#Ash idealizes Eiji

[cosmicjoke]

Ideally, if Ash had been able to live at the end of Banana Fish and was able to remain in America and separate himself from gang life, what career do you think he would have enjoyed going into? :) I always think that’s one of the saddest aspects of Banana Fish, how abuse deprived the world of someone with so much potential, and of course, how much that abuse damaged Ash’s own perception of his value and potential.

Man, that's such a good question, and I couldn't agree more, that one of the greatest tragedies of Banana Fish and Ash's death is that it robbed the world of such an exceptional person in Ash.

I think Ash could have been just about anything he wanted to be. Eiji points out to him at one point that Ash would make a great model, and given Ash's looks, he could have easily gone into that field. Though given Ash's history and what he endured, I don't think modeling would be a very healthy business for him to have gone into.

I think Ash was really a nerd at heart. He was a mathematical genius, and I always got the impression he enjoyed it too, so he could have gone into maths or some other, scientific field and no doubt have made a real name for himself. Given his immense brilliance, knowing he had an IQ of 210+, he no doubt would have ended up pioneering in those fields.

Ash also had an immense grasp of global politics and military strategy and tactics. He probably could have become a politician or a general even, if he'd really have wanted to. But, again, I don't think Ash would have ever had any real interest in those things. I think he understood only too well how corrupt that world is, and the sorts of power mongers it attracts. Ash was never interested in wielding power, despite being naturally gifted as a leader.

Basically, I think Ash would have eventually ended up in some sort of academic field of study. Even literature would have interested him, given what a voracious reader we know he was, etc... Some sort of science or math would be my guess.

The sky was sort of the limit on Ash's potential. It truly is one of BF's greatest tragedies, that we'll never know what Ash could have actually accomplished, if only he'd been given the chance.

#Ash Lynx #Banana Fish

[chaoslynx]

I headcanon that once eiji found that his feelings for ash were mutual he started doing like pretty bad attempts at flirting knowing it makes ash laugh and now i need drabbles of eiji making ash laugh with his awful flirting moves

includes nongraphic nsfw jokes

A good amount of desperation led Eiji to this point.

In his defense, English isn't his first language. Everyone knows that. He's been getting more fluent with the submersion into the language that being in America offers, but there are still certain things—certain nuances—that Eiji doesn't quite understand.

Especially when it comes to pickup lines.

He started off by asking Alex—which, in retrospect, was probably not the best idea. This led to a whole coaching session by the gang, and resulted in Eiji saying, "Ash, since you lost your virginity, do you want to take mine?"

Eiji still gets flustered just thinking about it. But the best part—the part that got Eiji invested in the idea of bad pickup lines in the first place—is that Ash laughed when Eiji said it.

This was pretty shortly after Eiji met the whole gang, and he didn't really understand what he was saying. He knew it had sexual connotations, of course—he knew the word virgin, but at the time he wasn't entirely sure what he had just asked Ash, other than that Alex had insisted on it.

Ash, on the other hand, did understand what Eiji was saying, and seemed to know immediately that the gang was responsible. And he laughed. Didn't take it seriously, leaving Eiji flustered and a million sorts of embarrassed. But he had laughed.

Ever since then, Eiji's been trying to have a repertoire ready of bad pickup lines—never quite as bad as that first one, but just enough to throw off Ash's game and, ideally, make him laugh. He's grown a little bolder since he realized that his feelings toward Ash are reciprocated. Alex assured him early on: If anyone else had tried to pull that shit with him, Boss wouldn't have laughed. And the other guy probably wouldn't have made it out alive.

It took a few months and several conversations with Ash himself before Eiji actually believed it, but now—during these times when he's holed up in the condo with the gang, Eiji discusses whatever pickup line of the day he found online, screening it with them and judging based on their laughter if he's missing on something vital.

"What about this one?" Eiji asks, reading off of one of the many tablets scattered across the room. " 'Can you pass me an inhaler? Because you just took my breath away.' "

Bones snorts. "Corny! I like it. But what about something a little nerdier? 'Feeling thirsty? Because my body is over 50% water.' "

Eiji feels himself flush. "I'm not going to ask if he's thirsty, Bones." That was a mistake Eiji made early on.

