwards. Sing, to me, is definitely the Eiji to Ash that Dragon Moon needed! I am definitely shipping them now, haha!! The fact that someone will be there to love Dragon Moon is just **chef's kiss**
And I'm right there with you -- I honestly didn't expect Eiji to live. Shows what we knew! Hahahaha, I was the same -- many scenarios of how it could end, but none of them like that. I wanted Ash to run away with Eiji, but I feel his demons would have still haunted him, even then. It fits the story that he died, but I still hate it, hahaha! Especially knowing the two never had a chance to really connect at the end. And yes, he seemingly died peacefully, so at least there's that.
Oooh, I'll have to look that up -- that sounds interesting, and I definitely love the voicework that Jun did for Dragon Moon! It's so sad that Dino's VA died as well -- at least he ended on an amazing role with this series.
Thank you so much for the kind words and the comment! I may have to do a Soapbox review of Yasha and the other BF side stories I don't get to cover in the livestream! :)
Omg the time has come, and what a treat of a long video this is :D
The ending is such a subversion expectations, especially thinking this is a shoujo manga. If this was a cliche romance, Ash would have run to the airport. He would have stopped the takeoff and somehow got into the plane. He would have gone to Japan Eiji wanted him to, lived together happily ever after. I truly think the letter convinced Ash to go, that he could change his fate. But then Lao came to remind him he’s the leopard that had climbed too far to turn back. So cruel yet beautiful. The theming and narrative are just so well crafted it hurts. And there’s still garden of light, which explains a lot of things about the ending that might have felt rushed. It also answers pretty much all the questions Romania had :D See u at the live!
I'm so glad y'all liked the long video! I didn't expect to ramble that long, but Banana Fish! ^^
YES! Especially given it's a Shoujo, I expected either them both to die or both to live...the fact that Eiji gets to leave and Ash dies is so crazy! And then, yeah, Lao came into the picture as a cruel reminder of the world he just couldn't leave behind without facing the consequences. The themes and narratives here are sooo well done -- that makes me feel good knowing that Garden of Light is going to give us some answers! Thank you for the kind words and comment! See you at the Livestream!
Just so you understand how much this anime hurt me:
Before I LOVED sad endings, I would start an entire anime if I found out that one of the main characters would die. I would even give it a bigger score because of it XD
Then, I watched Banana Fish. I didn't know how it ends. When I saw the end, I cried for like... An hour. Then, I was sad the whole day and would tear up every time I thought about it. I was sad for a week. It literally broke me XD Since then I try to avoid any anime or anything that ends sad XD It even made me a more emotional person XD Like, it literally killed me XD Ash is also my favorite character, and he was very precious to me (I personally see the characters that I like as my children (not that I'm mother irl, I'm too young for that, but I do have a motherly personality and I'm the "mom" friend so...), but let's say he was my favorite child lol, so yeah, it hurts XD), so I reacted as if my cat died XD I literally can't express how hurt I was XD
And yes, Eiji and Ash saw each other for the last time in the last episode, and as I said, Eiji couldn't even see. It's just so tragic.
Ash died because even though Eiji was his strength, he was his greatest weakness too, so the moment that Ash got his hopes up to be happy with Eiji, he let his guard down and he got stabbed. When he did, he could go to the hospital, but instead, he understood that Eiji would be in constant danger if they are together, he understood that they'll never to able to live normally. So he went to his favorite place and read Eiji's letter over and over again, which was his most precious gift. He died with a smile on his face because he's finally free of all the things happening in his life. He's one of the most tragic anime characters I've ever seen.
And yes, it WAS oddly satisfying. When I watched it I cried, but at the same time I thought like "This is a perfect ending and this IS how it should end" even though I hated it XD I feel like it would be almost... Unrealistic? I don't even know how to explain it, but yes, I accepted it right away. But I wish it didn't end like that :'(
I'm literally trying not to cry while writing this XD
Why do I use so many XD's?! O_O
It's such a cruel, poetic ending -- Ash and Eiji were soulmates, and without Eiji in his life, what was the point of living for Ash? That line about him being the "scum of the city" now that Eiji was gone...it really hurt, because you could see how serious he was. That's why despite the ending being horrifically sad, I was like, "Well, if Ash can't have Eiji...then what now?!" I get why he let Eiji go, but the fact that they never had a proper goodbye or got to at least hug before leaving?! That crushes me the most! T_T
It is a near-perfect ending (would have been perfect if they'd ended up together, but we can't have nice things), but ugh....I know! I use lots of smiley emojis/emoticons/whatever when I type, despite being sad, hahah! I just...it's going to take a while to process, but at least we can all laugh/cry together on the livestream this coming weekend! Thank you for the comment!!
@@RomaniaBlack I agree. It's so sad :'(
Yeah! No problem! ^_^
HES NOT DEAD HES NOT DEAD HE'S NOT DEAD HE'S NOT DEAD HES NOT DEAD HES NOT DEAD HES NOT DEAD
If we chant it long enough, it'll be reality, right? Thank you for the comment!!
@@RomaniaBlack yeah the first thing I had to do was search it up and found one video that says he is with a little bit of proof so I'm just holding on to that, hopefully he just passed out
@@ElliotSunshine Ahhhh, I would tell you to go to the livestream in my Banana Fish playlist where I read the epilogue, "Garden of Light," but....I don't want to destroy any hope! @_@
That was quite a thrilling ending, so glad and grateful for your reactions, even with all the drama and tragedy 😭 it all makes sense now that the second ending takes place in a field, its the rye, so would that make Ash the “catcher”? 🤔 it’s also quite fitting that the climactic battle ended in a fire, that it all ends up in Ash(es) hehe...
Wasn't it?! Thank you so much for the kind words! I don't think I would have been able to totally get through episode to episode without knowing I'd be able to talk to you all about it later! And yesssss, I hadn't even thought about the catcher in the rye tying in with the ED! The ED is such a tease, too; I expected Ash and Eiji to both die and "pass on" together, but here we are! >.< And yes, the tying in of the fire and ashes? Genius! Thank you for the comment! Hopefully people can make it to the livestream Sunday for the Garden of Light and Private option reaction! :D It's going to be fun! At least it'll be recorded if people can't!
This show is such beautiful and heartbreaking poetry, and I'm so glad we got to experience your journey through the intense suspense and sadness with you every step of the way. Garden of Light is the crowning jewel of this tragedy, and I can't wait for you to read it! Once you've read it, I highly recommend watching this gorgeous series of animatics that someone made for Garden of Light (link at the bottom). They not only re-drew the entire thing in color and put it to music, but they also added in many scenes that were implied, referenced in other material by the mangaka, or just would have made sense based on the story canon. I'd already read Garden of Light several times, but watching this made me fall in love with it a hundred times over. It's a magnificent tribute to the entirety of this series.
th-cam.com/play/PLg59QOnKYLYJOlyFD1RthI2PpeESR49Do.html
Thank you so much for the kind words and the comment! This show was sooooo wonderful and is now one of my favorites! I'm so thankful to have you all commenting on it with me!
I'm going to read Garden of Light on Sunday for the livestream and then I've decided to do a separate video or two with the animatic reaction and some other side stories! That way, I can show the animatic alongside it! :) I'm looking forward to it!
This episode made me cry so hard, it was painful and beautiful at the same time, at the end Ash didn't make it at the airport instead he returned to the library, he didn't try to save himself or seek help, a lot of people say its because he wanted to die, others say he was at peace because he prayed to God to take him instead of Eiji, there's a lot or theories and opinions about it, but in the end it was like the leopard, nobody knows if it was trying to climb the mountain or if it was trying to go back, in the end Ash was the leopard and that makes me cry again 💔
I understand! So painful and poetic, right?! UGH, I hate that he was running to the airport when all that happened! T_T Just...WHY?! The symbolism with the leopard, the library -- it's all so beautiful and the foreshadowing the show made leading up to that moment? It's beautiful and tragic and it makes me want to eat another pint of ice cream! Hahaha!! Thank you so much for the comment!
41:03 Ash’s last word was “Eiji” AND EIJI HEARD HIM SAY IT AT THE AIRPORT AND ALSKDOSO I DIDNT NEED TO REALIZE THIS TODAY
Well....damn....**sniffles** That just...I didn't realize those were his last words....I will definitely confirm with the manga...but for now...**aggressively eats ice cream** Thank you for the comment!
@@RomaniaBlacki honestly don’t think those were ash’s last words in the manga but like. i guess the show creator wanted to make us BAWL OUR FRIGGIN EYES OUT
@@zo0mbi **LMAO** It's like when they made them say Sayonara in the warehouse before Eiji was shot -- in the manga, they do the greetings but NOT Sayonara. The manga saves that for when Ash visits Eiji in the hospital. So yeah, MAPPA wants us to suffer. T_T
I will pray for your recovery. This episode hurt so much I cant watch it and not cry. Either way, I hope you enjoyed banana fish despite.....the ending. BUT. the creator said that banana fish has an open ending. so it’s up to you whether that library lady called 911, ash survived, then went to japan with eiji OR he died in the library reading eiji’s letter🤧😖
Hahahaa, all of these comments pointing out tiny tragic details I hadn't even considered...man...definitely getting to me! Thank you for the kind words, prayers, and comment! ^^ This show...I love it...but it hurts! Especially the ending! T_T
I've read a few fanfics where Ash survived. I wish that actually happened. 🥺😭😔
Ahhhh, I've held back from reading any fanfics of Banana Fish because as sad and heartbreaking as it is, I do like the ending from a story perspective...now....I may need to go read some now, though! Especially after re-watching this series! Thank you for the comment!
