How Old is Ash Lynx, the Tragic Protagonist of Banana Fish?
Let‘s start this deep dive by answering the title question – Ash Lynx is 17 years old throughout the dark, emotional journey that is Banana Fish. I know, he goes through profoundly disturbing experiences that no 17-year-old should have to. But understanding Ash‘s origin story gives context for his mental state.
Delving into Ash‘s Past
As hardcore Banana Fish fans know, Ash had an unimaginably horrific childhood. But let‘s recap the key details:
- Born as Aslan Callenreese on August 12, 1968
- Abducted into child sex trafficking at age 8
- Forced to endure years of sexual abuse by mafia boss Dino Golzine
- Developed intelligence and strength to become Dino‘s heir
It‘s no wonder Ash has a hardened edge despite being a minor himself. He never had a chance at a normal childhood. 😢
"It‘s fine. I‘m used to it." – Ash responding to Eiji questioning his traumatic past
The Depth of Ash and Eiji‘s Relationship
Once we cover the painful backstory, we can better appreciate the healing nature of Ash‘s connection with Japanese exchange student, Eiji Okumura.
Despite describing their bond as "soul to soul", many fans pick up homoerotic undertones in scenes like:
- Late night conversations in their shared bed
- Emotional airport goodbye scene
- Them wearing each other‘s clothing
- Jealous moments when anyone else interacts with Eiji
While platonic or romantic love is up for debate, there‘s no doubt these two anchor each other in the madness of their dangerous lives among New York gang warfare.
Analyzing Ash‘s Age Versus Maturity
As mentioned earlier, Ash Lynx is 17 years old from his introductory episode all the way through to his implied death at the anime‘s conclusion.
- His birthday is August 12, 1968
- The story runs from 1985 to around 1986
- The Garden of Light epilogue takes place 3 years later in 1989
So despite all he endures, he remains a 17 year old boy throughout the core story. Unlike long-running anime protagonists, Ash never celebrates another birthday.
However, his intellect and composure under pressure make him seem wise beyond his years. With an IQ of 200 and leadership over hundreds of gang members, he has management skills equal to some Fortune 500 CEOs – all while attending high school with a target on his back!
I‘ve summarized some key details around his age versus displayed maturity below:
| Category | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Intelligence |
|
| Emotional Control |
|
| Leadership Ability |
|
So while he‘s under 20 years old, he shows wisdom and finesse comparable to special forces veterans or career politicians.
Did Ash Lynx Ever Find Peace?
Considering Ash‘s backstory, fans are desperate to see him find healing and inner peace after years of exploitation.
The ending provides some catharsis as Ash leaves New York crime life to rejoin Eiji in Japan. But his fate is left agonizingly ambiguous:
- Last seen reading Eiji‘s letter and smiling
- A stab wound implicates his death
- His soul possibly reunited with Eiji per the lyric "My soul is always with you"
As Ash escapes literal prisons early in the story arc – a juvenile detention center, PFA psychiatric hospital, Dino‘s mansion – we hope he‘s finally free. 🕊️
Do you think he found freedom in mind and spirit at the end? Let‘s discuss!
