Eiji Okumura is a fit and youthful 19-year-old Japanese man, known for his striking black hair and large, expressive dark brown eyes. His youthful appearance often leads people to mistake him for a teenager, even in his home country of Japan. Throughout the Banana Fishseries, Eiji’s wardrobe evolves, reflecting his personal growth and increasing connection with Ash Lynx. Initially, his style is neat and polished, favoring collared shirts, sweaters, and the occasional sweater vest, which contrasts sharply with Ash’s more rugged, street-smart clothing. As the series progresses, Eiji adopts elements of Ash’s style, such as denim jackets, varsity jackets, and hoodies, signaling a deeper bond between them.

In Fly Boy in the Sky, it’s revealed that Eiji is near-sighted, a detail that adds to his unique charm. Though initially reluctant to wear glasses, Eiji often squints at others, unintentionally giving the impression of glaring, much to the confusion of those around him. Eventually, with the encouragement of Shunichi Ibe, Eiji switches to contact lenses, marking a subtle yet important shift in his appearance and self-image.

By the time we reach Garden of Light, Eiji’s hair has grown longer and is styled into a neat ponytail, which adds a slightly more mature and confident look. His decision to start wearing glasses again further emphasizes his physical and emotional growth, reflecting his journey from innocence to experience.

Eiji’s design was inspired by the Japanese actor Hironobu Nomura, as envisioned by Banana Fish creator Akimi Yoshida, giving him a timeless, endearing quality that continues to captivate fans.

Eiji Okumura is a kind-hearted, selfless individual whose curiosity about the world around him drives much of his growth throughoutBanana Fish. His inquisitive nature is evident in moments such as his fascination with Ash Lynx’s gun, something completely unfamiliar to him. Despite his shy and gentle demeanor, Eiji’s curiosity and willingness to learn often push him out of his comfort zone, especially in the unfamiliar and dangerous world of New York’s gang culture.

Though Eiji is 19, his youthful appearance often leads others to mistake him for much younger, even causing some to see him as a child. This contrasts sharply with the world of hardened gang leaders, and even Ash himself notes Eiji’s innocent look, often commenting that Eiji appears younger than he does. However, beneath this youthful exterior lies a brave and sometimes surprisingly bold spirit. While naturally innocent, Eiji’s bravery shines through when it matters most, and despite his lack of experience, he faces the darker side of New York with surprising resolve.

Eiji’s innocence, however, doesn’t mean he lacks depth. He can be quite perceptive, quickly noticing when Ash is lying—an example of his heightened awareness and emotional intelligence. He also displays an interesting duality: his kind and gentle nature is soothing to those around him, but when pushed, he reveals an inner stubbornness and, at times, even a touch of rudeness. This complexity makes him a compelling character, someone who constantly evolves in response to the world around him.

Though he is often seen as naive—especially regarding gangs, American customs, and the harsh realities of New York—Eiji’s unwavering goodness and ability to empathize with others, especially Ash, allow him to navigate these challenges. His calming presence has a profound effect on Ash, whose hardened exterior slowly softens in Eiji’s company. Eiji’s genuine care for others and his steady moral compass make him both a grounding force in the series and a symbol of purity amidst the chaos that surrounds him.

Eiji may not initially possess the physical combat skills or weapon proficiency seen in other characters like Ash Lynx, but he is not without his own strengths. One of his most notable abilities is his athleticism—he is skilled enough in pole vaulting to clear a brick wall, a skill he uses strategically to alert law enforcement during a dangerous situation when he, Ash, and Skip are captured. While he starts off with little knowledge of guns and violence, Eiji’s determination and willingness to learn lead him to practice and gradually become able to fire a gun.

Beyond physical abilities, Eiji’s true power lies in his kindness and innate ability to calm those around him, even in high-stress situations. His gentle nature and innocence have a soothing effect on those who might otherwise be dangerous or hostile. Ash, who is often a whirlwind of aggression and intensity, is frequently calmed by Eiji’s steady presence. Additionally, Eiji’s ability to form genuine connections with others allows him to befriend several people from Ash’s world, including Shorter, Sing, and Cain—individuals who, despite their hardened natures, warm to Eiji’s sincerity and compassion. This unique ability to bridge gaps between people is one of Eiji’s most invaluable traits, allowing him to navigate the complex, violent world ofBanana Fishwith a mix of innocence and emotional intelligence.

