Beck

The story plot is quite typical for an action manga, but instead of combat, the protagonist grows stronger within a band. The artwork was impressive, especially with the characters running and their facial expressions. The characters are well-developed and deep, though some plot points were left unresolved by the end. My enjoyment was notably reduced due to the open-ended conclusion. Additionally, certain individuals close to the main character seemed to vanish from the storyline. It’s mostly an open-ended narrative, much like Harry Potter, but now 19 years later or so. =P

What a journey it has been. This story is filled with so many highs and lows (mostly lows) that I completely lost track of them all. Ending the story at Greatful Sound, the place where they first made it big, was a brilliant choice by the mangaka, in my opinion. Koyuki reflecting on his entire journey and sharing his thoughts about the bandmates was wonderful too. I don't think I'll ever find a better manga related to music (including bands). This definitely gets a 10/10 from me. The way it ended feels perfect, and I have no regrets whatsoever!

Might re-read it someday. Man, I'm really craving some music manga/anime. Unfortunately, I've watched most of them. Anyway, I had a blast reading it, and that's all that matters to me. I'll definitely miss these guys.

This review contains no spoilers.

I first watched the Beck anime back in 2013, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites, still holding a spot on my favorites list today. Seven years later, finding myself with some free time and nothing to watch or read, I decided to finally dive into reading the entire Beck series. Without planning, I ended up finishing it in just two sittings over two days.

To start off: If you enjoyed the anime, you must read this. You're only denying yourself further enjoyment with these characters and this story. Just do it; you'll be grateful.

Story:

The storyline is deceptively simple. Centered around Yukio 'Koyuki' Tanaka, a middle-schooler who doesn't excel much at anything, Beck takes us on a journey spanning over six years across its 103 chapters. We follow Yukio, the eventual members of Beck, and several supporting characters as they strive to become Japan's biggest band, overcoming numerous obstacles.

Despite its somewhat unoriginal premise, Beck manages to weave enough twists and turns to remain thoroughly entertaining throughout, culminating in a conclusion that's both satisfying and leaves you craving more time with the characters.

Art:

To be honest, the art at the beginning of Beck is quite underwhelming. It's not terrible but certainly not great either. However, around chapter 30, there's a noticeable improvement in the quality and consistency of the artwork, especially regarding the characters. By the end of the manga, I can confidently say the art is pretty impressive, considering how it started.

Characters:

The characters are what truly carry this manga from start to finish. They're all fantastic, and by the end, I found myself completely enamored with most of the main cast. Their motivations and personalities are well-developed throughout the story, leaving a lasting impression of them as individuals.

One concern I had was about the main character's romance at certain points, but by the end, I found myself mostly satisfied with what turned out to be a surprisingly realistic subplot. Perhaps a bit more focus towards the end would have been nice, but I understand that wasn't the intended focus of the story at that point, so it works fine as is.

Enjoyment:

I haven't enjoyed a manga enough to read it so quickly in a long while. It was an absolute blast from start to finish, despite its medium-long length, and never once did it lose my attention.

Final Thoughts:

Finishing this and looking back at the anime only makes me wish we could see the rest of the story adapted. Given the series' age, it's virtually impossible now, but considering the songwriting treatment the original adaptation received and the potential for updated animation, it could've been something special.

I'm sure, in the future, I'll find myself revisiting this series again and again. Truly a masterpiece in my eyes.

This is my first manga review, so please be gentle.

I'll start with rating Beck 9/10. My scoring system is probably wonky (and I may fix it down the road) but that basically means of manga that are definitely worth your time to read, this is about the middle of the priorities list.

Beck is a manga about "chasing the dream," or in a much more real sense, about the blood, sweat, and tears that are the toll for that path. The dream in this case is being a rock star, and throughout the story we see the hard-earned progress followed by inevitable setbacks that accompany our protagonist, contrasted by the overnight success of shallower counterparts, bringing into stark contrast just how meaningful success is to each of them (and the effect that wealth and fame has on them), exemplifying the adage "if you don't work for something, you won't appreciate it."