Hah I think I remember you saying in one of your reaction episodes that you were going to need some wine and ice cream and you actually got it! Please forgive me if I misheard.
Yes! I've had it stocked since then -- almost busted it out for Episode 22, but held on...this episode, though? NOPE. It was needed. ^^ Thank you so much for the comment!
If Sing had just told Lao that the death match was over ...
RIGHT?! Communication!!! If only Sing and Ash had communicated with Lao (about the death match being over and about the real cause of Shorter's death), then Ash probably would not have died....ugh. It's just too tragic. T_T Thank you for the comment!
RIP Ash
NO. JOKE. **cries** Thank you for the comment!
Finally, it's all came a full circle, isn't it? Thank you @Romania for taking us through the ride with your reactions and reviews...Indeed it is one of the greatest anime of all time. One could see that the animators had treated this adaptation with care and love, and done justice to that masterpiece of a manga..
When I first watched the finale, I literally held my breath for the last 10 minutes, hoping by any miracle the anime would take on a different route/ending. It was painful but I had since came to term with it (I resorted to complete the manga as early as when I was 2-3 episodes into the anime. I couldn't bear the weekly wait for the episode releases and also thought it is a better choice after all to save myself from getting spoiled accidentally 😂). I can't begin to imagine what it was like for the readers who had been following the manga serialization for almost 10 years, when they read the ending 😭.
Still, there's so much to talk about, so I'll be sure to catch you on the live chat! Btw I low-key hope that you would react to that Garden of Light animatics fan project first instead of reading the manga -if you remember I had shared the links some weeks ago - just for the reasons that the animatics is modernized for 2020's setting just like the anime; while the manga is still in the retro's style late 80-early 90s; and that you started with the anime anyway. But it's alright, either way will work just fine. Maybe you can react to the animatics afterward?
For others who are interested, I can't stress enough that the Garden of Light animatics (just search for Yaki BF channel) is very well made, and it included additional material beyond the GoL in the manga. I realized later, that the 'extra events' are actually sourced from New York Sense (Eiji's Photobook) and another manga series by Akimi Yoshida called 'Yasha' ---which is in the same universe of BF; so the events are all canons. I still bawled when watching the animatics recently, eventhough I already got a closure with Garden of Light 2 years ago, or so I thought 😥
See you all on Sunday! (need to double check with my local time lest I might miss it lol!)
Right?! It's alllllll come back around, and I can't believe we're at the end! Thank you all so much for the kind words and for joining me on this! This anime has definitely established itself as one of my favorites and the fact that they treated the adaptation so well is a testament to MAPPA and the animators!
I kept hoping that we'd get an after credits scene or it would change, too, but no chance of that, eh? UGH. I cannot IMAGINE waiting chapter to chapter for this series?! Can you imagine!? I've almost got the whole set, so that's good at least...I still need to read Volumes 18 and 19 before Sunday's chat! SO MUCH to talk about!
I've thought about reacting to the animatics maybe after reading -- I think as a separate video so people can follow along with the animatics on screen. There's also been a few other side stories brought to light, and a chapter of a sequel series where apparently Sing makes an appearance -- I think I'll do the animatics and the chapter from "Yasha" the sequel manga together in a video! to post the week or two after our live chat! :)
And yes! I foresee it being a long chat, but it's 8:00 am Central Standard Time in the US, if that helps! :D See you then!!
@@RomaniaBlack Oh how I wish they would at least make an OVA for Garden of Light, but I dont think we will get one in near future, I'm leaning to the rumor/theory that MAPPA had purposely kept the ending of the anime open-ended...
Hope you get to complete the manga collection soon! Back then when I started hunting, some volumes went out of stock too, but apparently they were back again after some time, hopefully they will continue to reprint. I bought everything from Bookdepository btw (it's cheaper than Amazon for me due to shipping cost and all). I wish the English version has that proper boxset, I really wanted the 'New York Sense' and those postcards that came with the Japanese boxsets versionT_T ~
Yesss, another video for the animatics, please! About Yasha, it's not a sequel as it is totally different story, just some characters from BF making an appearance (maybe just Sing anyway?), otherwise others are just mentioned in the story. I have started reading but never really got into it yet.
Alrighty that will make around 10pm Sunday on my side, cool! (thankfully it's not working hours otherwise I might have to get a leave 😂). See ya then!
@@PetomJL I could see that with MAPPA -- give the anime only's some hope, right? :P I am definitely going to do an animatic reaction, and probably include chapter 46, since it specifically brings up Sing and Dragon Moon. :) Yes, it's hard to find the English translations for Banana Fish, but thank you for the info about Book Depository! I will look there!! Hopefully, with there being sell outs on prints, they do a reprint, too!
And wow! 10 pm your time! That's late! Ahhhh, time zones. >.< The good thing is if you can't make it, the reaction will still be recorded, so there's that at least! :D
Im not crying, i just got sand in my eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Right?! Not crying at allllll; I'm with you! Thank you for the comment!!
This anime is beautiful. Its my fav
Banana Fish has become probably my favorite anime and one of my favorite series -- it's just so good from start to finish and it lingers with out even months after finishing it. I absolutely love it! :) Thank you for the comment!
44:10 🤣🤣😂😂 the scream
hahahaha, glad you got a time stamp on it! Thank you for the comment! :D
29:14 dont pull out the knife dont pull out the knife dont pull out the knife dont pull out the knife dont pull out the knife
29:18 ASH!!!! the knife stops most of the bleeding pulling it out just makes you lose more blood!!!!!
Edit:༎ຶ‿༎ຶ
RIGHT?! The sheer stress of that final scene with Ash...just....where's Shion from No. 6 when we need him?!
Thank you for the comment!!
OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Want to sob again!!!!!!!!!!!! Gonna miss watching your reactions! 😭😭😭😭
Definitely tear-worthy!! Thank you so much for the kind words! At least there'll be other shows to watch! :)
Have you seen "The New York Sense"? New York Sense is the photo album made by Eiji after 5 years of the events of Garden of Light, in 1999
The pictures he took are sad (because of Ash) and cool at the same time
Yessss! I just did a reaction to it not long back -- if you check the Banana Fish playlist on my Channel it's there! :)
Thank you so much for the comment!!
Ooooooh sorry for asking, I'm new to your channel so I didn't know there were more bf (and other anime) videos hahaha! But I'm checking them, your channel is great btw!!
@@Bianca-op5nq Oh it's no problem!! No need to apologize; I was just letting you know it was there! ^^ Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching -- I hope you like the other videos! :)
you watched it in 6 months?!!? i've watched it all in a day
Yeah!! Week-to-week for six months! :) I don't know if my heart could have taken it in a day! @.@ Thank you so much for the comment!
after finishing banana fish I think I’m going to be crying for the next week.. 😭
RIGHT?! It's a gut punch to the core of you FOR SURE! T_T Thank you for the comment!
WE REALLY CANT FCKING HAVE NICE THINGS HERE 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Apologies that this is JUST NOW showing up in my notifications, but NO JOKE. This is why we can't have nice things.... **Cries** Thank you for the comment!!
I WAS CRYING
Yesssss, sooooo sad! I blame no one for tears! Thank you for the comment!!
**laughs the sadness off**
I find that I laugh a lot when I'm scared or sometimes sad -- it's a defense mechanism, but does help. **laughs nervously**
Helpp the way you started eating ice cream after ash diedd 😭😭😭
That pint of ice cream was needed after this episode! Thank you for the comment!
I stoped my tears from failing I am very proud of myself for once I stopped them
That's awesome!! It's hard to not either cry, feel heartbroken, want to stomp something, or all of the above with this last episode! So tragic!! Thank you so much for the comment!!
@@RomaniaBlack I wanted to cry I did cry a lot when I first watched it and almost threw my phone across the room but yeah😅😅
@@stephanieboakye5972 Oh, this episode FOR SURE had "Throw Your Phone Across the Room" vibes!! XD I don't blame you at ALL!
I can cry my ass ofg all day cus of that
If this episode or the series as a whole DOESN'T elicit an emotional response, are you human? Hahaha, thank you for the comment! We can cry together!
Late but love your reaction to this show but sad fact: it took ash 6 hours to die because the knife didn't hit any vital organs
You're never late! Thank you SO SO much for the kind words and comment! Ahhh, that's just SO SAD....the fact that he bled out... T_T Just a straight kick to the gut!
i hate breaking my own heart with this episode😭😭😭
This episode is a lot, right?! It's just soo heartbreaking and bittersweet! I'd mail you ice cream if I could! Thank you for the comment and watching!
