Banana Fish

- Both revenge stories - Both are centered around gangs and their wars - Both set in America, though Banana Fish is set in the present  

Kill or be killed. When watching 91 Days I kept getting Banana Fish vibes, since both shows are soooo similar! First, both main characters are straight up geniuses in what they're doing - killing. The intense atmosphere these shows have is just unreal, intimidation at its finest! A lot of gun shooting and killing. The most similar thing must be the constantly ongoing story--by that I mean something new keeps happening in the show, the story doesn't have "arcs," it just has one arc--one big arc which keeps going the entire way through, till the very end. 

Mafia-centric, takes place in America, a revenge story, nothing to feel good about but lots of reasons to cry – if you are into that, then you will love them. While 91 Days deals mostly with drug crimes and violence, Banana Fish touches on much heavier topics like sex trafficking and pedophilia, never graphic in nature, it's more a drama-thriller with less violence and younger characters than 91 Days, which shows gruesome murders in detail. Another similarity is the very realistic depiction of the Mafia, there is no romanticization or glamour to it, if you are searching for that then neither of them will be to your taste. One aspect to note is that Banana Fish features a gay couple, but it's never up in your face and can be easily overlooked, while 91 Days has no romance or even vaguely non-platonic relationships. If you liked one then chances are you will enjoy the other as well. read more 

Has the same grim background and aestethic. One is about Mafia, the other about gang wars, so it is pretty similar. Bana has some more modern themes than 91 Days, but if you like teh grim and disturbing undertones of the show, then you will enjoy Banana fish as well. 

However they're both quite different, as Banana Fish has more of a "BL" type stigma on it. They both have the mafia involved, along with a lot of action. Banana Fish has a more poppy art style, and is very twisted. Meanwhile 91 Days is very gloomy, however they're both really good shows and I believe if you like either one of these you'd appreciate the other. 

gangster style anime while in different time periods still have that good gangster drama  

Mafia, gangsters, revenge, blood, alcohol, shooting & fights. Both take place in twentieth-century America. Packed with action and a unique story. If you liked 91 days, I'm sure you will also enjoy banana fish or vice versa.  

They both follow gang/mafia setting and both feature a main character that thinks on his feet trying to survive. There is plenty different about them. If you enjoy Banana Fish for the action, 91 days has less, though it arguably is more impactful when there is. 91 days also features a snake as the main character who is planning revenge, whilst Banana Fish has a lion, leading events but still being sneaky. 91 days also doesn't have the romance and there isn't an over-reliance on the mc, making 91 days feel a lot more real and dark. 

Gangsters going after the mafia for killing people close to them, both are a revenge story set in America. 

Both are ultraviolent crime themed series with lots of action as well as lot of mafia related stuff going on during the story.  

both take place in America,contain mafia and violence,both main characters are seeking for revenge. 

Both series take place in America at 20's century. The main characters want to revenge against the mafia. Also, the two shows contain violence and etc. 

Both are a revenge story set in America, going after the mafia for killing people close to them. If you liked one, you'll definitely like the other. 

Both shows take place in America. Both involve mafia, crime, gangs and are heavy on the action and violence. Both have unique stories and protagonists with a tragic childhood past both seeking revenge against the mafia. If you're looking for a story similar to Banana Fish with intense action and drama, this may be what you're looking for. 

Mafias and those things 

They both revolve around a main character that seek revenge. They both got a similar gritty aesthetic and tone with mafia/gangsters and they both take place in an American like setting. 

If you are looking to fill the void 91 Days left then Banana Fish may do the job. The title sounds strange but its mc is a young protégée boss in the streets New York who is cunning, resourceful, and has a dark past. Banana Fish keeps you on your toes just like 91 Days did and is full of mystery, revenge, murder, and grief.  

- two main characters, contradictions, different worlds - mafia world - theme of trauma 

Two maffia based anime. In both you can clearly see the emotions of the protagnists as they try to put their lifed back the way they were. Banana Fish does have a clear relationship building up where 91 days is about existing relationships. 

Both anime is about a dude with tungsten ball trying to take down mafia boss for revenge. 

