butwhyreally said: p.s. also I have to ask, is the manga worth reading?? I heard that the anime omits things, like more on Ejiji and ashes relationshpi, but if I know the ending will I still enjoy it?? I only tend to read manga that are acclaimed, just because my attention span, I don't want to read something that'll cause me more pain and not add anything u know I think the manga is worth reading. It has all the little details the anime skimmed over. The plot is more prominent in the manga as well as the anime cut the plot in order to fit the whole story in the designated episode count. I think reading the manga does add to the experience. But even if you don't read the whole manga, I do suggest you to read the epilogue, Garden of Light, and the side stories if you haven't already. |
Dije said: I think you're overthinking too much, this show it's not that deep You're the one undervaluing it. It's a classic manga that endured over 30 years for a reason. |
Dije said: Lunallae said: You're the one undervaluing it. It's a classic manga that endured over 30 years for a reason. I know, with never ending ammo it's easy to survive 30 years Your unlimited ammo criticism is unfounded. There were cuts in the train scene. What is to say Ash didn't reload during that time especially since they did show him reloading before getting on it? In the short bursts of action, Ash also never shoots more than six times, which is consistent since his gun is supposed to have six rounds. I don't like that MAPPA didn't take the time to animate such parts, but it's safe to say that Ash reloads when the camera cuts away from the action. There was only one time when he genuinely had unlimited ammo because the animators specifically wanted to stress his fury (continuously shooting the guy that shot Eiji), but that's a stylistic choice that really doesn't impact much else. |
Dije said: Lunallae said: Your unlimited ammo criticism is unfounded. There were cuts in the train scene. What is to say Ash didn't reload during that time especially since they did show him reloading before getting on it? In the short bursts of action, Ash also never shoots more than six times, which is consistent since his gun is supposed to have six rounds. I don't like that MAPPA didn't take the time to animate such parts, but it's safe to say that Ash reloads when the camera cuts away from the action. There was only one time when he genuinely had unlimited ammo because the animators specifically wanted to stress his fury (continuously shooting the guy that shot Eiji), but that's a stylistic choice that really doesn't impact much else. Before entering the train he was forced to give up the pistol and everything else except for a knife. Then the mess popup and someone give his pistols back but eventually he wasn't able to pickup up ammo and also he didn't have the chance. The enemies were using different weapons that runs different ammo. So he couldn't pick up ammo from the dead. You're assuming he gave up his ammo when there is no indication that he ever did. The anime cut the details, but in the manga, Ash specifically tapes ammo to his legs. He never gave that up. |
Dije said: Lunallae said: You're assuming he gave up his ammo when there is no indication that he ever did. The anime cut the details, but in the manga, Ash specifically tapes ammo to his legs. He never gave that up. So do you agree the anime is bad No. The anime had to give up a lot to fit in the episode count. 24 episodes for a 19 volume manga is absolutely brutal. It made sacrifices that were not the best choices, but I don't blame MAPPA's decisions and I think it stands on its own decently well. I like the manga better though. |
| @Dije Bro, give it a rest. You're only making an ass out of yourself. |
Dije said: Lunallae said: No. The anime had to give up a lot to fit in the episode count. 24 episodes for a 19 volume manga is absolutely brutal. It made sacrifices that were not the best choices, but I don't blame MAPPA's decisions and I think it stands on its own decently well. I like the manga better though. It doesn't really matter honestly. Skipping details is always bad for a show. They could have made more episodes at this point. Also, you're taking the advantage I've never read the manga. What you're saying can be wrong or only partially correct, I do not know. Not always. But in regards to Banana Fish, it's why I consider this adaptation a flawed one, especially since the plot got trimmed so much in the second half. And no they can't, especially with a non-ongoing property. It was more likely than not a 24 episode deal, take it or leave it and get no adaptation at all. Sigh. Did you really have to try to delegitimatize my points with that kind of stance? Dije said: At this point Tokyo Ghoul Re Should have an higher score because the manga has an higher score? It's the same. But I don't think it's a valid point. Please don't put words in my mouth. I'm not insinuating that at all. |
LunallaeApr 19, 2019 1:23 PM
butwhyreally said: Lunallae said: I think the manga is worth reading. It has all the little details the anime skimmed over. The plot is more prominent in the manga as well as the anime cut the plot in order to fit the whole story in the designated episode count. I think reading the manga does add to the experience. But even if you don't read the whole manga, I do suggest you to read the epilogue, Garden of Light, and the side stories if you haven't already. K thank u, the side stories will make me cry too won't they lol, I have never felt less manly. BUT I'LL DO IT! I'll start reading next holidays, want to watch some happy anime before I watch love be lost again :'(( the pain is good The epilogue most likely will (by the way, it's in volume 19 of the manga). In my opinion, it's heavier than the actual ending. Angel Eyes, another side story (about when Ash and Shorter met), is also in volume 19 of the manga. However, the other side stories, Fly Boy in the Sky (about how Ibe and Eiji met) and Private Opinion (about how Ash and Blanca met), will require you to dig around on the Internet as they weren't ever given an official Western release. Oh, I wouldn't equate showing your emotions as being less manly at all. It's perfectly human to show your feelings and I simply think it means you are assured in how you feel. Nothing emasculating about that! Glad I could help! |
