[Categories: Anime Reviews]
Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad 1-5
“I was made to hit in America!”
In my previous post I outlined how important it is for viewers to be able to relate to the characters in anime; it’s especially important in slice of life, such as in the coming-of-age drama of Beck. I prefer the term ‘realistic fiction’ in this case because it is a thoroughly realistic show; that is to say, the adaptation could have taken the live-action route and come out looking, sounding and feeling pretty much the same. Fortunately my heroes Madhouse were in charge of this so it looks and sounds downright marvellous.
So then, the characters themselves are the main event of the story, which unfolds at a relaxed pace - they’re a varied and likeable bunch who I’d quite happily hang around and jam with anytime! The cover art sums up the personality of the central character, Yukio ‘Koyuki’ Tanaka: clutching his beloved Telecaster, he gazes out with a vacant look of bored indifference. The whole premise of the story revolves around this shy, ordinary fourteen-year-old whose life takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with charismatic rock musician Ryusuke Minami and his discovery of rock and roll; what follows in these five episodes is the introduction of the characters and their relationships. There’s already the establishment of a love triangle or two, but since Beck’s director’s chair is occupied by Osamu Kobayashi, the one behind Kimugure Orange Road, I believe the rom-com aspect is in safe hands.
Koyuki is too cool for school
The visual side of things is another reason why this show is such a refreshing change, looking as it does quite unlike conventional anime shows: the character designs are distinctive and individual, and great attention has been paid to small details such as the musical instruments. I recognised Ryusuke’s guitar straightaway for instance (it’s a Gibson Les Paul standard in natural sunburst), although I’m intrigued with what looks like bullet hole damage. I guess I should point out that I’ve been playing guitar for nigh-on a decade now (although I still suck) so I have something of an unnaturally intense interest in the hardware that’s on display, as well as Koyuki’s musical journey. Just so you’re forewarned when I veer into my ‘guitar geek’ mode. 
Guitar geek heaven
I have to say though, Koyuki is the most engaging out of a cast who all give the viewer good reason to care about what happens to them. The way he defends Izumi in the face of a bunch of foreign yobs (I absolutely love the use of Engrish in this show!) speaks volumes about how, even though he’s bored and cynical, he doesn’t think twice about helping his friends and how there’s a special bond between the two of them. There’s chemistry between him and Ryusuke’s sister Maho too, which only comes into full view in episode #5. At the same time, there’s plenty going on in regards to the other members - and would-be members - of the various local bands. The band of the title isn’t yet formed but there’s rivalry aplenty between Ryusuke and the others so I think we’ll have much to enjoy in that department for many episodes to come.
A gift from a childhood friend
It’s hard to justify adapting manga for the screen at times but in the case of Beck I can see how the writers have really played to the strengths of the TV medium. It’s crammed with references and name-dropping, and there’s a great variety of rock talent involved in the soundtrack. The op theme is a breezy upbeat number by the Beat Crusaders; the end tune is darker and more forceful, vaguely reminiscent of early Oasis. The good bands sound good, while those that are less so sound suitably awful! I found the old farts of Saito’s old band particularly hilarious, as they end up too sozzled to perform and as a result Koyuki and Maho have to take their place.
Maho: rock chick
In Summary
I can see Beck becoming a firm favourite of mine - it’s been a long time coming on DVD but the attention to detail, solid characterisation and subject matter that’s close to my own heart ought to earn it pride of place in my collection (not to mention the fact that the novelty art box, designed to look like one of those old Fender valve amps, looks as cool as hell on my shelf). It’s not about saving the world, fighting evil or suchlike: this is a funny, addictive tale about a bunch of everyday people who want to follow their dream of doing what they enjoy. It could well be a contender for DVD release of the year.
Posted on September 22nd, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
I’ve been leaning ever so much to buy this. But I think you have just pushed me over the edge now.
I’m going to get a hold of this ASAP.
Posted on September 23rd, 2007 @ 12:12 am
beck was and is awesome. have u ever seen NANA??? that is even more awesome and realistic as hell. Beck, Nana, honey and clover, Welcome to the NHK and Kare Kano are bar none the best animes about life. all 5 of those shows are ridiculously poignant and powerful in their own way. yet they all manage to show us different aspects about life. what are ur thoughts on those 5 shows. i’d give nana and nhk 9.5/10 while beck, karekano and h&c get 9/10. if u want a masterpiece, be sure to check out planet es.
Posted on September 23rd, 2007 @ 11:02 am
I enjoyed Beck a lot. Good old fashioned rock ‘n roll and great characters. And it’s in Japan.
Yeah, I like the English in this series a lot. It’s cool that they actually hired *gasp* real foreigners to voice the role of foreigners. Amazing!
Plus the English/Japanese code switching some of the characters do is awesome. I can totally relate, when you’re with a bunch of bilingual people in a situation where it could be appropriate to use either language, often both end up getting used at the same time.
Posted on September 23rd, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
@Kauldron26: I loved Kare Kano, even if the ending sucked (I’m currently working my way through the manga, which is every bit as awesome). I watched a couple of episodes of Honey and Clover but sadly had to give up on it for time constraints. NHK was fun, but I’ll have to wait for the DVD release to finish it (I dropped blogging it after it got licenced but I was a few eps behind).
I haven’t checked out Planetes yet but the second box set hits the UK in December…one for my Christmas list for sure!
@Orion: Yeah, I loved the swapping of languages (it was apparently a chellenge to translate for the dub!), especially the over-use of the word ‘fuck’ in early episodes. Thinking about how anime and manga is something of a cultural ambassador, it’s interesting to see how things could be reversed: I’m guessing people in Japan judge Western popular culture in a similar way through contemporary music and film, in which rock and movie stars communicate using the f-word at shouting volume for much of the time! Makes you wonder what they think of us English speakers if rock, hip-hop and Hollywood are their main source of exposure to our language and culture…