Revenge story, a bit darker than Banana Fish with an open ending. 

They both follow a "realistic" wolrd. The characters are down to earth most of the time in both shows, protagonists are both after some revenge  

If you like Banana Fish i suggest you watch 91 Days both anime revolve around a protagonist seeking revenge. Both have a similar taste and tone to the mafia/gangster and both take place in the same American-like setting. If you're looking to fill the gap of 91 Days Left, Banana Fish can do the job. 

Banana Fish and 91 Days both involve mafia, crime, gangs, and are heavy on the action and violence. They have unique stories and equally smart protagonists with a rough childhood that makes them seek revenge against the mafia. The main difference would be that 91 Days deals mostly with drug crimes and violence while Banana Fish addresses much heavier topics like sex trafficking and pedophilia. 

They both are related to mafia, both protagonists are somewhat emo like and theres a shit ton of back stabbing. Banana fish is better than 91 days imo so go check it out  

Both have crime/mafia settings, amazing characters, and intriguing plots. 

One boy (the MC of both shows), who somehow got his way into the middle of mafia conflicts. 

Banana Fish depicts the story of a 17 year old boy, ash . This boy happened to be the leader a powerful mafia. He then finds out that the Don happens to be involved in the drugging of his brother. Lead by revenge, Ash, wishes to expose and inflict pain on the Don and all those around him that made him suffer , holding onto his last bit of humanity with the help of a good friend. The 91 days anime series kicks of with an emotional scene of a little boy losing his family. I believe that the mc relates well to the mc in Banana Fish. The 91 days MC seeks revenge on the mafia and everyone involved in the killing of his family . Even he had a close friend to keep him sane and wanted the best for him. At this point i will conclude by recommending this anime to all Banana Fish lovers out there. read more 

Anime that feature the dark side of society. Lots of action and lots of tragedy. Both have a "protagonists against the world" kind of vibe. In both anime the main characters meet by chance and spend time together, eventually falling in love with each other. Their relationship is never really mentioned or the main focus of the story, but it's clearly there as they face hardship and sorrow.  

It is similar in a way the relationship is built between two main characters. Basically you can't tell if it is bromance or romance. Two totally opposite guys, one in a harsh world he doesn't understand. But it is better to watch No.6 first and then Banana fish. Because BF has much bigger impact ever watching and it is hard to start the next anime because tears are blurring the sight.  

An action-y, kind of grim and tragic story with two characters who are from opposite sides of the tracks. Very intense. The titular drug adds a slight sci-fi element (imo). The relationship between Eiji and Ash reminds me a bit of the dynamic between Nezumi and Shion (innocent one and jaded one). Less arguing, though.  

-Ambiguous Queer Romance -Tragic Protagonist that has been thwarted by the system -Action -A little heart wrenching -Complex relationships that can't be defined -Romance elements that aren't part of the overall plot  

-Both of it's two main characters fall for each other -Shion is an inexperienced but kind person just like Eiji who both sacrifice leaving their loving homes to help either of their partners while both learning to be strong and survive in the world. -Nezumi (rat) has experienced trauma at a young age, being taken away by family, has killed people and rebelled against a certain group of people who has done terrible things to him in the past just like Ash -Both handles mature topics like murder or prostitution.  

The relationship between the two main characters in No.6 and Banana Fish bears a lot of similarities. In both animes one of the boys is the wild one who learned how to survive "in the real world" while the other lived a shielded life and is only now getting to now the gruesome part of the world (be it the outside of a pseudo-utopian city or the insides of the american mafia). But despise the main similarity being the main relationship of each show, in both of them there is a deeper plot that connect the protagonists to a conspiracy. They are both great. If you liked No.6, trust me, you like Banana Fish. read more 

The main characters (Nezumi and Shion) have a similar dynamic to Ash and Eiji: one streetwise and hardened character, and one wide-eyed naive character, who are drawn to each other partially by how opposite they are. Additionally, both also feature lots of mystery, conspiracy, and corruption!  

