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Banana Fish - Episode 16 [Review]
This week's episode takes its title from a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "Lo, the Poor Peacock!" The original story focuses on an affluent family that's fallen on hard times, symbolized by the daughter needing to switch from private to public school. It's not as obvious a connection as some of the previous Banana Fish episode titles have been, but I have a couple of guesses. It could refer to Prof. Dawson, once a genius but now reduced to a zombie-like state by the drug he helped create. But more likely, it refers to Golzine, who's been reduced from his head honcho position to be just another observer making suggestions, while the incompetent Baron Zahkarev calls the shots. Zakharev might be better at some things when it comes to running the National Mental Health Institute, but he sure doesn't know their latest escapee the way Golzine does.
The short story "Lo, the Poor Peacock!" ends (spoilers!) with the family regaining their fortunes, after the daughter charms a potential investor while her dad is taken ill. Likewise, by the end of this episode, Golzine retakes his place atop the pyramid in a far less pleasant manner, by violently murdering the Baron. After all, it's the Baron's underestimation of Ash that makes it so much easier for him to escape. Not that Ash couldn't have escaped if Golzine had been running the show—he's eluded him multiple times—but presumably Golzine would've known how to make better use of the building's "top level security system" to thwart the teen genius. The fact that he has to suggest relatively late in the game to disable the pass Ash stole is pretty ridiculous. Baron more than deserves what's coming to him. That said, does the Baron know Ash's actual age? He seems to be under the impression that he's prepubescent, not one year away from legal adulthood, given his assumption that he'd be so much easier to capture than a grown-up on the run.
Then again, the Baron isn't the only one who underestimates Ash this week. Ash's allies, Max and Ibe, also assume that they would need to rescue Ash from the Institute. Granted, the stakes are pretty high, since Ash was almost turned into a zombie like all the other patients in the Institute. But of course, the tables get turned; Ash ends up needing to rescue them at the end. This particular situation does seem like it's specifically set up to test Ash's natural problem-solving and fighting skills, but for them to assume they'd be able to handle it better shows that they haven't been paying attention for the past 15 episodes.
Other than that, this episode is one big chase scene, so the fact that there's still a lot to unpack thematically testifies to the strength of Banana Fish. I also liked the way Ash's character development was allowed to flow more naturally. It was getting a little obnoxious having every character testify to Ash's super-genius. Not only was it unnecessary—we can see Ash's prodigious skills in action—but it was the kind of protagonist-worship I expect from a more poorly-written anime. It took away from the supposed seriousness of this show and made Ash less interesting to watch than characters whose traits were communicated more via their actions. (For example, this is what makes Yut-Lung such a good character.) So I liked getting an extended sequence of Ash solving problems and taking out baddies on his own, rather than just being told about it. But more importantly, this sequence communicates something about Ash that's less remarked-upon by his allies and enemies: his compassion.
We've heard plenty of characters tell us about how Ash's love for Eiji is his "one weak spot," but I think this episode proves that this extends beyond Eiji. His whole rescue of Prof. Dawson involves him repeatedly getting screwed over in order to help someone who doesn't benefit him in any way. Dawson has been reduced by the B1 drug to being unintelligent with seemingly no survival instincts, so he's basically just a load who slows Ash down. But Ash still helps him, because Dawson was kind to him in the past, and because it's the right thing to do. It's a reminder that while Ash's bond with Eiji may be his greatest quality, he's a good person overall deep down. Frankly, he wouldn't be able to have the relationship he does with Eiji if he wasn't good at heart; Eiji wouldn't return those feelings if Ash was truly a terrible person. (And that's why the two of them tend to fight when Ash betrays Eiji's expectations of him.) It's that broader compassion, not just his ability to fall for one person, which sets Ash apart from his enemies. It particularly sets him apart from Yut Lung, the character most clearly set up as his foil. Moon Dragon-kun is motivated by hatred and revenge. Ash is too, but also by compassion and love.
Speaking of Eiji, it's a little weird to have an episode of Banana Fish without him, isn't it? Eiji only shows up during one of Ash's inner monologues, where he laments "older guys" getting in his way. (We get some great goofy Ash faces throughout this episode, especially in his interactions with said "older guys.") Luckily, we're about to see way more of him, as Eiji refuses Max's offer of rest and relaxation to run off in search of Ash. I wonder how pleasantly surprised he'll be to find out how Eiji managed to wrestle his way out of Yut Lung's clutches. Even apart, Ash and Eiji's love connection has brought out the most in both boys—for better or for worse.