| Thank you for your interpretation, OP! When I first saw the ending I couldn't, for the life of me, understand why Ash would give up his best chance to be happy. I knew he chose to die, it wasn't Lao, really. He chose to, holding that letter and smiling... I only instinctively understood that with that decision he wanted to keep Eiji safe from future harm and that the letter ("My soul is with you) was a token for peace that he has been yearning for; that no matter what happens he knows he has been loved unconditionally; that by continuing to live he is risking that peace to crumble. And that is also why after I read what you wrote I am still in denial that Ash did it because of incurable self-loathing. It is too much a tragedy for my weary heart, but yes it might be right and yes it is much more realistic. My only salvation was to think that Ash was only paying off the deal when Ash offered himself to god instead of having Eiji taken. Such a bright, tremendous life force that lasted only a mere 18 years, the gods might only be returning him back to a place where he belongs... with Shorter and Skip and the others... What a powerful story, this was. I guess I won't be able to forget about this in a long... time. |
| This analysis of this interpretation made me calm at some point. The ending is so devastating. To think he would died at the end. I thought he was just sleeping but to think he died in there. Oh no. *moments intensifies* Now i got the answers. I think i need to recover. |
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| Sigh, I had put off the last 1/3 of this series because I knew how it ended... but finally finished it. I read all the posts, thank you for such detailed and thoughtful speculations and explanations. I could never hope to think of all this. I’m not sure if it makes me feel better or worse... To keep it simple for myself, this is my rationale: seeing what Ash survived through the whole series makes me think that the the final knife wound didn’t have to be fatal for him, which means it was a choice. The real question is why, especially when he started to run (assuming for Eiji) after reading the letter. To stay in line with the concept that when he’s with Eiji or when he’s “Aslan” his guard is down... this means he may have momentarily wanted happiness with Eiji, the letter inspired him so. But when Lao stabbed him... everything took a 180. This is just my imagination totally, and really makes me miserable thinking about it, but... I feel like Ash felt just momentarily convinced by Eiji's words that perhaps he deserves love and happiness and Eiji would be the one to give it to him. But when Lao attacked him and he shot back, Ash backtracks mentally. He is brought back to a state of self-loathing: how could he have momentarily weakened and thought he could be with Eiji, as if he deserved such love and happiness, as if a monster such as himself could possibly deserve such a happy ending, etc, these sort of self-destroying thoughts, you know? Again, all my imagination... just trying to come to terms with the ending... And then... he struggles to get to the library to sit down with the letter, maybe cuz he has faith that basically Eiji will find him there once again (I don’t mean physically but maybe....... spiritually?), maybe like if he waits there forever, he can be united with Eiji eventually... maybe he feels like this is the most he can hope to deserve for himself... I mean, if he was happy with just the letter, he coulda just collapsed on the street with it, but he made sure to bring himself back to the library and maybe even take the same seat as before, I feel like that’s important. Maybe he decided he was unworthy of getting to Eiji, but he was happy to have Eiji's comforting words and this is the happiest he can be in his life, so just... let it go. If his entire life was miserable and filled with pain and suffering, if he can at least have this much happiness at this time, he was willing to let himself go. I dunno. Argh. Just thinking about it is just sad. Again, the above is just my imagination and how I imagined things... I could be totally wrong, but if my train of thought helps even one person cope with the ending a bit better, then... that’s good... even if I was wrong somewhere in my thoughts... haha... XD ha.... sigh.................. when will I be able to move on.......... |
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| What a bittersweet ending for a series that sneakingly drew me in without expecting it. Thank you Lunallae for writing such a great analysis. Really helped me place things into perspective when my feelings were fresh after the last episode. |
| I don't usually post on the forums, but your interpretation really helped me cope with the end of the show. Thank you for your thoughtful take on Ash's arc. |
BlueHaru said: Here's my comment again. Well, ASH LYNX IS ALIVE!!! Visit the official website of BANANA FISH, here's the link: https://bananafish.tv/story/ Characters shown in gray are dead and COLORED CHARACTERS ARE ALIVE!!! ASH IS COLORED, THEREFORE ASH IS ALIVE!!! Waiting for Season 2 or a movie! 🎉 that won't happen. the story is over. there is no more content to develop from the manga. the ending is set in stone. |
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BlueHaru said: aisakafuyumi said: that won't happen. the story is over. there is no more content to develop from the manga. the ending is set in stone. That is possible. Ash dying just because of a stabbing incident, where no major organs were hit, is pretty pointless. After what he's been through and knowing that Eiji's waiting for him, he will give up just like that? Like I said, plot of an anime can be slightly different from the manga. They can actually make an original story wherein Ash and Eiji gets to enjoy life as normal teenagers, Ash will visit Eiji in Japan. They actually have a photo wherein the background in the Statue of Liberty in Odaiba, Japan. So, there's still a possibility for a new story. Plus, Yut-Lung has the formula for Banana Fish, who knows what he's planning. He can be the main antagonist if a new story will be developed. At most you can hope for OVAs that are adapted from the side stories that come after Ash's death. Otherwise, don't count on it. Also, your comment about his 'pointless death' is a bit frustrating. I think the interpretation in this thread was done really well and you can put a lot of meaning into Ash's death -- Ash as a character alone has so much nuance; it makes sense that his death would not be without reason. Of course, that is your opinion and you are free to think as such. However, I just feel more at peace when I look at Ash as a character and read into why he decided to pass away. To me, it's not meaningless. If anything, it seems more meaningless to drag on the story. Even though it was a really heart-breaking ending, I believe that Akimi Yoshida's intention was to leave it as so, and the studio would follow suit. Besides, the plot of the anime wouldn't be 'slightly different from the manga', you'd be making an entirely new story, so MAPPA would have to storyboard the entire thing, etc, etc. |
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| I just finished Banana Fish today. Thank you for writing this up it somewhat put me at peace lol but still the ending wrecks me for someone who didn't read the manga. |
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