Shunichi Ibe
Ibe first meets Eiji after an injury derails his pole-vaulting career, and he takes Eiji along to America as his assistant. He affectionately calls him “Ei-Chan” and acts as a guardian to Eiji while they are in New York. Despite initially thinking that Eiji disliked him due to his constant “glaring” (which was actually due to Eiji being nearsighted), Ibe later learns the truth about Eiji’s vision problems. This misunderstanding leads to Eiji being fitted with contact lenses. Ibe cares deeply for Eiji, and their relationship is marked by mutual affection and trust, with Ibe always looking out for his well-being.

Ash Lynx
Eiji first meets Ash through Ibe when they conduct an interview about gang life. During this encounter, Eiji asks to hold Ash’s gun—a moment that marks the beginning of their deep bond. Ash, who is typically distrustful of others, allows Eiji to hold his gun, setting the stage for their developing trust. Over time, Eiji becomes deeply dependent on Ash, who teaches him how to handle a gun and protects him from the dangers around them. While their relationship is never explicitly romantic, their connection is intense and often interpreted as deeply emotional. In fact, Sing Soo-Ling later describes their bond as that of soulmates, implying a connection that transcends words and physical attraction.

Skip
Eiji meets Skip at a bar where Ash often hangs out, and it is through Skip that Eiji learns about Ash’s extreme distrust of others, particularly regarding his gun. Sadly, when both Eiji and Skip are kidnapped, Skip is fatally shot by Marvin while Eiji seeks help. The guilt Eiji feels after Skip’s death haunts him, though Ash reassures him that it was not his fault, helping Eiji cope with the tragic loss.

Shorter Wong
In the anime, Eiji forms a strong friendship with Shorter, who becomes very protective of him. Shorter is deeply affected by the events surrounding theBanana Fishand, in a particularly emotional moment, sheds tears because of the fearBanana Fishinduces in him. After being forced to hand Eiji over to Golzine’s men, Shorter threatens to kill anyone who harms Eiji, even vowing to end his own life if necessary to protect Eiji from torture.

Frederick Arthur
Arthur, Ash’s rival, sees Eiji as a way to torment Ash emotionally. He first encounters Eiji when he is kidnapped alongside Skip and orders Eiji to be shot to force Ash to surrender his gun. Arthur recognizes Eiji as Ash’s weak spot and tries to manipulate their relationship. He refers to Eiji mockingly as “samurai boy” and “kitten,” highlighting his use of Eiji as leverage against Ash.

Yut-Lung
Throughout the series, Eiji often becomes a target for Yut-Lung’s wrath. While Eiji is confused about why Yut-Lung seems to despise him, he senses that Yut-Lung is after something that he is desperate to obtain. Despite some level of sympathy for Yut-Lung’s situation, Eiji does not condone his actions, particularly when it comes to harming Ash. Eiji’s disapproval of Yut-Lung’s schemes further cements his loyalty to Ash.

Sing Soo-Ling
After Shorter’s death and the traumatic events surrounding it, Eiji is taken in by Sing and his gang. During his time with them, Eiji and Sing become close friends. Their bond remains strong throughout the series, with Sing protecting Eiji and offering support. Their friendship endures even after the events of Banana Fish, and they continue to stay in touch.

Akira Ibe
Akira is Ibe’s niece, and although Eiji only knows her briefly during their time in Japan, he cares for her deeply. When Akira’s family faces hardship due to her father’s actions, Eiji steps in to help. His relationship with Akira is sibling-like, as he provides comfort and support, doing his best to distract her from her family’s problems.

The name Eiji (英二) is composed of two kanji: 英 (ei), meaning “excellent” or “fine,” and 二 (ji), meaning “two.” Together, the name can be interpreted as “excellent two” or “fine second,” which reflects qualities of distinction and balance.

Eiji’s surname, Okumura (奥村), is made up of the kanji 奥 (oku), meaning “back” or “inner part,” and 村 (mura), meaning “town” or “village.” The name can be understood as “village in the back” or “inner village,” which could symbolize a sense of place or rootedness in a more secluded, quieter environment.