If you're captivated by Nezumi and Shion's contrasting personalities, I recommend that you watch Banana Fish. Like Shion, Eiji, one of the main characters in Banana Fish, has a very optimistic perception of life. They were both fortunate enough to grow up in a safe environment. Because of this, Eiji and Shion are a bit naive about the danger surrounding them. However, they later learn how unfair the world can treat good people and want to do everything in their power to stop their partner from experiencing any further danger. On the other hand, Ash, the other lead character in Banana Fish, and Nezumi both have a traumatic backstory. Though their experiences differ, Nezumi and Ash were forced to fend for themselves at an early age. Now, Ash and Nezumi have a pessimistic view on life and put on a facade to mask their vulnerable state. Even so, Eiji and Shion can read their emotions with ease. To conclude, Ash and Eiji are 2 parts of one whole. Ash provides Eiji with a reality check while Eiji tries to show Ash a more wholesome view on life. Just like Nezumi and Shion. If that intrigues you, I suggest you check Banana Fish out, you won't regret it! read more 

Do you like snarky, damaged/abused boys with a Heart of Gold? Do you like those characters having a fun dynamic with an innocent but well-meaning friend? Slight homoerotic undertones? Lot's of angst?! Then you should definitely check out No.6 or Banana Fish. The character dynamics and the stories these two series tell are fantastically angsty, dark, and beautifully explore different themes and ideas such as gangs, tyrants in positions of power, and vengeance.  

bananafish and no.6 are basically the same show with different plots. very similar characters, ideas, and storylines. bananafish is a better more developed show in my opinion; but the two main characters have very similar personalities to the main characters of no. 6. 

It's focused around the to maincharacters who have a relationship like ash and eiji. Banana Fish is better, but this is also really good (: 

if you watched banana fish for the crime-thriller elements of it, no. 6 might not be what you're looking for. but if you watched banana fish for the subtle shounen-ai aspects of it, no. 6 is the show for you. no. 6 takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, it does have some aspects of a thriller, but i watched it purely to see the relationship between the two main characters blossom. 

both shows are similar in terms of the 2 protagonist which are from 2 drastically different worlds. one is forced to 'see' or get to know about the other 'world' or living condition that they lived in. so to put in simple, one is put into a different and new environment. if you watched or liked no.6, please give banana fish a try.  

similar character archetypes and they both involve two people coming together to take down a system or government that is corrupt. also both VERY sad... 

1.both have a gay love story playing in the bg tho not as the main theme. 2.both are action packed. 3.both anime have open endings. 

the endings feel somewhat the same and both of them are like a war against past mistakes of others or against government or heirarchy 

- two men being there for eachother - one being familiar with the environment going on, second being a necessary emotional support for the other - pain pain pain pAIN - pain - may be mistaken for a BL 

- the relationship between nezumi and shion was similar to the relationship in banana fish - both characters felt like they were in different worlds 

It gave me the same reactions in each scene, both got a big big drama that turn all of the movie into a different look we witnessed at first. Turn everything dark very fast, the "dark" thing in this situation isnt as "dark" as others but it show a reality look about the other side of our world. Both got a different end but we could simply see it as open ending 

Both being lgbt stories, with lots of drama and pain in them as well as a cute couple between the characters as well too and somber too. 

Despite the difference in genre, the wholesome romance/friendship dynamic between a stern, unapproachable character and a more quiet, innocent character is extremely similar. Both anime also feature characters with dark pasts and deal with difficult subjects. If one of these shows leaves you wanting more of the pure romance between two male characters with a backstory of tragic events, I highly recommend the other seeing as it is essentially the focus point of both series’. 

They're feel are very similar they both have very Sad scenes i feel like if you like one you'll love the other . Yes they are two different genres but I cried the same way in both of them even though one left me with a feeling of void the other with hope. Their animations are amazing a well (they both have BL content sooo go for it my fellow fujoshis and fudanshis out there ;)) 

If you want to think about something else than banana fish watch given 

If you watched Banana Fish I think it's fair to say that part of the reason was because of the interesting relationship between Ash and Eiji, I mean come on! We all love a little BL. Given is also a BL title, and though it's not as emotionally painful as Banana Fish, It still has very sad themes. The slow development of Mafuyu and Uenoyama's relationship won't fail to keep you on the edge of your seat. Plus you don't really see a whole lot of band related animes. 