I just finished Banana Fish, in two days. Now I watch this, and it cuases me so much pian Also, I thought I was the only one who thought it was Blanc who killed Foxx
I'm glad I wasn't the only one, hahaha! Thank you for the kind words and comment! I appreciate it!
@@RomaniaBlack your welcome!!🥰🥰🤗🤗
Ending Yaxiu did not die. Someone later found out the book closing time. Later, the library aunt found out that he was rushed to the doctor. The injured hand was also sutured. Yaxiu had nothing to recover from his illness. Later, the netizens have a story after the tea ceremony!
Ha, I like to think that Ash and Lao didn't kill each other -- that's the happy ending we all want, right? Thank you for the comment!
Girl, you got the wine before starting to watch, I feel like you get banana fish mood pretty well, now 😂😭
WHY CAN'T WE HAVE NICE THINGS?!!
Little survival tip : Ash is still napping in the library, period. An exceptionally long nap, but this kid probably has a long-as-fuck sleep's-debt, so, it's only logical to nap that long, he'll just go to the airport right after his well-deserved rest. And nothing in this episode can prove me wrong. And that's how I survive to banana fish. BTW, I love that u start talking about alternative tl, u're this close to subscribe to AO3 and heal-read every alternative ending fanfictions about banana fish 😂 Denial will set us free !!
People will argue till the end of time about this fucking ending.
- For once, some people think that Ash's dying is logical in the storytelling, no need to say that I strongly disagree with it. Killing an abused character like Ash is everything but logical, except for a sociopath. It's not subversive either, like "booo happy endings are so Disney, so let's do the opposite, just because" NO ! A writer killing his character (a kid victim of abuse who's consistantly fought to be free of this world and of everyone trying to own him) is nothing but a jerk, who's literally saying to every abuse viewer who identified to Ash : "don't even bother trying to heal, you're too damaged anyway" Ash is not broken! Eiji said so : Ash is not broken, but the writer thought it would be ok to give him an ending that means : "you can never get out of this, you're too broken anyway, so you can only die to stop suffering" Again, a word of NO!
- Still about the ending : why the fuck didn't Ash call for help? He got stabbed before, he could have survived this wound. But he chose to let himself die (take that Lao, Ash decided of his death, not you, you weren't strong enough), why? Eiji was currently flying back to Japan, where he would have been safe from gang's life, so the reason can't be to protect Eiji from it anymore. To me, it comes to this beautiful scene in episode 23, by the window : Ash asked god (whatever god would listen) to take him instead of Eiji. He kinda made a pact, and god fulfilled his end of the deal by saving Eiji. Now Ash as to fulfil his part : giving his life. I feel like the scene in the hospital, the one form the Op, is about that too. Ash going to see Eiji was like he was trying to get out of the deal. The awfully bad timing of the cops, breaking Asheiji's reunion, (in a very God's creation imagery btw, their hands reaching but never touching, like frozen in a painting), coincidence? Or God's move to reminds Ash of the deal? Strike one. And then, Ash tries to break the deal one more time, by running to the airport, to Eiji again. So god strikes again, in the form of Lao. Not a mortal wound, but a reminder. And finally Ash understands. Before fainting on the library's table, he looks up, and it looks like he says goodbye to Eiji, who's flying again, but to me, it could be that he's also looking towards god, saying smt like "OK dude I understand now. Thanks for saving hi, you can take me now"
In all this misery, I'm kinda glad that Ash is the one choosing his death, because god knows I fucking hated how Dino tried to reaffirm ownership over Ash by not letting anyone else taking the life of his "creation". And I hated how it's pictured as kinda redemptionny, because it's not, it's only rapey. He's doing what he's done since the beginning : he's not saving Ash (from a threat he was too delusional to foresee), he's just marking him once more. Just an obsessive god-complex pedophile, being his usual rapey. Rest in no-peace.
54:30 oooo did not thought about that line: Lao not being good enough to kill Ash. Truth is, Lao was thinking the same thing, that he could never manage to kill Ash. He got there thinking about Sing (seeing him and Ash argue), knowing that there was nothing he could do to stop Ash, but that he couldn't stay and do nothing nevertheless. He was as surprised as Ash that he could strike him, because like he said, Ash never let's his guard down. Except (and I hate it) the single moment that Ash allows himself to hope that he may deserve to fly with Eiji. Ash was killed hoping for his own happiness and freedom I FUCKING HATE IT!
23:02 And again with the work on light in the animation : The night sky that is reflecting in Eiji's eye, mirroring episode 2, the day sky (with Eiji "flying" towards it) that is reflecting in Ash's eye.
26:42 God I love when bad guys go "NANI?", like they weren't warned a xillion times that Ash can never be tamed 😈 Serves them right.
27:42 It annoys me that I find Blanca so hot and cool in this episode 🙈 Because to me he's another failing-adult for Ash. Just because he's one of the few grown-ups not sexualizing Ash, doesn't make him a good father figure, he's at best a Jim Callenreese figure : an adult who lets a kid being abused but gives him survival tips during it 🙄 Yeeeeaaaah thanks but no thanks. Father figure is Max, period. And Ash knows (this little text message ohmygaaawd).
33:30 I loooove what's starting between Yut-Lung and Sing here, not especially shipping a romantic relationship here, but just Love™ for Yut-Lung, in whatever form it could take. So funny, Ash was like "yeah I'd totally slice Yut-Lung in pieces" (and then, being his marshmallow self: "well I won't attack him if he doesn't either"), but when you think about it, Ash, by sparing Sing's life, kinda sent to Yut-Lung a potential Eiji. I mean, come on, Sing is the absolute kitten : he has claws, he tries to roar but only babySimba-meows, he just wants everyone to be happy (this guy is the biggest Asheiji shipper here), he doesn't seem to know how to hate, he's the most kawai boss of all times, he's fascinated by Ash and by so he Reads Dragon'sMoon pretty well, and he's not afraid to put Yut's pretty noise in his own poop when he acts like shit. Therefore. He's the Lee's Eiji, shut up I'm right. Character's growth incoming for Yut-Lung, this is why we need a second season. This is why Ash is actually just napping. It all makes sense.
Oh my god this comment must have a billion words. Does it shows that I don't wanna say goodbye to banana fish? 🙈
I hope you're OK, that you didn't fall into a wine&ice-cream induced coma. Can't wait to hear what you thought about Garden of light.
See ya !
Oh man...I love this comment and let's just agree that Ash is fine. He's fine, right? Season 2 will pick up with Sing and Yut-Lung being friends and cleaning up Chinatown and Ash helps, too....right? That works, right? UGH....I may have to resort to AO3 for escape from the pain, eh? It's just so....pointless that he died. He finally takes a chance with hope and it gets him killed. And there was NO reason for it -- if only Lao knew that it had been called off...that Sing was safe...then neither of them would have died. UGH. Haaaaaaate it. It's a beautiful, poetic ending, sure...but I still don't like it. At least Ash established he wasn't afraid of dying -- here, it was the one aspect of his life that he could control. And that...is just... **violently stabs ice cream**
Blanca is still just an enigma to me -- I feel the manga gives him a lot more depth, but that's a discussion for the 21st, eh? As is Garden of Light! I'm excited/nervous for it! This show has been amazing to watch all these months...I'm definitely not ready to let it go, but there's always the re-runs, right?! Heh heh...luckily, no comas were induced by the wine and ice cream, though I did REALLY enjoy Free! afterwards! haha!!
Thank you for the kind words and the comment! See you on the 21st!! :D
Lmao **violently stabs ice cream** is a banana fish mood 😂
@@miniglub It REALLY is! I'm going to be using that **action** for the future if it warrants it! ^^
On episode 14, Sing was worried about Ash after the “Ash vs Arthur” scene, then Cain said “Arthur isn’t strong enough. No one is strong enough. He’ll only be killed if he brings it on himself.”
After I watched episode 24, I did not cry at all but I just spaced out for I dunno how long. My mind wouldn’t process what happened. I was in denial. So many unanswered questions so I tried to look for the Garden of Light for answers. After reading a few pages, when it was confirmed that Ash really is gone, I bawled 😭😭😭 It took me hours just to finish the Garden of Light because my tears just kept falling. I recently tried to re-read the Garden of Light and it still took me a lot of time to finish it. I wonder if the time will come when I’ll be able to read it without bawling 😭
Yesss, all the foreshadowing to Ash's death? It just hurts...I was in denial the whole time. I'm avoiding Garden of Light spoilers until next Saturday on the 21st when I read it for the live chat, but I was pretty sure by the end of ep 24 that Ash was dead, so your comment didn't spoil that for me. :) Ahhhh, I'm nervous now to read it for the chat! @_@ thank you for the comment! Here's to keeping safe until the livestream!
I need to stop watching
Anime’s that I know are gonna make me cry 🥲
Right?! But with Banana Fish, it's so worth it!