And while if you're looking for deeper overtones along those lines, they can certainly be found throughout, but it's not overt, typed out exposition at all. If you're going to get a deeper message you'll need to look at the way events and characters are come together in a big picture sense. Because of this, Beck sports a nice layering effect- if you're looking for entertainment -humor, inspiration, or just a good story- the manga reads great for you, and you don't feel like you're missing out because you don't care about some extreme moral dilemma, or challenging philosophical question. However, if you need something like that to sink your teeth into it's not difficult to find, it's just not going to be handed to you on a silver platter.

I personally have less exposure to rock, and the culture around it than probably anyone reading this, so take my word for it when I say familiarity with rock or rock bands is in no way essential to enjoying Beck.

The atmosphere that Beck projects so successfully is that of total realistic normalcy- at the beginning of the manga Koyuki, our protagonist, mentions a couple times that he feels so completely normal that he feels invisible, and that drives him to search something that help him stand out, to create an existence with some sort of meaning (not in the sense of changing the world, but rather having something to take pride in personally). As he develops, this background keeps him grounded, and he feels more like someone you would know in real life than an over-the-top, overpowered shonen protagonist. He's a little wimpy, but not obnoxiously so, except when it's dramatic and interesting for that wimpiness to be obnoxious. More than just his personality, the experiences and the personalities & experiences of his crew feel normal & relatable too. For example, the financial difficulties that come with being in a band, and dealing with the physical exhaustion of working blue collar jobs full time in order to make ends meet, and then needing to show up to practice full of energy, then having the motivation to practice on your own at home.

There's good luck and bad luck that play on them, but it feels natural, in the sense of "yeah stupid/great stuff happens that way in the real world too." The stakes feel dramatic, but appropriately so, and carry that much more impact because of how real the setting feels. The pace changes enough that you can binge (I read the 34 volumes of this in 4 days, and would have been faster if I'd been able) and not get tired of it.

Unfortunately, only about 1/3 of this manga is available in print (in English) and the publisher went bankrupt. From what (little) I know of rights ownership, that does not bode well for it ever being completed. What makes that particularly unfortunate is that several groups translated portions of this, and some did worse than others. Deeper in, there are more than a few parts where to convey any feeling you need to use your imagination to re-write the words in front of you.

The art, while aesthetically pleasing, lacked a sense of motion, a life of its own, to me, but that might be because I have a tendency (which I have to correct) to read manga too fast. If you take your time to digest each panel, then you should enjoy the style. The main complaint I had was that at a lot of the climactic moments there was very little text, and you were supposed to "feel the magic" through the art, but (perhaps because I read it so quickly) those scenes felt repetitious and lost a lot of impact.

Bringing it all together, I want to remind you of the initial score- 9. With a better, more consistent translation job throughout, this could very easily be a 10, but as is it's still well worth your time. If you like Bakuman, you'll probably like this- there are more than a few parallels. Although this is technically shonen, it carried a very seinen-like feel to me.

As I mentioned earlier, this is my first time doing a review like this, and for better or worse I didn't bother reading others to get an idea of what should be done, so I'd appreciate any feedback you have, the more specific the better. Thanks!

The complete lack of motivation, the monotonous cycle of everyday life... an ordinary boy with average grades, average looks, average friends, and a very average existence. This is the tale of that ordinary boy and his decision to transform his life, taking control and discovering who he truly is and who he can become. At its heart, BECK isn't merely about music; it's a meticulously crafted coming-of-age story about a young man's journey of self-discovery.

Story:

The narrative follows Koyuki, our protagonist, along with his bandmates as they strive for rock 'n' roll stardom. What makes BECK special is its realistic portrayal of the path to fame for a promising band. It illustrates that having a beautiful voice and a talented guitarist doesn't guarantee instant success in the music industry. There's much more work involved: finding a good manager and producer, establishing valuable connections, and avoiding wrong enemies, among other things.

A significant part of the story revolves around the romantic relationship between Koyuki and Maho, which introduces melodrama into the plot. Some incidents seem overly coincidental and feel forced just to create drama. While melodrama has its place, this particular relationship becomes predictable and dull by the end.

Luckily, the main storyline delivers its drama effectively and can genuinely touch you at times. It's unpredictable, feels real, and that's what makes it great. Characters can be celebrating on one page only to have conflicts arise on the next. The intense emotional waves between characters make this manga's story so compelling.

