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Netflix to Release Human-Voice English and French Dubs of Banana Fish on August 12, 2026
Netflix announced that the 2018 anime adaptation of Akimi Yoshida’s manga Banana Fish will be added to its U.S. library on August 12, 2026, with new English and French dubs. The release will be available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France.
The English dub will feature Brandon McInnis as gang leader Ash Lynx and Jonathan Tanigaki as photographer assistant Eiji Okumura. The French dub will cast Sébastien Baulain as Ash and Grégory Laisné as Eiji. The dubs are produced by human voice actors, following the removal of a previous AI‑generated version that had been released by Amazon Prime Video in 2025.
Amazon’s 2025 release of Banana Fish included an entirely AI‑generated English dub that was widely criticized by fans and dubbing professionals. The dub was taken down after a backlash that highlighted concerns about the quality and emotional fidelity of AI‑produced voice work. Netflix’s decision to provide a new human‑voice dub follows the platform’s broader strategy of offering high‑quality localized versions of popular anime.
Banana Fish is a 24‑episode series produced by MAPPA and directed by Hiroko Utsumi. The story follows Ash, a teenage gang leader in New York City, as he investigates a drug called “banana fish” that brain‑washes its users. The series was originally aired on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block in 2018 and was simulcast internationally on Amazon Video. The manga, serialized from 1985 to 1994, was published by Shogakukan and later translated into English by Viz Media.
The new Netflix release comes at a time when dubbed anime is a major driver of viewership on streaming platforms. Younger audiences in particular favor dubbed versions, and the availability of a high‑quality English dub is expected to broaden the series’ reach. Netflix has added other titles that were previously only available with subtitles, such as Vinland Saga and No Game No Life: Zero, after similar controversies.
The decision to launch a new dub also reflects the growing importance of localization in the anime industry. While subtitles remain popular among purists, many fans appreciate the accessibility of a well‑performed dub. Netflix’s investment in new voice talent for Banana Fish signals the platform’s commitment to meeting audience expectations.
The release will be part of Netflix’s expanding anime catalog, which includes titles such as Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen. The company has stated that it will continue to acquire and produce anime content that appeals to a global audience.
The August 12 launch will also coincide with the availability of the series on Netflix’s global platform, allowing viewers outside the initial five regions to stream the show with the new dubs once licensing agreements are finalized.
In summary, Netflix’s August 12 release of Banana Fish with new English and French dubs marks the end of a controversial AI‑dub episode and the beginning of a renewed focus on high‑quality localization. The move is expected to satisfy long‑time fans and attract new viewers who prefer dubbed anime.
The English dub will feature Brandon McInnis as gang leader Ash Lynx and Jonathan Tanigaki as photographer assistant Eiji Okumura. The French dub will cast Sébastien Baulain as Ash and Grégory Laisné as Eiji. The dubs are produced by human voice actors, following the removal of a previous AI‑generated version that had been released by Amazon Prime Video in 2025.
Amazon’s 2025 release of Banana Fish included an entirely AI‑generated English dub that was widely criticized by fans and dubbing professionals. The dub was taken down after a backlash that highlighted concerns about the quality and emotional fidelity of AI‑produced voice work. Netflix’s decision to provide a new human‑voice dub follows the platform’s broader strategy of offering high‑quality localized versions of popular anime.
Banana Fish is a 24‑episode series produced by MAPPA and directed by Hiroko Utsumi. The story follows Ash, a teenage gang leader in New York City, as he investigates a drug called “banana fish” that brain‑washes its users. The series was originally aired on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block in 2018 and was simulcast internationally on Amazon Video. The manga, serialized from 1985 to 1994, was published by Shogakukan and later translated into English by Viz Media.
The new Netflix release comes at a time when dubbed anime is a major driver of viewership on streaming platforms. Younger audiences in particular favor dubbed versions, and the availability of a high‑quality English dub is expected to broaden the series’ reach. Netflix has added other titles that were previously only available with subtitles, such as Vinland Saga and No Game No Life: Zero, after similar controversies.
The decision to launch a new dub also reflects the growing importance of localization in the anime industry. While subtitles remain popular among purists, many fans appreciate the accessibility of a well‑performed dub. Netflix’s investment in new voice talent for Banana Fish signals the platform’s commitment to meeting audience expectations.
The release will be part of Netflix’s expanding anime catalog, which includes titles such as Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen. The company has stated that it will continue to acquire and produce anime content that appeals to a global audience.
The August 12 launch will also coincide with the availability of the series on Netflix’s global platform, allowing viewers outside the initial five regions to stream the show with the new dubs once licensing agreements are finalized.
In summary, Netflix’s August 12 release of Banana Fish with new English and French dubs marks the end of a controversial AI‑dub episode and the beginning of a renewed focus on high‑quality localization. The move is expected to satisfy long‑time fans and attract new viewers who prefer dubbed anime.