Banana fish is a show that has really stayed with me these past few years and impacted me in a way that i really don't know how to put it all into words. you could tell it was made with such passion and care by everyone involved. Some cast and crew did a premium party with interviews/games etc here's the full subbed link th-cam.com/video/ksCkxIgYJQM/w-d-xo.html and during it Ash's VA talked about how much impact voicing him had on him to the point that he teared up talking about it here's that cut th-cam.com/video/2c5YWI-N14M/w-d-xo.html Banana fish and Ash still lives on in everyone of us who watched/read it
"The heart of Ash must have preserved the soul of Eiji." WELL -- I have officially gone to the freezer to get more ice cream, because **sobs** That video was soooo good, but seeing Mr. Uchida cry? That got me. Man....yes, I did not expect this show to stick with me like it did. But man, did it! It's become one of my favorite anime and really impacted me, as you said.
Thank you so much for the comment! You can tell this show was made with such care, and it came out a masterpiece!
I read that it’s “Shoujo” only because it was serialized in a Shoujo Magazine.
(Spoiler ahead for people who haven’t watched the last episode yet)
I’ve read some interviews of the mangaka and there was this one where she said that if Ash was alive, Ash & Eiji would still live apart. But her 1st decision was to really kill Ash because it’s like a consequence of him murdering a lot of people.
The ending or I think the whole series itself is really really sad but I LOVE IT. I always try to post anything about Banana Fish on social media so a lot of people would also be encouraged to watch it. This anime is still so underrated. People need to meet our boy Ash 💛
That makes sense! It still throws me off with the genre! We need more Shoujo like Banana Fish published! :) I can see why the mangaka chose to kill Ash...it still just hurts so much, because we've grown to like this character and root for him throughout the entire series. UGH. T_T
I love this series and the ending is strangely satisfying, but it's like picking at a scab...you can't help but do it, when you know it's just going to re-open the wound and hurt some more...ahhh, this anime is WAY underrated, and I wish more saw it! :) Thank you for the comment!!
Good dream ash
Oh my god I'm crying
RIGHT?! That ending....only tears, y'all. Thank you for the comment!
I am watching TickTock‘s because consuming media of things how I cope with shit and people are pointing out how Ash got his wish in the end. I haven’t cried yet and it’s quite concerning.
Ahhhh, I didn't quite sob like some have, but man...that ending is just a GUT PUNCH, isn't it?!
I will never get over eiji sayong that he will meet ash again and in the manga eiji never cut his hair because ash touched it 😭
Right?! The ending of this episode was heartbreaking, but then you see Eiji again in Garden of Light, and....GUT PUNCH! T_T Thank you for the comment!!
if only he had gone to the hospital and saved himself,it would’ve been so different.why couldn’t he do that😭
I feel Ash was maybe afraid of being arrested or making Eiji worried? Whatever was going through his mind -- it just HURTTTTTS! Thank you for the comment!
Lo de la foto tiene todo el sentido del mundo, ni me había fijado. Es lo malo de ver series compulsivamente en dos días.
La vi solo para poder ver tus reacciones y no spoilearme cosas. Y me arrepiento de nada, fue hermoso y horrible.
Me da pena como termina Ash, entiendo que es una forma bonita de irse y ser libre, pero el hecho que murió teniendo al fin la posibilidad de ser libre y conocer Japón. Lo peor es que siento que de no ser por la carta nada habría pasado.
Me pondré al día con el manga para tu reacción.
¿Hablas español? Si no lo haces, igual puedo traducir o escribir en inglés con muchos errores, tristemente solo entiendo inglés, no lo hablo ni lo escribo.
PD: amé todo, fue hermoso. Gracias por compartir tus reacciones.
¡Oh, gracias por las amables palabras! El manga es maravilloso; ¡Lo recomiendo mucho también!
Estoy de acuerdo, si Ash no hubiera leído la carta, no estoy seguro de que hubiera corrido tras Eiji. Sin embargo, odio cómo terminó para él. Fue hermoso y poético, ¡pero TAN trágico!
Y no te preocupes; Estudié español hace años, pero no soy bueno para escribirlo ni hablarlo, así que utilizo un traductor. ^^ ¡¡Gracias por el comentario !! No me puedo imaginar atravesar esta serie en DOS DÍAS. @ _ @
@@RomaniaBlack awww eres genial. Gracias por tomarte ese trabajo.
Entiendo todo lo que leo en inglés, si te acomoda responder en inglés no tengo ningún problema.
Gracias.
Pd: ahora estoy viendo tus reacciones del Kageyama que corre. Me salvaste en esta cuarentena.
@@carlosignacio5489 ¡No hay problema! Gracias por las amables palabras y me alegro de que las reacciones estén ayudando durante la cuarentena; ¡ver este anime con todos ustedes definitivamente también me ha ayudado! ¡Salud!
We're finally here...the time we we're waiting for ha ha ha...
When you thought everything will be fine not until the last 5 minutes of the show :< (I was spoiled on the ending but I kinda think its not gonna happen ha ha)
"Must be a nice dream.." this.this line made me a crying mess(though almost all in the fandom hated the librarian lol),Thinking that he is satisfied and will have a good time from now on,and not fighting for his life every second :)..and he'll finally be with Skip and Shorter..Aaaargh this hurt :<
About Dino,Some said that he jump purposely to not give Ash the satisfaction of killing him...
and yes...people tend to not watch this show because it is labeled as 'yaoi' and without even researching they just shrugg this off,and some just watch this because it is a 'sad' anime(which is true) but I personally think they should first know about the triggering things this anime tackles...
It's been a while since I wrote a long comment but there are just so many things to comment haha...Anyways Thank you for watching banana fish and sharing it with us...
Ikr, why did they hate on her? He was already dead when she saw him, right? Like... Even is she did find out she wouldn't be able to do anything
@@akaneshio6406 i agree!!
Ahhh, I can't believe we're finally here, either! @_@ RIGHT?! I thought everything was going okay until those last 5 minutes...dang it, Banana Fish!!
The ONLY solace in all of this is that he'll be with Shorter and Skip -- I really hadn't thought about that until now...but man...it's still crushing! The ending was kind of like with Hohenheim in FMA:B...him dying there on the spot and the granny finding him... **cries**
And I can believe that with Golzine, falling to his death to not let Ash kill him, but then...Ash didn't look like he was going to shoot him, so...who knows. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Golzine went out like a boss, taking Foxx with him (the only good act that man has done in this series!).
And yeah, it's SOOOO not Yaoi! HA! And while it is definitely sad it's so worth it....ahhhh, I wish more watched it!
In any case, thank you for the kind words and the comment! On the 21st, we can all talk some more about Banana Fish! :)
@@RomaniaBlack Yeah, something about the look in his eyes made me kinda feel bad for him (again, I have a soft heart for everyone XD), but yes, I agree XD
. . . WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT ENDING BRO!!!!!!!!!
RIGHT?! It just hits you like a semi truck!! Thank you so much for the comment!!
I cried sm
This episode was beautiful, but sooo sad! I don't blame you at all! Thank you for the comment!!
FUTURE ME HOW ARE YOU??? ARE YOU BREATHING??? ARE YOU HAVING A BREAKDOWN????
**gives a hug just in case**
"Congrats Dad..." GRL?!?!?!?!?
IM NOT OKAY IM NOT OKAY "You are not alone. MY SOUL WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU-"... I AM UNWELL
"Im not saying sa-yo-na-ra to you Ash.." NO NO NONO PLS STOP THE PAIN PLEASE 😭😭😭😭😭 IT HURTS TOO MUCH 😭😭😭😭
OH, this episode....that ending...I will TAKE that hug, gladly! Thank you so much! T_T
I don’t ship sing and Lung but I do love their interactions. Also Singin Blanca is not the team up we wanted but the one we needed.
I kind of shipped them, but if anything, I love their interactions! ^^ And YES, Blanca and Sing were the team up I never knew I needed! Thank you for the comment!
Thank you for watching and reading BF! Looking forward to March 21.
I hope you really get a lot out of all the side content. One of the most interesting things about BF is how the time periods of the manga and anime are so far apart... I always wondered how it was so popular in Japan back then and never got an anime (only a radio drama and stage play). Anyway, rambling. Just to let you know a couple things if you didn't already...
There is also an artbook by Yoshida called Angel Eyes and if you don't feel inclined to get it, there is this great ASMR video showcasing it:
th-cam.com/video/jYEGm5LEqPs/w-d-xo.html
The side story Cape Cod 1985 is in there, too. Also, the side story Fly Boy in the Sky (how Eiji and Ibe met) I sent you has Ura Banana at the end (another little fourth wall breaking piece with Yoshida). There is also a sortakinda canon novel of Max's memoirs written to Ash.
Plus, Yoshida's next series Yasha takes place in the same timeline and universe as BF and a certain BF character is part of the story. Finally, I hope you can react to New York Sense as well since its pretty short. It really completes BF after Garden of Light.
I wish Banana Fish was more well known outside Japan so thank you for getting into it and sharing your great reactions.
