The TV anime BANANA FISH — adapted from Akimi Yoshida‘s manga by studio MAPPA under director Hiroko Utsumi — is available to stream in full across several platforms in Japan. The 24-episode series can be watched without limits on DMM TV, U-NEXT, d Anime Store, Hulu, Netflix, and FOD.

Unlimited Streaming Options

DMM TV — Top Pick

DMM TV offers BANANA FISH as part of its unlimited plan at just ¥550/month (tax included), making it the most affordable option among all streaming services carrying the show. New subscribers receive a 14-day free trial and 550 bonus points. It’s the ideal choice for watching Ash and Eiji’s story from Episode 1 through the finale without worrying about per-episode charges.

• Price: ¥550/month
• Free trial: 14 days
• Bonus: 550 points for new members

U-NEXT

U-NEXT is a comprehensive platform covering anime, films, dramas, and magazines. Notably, the original BANANA FISH manga can also be purchased as an e-book within the same app. New users get a 31-day free trial with 500 yen worth of points on sign-up, plus 1,200 points every month upon renewal.

• Price: ¥2,189/month
• Free trial: 31 days
• Bonus: ¥500 points (first time) / 1,200 points/month (ongoing)

d Anime Store

d Anime Store is an anime-only service priced at ¥660/month. New subscribers get their first month free, with the free period running through the end of the calendar month regardless of sign-up date.

• Price: ¥660/month
• Free trial: First month free

Hulu

Hulu carries BANANA FISH on its unlimited plan at ¥1,320/month, a good fit for viewers who also want access to domestic and international dramas. Note that Hulu offers no free trial period — billing begins on the day of registration.

• Price: ¥1,320/month
• Free trial: None

Netflix

Netflix also streams BANANA FISH without limits, with plans starting at ¥890/month. It pairs well with Netflix’s extensive library of international series and films, though there is no free trial.

• Price: From ¥890/month
• Free trial: None

Rental and DVD Options

For those who prefer not to subscribe to a monthly plan:

• Amazon Prime Video: Rental only at ¥255 per episode (HD). Prime membership does not include the show — rental fees apply regardless. Best suited for rewatching select episodes.
• TSUTAYA DISCAS: DVD postal rental service. The “定額レンタル8ダブル” plan costs ¥2,200/month for up to 8 discs per month with no late fees, suitable for viewers without a stable internet connection.

Story and Highlights

Set against the backdrop of New York’s criminal underworld, BANANA FISH follows Ash Lynx, a 17-year-old street gang leader with exceptional looks and combat ability. One night, a dying man whispers the words “Banana Fish” — the same phrase Ash’s brother Griffin, now in a near-vegetative state, has been repeating for years.

Around the same time, Eiji Okumura, a young Japanese man visiting New York as a photographer’s assistant, crosses paths with Ash. Together they pursue the mystery of “Banana Fish” and find themselves drawn into a vast conspiracy.

Key Highlights

• The bond between Ash and Eiji: Two young men from completely different worlds becoming indispensable to each other forms the emotional core of the series.
• Gripping episode-by-episode suspense: Each episode ends with a strong hook, making it easy to binge all two cours in one sitting.
• Memorable soundtrack: Cour 1 features “found & lost” by Survive Said The Prophet (OP) and “Prayer X” by King Gnu (ED); Cour 2 features “FREEDOM” by BLUE ENCOUNT (OP) and “RED” by Survive Said The Prophet (ED).

Main Cast

• Ash Lynx — Yuma Uchida
• Eiji Okumura — Kenji Nojima
• Max Lobo — Hiroaki Hirata
• Shorter Wong — Makoto Furukawa
• Shunichi Ibe — Shinji Kawada
• Yut-Lung (Lee Yuexiong) — Jun Fukuyama
• Sing Soo-Ling — Shoya Chiba
• Blanca — Toshiyuki Morikawa
• Frederick Arthur — Yoshimasa Hosoya
• Lao Yen Tai — Soma Saito

Production Details

• Original manga: Akimi Yoshida (Shogakukan / Flower Comics)
• Director: Hiroko Utsumi
• Series composition: Koji Seko
• Character design: Akemi Hayashi
• Music: Shinichi Osawa
• Studio: MAPPA
• Broadcast: Fuji TV “Noitamina” block and others
• Run: July 5 – December 20, 2018 (24 episodes)

FAQ

How many episodes does BANANA FISH have?

BANANA FISH has 24 episodes in total. It aired from July 5, 2018, concluding on December 20, 2018, with Episode 24, “The Catcher in the Rye.”

Can I watch BANANA FISH for free?

Yes, during free trial periods. DMM TV offers 14 days free, d Anime Store gives the first month free, and U-NEXT provides a 31-day free trial — all for new subscribers. No free streaming was found on TVer.

Is BANANA FISH included with Amazon Prime?

No. On Amazon Prime Video, BANANA FISH is available as a paid rental only (¥255/episode in HD), even for Prime members. For all 24 episodes, an unlimited streaming service is more cost-effective.