Directed by: Koabayashi Osamu
Original Work: Harold Sakuishi
Studio: Madhouse Production
Genre: Drama, Music
Story:
It's a tough world for the 14-year-old Koyuki: nothing interesting seems to happen, everything he does is the same boring thing as always and no one is interested about. What he doesn't know, however, is that this semester is going to be something totally different for him. It all starts with meeting this cool Ryusuke guy with unbeliavable skills with the guitar and his creepy mongrel called Beck that looks like a dog-version of Frankenstein. He gets together with his old childhood friend, this incredibly popular and pretty girl, who even makes him join the swimming team and has the sweetest personality and a taste for harder music that eventually makes Yukio thirsty for rock. Ryusuke has to start a band to compete with his arrogant counterpart Eiji and once Koyuki starts to hang out with him regularly, he gets sucked deep into the world of rock'n'roll: scouting out the best musicians for Ryusuke's new band and getting to know tall about the musical scene, getting his first guitar and mastering the scales (with help from the most unlikely source), building up stamina and courage to challenge the most out-of-this-world dreams he has ever had and to finally get a direction for his future.. and it seems like that direction happens to "rock" quite a lot.
Storyline:
8.5/10
Most people who know alot about rock music, or music in general would have heard of this real guy/band Beck. If the creator was a fan of this guy, no ones knows but one thing is certain, the only thing realated to the name Beck is the dog in the anime called....Beck. Pretty strange. An anime thats so much concentrated into music has to be something knew to most anime otaku's. We are all used to action, adventure and some nice blood baths every now and then, but this definatley shines out as a kickass "music" anime.
Characters
: 9.5/10
All the characters including the band members Koyuki, Ryusuke, Saku, Taira and Chiba all have great personalities and are drawn very well. Chiba is the rapper in the band. He has amazing stage presence that draws fans towards them. He's also crazy. Saku, the drummer, is the most level-headed of all the members of Beck. Taira joins Beck because he feels the "magic" that Ryuusuke can bring to a project. His bass riffs are almost too funky for an asian bassist, according to many of the people they come across. Ryusuke has to be one of the funniest characters in the anime. Having lived in America he is fluent in English and not very good with (written) Japanese. So if you happen to hear him cross between english and japanese in an "all japanese anime" dont be shocked. He's a rocking guitarist who has more power and soul in music than anyone else. Being the main character and guitarist, Koyuki is pretty boring if you ask me. He's like the clumsy naruto, the wimpy krillan and just like any average teen, until his world turned around.
Animation:
9/10
Beck has some good drawings but nothing out of the particular. I mean, its supposed to be a realistic manga/anime, so don't come expecting saiyan hair or something. The drawing of the females are great however, which gives this a high score.
Music/Soundtrack:
10/10
Get ready for an intense jamming session. Get ready to scream out names and headbang your way into delirium. Ladies and Gentlemen, get ready for Beck! The opening song "Hit in the USA" is headbanging but expresses the band's feelings to being succesful and reaching stardom in America. In Beck Original Soundtrack - Beck, I found emotive music, raw feelings and a passion unlike any other found in anime music. It's like listening to a rock concert on a different level. I advise you if you wanna buy any Beck anime album, get this one. "Keith" is really a copy of "Beck" and has less attractive music in my opinion. "My World Down" is an all time favourite.
English DUB:
N/A
OVERALL SCORE:
9.5/10
When you got rocking music, cool characters, music......music......and EVEN MORE MUSIC...you just gotta love Beck. I could say 100 things about this, its a unique anime, stands out and I hope you music anime otakus find the time to watch this cool anime.