Deals with heavy themes as well, but ultimately very satisfying and heartwarming in the way Banana Fish is as well. Similarly, Given paints the boys as real people, not stereotypes, which is what Banana Fish does so well.  

Both are gay and sad and will make you cry 

They both are animes not particularly sad, but emotional, you could be filled with happiness, sadness, confusion or emptiness when you finish either of the animes. They are both very well-made and can make you want to watch for a second time! 

These shows are both subtle shounen-ai. Banana Fish is more Action-Drama while Given is Music-Drama. They’re also both very heartwrenching at times. 

these anime series have a subtle balance of emotional scenes and settings, they both are a rollercoaster of emotions and can make you feel happy, sad and confused at the same time, heart-wrenching and well executed throughout, and both consist of BL  

Both are very sad animes and might make you emotional and they both have a very good plot. 

It's basically a mlm anime. I recommend to watch 100% straight or not :)  

Banana Fish is really good, but you probably want/need a ''recovery-anime'' ''rebound-anime'' (something like that) after watching Banana Fish. This is actually a recommendation for that reason, besides from that: - The storyline is a whole lot different. - Very similar is the relation between the two main characters (and friends). I would say.. Banana Fish is more psychological/mafia/action/thriller/(it's listed as B.L. but I don't really think that describes it the best), and Sk∞ is more like an adventure/friendship/hardship/sports/skating/competition/feel good anime. 

both are focused on friendship and and lots of nice to look at art and visuals as well too. 

Both of these shows are works of the same director, Hiroko Utsumi. The main characters of both animes have almost the same kind of vibe? Their dynamic and personalities are quite similar to each other. 

- Same director - Amazing stories - Good friendship  

Skate is just Banana Fish in a parallel world where everyone is happier and has less violence but theres still a p4do lol 

same director, similar lead character connection 

Depressing boys 

An innocent Japanese guy gets involved into American gangs/mafia's business The story takes place in the US and involves drugs and mature content (like sex trade) 

While Banana Fish tells a story which includes gang wars and Great Pretender tells a story about scammers, they are similar in lots of ways. The first obvious similarity is that they both tell us about a Japanese guy going to US who gets in contact with people who do illegal acts. Mature themes, tragic backstories, nice character development and drama can be seen in both. The telling of the stories are fast-paced so they keep the watcher entertained and wanting to watch more. The most important difference between the two in story telling is that to me; Banana Fish feels darker in a lot of ways while Great Pretender feels more focused on comedy. Although this is the case, they have their dark and light-hearted moments and these moments are generally balanced really well. They have similar vibes, so I am guessing you would like the other if you seen and liked one of them. read more 

Similar viewing experience, if you liked the plot of banana fish but want something like it on steroids, great pretender is for you. 

Both series feature a Japanese guy who's gotten involved in an American/International crime conspiracy. Banana Fish has a lot of murder, gore and psychological crisis, while the Great Pretender is more focused around the main characters' tragic past and the details of their profound scams. All in all, they have the same vibes. So pick the other one up, if you liked either of them. 

These series carry more of a western feel since they take place outside of Japan and focus more around the states and other countries. Both also have the involvement of violence, gangs, conartists, etc. (And a Japanese male MC that gets tossed around in the whole mess by a fellow blonde haired male MC). 

It has a *slightly* more light-hearted version of Banana Fish's whole vibe. It revolves around con-artists, which is kinda similar to the gangs of Banana FIsh. 

It’s a similarly fast-paced crime drama that, while on the lighter side, isn’t afraid to explore darker topics. If you want an anime that will keep you guessing and spares you the tears of Banana Fish, Great Pretender fits the bill. 

Both are ultraviolent crime themed series with lots of action as well as lot of mafia related stuff going on during the story and also a dash of romance in it as well too. 

Banana fish and Baccano have american characters and show the life and the difficulties people in Mafia have to face. They re both very good. 