"I've got it!" Alex yells. " 'Do you like plums? Then can I offer you a date?' Get it? Because you're fruity."

"Oh my god," Eiji mumbles. "Next!"

Bones tries again. " 'Do you have a name, or can I just call you mine?' "

"He literally has two names, Bones, and I know both of them. No."

Kong starts laughing suddenly, and Eiji perks up. "Got a good one for us?"

Nodding, Kong says between bouts of laughter, " 'Do I ... Do I need a library card, or can I just check you out?' "

... Huh. It really is perfect, in a way. It's the sort that'll make Ash laugh, for sure, and it's got the library in there. "All right, men," Eiji says triumphantly, "I think we have a winner for today."

#banana fish #asheiji #eiji okumura #bones banana fish #kong banana fish #alex banana fish #prompt fill #answers #anon #sorry this took a while! i originally wanted to write something else for this prompt #but this just fell into place and i was like. yeah. okay

[vitos-ordination-song]

This is good. I’d also add a couple points:

Going to the hospital or asking for help would have meant more struggle. He’d go to prison. Have to try to escape or just stay there. Possibly get killed. The story was written before cellphones—it’s not that easy to summon a black market doctor.

Let’s assume that Ash did decide to die. That he was tired and it wasn’t worth fighting anymore. He still didn’t commit suicide. He got stabbed by someone else, after CHOOSING TO PURSUE A HAPPY LIFE. That’s as far from suicide as you can get.

Throughout the manga, Ash insists he’s never thought of suicide. He feels the shadow of death on him and says that it might feel like a relief. But he’s still going to live actively.

I think there’s some ambiguity as to if he was like the leopard in the end. I want to write an essay about this—fatalism versus free will, reality versus idealism in Banana Fish. Eiji isn’t totally right that Ash can chose his own fate, but he’s not totally wrong either. I simply cannot accept readings of the ending that say that Ash’s death was just him giving in, was the story saying he was a doomed soul from the start. It goes against the entire heart of the narrative.

[fairydust-stuff]

Eiji thoughts

Eiji's innocence is actually a bad thing since its innocence that allows people to not see the pain and suffering of others and even when Eiji is forced to knowledge it,

 Eiji still does so in this very innocent way seeing Ash vs the bad guys rather then the complexities of Ash's life its cost and the suffering/ unfair system that shoved these kids into these lives and then condemned them for doing what they were taught by the people in power who run their world.

Despite BF being desperate to frame Eiji as the one good thing in BF, he's actually somewhat part of the problem,  viewing things though the lens of normal people. 

Who will only help those abused by the system under very strict circumstances. Eiji wants to only save Ash because he’s the only one Eiji views as being worthy of being saved due to his nature as special.   

The quote Ever after  “ You gave one man back his life but did you even look at any of the others” 

He is never allowed to adapt or change. The world of Ash never seems to affect Eiji to the extent it should, despite having his ideals challanged on occasion. Eiji is merely a tourist and remains so. 

#eiji okamura #ash lynx #ever after 1998 #eiji thoughts

[ctrl-alt-cel]

FINALLY.........MY IDEALIZED BANANA FISH AU

#yut lung lee #shorter wong #sing soo ling #banana fish #banana fish au #''my idealized banana fish au'' *forgets to draw ash and eiji* #i like yut lung i like to look at him hes my babey #my art #fanart

[angeleyedlynx]

“I’m.. I’m going to jump.” Ash whimpered softly, staring down from where he stood on the ledge.

It was a dizzying and long drop, he knew that he would be dead before he even hit the ground.

“Ash,” The blond glanced over his shoulder, meeting dark, teary eyes. “Don’t do it. Climb down.”

Eiji was slowly inching forward, eyes on the other, acutely aware of Ash’s mortality.

“Why not?” His voice cracked as he asked the question, it made him seem young, younger than he already was. “Nothing will get better, I’ve failed, I’m nothing-“

“It will get better, Ash, but I need you to let it. I.. Please.. Climb down and I’ll take you to the hospital. We’ll go together and sit in the waiting room together and- and I will never, ever leave you.”

“Everyone says that, Eiji, everyone always says that but they’re lying to me.”