Thank you so much for this along with the information about Cape Cod 1985, Fly Boy in the Sky, and New York Sense -- I've read Angel Eyes and will probably talk about it in the chat on Sunday -- but I'm planning after the livestream to do a video where I react to the Garden of Light animatic/Yasha Chapter 46 (I've heard Sing is in it), and I could look at New York Sense...and then I definitely want to look at Cape Cod 1985 and Fly Boy in the Sky....ahhh....so much Banana Fish content left to look at! I can't wait! Thank you for the kind words, information, and comment!
Omg I still teared up now watching this final episode reaction 2 yrs after I first watched the series. My first reaction back then was "are you kidding" to the mangaka because everything seemed to suggest possibly a happy ending when Ash got the plane ticket and started to run, so why can't Ash just be able to hold onto the light 😭😭😭, but then i also sort of have this acceptance feeling for the mangaka's decision. And speaking of shojo genre, i actually wonder if BL stemmed from it. Maybe BL vibe started in shojo work where with female mangaka express love among characters thats not hetero romance. I remember there was this series called god child or something that had a male protagonist (categroized as shojo work). Also want to bring up a recent anime that i just finished called the requiem of the rose king, with mixed feelings for the ending but that felt more like Shakespearian, whereas Banana fish ending is i feel theres some bizarreness of realtity that the mangaka is bringing to the ending, just like the whole series feels somewhat real life based.
This series is so memorable for sure! Thank you for the comment!
Do we ever get Cain’s backstory in the manga? I just realized he is the only boss that we know nothing about.
There's not a whole lot on Cain's backstory, but we do get a lot more of him in the manga! I especially like one scene where Ash takes Cain for a ride around the city in the car Golzine "Gave" him -- it's great!
must be a nice dream your having...
um ma,am he isnt sleeping
does no one see blood...😭
I guess his clothes soaked a lot of it? I won't spoil Garden of Light if you haven't read it, but they talk about it in that epilogue -- I react to it in my livestream, if you check it out! Thanks so much for the comment!! This series = Love and Heartbreak!!
Months later and I still stand by my original comment, I’m still definitely in denial about how it all ended lol. I’ll see some nice art on twitter or something and completely forget that Ash and Eiji aren’t together anymore. And just the fact that Ash was running to Eiji just gets me, they wanted to be together so badly but it just couldn’t happen. I really want to rewatch it again but I also think I’m too much of a crybaby to do so, even if it is one of my favourite anime.
My original comment:
You’ve certainly taken the ending better than I did, I was a crying wreck for hours after, even months after watching I still get a bit weepy just thinking about it. I’m usually a fan of tragedies but I just find banana fish to be particularly cruel, especially since Ash was so close to happiness. Although, I find my dislike of the ending more to do with Yoshida’s reasoning than anything else, as she apparently killed Ash off because he had killed people and that this was a form of karma, even though many other characters who were also killers, such as Blanca, got to live. Honestly though I’m just glad we didn’t see Eiji’s reaction, I don’t think my heart could have taken it. It’s fair to say I haven’t quite reached stage 5 of banana fish, instead I’m gonna forever live in denial, pretending that Ash and Eiji are living happily in Japan.
I will forever love the fan art of Ash and Eiji together that lives on -- I love how the fandom is like, "Nope. Still alive. Still Happy. Together in Japan. Together in NYC. The End." Hahaha, we're all in denial and it's totally fine.
@@RomaniaBlack I know right, with some tragedies I’m like ‘that seems like a fitting ending’ and leave it at that, but with banana fish, nope. Ash and Eiji will forever be together in my mind.
That sounds exciting! I hadn’t heard of it before but I know the banana fish fandom is super talented so I’m sure it’ll be great!
@@mollymijh15 Exactly; Banana Fish is just so cruel in its ending -- beautiful, but cruel.
Yesss! The artist making it did the animated Garden of Light epilogue for Banana Fish that I've reacted to; I'm really excited! :)
Okay! I know I'm quite late, but I didn't want to relive that pain again right away so I took my time 😅
First, before anything else, I believe that Ash is alive! I think the ending was intended to be open ended, but there is a theory video that explains the reasons why Ash is alive and they make complete sense!! I'll just post it here for you to see: th-cam.com/video/O4K7zu1YRxo/w-d-xo.html
Now that that's out of the way, here are some other thoughts I had on this episode:
I loved Sing and Blanca's scene together! It's always so cute to see how small Sing is compared to Blanca and yet he's really strong and tough. That scene where he was trying to pull Blanca out of the air duct gets me every time 😂
I absolutely did not see Dino killing himself like that! I honestly don't know what to think of it... I mean I am glad he's dead because of the all the horrible things he did to Ash, but I thought Ash would be the one to kill him because of when they showed Ash pointing a gun at him in the opening. Maybe Dino knew he was going to die from the gunshot wounds? I don't know...
I absolutely SHIP Sing and Yut-Lung! I also didn't expect that scene between them, but I thought it was so sweet how Sing said that he didn't hate him despite all that he did and that he would help him become a better person. And Yut Lung saying his only reason for living was to hate his brothers... that really hit me because hate is all he's known ever since he saw his mother being raped and killed and he could never really learn to love the way Ash did. That short little banter scene at the end though was adorable!! That's when I started shipping them 😄
And finally, that ending scene... Even though my belief is that Ash is alive and living happily with Eiji in Japan, they did a really good job of making you feel all the emotions... Ash reading Eiji's letter, him trying to run to the airport, getting stabbed, and then deciding to finish reading the letter at the library instead of going to the hospital... and then the music just on top of it made even more sadder! It just makes me teary eyed every single time 😭😭😭
I really enjoyed your reactions to this show!! As painful as it was, I really hope you enjoyed it! ❤
You’re never late to comment! I’m so sorry - TH-cam hid this comment from me for MONTHS and I’m only now seeing it on here! @.@
That’s a really neat theory! Thank you for the video link explaining it - I can only hope it’s right, so Ash and Eiji have a chance to be happy together again.
Sing and Blanca - I love them as a duo! Sing is just great to begin with, right?
Dino’s death was a surprise to me, too - I agree; I think he knew he was going to die and that’s why he just fell. I had predicted Ash would have shot him before, though.
And yesssss, I totally ship Sing and Yut-Lung! I love that Sing ends up standing up to Dragon Moon but also being a support for him - it makes you want to see the future they develop in NYC together! Their banter was so adorable - those “slaps” between them is what made me start shipping them, too! 😊
The last scene is such a tour de force of emotions! The letter, the stabbing, the ending at the library…it’s all just so emotional and the music and snowy atmosphere adds SO MUCH to it! T_T It just hits so hard, right?!
This is definitely my favorite anime and manga, now! Thank you so much for the kind words and comment, and thanks for watching with me!
@@RomaniaBlack Oh wow!! It's been 7 months, I did not think that you would still respond after all this time! 😂
But thank you though! I really appreciate you taking the time to read and respond to my comment even after all this time. I'm so glad you still love the anime! I hope you're doing well!
@@mallikaanand7917 Oh, it's no problem! I'm sorry it took so long to see this comment! I am doing well, and I hope you are, too! :D
991 whats your emergency?: episode 25
Haaaaaa, I wish we'd gotten an episode 25, to maybe be the alternate reality to this?! But still...what a series end...it's certainly stuck with me. Thank you for the comment!
All the way through we all tried our hardest to ignore Ash's death flags. He had so much plot armor as well. But...no one could save Ash from himself. He could not believe that the violence would not follow him wherever he went. He had one, tiny moment of hope, then Lao "proved" Ash right. And, damn it, Eiji was, in the end, the reason Ash died. Ash's weakness, his constant distraction...and also his strength.
Like you, I was heart-broken but I didn't cry - I still don't cry when I rewatch this episode (I think I just see it as inevitable and from Ash's perspective, this is a good end and he's satisfied with it, content, at peace). I was more in shock, I think, and I agree - I hated it and I was like...at least he can finally rest. Reading Garden of Light though...wrecked me.
A lot of people will argue that the anime left the ending open (they're all hoping for a sequel where Ash goes to Japan and romance ensues). And yeah...it's possible if you ignore everything the story had been telling us from the beginning. This ending felt right. Horrible, but like there was no other resolution that fit Ash's worldview, no matter how much Eiji tried to convince him he could change.
I have one tiny complaint - a very minor one - and that's Golzine. Talk about plot armor, seriously. Everyone becomes a bit too OP/bulletproof in the last half of the series but Golzine takes the cake here. I can wave away Foxx getting a drill to the chest but Golzine and those two shots directly to his chest...drags himself to the control room, then to the construction area and, just, c'mon dude. Stop walking around. I lost some focus at that and had to roll my eyes - just a little.
YES! He's survived SO much, that I hoped -- against all odds -- he'd make it out...but yeah, no one could save him from himself. I hate that Lao proved him right in those moments....ahhh....the fact that he was both his light/hope/peace but also the distraction and weakness is just... **aggressively stabs ice cream**
I definitely feel sadder and sadder re-watching, especially knowing what everyone's commented on the symbolism and everything...oh joy. I was so excited for Garden of Light, and now everyone has the fear of God put in me! Hahahaha, this live chat should be a fun one!