These two animes have the same setting, being America and they have tons of guns, killing and violence. Finally they have a small number of episodes. 

Same setting(New York, America) same atmosphere, both have guns and urban action in the cities as the main characters try to solve a mystery related to the past. 

Similar energy & universe : action and danger are proeminant but the tone is light and fun.  

Both are set in the U.S. and focus on topics such as gang violence.  

mafia-like setting and quite similar to each other just that banana fish has more of a story but baccano! is very good too, go watch ! 

Banana Fish is definitely darker, but I would say they're pretty similar in terms of their pacing of drama and mystery, as well as their rivalry with mafia gangs. Both can get pretty dark and emotional, but there's still humour and great soundtrack. Loved the way the characters in both shows are built up over time as well. 

Both are mob themed stories, has elements of romance to it, lots of pretty boys and really nice to look at art as well too and quite a bit of action as well. 

Both feature dark sides of society, involve mafia, violence, power, injustice. Tear-jerker, shocking moments too. Fast-paced, thrilling, immersive story-telling with enjoyable, in-depth characters. G-r-e-a-t music. I honestly think they go hand-in-hand. note: I recommended it here because I know bsd is much more popular than bf. But they are both brilliant. 

The reason this is similar to Banana Fish is because they both have gang related things and they have someone seeking a bigger goal. Though one is about drugs(Banana Fish) and the other is about finding someplace to be at home.  

Mentally ill 

They're both really good crime thrillers set in America with amazing character design and interesting story arcs. But while Bungou focuses more on supernatural beings, Banana Fisher goes full force on reality, even though some elements remain unrealistic. 

Both are gritty crime shows with lots of hectic action in them. 

thinks black lagoon and banana fish look alike because there are no superpowers in both anime. and they both have dealings with gangs. I recommend you to watch banana fish with dramatized events and clever drawing graphics.  

-Both have great fighting scenes and have pretty similar fights in general -Both have characters with dark pasts -Both include gang-like fights with similar weapons (Banana Fish is set in 80s NYC while Black Lagoon is set in Thailand) 

If Guns, drugs,gangs, murder,assains,etc makes you excited ,then both are fine, but Banana fish explores even deeper inside the bond of friendship.while Black Lagoon explores how a salary man is getting adjusted in the underworld. 

Both anime are quite heavy watches, and navigate the darker facets of society in gun/gang violence, child abuse and drug dealing. The dynamic between the main two characters is also quite similar; an innocent dragged into the criminal underworld against their will, and a hardened underworld figure whose pain goes far beneath the surface. Just as Rock and Revy's development depends largely upon the other, Banana Fish revolves around the bond between the two protagonists, and how it affects their characters individually.  

It might not look like it from the start, but both anime touch pretty deep and dark side of society that doesn't really get much attention in mainstream media these days. Big crimes, corruption, conspiracies, few controlling the many. Mafia buying out police and court, experiments with humans, sexual abuse etc. Whilst Monster is deeper and detective type, Banana Fish is more into gangs and revenge, but they both are for mature audience.  

both anime take a place in a foreign country with a japanese getting involved in a mess f mafia and crimes ,both discuss heavy subjects of experimentation on human both anime has a well built up mature story  

Similarities: Dark. Psychological. Thriller. Deep character developments. Characters with dark past and mental problems. Bloody and violent scenes. Mature – I don't know why B.F. is tagged shoujo but it is better suited for mature audience. 

Both focus around a conspiracy theory with the cast getting caught up in it and death on both sides and its up to the characters to stop it. 

Both are dark, psychological and thriller. Both take place in foreign countries, Banana Fish in the USA and Monster in Germany. Both show a dark side of society. While Monster is slow paced, Banana Fish has a faster pace 

gangs, fights, thrills, with two opposite Mc's. both are kinda dark has its own things to deal with. Highly enjoyable. 

Both have a similar setting with gangs and violence. And they both have overall some dark tones to their stories. 

