Banana Fish, Vol. 5

Banana Fish got its start in the US in the now sadly defunct "Pulp" magazine from Viz. I was introduced to it there and was so taken that I followed it religiously for the past two years. Banana Fish has been developing in the most delightful ways. Ashe Lynx is a young man (17 y/o) with the good looks, deadly skills, and sophisticated brain to terrify anyone. He was a runaway who ran to the big city and was picked up by the mob for child prostitution. He becomes the favorite ... toy of the mob boss, who teaches favorite toy things about manipulation and power, the way things work and how to kill people. Eventually, however, Ashe breaks away as the leader of his own gang and turf in the city, and proceeds to set himself against him, Mr. mob boss, Dino.Okay, so why is it called "Banana Fish?" Banana Fish is the code name of a secret drug developed during the Vietnam War. The drug, like many others, was tested on American troops. Ashe's brother is one of them, and he comes home after going crazy.Then, Ashe finds a man dying in an alley. The man's last words are "Banana Fish," and he presses a vial into the boy's hand. Ashe discovers the connection between his bed-ridden and dying brother and the mysterious drug and vows revenge.This start Ashe on a path that brings him into conflict with the Chinese mafia, Dino's gang, and even against the police. He must find out what Banana Fish is, and then destroy it. Meanwhile, he has to guard his heart against a young Japanese boy named "Eiji" who brings out his gentleness and the boy inside.Truly a tasty tale, but not for the faint hearted. This comic contains sexual elements, a lot of violence, and adult themes. I love it.

Ash and his friends continue their quest to find the truth behind Banana Fish, but if they thought they would be left to do their research in peace, they were sorely mistaken. Holing up at Dr. Alexis Dawson's house might have worked, had 1) the house not been under surveillance and 2) there not been a traitor on the inside. When Ash and Max rush off to try to save Max's family, a treacherous plan is set into motion, whisking Shadow and Eiji off to New York to face Papa Dino, and the rest soon to follow. With the truth of Banana Fish out in the open, all the remains to be seen is how Ash will find a way out of the clutches of Papa Dino and Arthur while saving Max, Eiji, Shadow, and the rest of his friends. And stop Papa Dino from becoming one of the most powerful men on the planet and turning over the horrible power of Banana Fish to the US Government. Oh yes, and the revenge. You can't forget the revenge. Five volumes in, Banana Fish is still going strong, and still has enough allure to keep you wondering what's going to happen next. With only one volume left in the series, I am very eager to see how Yoshida wraps up the story. This has been another excellent installation in the Banana Fish series.