Big News for Banana Fish Anime: Anime Limited Acquires Blu-ray License
Long-awaited news has arrived: the Banana Fish anime is officially getting a new lease on life for physical media collectors. UK-based distributor Anime Limited has acquired the license to release this cult classic adaptation of Akimi Yoshida's legendary manga on Blu-ray. The first batch of boxes is expected to hit shelves in the first months of 2027 in the US, UK, and France. Considering that for many years the series could only be watched on digital platforms (such as Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, etc.), this is truly great news for fans.
Banana Fish is a manga that was originally serialized in Shōjo Comic magazine from 1985 to 1994 and pushed the boundaries of its genre. Its author, Akimi Yoshida, with this work appealed not only to shojo readers but also to a wide audience interested in crime, thriller, drama, and even LGBTQ+ themes. The success of the manga led to a 24-episode anime series adaptation by studio MAPPA in 2018. The series was directed by Hiroko Utsumi with scripts by Hiroshi Seko. The anime garnered high praise, especially for its character depth, the dark atmosphere of New York, and the poignant relationship between Ash Lynx and Eiji Okumura.
It's no coincidence that Anime Limited acquired this license. The company has previously brought masterpieces such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, Land of the Lustrous, and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin to Blu-ray, earning a solid reputation among collectors. “It is an honor for us to bring such an important series to physical format. We aim to maximize both visual and audio quality by working closely with the license holders in Japan.” said Anime Limited officials. However, the company has not yet shared clear details about the box contents, extra materials, or a special limited collector's edition. Guesses suggest at least a presentation with subtitles along with original Japanese and English dub options.
So why is this news exciting now? Because the Banana Fish anime has not received a physical release since its initial broadcast in 2018. Even in Japan, Blu-ray sets were printed in very limited quantities and sold out quickly. In the West, no official Blu-ray ever came out due to scattered rights. Anime Limited's agreement covering these three regions (US, UK, France) signals that the series will be accessible on physical media in the long term. Although a date like 2027 seems far off, this is a reasonable timeframe considering that licensing agreements and production processes often take years.
An important point for fans: Currently, Banana Fish can be watched on Crunchyroll with subtitles and dubbing, but the subscription system does not always guarantee permanent access. The Blu-ray release will take a permanent place in collections with high image quality, without dependence on an internet connection. As with Anime Limited's previous releases, this set will likely include extras such as concept art, interviews, and clean opening/ending videos. All eyes are now on the announcement of pre-order dates and pricing. To follow developments, it's worth checking Anime Limited's official website and social media accounts.