“Have I ever broken my word?” Eiji asked and Ash didn’t speak, because it was true, he’d never once lied to him.

He was close enough now that he could touch Ash, but he feared that even the slightest bit of wind would knock him over.

“Can we go home, Ash?”

The feeling of Ash jumping into his arms was a breath of fresh air, even when he began to cry, but at least he was alive.

They drove to the hospital, and sat in the waiting room, together.

#dedicated to: the person who would not ever let me jump #thank you ceec ily #tw suicidal idealation #tw suicide talk #banana fish #ash lynx #bananafish #eiji okumura #okumura eiji #asheiji #fanfiction #drabble #angst #angst fic #fic writing #my writing

[alartes-draws]

king of not knowing how to write but writing self indulgent stuff ill never post anyway

#how do yall just write stuff uh #this is HARD #like its all self indulgent so im not too worried about it being Good but like #itd be nice if it were yknow??? djndnfnd #i think this is a sign that i should read some more books #i have no idea how yall just like write stuff that reads so smoothly #the chat fic one is so fun tho like its so low qual but i think im funny so it works #and the ash eiji i am Yearning #my writing is mmmmmmm not ideal but like im having fun so it doesnt matter jdsjjfjge #not art #alex literally stfu

[iwatch-theworld]

okay i’m only gonna say this once because it’s gonna bother me otherwise, so

yes, asano atsuko said she’s a fan of banana fish and its themes. no, that does not make no.6 some banana fish knock-off. on a surface level they have similarities in terms of content. but they are separate stories about separate things, written by different people. you can appreciate them both for what they are, what they have in common, and what they have that’s unique about each of them.

#i've been thinking about this for months ever since ppl started comparing them #i'm not trying to be negative or start any ~discourse~ or anything #i am just tired of seeing ppl be like 'oh so no.6 is just bf' #LIKE first of all can u imagine ash doing to eiji half the shit nezumi does to shion lol #putting a knife to eiji's throat multiple times and mocking his idealism. i think not #also slightly more seriously even theme/content bf has gangs/drugs/rape and no.6 has dystopia/genocide. very different #human experimentation is in both but that's it #anyway i just wanted to get that off my chest #i like both works. i don't wanna make a fuss. but i am getting tired of the comparisons #bc they don't seem like they're in good faith and more just to oversimplify no.6 and bring it down #anyway. i'm done now lol

[forever-lynx]

going off on my previous post, what i mean asheiji not being a perfect relationship is ash’s miscommunication with eiji. how he went behind eiji’s back to send him to japan multiple times. it may have been with good intention but eiji obviously didn’t consent to it.

there were many instances where ash held eiji in the dark that lead to major miscommunications. off the top of my head the main one i can think of is how ash went on a killing spree on arthur’s men - not the proper name for it tbh but idk im tired rn - to prove to eiji that he’s a ‘monster’. obviously that is… not an ideal way to prove that point. i do believe the argument that took place after this instance was much needed for both ash and eiji to understand each other, but the healthy thing to do would be to talk to eiji.

obviously, ash’s miscommunication is quite understandable due to his childhood and his lack of healthy relationships growing up; but it’s still not healthy.

ash is human. he’s made mistakes. i know he’s fictional, however there are many in this fandom who overlook his past mistakes because of him being a ‘perfect’ character when he’s far from that; i’d argue he’s one of the most flawed character in the show. and it’s healthy for the viewer to notice that.

#hope rambles #banana fish #ash lynx #asheiji

[eijispumpkin]

5-Ash, Eiji, Shorter

5. go on a six hour road trip with (no car radio, you choose who drives), sit next to on a six hour plane flight, sit across from on a six hour train journey

fun fact, i am currently writing this from within an airport!!!! i hate airports vdjshdj Free Me

roadtrip: shorter (pretty sure he'd have the best roadtrip playlist).

plane: eiji (he's flown internationally. he understands how much i hate airports at this point. he will not hog the armrest or put his feet in my space or be that annoying asshole who insists on whiteknighting to reach the light/vent for me, an entire adult who did not ask, just because i am not tall. can you tell i am Sick of air travel)

and that leaves ash for train! which fits i think - of all of the trio, i feel like ash (a cat) is the most likely to just chill in silence and read or admire the scenery with me, which is my ideal train trip tbh. that or playing cards.