HA! "it's possible if you ignore everything the story had been telling us from the beginning." HA, exactly. The ending is justified, it just hurts. A lot.
I need to read Volumes 18 and 19 this week to see for sure about the whole thing with Golzine...I mean...yeah, I get that he's had some serious plot armor at this point to survive that far...just....maybe if I don't think too hard about it, it'll be okay! hahahaha! Thank you so much for the comment and kind words through all this! I'm excited/nervous for the chat Sunday!
【Comment / No.3】
The final episode was touching from beginning to end and was full of highlights!!
・ A battle between Ash and Foxx with a sense of tension.
・ Sing and Blanca's large and small uneven combination scenes.
(=The only comedy element in the tension)
・ Scene to demonstrate the ability of Blanca as a sniper.
(=The OP of the 1st term also flowed, I was very excited, and the cool appearance of Blanca captivated women in the world)
・ Eiji continues to worry about Ash in the hospital bed, with sad eyes and a fragile and beautiful facial expression.
・ Scene to rescue Max and Bones and others.
(=The scene where Max wishes Jessica to remarry was a very nice and sweet scene)
・ Dino shoots Foxx with his last power to help Ash.
・ Dino (suicide) who threw himself into the burning flame without saying anything.
(=As Blanca says, in the depths of Dino's heart, there was still a pure love for Ash/There was a part where Dino was willing to bet his life on behalf of Ash)
・ A conversation between Ash and Sing who decided to cancel the "one-on-one duel".
(=I was relieved that they had a proper discussion and were able to reconcile)
・ A scene where Ash, Sing, and Blanca are relieved after finishing everything.
・ "Congratulations, Dad" email from Ash to Max.
・ Dialogue between Sing and Yut Lung.
(=The scene where Sing forgives and accepts Yut Lung and Yut Lung becomes honest with Sing is very nice and warmed my heart)
➡ Here, a new bond is created between Sing and Yut Lung, which will have a major impact on Sing's future life and will be the reason for his growth.
Also, as you may have noticed, Sing becomes a precious existence like Eiji from Ash for Yut Lung.
(=Sing takes good care of Yut Lung and is on his side/A very encouraging ally/I'm really happy that Sing remains beside Yut Lung)
※You can read about the future of Sing in "Yasha" and "Eve no Nemuri" (=the world view is shared with Banana Fish) of another manga by the author that I introduced someday.
It depicts Sing's life long after the final episode of Banana Fish, and also introduces a little about Yut Lung.
With the appearance of Sing, there will be a scene that reminds us of the story of "Banana Fish" and also reminds us of Ash.
If you like, check out both manga👍
・ A scene of farewell between Ash and Blanca in the park.
(=All of the conversations between the two were touching/Blanca, worried about Ash, invites him to the Caribbean/After all, Ash declines the invitation, but their eyes are on mutual trust, was full of dearness)
Blanca has a complicated and sad past, so his heart may be full of loneliness.
So I think Ash also said, "Are you going to take me to the Caribbean to fill your loneliness?".
I think Blanca and Ash are a little similar in that they have this kind of loneliness.
From this scene, I could see the sad atmosphere of Blanca, who was refused to go to the Caribbean by Ash and was pointed out by Ash about the deep feelings of his own heart.
It brought sadness and mixed feelings to my heart too😢
・ Conversation between Eiji and Sing/Conversation scene between Ash and Sing.
(=In both scenes, Sing's feelings of worrying about Eiji and Ash were expressed and it was very nice)
・ Alex, Bones, Kong sees off Eiji from behind the pillars of the airport.
(=These three people also love Eiji and have built their own bond)
・ Sing told Eiji a "gentle lie" on behalf of Ash who did not come to see Eiji off.
"Please come to the United States anytime! I'm waiting!!"
(=Ironically, the promise made by two people who do not know Ash's death will never come true😭)
・ Lao who abandoned his life and stabbed Ash in order to protect his beloved Sing.
(=Lao doesn't know that the duel between Sing and Ash has been canceled, so he attacked Ash to prevent Sing from being killed/The difference of the sad cruel recognition here)
※I think that anime-only viewers do not understand the process and reasons why Lao took such actions and his feelings.
➡ of course, it is when viewed for the first time this scene.
(=If review it, can understand Lao's feelings)
Therefore, there were many angry criticisms of Lao's actions in this final episode.
I was very sad about it😢
➡ It seems that there were many criticisms of Lao even when the final episode of the manga was published in a magazine.
It seems that many "criticisms and complaints" have been sent to the author💦
Fans who loved Ash, along with his sudden death, couldn't accept or forgive this act of Lao, and readers questioned the author.
Perhaps they could only organize their feelings by doing so.
However, if read back the manga or look back at the anime, may be able to understand the true meaning of Lao's last action.
Certainly, if Lao didn't attack Ash, Ash would have survived in America, and one day he might have been able to meet Eiji again.
However, Lao also had a belief, and everything was for Sing, his beloved younger brother-in-law.
Lao at that time had the same feelings as Ash.
Just as Ash thought he couldn't lose Eiji, Lao too couldn't just lose Sing!!
"Banana Fish" where everyone was fighting for their loved ones.
Of course, Lao is also one people of them!
Knowing the complex emotions and harsh past of the characters, I can't really hate Lao and Yut Lung.
Even Dino...😌
(=The only thing I hated was Foxx💦/I can't sympathize because he was the only one who was completely bad guy)
They all made the wrong choice, but I think this is also due to human weaknesses.
No one is perfect.
Everyone makes mistakes little by little and still lives for what is important to them.
Of course, Ash's death was and still is very sad!
However, it is difficult for me to simply link Ash's death with Lao's actions because of the complex emotions and relationships between the two people.
You can't hate Lao with simple feelings.
I just sympathize with both of them😢
➡ The two of me are incompatible with each other, but both are very kind and considerate characters.
【Comment / No.4】
In this way, the impression of the "final episode" is "pros and cons".
But I think that's fine.
It's great for readers and viewers to see and interpret the story from their own perspective and have different impressions, and I think this is natural.
The impression of this work changes depending on the gender, age, environment, race, etc. of the reader and viewer.
That's because is also the charm of this work.
So I also told you my impressions👍
I still can't answer whether the "final episode" was a happy ending or a bad ending...
Freed from all suffering and finally gaining freedom, Ash died quietly with a happy smile, wrapped in Eiji's love.
Looking at the last from an Ash perspective, it is certainly a happy ending.
➡ Because...sadly, Ash's survival is an endless suffering.
As long as Ash is alive, he will never be free, and I think it is inevitable that a second or third Dino or Foxx will appear and afflict Ash😣
Ash must live with the fate of fighting these things as long as he lives.
It is truly a "living hell" for Ash😰
And in the future, even Eiji can be targeted and killed.
Because Eiji is Ash's only "weakness".
So, as long as Ash lives in America, I suspect he won't have a peaceful life😢
If so, I think many people will say, "Please escape to Japan with Eiji!!".
However, this is not very realistic, and I think Ash himself too does not want it very much.
One of the reasons is that in addition to the high IQ of Ash, it is being watched and noticed by various organizations as a violent criminal who killed more than 100 people.
Considering these things, I also thought that entering Japan would be difficult.
In Japan, where peace is valued and the law prohibits the possession and use of guns, it is clear that Ash's position and past will have a more severe impact.
And Ash never wants to involve Eiji in Japan too and make him unhappy.
➡ That's why Ash restrained himself and didn't go to the airport to see him off.
Looking at Eiji's face can shake Ash's determination...
In the end, death may have been the only option for Ash to be freed from everything and gain freedom and happiness.
This ending is very sad, but I also think that it is a wonderful work that pursues reality.
The title of the final episode is "The Catcher in the Rye"...
If Eiji was able to catch the Ash of his childhood...I would dream that way.
If it could be done, the future of Ash would surely have changed...😌
However, on the other hand, for Eiji and Sing who have lost Ash and Lao, a future like a living hell awaits...
The two will live with this trauma for the rest of their lives.
They can't confess their suffering to anyone and have to blame themselves and live...
➡ As you know, the details of this are described in the after story "Garden of Light".
Eiji and Sing...For those left behind, this final episode is probably a bad end.
(=As you know, the future of Eiji and Sing and their emotional depictions are also depicted in "After Story:Garden of Light")
In this way, just changing the character's point of view will completely change the impression of the story and the final episode.
This is also in the same manner as described above, I think that it is the charm of this work.
Viewers will have many that are misunderstanding this anime that it is "BL".
However, unlike in recent years, when manga was serialized, the concept and word "BL" was not common and was not well recognized by those around us.
Of course, the author too did not draw it as a "BL manga", but serialized it as a work in the "Shōjo manga category".
This work purely depicts the friendships and bonds between teenage boys.
➡ If still dare to divide into genres, this manga falls into the genre called "Bromance", which is an abbreviation for Brother & Romance.
I too also think that when it comes to the relationship between the two, they jumped over gender and loved each other completely.
