Netflix Rescues Acclaimed Anime ‘Banana Fish’ with Exclusive New Dub

Picture Credit: Studio MAPPA

Netflix just dropped a massive bombshell for anime fans: the beloved crime-thriller series Banana Fish is officially coming to Netflix in the United States and several other territories, and it’s bringing a highly anticipated, brand-new English dub with it!

Here is everything we know about the surprise release of Banana Fish on Netflix.

Based on the classic 1980s shōjo manga by Akimi Yoshida and brought to life by Studio MAPPA (the studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan: The Final Season, in addition to a bunch of upcoming Netflix projects) in 2018, Banana Fish is widely considered a modern masterpiece. However, since its release, the series has been notoriously locked in “streaming jail” as an Amazon Prime Video exclusive—and was only ever available in Japanese with English subtitles. The series is distributed by Sentai Filmworks.

For years, fans have been begging for an English dub. Now, Netflix has swooped in to save the day.

In a surprise announcement posted to Netflix’s social media channels today, the streamer confirmed that Banana Fish will make its grand debut on Netflix US on August 12.

Even better? It won’t just be the subtitled version. Netflix revealed it has produced exclusive, brand-new English and French dubs for the release!

As mentioned, Netflix US is among the recipients, in addition to Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France. 

Who is in the Banana Fish English and French Dub Cast?

Alongside the release date, Netflix lifted the lid on exactly who will be bringing the iconic duo of Ash and Eiji to life in the new audio tracks.

Here is the newly confirmed dub voice cast for the series leads:

• Ash Lynx: Brandon McInnis (English), Sébastien Baulain (French)
• Eiji Okumura: Jonathan Tanigaki (English), Grégory Laisné (French)

What is Banana Fish about?

If you haven’t yet experienced this heart-wrenching classic and are planning to dive in for the first time this August, you are in for a ride.

The story follows Ash Lynx, a ruthless, beautiful teenage gang leader in New York City who was raised by a notorious mafia boss. Ash’s violent life is unexpectedly altered when he meets Eiji Okumura, a pure-hearted Japanese photographer’s assistant who arrives in NYC to report on street gangs. Together, the two form an unbreakable bond as they get pulled into a deadly, far-reaching conspiracy surrounding a mysterious and lethal drug known only as “Banana Fish”—the very same drug that drove Ash’s older brother mad in Iraq.

Are you looking forward to finally checking out the Banana Fish dub when it drops on Netflix this August? Let us know in the comments down below!