Banana Fish

"Banana Fish" (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akimi Yoshida, originally serialized in Bessatsu Shōjo Comic from 1985 to 1994. Set in 1980s New York City, the story follows Ash Lynx, a young gang leader, and Eiji Okumura, a Japanese photographer's assistant. Ash gets caught up in a conspiracy surrounding a mysterious drug called "Banana Fish," which is connected to his brother's madness during the Vietnam War. While not explicitly a boys' love (BL) series, it's known for its depiction of homosexuality and homoeroticism. The series blends crime, action, and romance, exploring themes of childhood trauma, power abuse, and identity. The manga was published in English by VIZ Media in North America from 1999 to 2007. In 2018, it was adapted into a 24-episode anime series by MAPPA, which updated the setting to the Iraq War and added modern technology.