On another note, this manga is filled with fan service—not in a perverted sense but through numerous references to popular music. From visiting Jimi Hendrix's grave to Abbey Road Studios, each chapter cover brims with homages to album covers and bands, enriching the backgrounds with musical nods. Even a dream sequence features all deceased legendary rock stars, adding to the fun of reading.

Art:

Like many manga series, the art starts somewhat shaky but improves significantly as the story progresses. Backgrounds are meticulously crafted, often showcasing the author's passion for embedding musical references. One standout aspect is the author's attention to character growth, spanning roughly five years, reflected through changes in height, hair length, etc.

Character:

This is the core focus of the series, making it highly enjoyable. Sakuishi develops all band members thoroughly, creating relatable and three-dimensional characters. Readers will see parts of themselves in these characters—from Chiba's impulsive nature to Koyuki's occasional lack of self-confidence or Ryusuke's aggressive tendencies.

Another strength lies in the diverse personalities packed into one cast, making interactions engaging and interesting. Koyuki is the soft-spoken, well-meaning yet sometimes misunderstood vocalist/guitarist, supported by his kind and selfless drummer friend Saku. Lead vocalist Chiba is determined and outspoken, matched by the blunt and enigmatic lead guitarist Ryusuke. They're balanced by the calm and collected bass player Taira. Together, their clashing personalities create an exhilarating dynamic.

The supporting cast is colorful too, though some characters feel out of place, leaving one questioning their purpose. Still, most non-BECK characters are intriguing and entertaining, from the intimidating Leon Sykes to the charismatic Eddie Lee and the sheer obnoxiousness of Ran. However, characters like Saito, Sayaka, and Izumi seem superfluous, serving no clear purpose beyond adding unnecessary melodrama.

Enjoyment:

Hugely enjoyable, despite some unnecessary subplots that can get tiresome. Occasionally, one wonders why pages are dedicated to Kurt Cobain aside from the author indulging himself. Nonetheless, this series is immensely pleasurable. Before you know it, you've read it all, hooked by its addictive quality when it gets good.

Overall:

This is a fantastic coming-of-age series about a boy discovering his passion for music, the value of friendship, and how to stay grounded amid fame. The story is well-written and exciting, occasionally hindered by irritating subplots. Yet, the characters alone make this series worth reading. Just dive in because it's a great series overall. If you prefer less fantasy and more real-life struggles, read this.

Happy reading.

Pretty much everyone has at least a passing interest in music and its instruments. To be a good musician, more than passing interest is needed; true dedication to music is essential. Beck tells the story of someone who initially only had a passing interest in music but eventually comes to adore it and becomes a great musician.

Beck is a music drama manga serialized between 2000 and 2008. It was written, illustrated, and created by Harold Sakuishi, marking his first notable work.

Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka is a 14-year-old with no particular direction: he isn't involved in any clubs, his school grades are average at best, and he isn't very sociable. A chance encounter with guitarist Ryusuke Minami and his dog, Beck, sets him on a new path. He begins to play the guitar, hoping to emulate his newfound idol.

Eventually, Koyuki plays with Ryusuke in their band, also named Beck. Alongside drummer Saku, Koyuki's school friend, funky bassist Yoshiyuki, and rapper-turned-vocalist Chiba, they aim to become great musicians and achieve success.

While the setting and some plot developments are fairly standard, Beck's strength lies in how the story unfolds. After a slow start, the pacing picks up nicely. Unlike many other manga, the band doesn't achieve instant success but grows at a pace that keeps readers engaged.

The story underscores the importance of music, using its characters to illustrate various relationships with it. For Koyuki, music brings excitement and friendship, while for Ryusuke, it represents a way of life.

The cast is wonderfully developed. Each character has a distinct personality and undergoes thorough exploration. Even Koyuki, initially a generic protagonist, evolves and develops his own identity and aspirations.

Beck includes intriguing side stories, such as that of Lucille, Ryusuke's guitar riddled with bullet holes. To the uninitiated, it seems like a terrible instrument, but it's actually a legendary guitar once owned by a renowned bluesman. Ryusuke stole it from under the nose of an important businessman.

The conclusion of Beck leaves much to the imagination, focusing not on the destination but on the journey. And what an incredible journey it is, filled with quality storytelling, meaningful and emotional plot threads that develop until the end.

