Yesterday, I started watching an anime entitled "Banana Fish" and I finished the 24-episode anime just now. I suppose I won't be able to sleep until I write here what I feel in my heart. Before I start with my rant/post, let me show you the trailer of the said anime.

VIDEO SOURCE

A Brief Preview Of The Anime: BANANA FISH

The anime revolves around the life of gangsters, mafia, government, media and how everything is entangled with each other. The main character named Ash is a gangster leader which was originally a puppet of a huge mafia boss. He lived a miserable and bloody life which became more chaotic because of "BANANA FISH". However, he found hope in a young Japanese guy he met who is Eiji.

In the anime, there were lots of very realistic issues which were tackled... there were a lot of controversies which revolves around various syndicate groups as well as the government. It's so serious and deep, that I found myself cursing and crying a bunch of times while watching.

If you're interested in realistic, chaotic, psychological, dark and tragic type of anime... I highly recommend this one.

RANT TIME!!!

As I started writing this blog, my tears were still constantly falling, that I look like an idiot getting all emotional over an anime. Well, it isn't new for me... but BANANA FISH had a really great impact on me. I don't know why, but I could only guess.

How would you feel when at a young age, you were used by someone sexually and had no one to support you?

I was truly shocked! I had a lot of questions like, "Where was his parents?", "Why didn't they believe him?", "Why are the rich and powerful often favored?" Imagine... his own father confessed saying, "No one will believe you when you say you were raped... if it happens again, let them. But after the deed, ask them for payment."

Ugh! It's truly crazy... but in reality it happens. Sad to say, there are news of child pornography in real life. And guess what's worse? It's their parents who made them enter such world. It feels so frustrating! Why does pedophilia exist? T_T

Gang wars everywhere!

In the anime, there were different gangs who were always on each other's throat that even innocent people get caught up in their fight. Their reason for fighting varies... some wants more power, wider territory, numerous underlings, etc. while others simply fight to survive and/or protect something they love.

It happens in real life, too. I don't know why, but I'm sure they have their reasons, too.. Although in my country, there are some gangs which exist because its cool and actually, if you ask some members, they wouldn't know why they joined themselves.

Drugs... Drugs... and more drugs!

The drugs mentioned in the anime are very interesting, yet scary in a lot of ways. It's similar to that of an upper but the effect would somehow hypnotize the user. He can be manipulated by others and be introduced with fear. Once fear is induced, that user will lose all his mind and just focus on killing the cause of his fear. If unsuccessful, he ends up inflicting harm on himself.

This is a very crucial issue in my country. There are a lot of killings or crimes made and oftentimes, the murderer is under the influence of some drugs. Drug addiction really is demonic. The user will no longer be in his right mind, thus causing havoc.

Government and Syndicate Connection... xD

In the anime, the syndicate groups are working hand in hand with some of the government officials. They target politicians that may be a barrier to their goals. They wanted to manipulate people and do a lot of hideous things.

Unfortunately, even this kind of things happen in real life situations. There are a lot of syndicate groups which continue to exist because they are being protected by someone in the government. It's scary.

That moment when you wanted to be saved, you found your hope, but you're causing danger to that hope.

It's really frustrating to watch, yet I continued watching. Imagine living your life in a bloody hell for as long as you could remember... then finally, you met someone who sees the real you amidst everything... someone who made you feel that you're not alone. BUT, your life, being a total nightmare, may bring harm to that person. What will you choose? Your soul's salvation? or your salvation's safety?

I sometimes ask myself, "Why won't things go my way?", "Why can't people be free and be genuinely happy with the people dear to them?", "Why is life so unfair?"

The anime really brought me a lo of massive conflicting emotions. I can empathize and clearly compare the anime with the situations in reality. It didn't end the way I wanted it to end, but I got the message. It can be an eye-opener to a lot of people, and I don't regret watching it.

ON A SIDE NOTE:

I'm also currently watching another dark anime which is still ongoing. It's entitled, "The Promised Neverland". It may not be as realistic as Banana Fish since it's more like in a fantasy setting, but the issue tackled in the series, so far, is very relatable.

I know watching dark and psychological anime isn't good for my heart, but they allow me to think about life and a whole bunch of other things.