This refers to spiritual love that has no physical meaning.
The relationship between Ash and Eiji is certainly not something that can happen on a daily basis, and it can be said that it is a very rare relationship.
As a result, readers and viewers inevitably feel similarities to the world view of "BL" and may misunderstand it as BL.
The relationship and atmosphere of the two are certainly unusual and special.
I think this is related to the fact that the environment surrounding the two is rare too.
However, the author said in an interview after the serialization as follows.
"I didn't draw it as a BL manga, but if Ash survived and lived with Eiji as it was, it would surely have developed into a sexual relationship."
When I read this answer from the author, I was able to understand and accept it really naturally.
Because, they are precious beings connected by souls!
It is no wonder that such two people continue to live together and gradually feel physical affection (=sexual love) in addition to spiritual affection.
Also, Ash hates sexual contact because of past trauma, but I think that if the love partner is Eiji, that barrier can be overcome.
➡ As you know, Sing tells Akira in the "Garden of Light" something a little related to this.
"There was no sexual relationship between them, but there was a deeper affection (=Agape/Greek/meaning of infinite love) beyond that."
"They were tied together with deep love and ties, like sharing the soul and body, like one person."
The author's feelings are shown in this Sing conversation.
Also, I think that one of the factors that viewers misunderstood as "BL" is largely related to Ash's past (=former male prostitute).
This guess is based on a very sad fact, so I'm reluctant to include it in the selection as a reason...
However, I commented because I thought to be related a little.
First of all, even if you look at the sexual activity between Ash and a man, the viewer knows his past and present harsh conditions, so it's sad, but you wouldn't think "It is surprising!!😲".
➡ In other words, the situation is such that the viewer can associate it in advance.
In fact, there are many scenes showing sexual contact between Ash and men in both manga and anime.
Given the reasons for these speculations, I think it would be even more convincing if Ash's partner in that sense was Eiji.
Even if they had sexual affection, I thought I wouldn't be so surprised because I could predict it if I saw that usual affectionate attitude.
The two of them always create a sweet atmosphere, so I don't think the viewers will feel strange.
➡ From these, I thought that there are many factors that make viewers mistakenly think that it is BL.
The fight between Ash and Foxx was SO intense! I found it hilarious, after reading the manga, that the drill wasn't originally a part of it -- MAPPA literally wanted to make it more gruesome! @_@ But I honestly thought, at first, it was Blanca that shot Foxx, but it was Golzine! I was so surprised, but it made so much sense. And in the end, Golzine fell along with the remnants of Banana Fish. Very poetic!
Speaking of poetic, the death of Ash by Lao was too -- Yut-Lung had told Lao he wasn't good enough to kill Ash, but in the end he WAS...and the worst part is that Ash had decided he didn't even want to kill Sing anymore -- he was going to let him go....but Lao didn't know that and killed Ash under the assumption to keep Sing safe. So sad! :(
Yut-Lung has been one of the most interesting characters in the show, and I didn't know I needed his relationship with Sing until we got it! But Sing is the one that can be like an "Eiji" for Dragon Moon, to give him that care and friendship he hasn't had...and after reading Garden of Light, we can see how their relationship has developed over the years, and I love that!!
@@KA_7788 I really don't have many cons with the series -- it's so well-paced, the action, mystery, comedy -- all of it is well-balanced and makes for such a good show! I DEFINITELY get frustrated when people say it's a BL, because it really isn't. Like you said, it was a published Shoujo (though it, to me, defies a lot of Shoujo stereotypes in itself). I definitely think Ash's past gives that thought of it being BL, and the kiss in episode 3 -- but with the kiss, it wasn't romantic -- it was a means to give Eiji the message, and fit Ash's character's stereotype, so it all made sense. I wish people would realize it wasn't BL (if that was why they haven't seen it) and gave the show a chance! It's just so good, and even if it was a BL, it has so many great qualities; I consider it a Must See! :)
And YES, I view Eiji and Ash as soulmates -- to me, it's a romantic relationship at the end of the day, but if people want to view it platonic as two best friends, that works as well. But I do think they are basically soulmates from two different, star-crossed worlds...and it's so beautiful, their friendship and relationship! :3
@@RomaniaBlack
Yes, the battle scene between Ash and Foxx unfolded very violently, and with the addition of the OST, the viewers were excited.
The difference from the original manga, which says that it was the drill that caused Foxx a fatal injury, is certainly interesting.
Of course, this scene is also based on Mr. Seko's script.
The splendor of Mr. Seko's sensibility has been proved.
And yes! The moment Foxx was shot, everyone misunderstood that it was Blanca.
I was one of them, but as you say, this Dino's behavior makes a lot of sense, impressing Dino's death and his feelings for Ash.
All the information about the drug "banana fish" that burned out along with Dino...
These extinctions, help to impress the ending of the series and add depth to the story.
Also, the situation and feelings of each character brought about by the deaths of Ash and Lao are very impressive.
The tragedy and sorrow caused by the psychological depiction of each character and the misunderstanding of recognition brought various emotions to the viewer's mind.
As you say, there is a very sad misunderstanding behind the consequences of this tragedy.
However, it is an ending scene that has been proved that everyone was fighting and living for their loved ones.
Again, this ending is very sad and traumatic to everyone.
However, it expresses a very impressive, precious and beautiful feeling.
I sympathize with your impression of Yut Lung.
His words and deeds add to the atmosphere of the story and make the world view more impressive and interesting.
Knowing his past-present connection, which is similar to Ash, makes him more attractive.
Also, the development of my relationship with Sing and the connection to the future surely warmed my heart and raised my expectations.
As you say, the process of their relationship and the formation of bonds can be felt by reading side stories.
It's very nice and I love it too💞
@@RomaniaBlack
Yes! I don't feel any drawbacks to this series like you do.
I think it's really great and perfect!!
And I'm too, a little dissatisfied with people putting this work in the frame of "BL"💦
It would be very disappointing if people who first learned about "Banana Fish" watched Episode 3's kissing scene and recognized the entire series as "BL" and gave up watching anime for that reason😢
As you say, that scene is just one of the means of a message from Ash to Eiji, and it doesn't contain any impure motives.
If everyone can calmly think about the story, the situation and feelings of the character, then you will find that there are no strange points or impure motives in that scene!
Rather, I was impressed by the very sophisticated exchanges that took place.
I pray that those who give up on the way will notice these truths and review them.
Of course, I correctly recognize and understand that BL works have their own splendor and charm👍
However, the impressions and emotions that "Banana Fish" gives us are uniquely expressing incomparable depth and splendor.
I think it's very unfortunate to pass by without noticing this charm.
As you say, I hope that people will have a chance to realize the charm of this work.
I too also think that the relationship between Ash and Eiji is a very precious and wonderful "soulmate".
Of course, even if it contains a sweet atmosphere like "BL", there is no problem personally, and I do not find it strange or unpleasant at all.
I think that the viewer should interpret it according to their own judgment and feelings.
However, as I mentioned earlier, I think it's a shame that I simply judge this anime as "BL" and give up watching it, and lose the chance to get the wonderful impressions and emotions that this anime gives.
The relationship and bond between Ash and Eiji is truly precious, beautiful and wonderful.
I think it's rare for someone to watch this anime and be emotionless.
If everyone has watched this anime even once until the final episode, there is definitely something to be gained.
I think it will enrich viewer's mind and affect future life and way of thinking👍
P A I N
Hahaaaa-- why be in spain when you can be in pain? 😔💅
HA! RIGHT?! I hear you...this was just....pain is an apt word! Thank you for the comment!!
That's a really nice reaction.
I would like you to react to an anime called Utawarerumono, which is considered a hidden masterpiece.
The quality of the music is very high and the story is well structured.
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I've put it on my list! :D :D And thank you for the kind words and comment!
33:27 sing:you were just jealous
Yut lung:*slaps sing*
Sing:*slaps yu lung*
Me:🤣🤣this is payback yut lung you tried to ruin my ship now u get a slap from sing 🤣🤣
YES! Ahahahaha, that slap back from Sing was SO satisfying! Their entire conversation was so satisfying to be honest! I just loved it.
Thank you so much for the comments!! :D
@@RomaniaBlack np😊😊
【Comment / No.5】
※The following is a summary of the content and consideration of the author's interview article regarding the "final episode".
Please refer to it if you like.
👇
・ Actually, it was found in the interview article of the author after the end of the series that there were two patterns in the final episode.
Ash died in the final episode.
However, it seems that the author had a hard time deciding what to do about the "life and death" of this Ash.
There are rumors that the author's hesitation may be due in no small part to the death of the American movie actor "River Phoenix," who became Ash's model, in the middle of the manga series.
It was rumored that his death and Ash's death overlapped in the author, resulting in hesitation.
However, on the other hand, the author also said, "Ash's death was decided from the beginning...".
However, this interview was conducted in 2017, more than 20 years after the end of the series.
The author's feelings and impressions may have changed significantly between those days and 2017, so the content of the article may not be very credible.