The art in Beck is best described as realistic. Great care is taken in each panel to create visually appealing yet realistic imagery. This is especially evident in close-ups of instruments, which are meticulously detailed down to the smallest imperfections, and in two-page spreads that are carefully planned and almost works of art themselves.

An interesting aspect of Beck is how music is portrayed. Instead of half-heartedly writing lyrics, Sakuishi focuses on conveying emotions through sound. This approach works perfectly, making emotions more tangible in imagery than words. Whenever there were music scenes, it was impossible not to feel something.

Beck is a musical epic, a journey of immense proportions through the world of music. It explores what music can mean to different people.

At this point, it's needless to say that I recommend it to virtually anyone. If you have even a passing interest in music, you'll find plenty to enjoy in Beck. Conversely, if you despise bands, music, and everything they represent, you might hate it. However, if you're indifferent, Beck still offers a great drama with fun, deep characters and an emotional journey.

I started reading this manga after binge-watching the anime adaptation over a couple of days, feeling unsatisfied as it ended too soon for my liking.

Story:
Beck follows 14-year-old Tanaka Yukio (nicknamed Koyuki by his friends) as he transforms from a shy, aimless teenager with questionable music taste into an ambitious young musician. After a chance encounter with talented guitarist Minami Ryusuke, Koyuki's life begins to change and gain momentum as he discovers music's profound impact on people. He starts learning the guitar and there's a budding romance with Ryusuke’s sister, Maho. He joins Ryusuke’s band, Beck, and the series chronicles their struggle for success in Japan and globally. As this is primarily a slice-of-life manga, many details of Koyuki’s and Beck’s daily lives are covered. Spanning 5-6 years, the manga allows characters and their relationships to develop fully. One aspect needing more development was Maho and Yukio's relationship; though well-done when addressed, it deserved deeper exploration throughout the series.

Art:
Sakuishi Harold’s distinctive art style in Beck was a refreshing departure from the overly stylized characters common in many manga and anime. His realistic approach suited the manga's grounded tone perfectly. The full-page frames of the band’s performances captured the essence of live shows, making them standout moments in the artwork.

Character:
Given the manga’s length in both chapters and time span, there’s ample room to flesh out main and supporting characters. Koyuki’s transformation from an apathetic teen to a determined young man is beautifully portrayed. While Ryusuke’s background provides much conflict, other band members like Saku and Taira could have benefited from more development. Nonetheless, they each have defining moments that add depth.

Enjoyment:
After finishing the anime, I turned to the manga craving more. This was my first experience reading a manga after watching its anime adaptation, and I was uncertain if it would be as enjoyable. It surpassed expectations, and I even rate the manga higher than the anime, mainly because it reaches a more satisfying conclusion.

Overall:
For fans of the anime, I highly recommend reading the manga, which offers everything the anime did plus a complete storyline. I also recommend it to music lovers, particularly rock enthusiasts, as it uniquely delves into the world of music genuinely and thoroughly.

Best enjoyed with the OST playing in the background, just like this review.

Fun and unique storyline, the artwork significantly improves as the series unfolds. It feels like a Mitsuru Adachi manga set in the early 2000s with a focus on rap rock. This might be the best manga portrayal of rock music, but despite Sakuishi's efforts to convince you that BECK sounds amazing, their music probably isn't good at all.

After finishing the comic, I felt there could have been more character development. Over the span of about six years, characters don’t see substantial growth, and significant conflicts are often resolved through convenient plot devices. Nonetheless, the strong bonds between the band members are heartwarming, and it’s a goofy, enjoyable read.

The references to pop culture and Sakuishi’s personal interests are appreciated, and I understand them better now at age 40 than when I first started reading this in the early 2000s. The references include Romance of the Three Kingdoms, western musicians, wrestlers, and even manga characters, though they often appear as background details or names.

Recurring characters are modeled after real-life individuals (such as Billy Corgan, Fred Durst, and Quentin Tarantino), but seeing Jim Jarmusch transformed into world-renowned director Jim Walsh within the universe of Beck is quite amusing. If only Jarmusch were that famous; our world would be cooler for it.

Recommended if you enjoy music, lol.