They are both gangster stories and are kinda tragic 

Both have the same kind of story where you know that it won't end well, as you watch it the only thing that you want is for it to end quickly because it's the only way for the characters to be happy, but it continues, and every new arc makes the characters suffer more than the last, giving off a feeling of claustrophobia as you see no solution for a satisfying ending. 

This title have a lot of action just like banana fish, it have cool faights, and characters whitch their problems. imo tokyo revengers is not as dramatic as banana fish, and there isnt any phedophia or problems like that. but its a little bit similar 

Focused on crime, violence, and trauma, the characters both fight in survival and what they believe is right. Caught between two or more forces they struggle to find the balance between survival and living a peaceful life.  

Both anime have a dark atmosphere and revolve around gangs. 

Both shows focus more on gang life and backstreet action. The main central protagonists are also extremely smart and skilled in their crafts 

Both are ultraviolent crime themed series with lots of action as well as lot of mafia related stuff going on during the story 

Both are lgbt themed stories and share the same studioes animating it and also a cute wholesome close relationship between the partners as well too and its focused on competition but not one based on organized crime. 

It's also gay but focuses on gang things instead of ice skating.  

If you're looking for something that's similar to Banana Fish in plot or in tone, move along to one of the other suggestions - Yuri!!! on ICE doesn't deal with any of the gritty content that Banana Fish does. However, the reason that some people gravitate toward Banana Fish specifically, as opposed to other shows with equally dark themes, is that it focuses on a romantic relationship between two young men. If you loved Banana Fish for its queer love story but don't want to deal with drug dealers and mafia conflicts, try this heartwarming alternative from the same studio. 

they are both bl but one will make you cry because its so wholesome and the will make you sob your eyes out for months as you grieve fictional characters :) 

I don't know if its just me but the two characters from The Clouds Gather are extremely similar to the characters from Banana Fish. The main character from The Clouds Gather has an extremely similar back story to the Ash Lynx from Banana Fish. The also both have a deep theme of gang violence. Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather is basically Banana Fish but with more explicit scenes and is in movie form not a weekly airing anime show. 

Similarities: -Have to do with gang violence -Both main characters are male -MC have similar backstory Differences: -Ones a show ones a movie -Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather is more graphic than Banana Fish 

Same pain, both have the same amazing popular Shonen script writer and have amazing dialogue. Every scene in both is absolutely breathtakingly serious. 

I think the greatest coincidence between the two shows is how their japanese protagonists look alike. Eiji (Banana Fish) and Seiji (The case Files of Jeweler Richard, hereinafter The Case Files) have a similar appearance and personality that in the end causes both to be involved in the affairs of their respective foreign partners. In addition, in both there is a certain Bl air without becoming Bl but with certain doses of fanservice. Now, if we accentuate the differences The Case Files is much calmer in comparison, with self-concluding and somewhat educational chapters since with each chapter you learn about precious stones, while Banana Fish has a unique story throughout its chapters. Anyway, if you liked one of the two I recommend you see the other. read more 

the two main character take risks to help each other and its very heartwarming. they care very deeply for each other. in many ways, ash and richard are very alike, and eiji and seigi too. of course, they are not exactly alike but examples would be bits of their personalities and backgrounds.  

Pretty, blonde white boy x Sweet Japanese Boy - this time with less trauma!! 

Okay so, Ash and Jiang Yuduo are deeply traumatized gangsters who let someone in their messed up lives and that someone helps them emotionally along the way (: 

We can summarize that both shows focus on the evolution of the relationship of two young boys from different worlds who meet for different circumstances and end up forging an unconditional friendship through which they overcome their problems. 

Both have moments of lgbt romance in it here and there and both feature lots of angsty pain and lots of sad emotional moments I'm certain many viewers could relate too and both feature two characters from polar opposite worlds, that grow quite close as time goes by.  

Depressing  

Simmilar topics. Go watch Banana fish. It's better, trust me 

similar but the Ikebukuro doesn't have homo scene 

I feel like the main characters, Ash and Spike, are actually quite similar. They both are characters with emotional and traumatic pasts they're trying to run away from but they keep being pulled back into what they're trying to escape from. They both have a similar emotional and character arc, and especially Ash's story about the 'leopard in the snowy mountain' and Spike's story about the 'tiger striped cat' make me feel like fans of one character might really like the other too. 

