“The Beautiful and Damned” is a 1922 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Among all its themes, what’s most relevant here is the marriage and the many hardships the couple faces. Curiously enough, it’s also set during the World War I. It’s not the focus, but considering how this episode ends with a declaration of war between Ash and Arthur–and the first few episodes referenced novels that were involved with the world wars in one way or another–it’s still worth to mention.

Episode 11 dedicates a considerable amount of time to show us how Ash and Eiji settle into living alone together. When Max offers to take Eiji away, Ash refuses, and we know that Eiji will be moving in with him in the apartment he buys towards the end of the episode.  Continue reading “Banana Fish #11: The Beautiful and Damned” →

This week we have some revenge, bitch! Well, not entirely. Our main villains are still evil and well, but burning the mansions of your enemies to the ground is a good first step!

“Babylon Revisited” is an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel published in 1931. Although it deals with multiple themes, what I find most relevant here it’s the intense guilt caused by the loss of someone important. Continue reading “Banana Fish #10: Babylon Revisited” →

Instead of writing this post, I contemplated posting a ten-hour loop of that screaming meme and calling it a day. However, I do have some things to say about this episode that doesn’t involve screaming. Well, not too much anyway–so let’s stick to the usual format!

“Save Me the Waltz” is a novel by Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, published in 1932. It’s the first and only novel she ever published, and it’s often examined for its historical value and the things its autobiographical nature reveal. In this case, I’m inclined to believe this work was chosen for the context in which it was written, rather than by the content itself. Continue reading “Banana Fish #9: Save Me the Waltz” →

The title “My Lost City” refers to an essay by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which forms part of a collection of personal essays–written from 1920 to 1940–by the same title. The essay uses New York to juxtapose persistent idealism with the awareness of a far more unforgiving reality. However, what’s perhaps more relevant here are not the feelings for the city itself, but the feeling of something lost; the speculation of whether or not it can be recovered even if there’s a certainty that it just won’t be possible. Continue reading “Banana Fish #6: My Lost City” →