#answers #anon #phew time to go board lol

[chaoslynx]

a drabble for @yikesthesebikes, based on this idea of theirs where Ash makes soup for a sad Eiji.

Eiji is ... sad.

He’s been struggling lately, and wallowing in it a little bit. Relishing in the feeling of being sad, almost. And he knows it’s not ideal, and that he should want to feel better, but ... instead, he’s just sad.

And Ash hasn’t noticed.

Which Eiji doesn’t blame him for at all. It’s not like Eiji has reached out in any way, or even mentioned it to Ash. It’s really Eiji’s fault, if he’s being honest with himself. He probably should reach out to Ash, and ask for help if he needs it.

But ... hasn’t Ash had to be the cure for enough people’s sadness before? If Ash were the one who was sad, of course Eiji would want him to reach out, but it’s different. Ash is kind, and sweet, and has been through so much. Ash deserves the world. Ash is ...

Ash isn’t a burden.

So Eiji comes home, like any other day, going through the motions like he fucking always does. Until—

“EijI?” Ash asks. “I, uh—I made dinner.”

Eiji stops in the doorway, a little caught off guard. He and Ash often make dinner together, but it’s not uncommon for Eiji to cook on his own, especially during times when Ash is struggling more than usual with eating. Recently they’ve been leaning a little more on frozen food, delivery, and leftovers. Was Ash upset that Eiji hasn’t been up to par?

“Sorry,” Ash says, quieter. “It took me a few attempts to figure out the recipe. Cooking is hard.”

“Recipe?” Eiji asks, finally setting his jacket down and toeing out of his shoes.

“Yeah!” Ash suddenly lights up, and he steers Eiji into the kitchen. “Do you know how many fucking types of soup there are?”

Eiji snorts, some of the pressure in his chest already lifting. “Did you just Google a recipe for ‘soup’ and go down the list?”

Ash bristles. “No! But the type that Griff made is way different than Nadia and Shorter’s, and I didn’t want to have to call Nadia and ask, but I did, so then I had to explain, and it still took several attempts after that. I’ve been trying for like a week since then, and—”

“Wait, Ash, slow down,” Eiji says. Griff? Nadia and Shorter? And ... “Explain what? What did you have to explain to Nadia?”

Gesturing at the already set table, Ash looks away—but Eiji notices his blush first.

“That ... you always cook for me when I’m sad.” Ash says it like a confession.

It takes Eiji a second to process that.

“You’ve—for a week? Been trying to figure out how to cook for me?” Has Eiji even been sad for that long? Did Ash notice Eiji’s mood before Eiji did?

“Well, a little longer, but I gave up and called Nadia pretty quickly.”

“Why do you sound like you’re apologizing?” Eiji asks, incredulous.

“Because ... I’m sorry?” Ash scratches at a corner of the table. “I didn’t know how to help you, and all I could think of was cooking since it always helps me when you cook, but even that took me this fucking long, and—I really am sorry—”

“Ash,” Eiji interrupts. He feels his eyes watering. “Please don’t apologize. Thank you.”

Ash seems at a loss for words for a moment. Eventually, he says, “But you do this all the time, and I ...” Ash reaches up and rubs at his own eyes now. “I didn’t know what to do.”

“This is perfect,” Eiji says. He holds out a hand, palm up, and Ash takes it. They both squeeze at the same time, then both laugh, a little watery.

“Thank you,” Ash whispers.

But Eiji shakes his head, feeling a few thousand times better without even tasting the soup. “Thank you so much, Ash.”

And so much goes unsaid in that sentence. The fact that Ash learned how to comfort Eiji from Eiji himself. That Ash’s go-to recipe was what Griff, Shorter, and Nadia had provided for him in those rare moments of safety in his own childhood. That it doesn’t matter what the soup tastes like, really—only that Ash made it for Eiji.

I love you, too, goes unsaid.

Because they both already know.

