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[bananafrieren]

BF Episodes 13 and 14

WHOA, that was quite a pair of episodes. (I feel like I've said that about every single one lol. And I have no intentions of stopping 😅) Not a lot of Ash and Eiji time here, which is fine, these were definitely geared more towards advancing the plot, and providing a turning point for the show--as evidenced by the new intro and outro.

I'm obsessed with every moment Yut-Lung is on screen. Hands down one of the coolest villains I've every seen. But also, I'm starting to question how much of a villain he actually is... well, it's not that so much as just that I can empathize with his plight. The boy was literally sold out by his brothers to be abused by Golzine. That after they killed his mother, and who knows what else. So when it's revealed that he's used the drugs he's stolen on his older brother, it is, dare I say... valid? In a twisted sort of way.

Interestingly Yut-Lung was actually kind of doing what's best for Eiji in these episodes: keeping him away from Ash during a very dangerous time. Of course, I don't know what his true motivations for doing this are, no doubt they're not in Eiji's best interest. Also evidenced by the fact that he explicitly said he despises Eiji and wishes he were dead.

Seeing Ash so tortured by Eiji seeing his darkest side was so heartbreaking. As he stood up there on the bridge with his knife dripping in Arthur's blood, the whole crowd chanting his name... all he could look at was Eiji, see the disappointment and sadness in his eyes, and wish he'd never been forced to choose this path. Equally devastating was seeing Eiji so scared and saddened by what Ash had gotten himself into, but still knowing that he trusted him on a level deeper than his dangerous actions.

Nonetheless, it was the thought of Eiji that kept Ash alive in his hospital bed.

ALSO, can we talk about that new outro??? SO good. I especially love the drawing of the two of them in the wheat field, Eiji facing the sunset and reaching out behind him towards Ash. Ash is trying to keep up, he wants so bad to meet Eiji there, but his friend's light is almost to bright for him. He's too weighed down by the pain that haunts him from his past.

I still have to believe he'll make it there where Eiji is though.

"I'm jealous of you." Ash said to Eiji, in episode two I believe. "Why?" Eiji asked.

"Because you know how to fly."

[bananafrieren]

BF Episode 12

Okay, bit of an emotional roller coaster of an episode... I definitely started to get more worried during this one after the brief respite that episode 11 gave us. Ash is starting to act more erratic again--when he killed those defenseless people in an act of cold blooded revenge... well that was the first time I was genuinely disturbed by his actions. Sure, he's been violent often, killed many people, lied without good reason, pushed away people close to him, etc.. But like I said in my last post it was always more just him being forced by the horrors of life to do things he didn't want to do. And we saw that that really hurt him inside too. This time though, what he did was truly dark, and not okay.

What he was wrong about however was thinking that it would make Eiji hate him. It shows that Ash doesn't quite understand Eiji yet. Of course, Eiji called him out on what he did on no uncertain terms. But that's the thing, he did that because he LOVES Ash, not out of hate. He wants better for the person that means the most to him in the world. In any case, the whole thing just brought them closer, once they talked about it later and apologized.

Another interesting thing in this one was how Ash, when he was talking to Ibe, framed this as an intentional "plan" to make Eiji hate him so he'd want to go back to Tokyo. I don't believe him when he says that. Ash is telling himself that as a sort of subconscious justification of his actions, but I think what's really going on is that he's afraid of how close and important Eiji is becoming to him. He's never connected with a human being on that deep of level before, so he's pushing him away. If that wasn't the case, then why did he have a lengthy conversation with Eiji afterwards to talk things through? Why did he admit that Eiji was right, which was, in Ash's own kind of way, an apology? And if he really wanted Eiji to go, then he could of just told him. Eiji literally offered to leave if he was a burden to Ash! And Ash declined. Of course, there could be something I'm missing here but that's my theory. 😁 🫶🏼

[bananafrieren]

Banana Fish Episode 11

(Forgot to mention, I'll also be putting all my episode-by-episode thoughts in this community as well as on my personal blog.)

OH MY GOD. This episode is everything I've been dreaming of and more 😭 we FINALLY are getting the one-on-one time with Ash and Eiji that we've been needing. Not that there's any shortage, but easily my favorite line in this episode is when Max tells Ibe: "Eiji's a plain boy if you know what I mean. But he has this quiet power to comfort anyone he's around." (to paraphrase) That line describes Eiji so well. I don't think Max means that he's plain in terms of looks--though his beauty is very soft and subtle. I think he's talking about how he doesn't have any fiery, immediately noticeable personality traits. Except for the quiet power of comfort that even Max can see. Ash knows that power better than anybody.

My heart was absolutely broken in the best way during the scene in the middle of the night between Ash and Eiji. We're finally seeing another side of Ash--the side that's not impervious to all the horrible things that have happened to him. When he wakes up in a cold sweat from a nightmare. The bond between Ash and Eiji is really set in place now. They see each other as soulmates already. After all, Eiji says he will stay by Ash forever. Ash says "Stay by my side. It doesn't have to be forever. Even if it's just for now." The tension their relationship exists in--not yet fully romantic, but far more than just platonic--is beautiful.

Ash is worried that his feelings are defective. He's scared of himself and the blood on his hands. He isn't able to forgive himself for what life has forced him to do at times. But I LOVED when Eiji comforted Ash by reminding him that he DOES feel all of the things that have happened to him and all of the things--it was clear to see in that very moment. (I really see myself in Eiji and resonate with his character so I'm always thinking of what I would say in his shoes. I did NOT think of that though. It's just the right thing to say though!)

Anyone else always thinking of what to would say in the shoes of a certain character? I'm interested to know who most people resonate with more: Ash or Eiji?

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FRIST TIME WATCHING BANANA FISH

Hey guys!! I can't believe I'm so late to the party but I'm actually in the middle of my first watch through of Banana Fish and I am LOVING IT... anyway I'm going to start my tumblr blog with daily updates on my first journey through. Not really critique type stuff, I prefer to just enjoy a show or book the first time around without thinking about critiques 😁

I just watched episode 11. Easily my favorite so far (probably not an unpopular opinion). I've been watching about one episode a day. Too many from this show and i get overwhelmed--it's SO fast paced and dark in the best ways so it can be hard to keep up with/handle. I'll be posting my thoughts, feelings, and favorite moments and BOY do I have a lot to start with on episode 11 💛