Vietnam, 1973: An American soldier goes mad and slaughters his comrades. New York, 1985: Charismatic gang leader Ash receives a mysterious drug from a dying man whose last words are Banana Fish. Behind the mysterious acts of violence runs a conspiracy that could set the mafia, the U.S. government, and NYC on fire! The most popular shojo (girls\') manga of the 80s

The japanese manga was serialized in Betsucomi (Bessatsu Shoujo Comic)beginning 5-1985 Starting with volume 5 (11-1987) it started coming out in manga format. The final manga Volume 19 was released 9-1994. Then from 12-1996 to 5-1997 Japanese Bunko-ban volumes 1 to 10 were released.
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Originally Viz serialized Banana Fish in their now defunct Pulp magazine, and then later Collected several chapters into one paperback volume. The collectors edition was published from 2/99 to 12/02 and only went as far as volume 7. It was reprinted in a smaller sized edition starting over with volume 1 starting on 3-3-2004 with volume 11 due out 11-30-2005