#hope this works okay 😅 #also sorry i didn't do the ending part #hopefully you enjoy this anyway! #banana fish #asheiji #ash lynx #eiji okumura #prompt fill #kinda a prompt fill? #but i'm tagging it as that anyway because that's what all my tumblr drabbles are tagged under #which in retrospect was probably not smart #but oh well #also fun side fact #all of these drabbles are titled 'drabble x' in my google drive #so i have a folder named 'drabbles' #with over 50 documents #each named 'drabble 1' or 'drabble 2' etc #which in retrospect was DEFINITELY not smart #but que sera fucking sera

[aslan-jade-okumura]

hey. i know ash x eiji is an otp, but who would be ash’s ideal girl?

I didn't see this until now, I'm so sorry!

To me, I don't think Ash ever thought of his ideal person. Eiji is a happy surprise that Ash didn't know he wanted.

I think the qualities Ash saw in Eiji are what he'll like in a girl. Someone to see his past, and not hold it against him or judge him. Someone to love him for his bad and see the good that he can't see in himself. Someone to love him and not expect Ash to give them anything in return. Unconditional love.

I thought a lot about this. I want to think that Ash doesn't care about gender, but the quality of the person.

I hope this answers your question?

#ash lynx #eiji okumura #asheiji #asks #banana fish

[fairydust-stuff]

Eiji, Ash vs Yut Lung views

I head cannon that the reason Eiji likes Ash better then Yut Lung is simply this .Eiji has a horrible sense of self. He feels like no matter what its not good enough. There is no maybe next time for Eiji or well I tried my best. He has to succeed or he feels like a terrible burden on those around him.    

 Enter Ash who thinks Eiji is ten times better then Eiji views himself. Eiji can do no wrong in Ash's eyes Eiji is the embodiment of safety and love. Ash will do anything and everything to protect Eiji and its flattering that this popular, smart, beautiful boy thinks Eiji is more important then anything in the world. 

   Yut Lung on the other hand see's right through Eiji. In the manga upon their first meeting Yut Lung accuses the older of not knowing what's going on or what he's doing. And Yut Lung ain't wrong even when he's talking absolute crap its crap designed to hit Eiji where it hurts.  

Yut Lung is implied to be good at reading people and he's had at least a week with team Ash to learn their personalities. My conclusion Yut Lung can read Eiji like a book and he knows his every insecurity and even if he is just taking shots in the dark. Eiji's reactions are teaching him just how to tear through those fragile defenses. Yut Lung is every mental beatdown Eiji has ever given himself in the flesh. And I still think that no matter how much Eiji rails and insists Yut Lung is wrong, he’s evil, he’s a bully. Late at night its Yut Lung Lee’s voice that throws every insecurity Eiji’s ever had back in his face.    

Which is why Yut Lung should of been Eiji’s antagonist instead of Ash’s. Yut Lung isn’t an obsticle or threat to Ash on even an emotional level but he’s always been the personal challange Eiji faces every day because he echoes the voice in Eiji’s head telling him, he’s nothing. 

#banana fish #eiji okumura #ash lynx #yut lung lee #yut lung & eiji #eiji x ash #Yut lung is nasty but he understands Eiji to a point #Eiji hates that #Ash idealizes Eiji #theory

[dismissingpudding]

Banana Fish characters at a fair/carnival

⚠️TW: a few brief mentions of v//miting. the sections that include this are marked with asterisks (*)

Eiji really likes the ferris wheel and if there's animals he's definitely going to see all of them

Ash doesn't like rides that are too slow but he also can't tolerate rides that are too spinny

the scrambler is like the perfect speed for Ash

Ash, Eiji, and Shorter all go on the scrambler together—Shorter is vibing and screaming, Ash is laughing, and Eiji is getting crushed (he's having fun though)

the three of them also plan on going on the ferris wheel together but Shorter dips at the last minute so Ash and Eiji can ride it alone. while they're on the ferris wheel Shorter goes on that one ride that spins so fast you stick to the wall

Shorter's favourite ride is the zipper. He usually would ask the guy to spin him before the ride starts, but since he convinced Ash to go on with him he decided less is better

Ash hated the zipper. it was almost painful, he kept getting slammed to the seat every time it turned around and he felt like he was going to fall out. he's never riding the zipper again.

Eiji is unspeakably competitive with bumper cars. like he can and will wreak havoc on his friends. Eiji drove with Shorter as a passenger and Max drove with Ash as a passenger (Ash thought it would be boring). once Ash saw how Eiji drives he stole the wheel and told Max to floor it.