Also, Yoshida Sensei thinks that the completed manga is like a "boyfriend who broke up", so when the serialization ends, his interest diminishes and he seems to forget various things😅
In fact, the author also answers the reader's question as follows.
"I'm sorry. I do not know because forgotten."
"Please interpreted as you like."
As you can see, Yoshida Sensei's answer was quite crude😅
Originally, Yoshida Sensei is such a rough person, so he is the type who honestly talks about his feelings even in magazine interviews.
She has a very distinctive and unique personality.
One of the reasons for this popularity may be related to her personality as mentioned above.
The "work" often reflects the inner side of the creator.
So it's no wonder that Yoshida Sensei's thoughts and ideals are reflected in Ash and Eiji.
The characters are lovingly depicted, like the author's children.
The fact that readers and viewers are fascinated by Ash and stories means that we are fascinated by the authors who created them.
It may be because of her wonderful personality that she can produce so many masterpieces😘
By the way, the book containing the interview article judged to be rough was published in December 2017.
The title of the book is "Akimi Yoshida Book".
It's a very simple title😅
In the book, she receives the following questions from a reporter.
"Have you ever considered a version where Ash doesn't die?"
To this question, Yoshida Sensei answers as follows.
"No. I didn't think about it."
In addition, the author states.
"Of course, leaving death ambiguous is also attractive for manga, but I chose to give a clear answer."
In this way, even Yoshida Sensei herself can see that the way of thinking about the life and death of Ash has changed in the past and in recent years.
Perhaps she initially thought that Ash didn't have to die, but as she progressed through the story, her feelings changed.
As I wrote above, Ash is killing a lot of people.
The author also commented that Ash should atone for the sin with his own "life".
"Also, for whatever reason and circumstances, Ash is a criminal who killed many. So it wasn't in my mind to end Ash with a happy ending."
...Her in another interview in this manner had responded.
※In any case, after trial and error, the author chose Ash's "death".
The fans were relieved in the first half of the final episode, "It was good! This solved everything and it was over...😌".
However!!, Yoshida Sensei gave a cruel ordeal for all of the fans and Eiji and Sing.
Immediately after the peace of mind, is a bad ending to the "death" of Ash...😭
This pushed fans emotions from heaven to hell like a roller coaster...😱
However, because of this shock, "Banana Fish" and "Ash" remained in people's memory and became legends, and I think this work became a masterpiece.
Ironically, the death of Ash may be the biggest highlight and attraction of "Banana Fish".
※By the way, the reason for the surviving version of Ash that Yoshida Sensei imagined was as follows.
↓
・ Before Ash is stabbed by Lao, Sing rescues Ash and shoots Lao to death.
In other words, Sing chose Ash over his brother-in-law, Lao.
The fact that Yoshida Sensei had imagined such a development may mean that the author's imaginary Sing had a strong feeling for Ash🤔
Because, Ash will continue to live with guilt for Sing, who helped at the expense of Lao.
➡ Such Ash may sometimes prioritize Sing over Eiji.
Like Eiji stayed beside Ash, who had killed his best friend Shorter to protect himself...
Of course, the relationship between Ash and Eiji, and Ash and Sing, and the strength of their bonds and emotions are completely different.
However, the "guilt" towards Sing would surely have been born in Ash's heart.
➡ Ash is because the owner of a very delicate and tender heart.
And, apart from the author's intention, I think it is difficult for a person like Ash to escape from "death"...💦
People who live a harsh life like Ash feel like they are being pulled by some kind of strong "fate."
People like Ash feel like they're originally embedded in a harsh endless cycle of rebirth of fortune.
It's hard to explain, but I feel that no matter how much they try to escape from the status quo, they tend to end up with a cruel death at the mercy of their destiny.
I think Eiji also felt such an unexplained sad fate of Ash, desperately defending Ash from the invisible, and trying to pull him back to this side.
The words that expressed Eiji's uneasy heart are also written in the last letter.
And on the plane, Eiji told Mr. Ibe, "No matter what happened, I decided to believe in Ash," crying.
The words showed all of Eiji's compassion for Ash.
・ A prayer for Ash's safety.
・ Anxiety about the fate of taking Ash away.
Etc...A lot of Eiji's anxieties and worries are packed.
Eiji described Ash, who was quietly reading a book at the library, as "an indescribable loneliness...".
I don't think that word showed a simple feeling of loneliness.
I think that Ash himself, who has lived a harsh life that ordinary people cannot understand, is described as "loneliness".
Also, in response to the reporter's question, "If Ash was alive, would you have gone to Japan with Eiji??", the author answered as follows.
"No, I don't think Ash will go.
And I think Ash is the type who doesn't live long even if he survives.
Whether he will die at that time or five years later...I don't think there is much difference."
As I showed above, after trial and error by the author, I think Ash's "death" was almost certain.
Of course, now I understand and accept all of these things😌
Even now, I still feel mourning for Ash's death...😢
Still, I continue to love a man named Ash who lived a miraculous life😌💞
I don't want to think of his death as a waste.
I think that every situation always had meaning.
By the way, the author answered in an interview that Eiji is a long-lived type🤗
Overall evaluation and conclusion for my final episode.
↓
"Lifetime" of Ash, ran through along with the continuous hardship.
However, his life reached a turning point when he met Eiji, the only precious person.
A result, his life was a happy one that has been very satisfied.
All the answers are reflected in Ash's smile at the end, which shows his satisfaction with his life.
Ash finally released from everything...Please sleep peacefully in heaven.
We do not forget "forever" you.
And I would like to express my gratitude and respect to Yoshida Sensei who created such a wonderful manga.
I'm really happy to meet "Banana Fish".
I would also like to thank all the staff and voice actors involved in the production of the anime "Banana Fish".
Thank you for reading this far.
I'm really sorry for posting a long, untidy comment🙇💦
I hope you can read it slowly even in your free time.
Let's continue to love "Banana Fish"💞
※Next time, I will comment on the videos of your live stream "Garden of Light" and "Private Opinion".
It will take some time again, but I will definitely comment someday, so I hope you will read it at that time as well.
See you at that time~👋
To all those who love "Banana Fish"...Cheers🥂✨
Wow!! That definitely are some blunt answers to that interview! I definitely respect the author for answering so directly, though, and I can imagine you've had time to think about your story after 20 or more years; something probably would change in that time frame with your opinions about characters and your work...so interesting!
I always thought Ash would die in this series, from around episode 9 -- there was, indeed, a lot of blood on his hands, and by the time we got to episode 10, the whole "tragedy" element of the series as a whole was setting in, and I wondered if Ash and Eiji would die in the series...but it ends up just being Ash! I am interested that the death of River Phoenix played a role in this as well...
This series for me, as a whole, is a 10/10 -- it's perfect as an anime and manga, and Garden of Light is a perfect epilogue. I'm so glad I've discovered this show and was able to watch it with you all! Soooo good! I am looking forward to reading the last few stories in the series! I hope you enjoy those reactions as well! ^^ Thank you so much for taking the time for the wonderful comments!
@@RomaniaBlack
I first read the manga "Banana Fish" when I was a teenager🤗
I borrowed 19 comics at the recommendation of my best friend at the time.
The manga "Banana Fish" gave a big shock and excitement to my heart.
Even now as an adult, I sometimes talk about "Banana Fish" with my best friend who lent me the manga♪
I am really grateful to my best friend for introducing me to "Banana Fish"😌💞
And yes! I too also love Yoshida Sensei's views and comments.
She gets various impressions from her comments and interview articles and makes her think about various things.
It, as you say, has accumulated in me, changing shape and color over the years.
Looking back over and over again changed my impressions and ways of thinking, all of which enriched my mind, thoughts and life.
From these comments and interview articles, as I mentioned at the beginning, it is possible to read the changes in Yoshida Sensei's own views and feelings.
It was very interesting.
Her emotional changes and confusion about Ash's death, and the existence of two patterns of Ash's "life and death."
All are very interesting.
The speculation of the link between the movie actor "River Phoenix" and Ash's death is also very interesting.
Of course, all the truth is understood only by the author.
However, I think it is very interesting and wonderful to think about "what if" and to have delusions.
I agree with the impression and feeling you have in this series.
It exists with the perfection of "10/10" as you say.
Both anime and manga presented really wonderful things.
Thank you for coming across this anime and manga and sharing your time and feelings with us.
Yes! Please enjoy the related works including the rest of the side stories.
If you have a chance, let's exchange comments someday♪
I am looking forward to that day👋
Thank you for replying to all the very long comments (No.1 ~ 5).
Thank you very much.
A cheers to everyone who loves "Banana Fish"!
@@KA_7788 I have been lucky to find the English translations for the volumes except for 14, 16, and 4 (but 4 is on the way finally!) -- I really love it and hopefully will be able to get all the volumes together! :D Cheers to this amazing series, indeed!!
@@RomaniaBlack
Yes!! By all means, please move forward toward the completion of the series.
And please enjoy it thoroughly♪
I support you~👋
With a lot of gratitude...Cheers!
@@KA_7788 Thank you for all the support! I appreciate it!! :D