Banana Fish: The Stage (2021)

***Banana Fish: The Stage*** was a stage play performed in two parts in 2021 and 2022. The first, ***Banana Fish: The Stage Part One*** (「BANANA FISH」 The Stage -前編-, *Banana Fish: The Stage -Zenpen-*), ran from June 10-20, 2021, in Shinagawa, Tokyo. The second, ***Banana Fish: The Stage Part Two*** (「BANANA FISH」 The Stage -後編-, *Banana Fish: The Stage -Kōhen-*), ran from January 20-31, 2022; it was scheduled to run until February 6, but all February performances were cancelled when a cast member tested positive for COVID-19. Tickets for all live performances cost ¥12,000, with advance reservation for part one open from March 27 to April 6 and general release ticket sales opening to the public on May 8. Ticket sales for part two opened on October 9, 2021.

An interview with Mizue and Okamiya was included in the May edition of the monthly magazine *Flowers* (月刊flowers), released March 27, 2021. In the interview, Mizue noted he intends to "make use of Ash's sensitivity and wide field of vision to create the role and deliver the splendor of this fascinating work." Okamiya stated he will "face the world of *Banana Fish* and the strong and gentle Eiji who lives in it."

## Part Two and COVID-19

Opening the same day Tokyo and several other prefectures in Japan declared a new quasi-state of emergency to combat the rapidly spreading omicron strain of the new novel coronavirus, *Banana Fish: The Stage Part Two* was heavily impacted by the virus. The 13:00 performance on Tuesday, January 25 was cancelled when a close family member of an ensemble cast member tested positive; the cast member himself tested negative and performances resumed. The 18:00 performance on Friday, January 28 was likewise cancelled when another ensemble cast member's close relative tested positive, prompting the cast member to withdraw from the performance, and a replacement could not be arranged in time. The performance was changed to a 13:00 performance on Saturday, January 29 with the option of a refund for any ticket holders unable to make the change. On January 31, an unidentified cast member tested positive for COVID-19, all cast members had to be tested, and all February performances were cancelled. As an alternative for those whose tickets were refunded, a streaming of the opening night's performance was offered on February 13 with tickets for the streaming available through the official site from February 2-13 for ¥3,700.

## Cast

### Part One

**Ensemble:**

* Kenta Asegawa (阿瀬川健太)
* Kazuki Okamoto (岡本和樹)
* Keisuke Sawada (澤田圭佑)
* Takuro Sawada (澤田拓郎)
* Yoshiki Sugimoto (杉本佳幹)
* Yuri Tajima (田嶋悠理)
* Takumi Nagaishi (永石 匠)
* Masahide Funaki (船木政秀)
* Yuu Furuyashiki (古屋敷 悠)
* Kenta Hoshi (星 賢太)
* Haruki Matsui (松井遥己)
* Ryunosuke Yamasaki (山﨑竜之介)

### Part Two

**Ensemble:**

* + Kenta Asegawa (阿瀬川健太)
	+ Kazuki Okamoto (岡本和樹)
	+ Yusuke Okuhira (奥平祐介)
	+ Hideki Kamei (亀井英樹)
	+ Keisuke Sawada (澤田圭佑)
	+ Yuri Tajima (田嶋悠理)
	+ Mikido Tsuda (津田幹土)
	+ Takumi Nagaishi (永石 匠)
	+ Hisashi (久獅)
	+ Yusuke Fukushima (福島悠介)
	+ Yuu Furuyashiki (古屋敷 悠)
	+ Kenta Hoshi (星 賢太)
	+ Haruki Matsui (松井遥己)
	+ Ryunosuke Yamasaki (山﨑竜之介)

## Gallery

### Part One

Textless key visualMizue and Okamiya on the cover of *TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14, May 2021Animate-exclusive cover of *TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14, May 2021*TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14 article header*TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14 photo*TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14 photo*TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14 photo*TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14 photo*TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14 photo*TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14 Animate-exclusive bonus photo*TV Guide Stage Stars* vol.14 Animate-exclusive bonus photo
## References

1. ↑ *Banana Fish: The Stage* Official Website
2. ↑ Comments by Mizue and Okamiya in *Flowers*, May 2021