* Ideal matchups for the strawberries: Max, Ibe, and Eiji (they hardly spin, they're just chatting), Ash by himself (if it's too slow it's boring but if it's too fast he'll get sick) and Shorter by himself (he goes absolutely crazy)

* The actual matchups for the strawberries: Max and Ibe try to avoid the strawberries. Ash either goes on with Eiji and Eiji holds it still so Ash can't spin it, or he goes on with Shorter who has no restraint on the strawberries and Ash yells at him the whole time that it's too fast and he's going to throw up. When the ride ends, Ash says that he feels fine but immediately upon saying that he throws up. He insists that he's fine after

#banana fish #banana fish headcanons #eiji okumura #ash lynx #shorter wong #max lobo #shunichi ibe #eiji okumura headcanons #ash lynx headcanons #shorter wong headcanons #max lobo headcanons #shunichi ibe headcanons #asheiji #banana fish au

[blue-jeens]

What Your Favorite Banana Fish Ship Says About You

((Inspired by Eldena Doubleca5t’s series of Youtube videos))

AshEiji: You are a firm believer in keeping things canon and keeping things wholesome

ShorAsh: You are a firm believer in the inherent eroticism of bromances/avenging someone’s death

ShorEiji: Your ideal date involves wacky hijinks but the only things that ensue are the friends we made along the way

Ash/Shorter/Eiji: You think Banana Fish has only gone downhill since Episode 8

Eiji/Yue: You think Yue deserved a redemption arc (you’re right)

Yue/Shorter: You are a firm believer in the inherent eroticism of blackmail and deception

AshYue: Your ideal date involves getting pinned up against the wall by your sworn enemy as they place the tip of their sword just underneath your chin and use it to tilt your head up a little

SingEiji: You just want good things for Sing, and really, who wouldn't

YueSing: You just want good things for Yue, which based off what I've seen is not a universal sentiment

Sing/Ash: Your ideal date involves getting your senpai to notice you

Ash/Blanca: I can't say if you want to fuck dads, but you definitely want to fuck father figures. Also, obligatory *insert the FBI open up GIF*

Ash/Max: You want to fuck dads. Also, again, *insert the FBI open up GIF*

Yue/Blanca: You’re always a slut for misunderstood sad boys who can be healed with the power of love AND you want to fuck father figures and once again *FBI open up*

Alex/Ash: You’re always a slut for boss/employee workplace romances

Alex/Eiji: You are a firm believer in the inherent eroticism of stealing someone's girl

Bones/Kong: You’re always a slut for characters who are in desperate need of more screen time

Shorter/Cain: You want a boyfriend who not only CAN kick your ass but will do so upon request

Shorter/Alex: You THEORETICALLY want a boyfriend who can kick your ass but like, realistically you just want to get bridal carried

Max/Griffin: This is just the same joke as ShorAsh but with minimal canon validation

Max/Ibe: Your ideal relationship dynamic is Team Mom/Team Dad

Jessica/Max: You are a firm believer in men 👏getting 👏pegged👏

Charlie/Nadia: You are heterosexual. Also, you probably read the manga

Sing/Akira: You don't get what all the fuss is about, you thought Garden of Light was great!

Garden of Light Sing/Eiji: Your ideal relationship dynamic is Tragic Pining

Post Garden of Light Yue/Sing: You unironically browse the Extramarital Affairs tag on ao3

Ash/Death: You... Are Akimi Yoshida

#banana fish #asheiji #ash lynx #eiji okumura #okumura eiji #bones #kong #shorter wong #cain blood #griffin callenreese #akimi yoshida #lee yut lung #yut lung #sing soo ling #jessica randy #max lobo #max glenreed #nadia wong #blanca #akira #garden of light #yuesing

[angeleyedlynx]

Ash Lynx Fact: He'd kill himself for Eiji, without question or pause. When given the choice of his life or Eiji's, he'd choose the latter, not the former.

#tw suicidal idealation #tw suicide #pretty boy gangster; ash #banana fish #ash lynx #bananafish #eiji okumura #okumura eiji #banana fish spoilers #shorter wong #manga spoilers #that part really fucked me up