Both have lots of action,stylish visuals art and also a badass mc in it as well too and a much bigger plot at hand as well too. And a noir focus as well too and romance in it as well too. As well as lots of tragic shit. 

Banana Fish and Pet both include a drug or ability that is used to control or get rid of people by its antagonists, the influence of a Chinese gang/mafia, and an implied romantic subplot between its two main characters. 

The protagonists of both shows are involved in criminal organizations. The main characters of both shows are close. The overall feeling of the two shows is similar. The character dynamic in both is also similar. Both are handling an issue where something/someone messes with people's minds.  

Both focuses on the friendship between characters (albeit this ain't a romance one) as well as lots of violent gunplay action,the mafia as well as alot of tragedy and angst in the story as well too.  

Both anime follow teens/kids trying to uncover the plots of the most horrible adults They also show how these situations effect the main characters psychologically The themes of both anime can be quite hard to watch Both anime also have a theme of not everything is as it seems, with the difference that in Banana Fish it's the outside world that's kept in the dark and in The Promised Neverland it's the kids inside who are kept in the dark 

both are crime stories with a focus around characters that have had unusual upbringings and some tragic moments in it from time to time as well too. 

The close relationship between the two main male characters. The premise has a similarly intense and mysterious vibe to it. 

both are focused around an urban setting and also alot of gang warfare and crazy organized crime schemes and strong blonde lead in it as well too. 

They both center around the mafia, have strong bonds between the many characters that there are, and a lot of death and angst. Except, Banana Fish is more romance-y. 

Canaan felt similar to Banana Fish in a lot of ways. Both shows, for starters, are centered around a strong killer trying to take back control of their life and a young, inexperienced person who came barging into their life and slowly started to remind them of their humanity. The difference here is that the genders are flipped since Canaan focuses on 2 women. The themes are essentially the same. Friendship, love, making the most out of a bad situation, facing your past, finding a meaning to your life and realising what it means to be human. Both have very flawed characters in them that better themselves by completing and strengthening each other. It reminds you why you need people around you and shows you how solitude and detachment from the world hurt you mentally. Both shows are very action packed and the aciton is never boring or gratouitous. The backdrop for the action is often similar, contrasting the violence of the plot to the glamour and alure of high society, which is deconstructed to reveal fraudulent foundations and shallow, selfish people manipulating and coercing others for personal gain. Our heroes are morally ambiguous but their humanity is always highlighted and contrasted to the vices and corruption that can be borne off of human nature. Both shows feature a plot whrere drugs are involved and how those drugs can be used by ambitious villains to control people for personal gain. Both shows have great music that reflects the characters, setting and plot in a fitting way. And both shows feature a wide, well fleshed out cast of characters that manage to fit a purpose but also be enjoyable to watch, without taking focus away from our focal 2 characters who we're most invested in. These shows are both similar as well to how they manage to keep an optimistic tone despite the grim, dark setting. If you liked Banana Fish you'll like Canaan and vice versa. read more 

The relationships between Ash Lynx and Eiji Okamura is similar to Ki Tanmoku (Duanmu Xi) and Keika You (Jinghua Yang). Ash Lynx and Ki Tanmoku are both leaders/influential people who have a strong, no nonsense persona. When Eiji Okamura and Keika You enter their lives, Ash Lynx and Ki Tanmoku find that they are letting their guard down and trusting the new person. Side note: The plot of Banana Fish with fighting against "Papa" is more similar to Ling Qi 2 where the characters fight against an organization/powerful person. 

While it isn't similar, it does contain the theme of friendship and love. Devilman's real theme being "Because love is real, there is sadness." Devilman has some great action sequences and homoerotic undertones, although not being it's central focus. Devilman is a lot more graphic and sexual, however, so be weary and make sure to read up on content warnings.  

Living on streets are hard, people. That's why it's interesting to watch. Even more if your thugs are actual brainer PS: Viewers discretion is highliy advised