Beck was an engaging read with a surprising story, though some flaws detracted from the experience. Let's break it down:

The characters in Beck are highly charismatic and bring their own unique energy, contributing significantly to the manga's charm. The band members—Chiba, Ryuusuke, Taira, and Saku—are especially notable, each experiencing growth and development within the group while maintaining their distinct appeal. That said, the antagonists fall short compared to the main cast, serving more as obstacles than well-developed characters. However, this criticism doesn't apply to Leon, the primary antagonist, who stands out with his strong presence and clear goals, gradually earning respect throughout the narrative.

Koyuki, the protagonist, undergoes substantial character development. Initially timid and lacking confidence, he evolves into a more assertive and self-assured individual. His journey is compelling on multiple levels—as a person, a band member, and in his romantic relationship with Maho. It’s a rewarding arc that keeps readers invested.

The story itself is remarkable, full of unexpected twists and turns. What initially seemed like a straightforward tale about music and personal growth turned out to be much more complex, involving struggles against criminal elements and dramatic chapter endings that leave you eager for more. Unfortunately, the plot suffers from overreliance on contrived scenarios to create conflict, which can disrupt immersion by making the script's manipulations too obvious instead of allowing situations to unfold naturally.

The artwork is spectacular, blending beauty and detail with an exceptional ability to convey the mood and energy of various scenes. Whether depicting high-energy concerts or intense fight sequences, the art draws you in, particularly when it captures the frenetic pace of live performances or the intricate nuances of deep musical moments.

In conclusion, Beck is a commendable manga with a captivating story filled with surprises. Despite its shortcomings in terms of forced conflicts that sometimes hinder immersion, it ultimately delivers a satisfying ending.

Beck by Harold Sakuishi is a truly surprising manga. It revolves around a band's journey from rags to riches, infused with comedy and a touch of romance. The band's name, Beck, originates from their guitarist's oddly named dog, Frankenstein. Later on, they also became known as the Mongolian Chop Squad.

The first thing that caught my attention was the art style. Honestly, it isn't very polished. While the exaggerated expressions for comedic effect are well done, there are instances where characters' full bodies are crammed into small panels, leading to awkward body proportions. Nevertheless, the character designs are realistic, with modestly sized eyes and an accurate depiction of their impoverished state :)

Moving on to the plot, I absolutely adore it. It feels incredibly real and is filled with unpredictable twists. Unlike typical stories where hope shines through amidst darkness, Beck features a prolonged series of unfortunate events with minimal luck, adding to its comedic value. There were times when I anticipated a last-minute stroke of luck, only to be proven wrong. For instance, during a performance where Ryuusuke was missing, a fan eagerly awaited his appearance due to his supposed good looks (she was also the first person to send a letter to the band). At the last moment, a man from the guitar shop where Koyuki buys volunteered to replace Ryuusuke. He turned out to be extremely unattractive, leaving the fan disappointed.

As for the plot, the only issue I noticed was that sometimes Sakuishi-sensei didn't illustrate the story's progression smoothly.

This series may not be widely popular, but it is unexpectedly magnificent. I highly recommend it to those tired of mainstream manga and looking for something unique. Yes, it centers around music, and lacking expertise in this field might make some scenes seem corny, but I genuinely love it. Despite being just drawings and text, the mangaka successfully conveys the intended emotions during performances. This is an awesome manga, and I rate it 4 out of 5. You should definitely add this to your must-read manga list. In fact, better yet, read it now!

Credits: mangatraders.com, stoptazmo.com, mangareader.net, and my classmate codenamed JF for recommending this to me.

Note: If you're considering watching the anime instead of reading the manga, reconsider that plan. The anime can be boring for newcomers to the series. It's better to read the manga first and then watch the anime. That's just my opinion though; feel free to watch the anime if that's what you want. There's also a live-action movie, but its plot was quite messed up.

Literally the best manga about bands and music you'll ever read, believe it or not, the audio won't even be missed. Harold Sakuishi managed to give me the entire trajectory of a random boy, even quite ordinary, who is Koyuki, getting involved in a plot that starts simple and turns into a drawn symphony. Speaking of drawing, the features are very unique, both for its characters and the romance involving the protagonist. The friendship that takes on colors between ups and downs encompasses a unique narrative that the anime itself was unable to convey. The shared dream scene did not have the same impact in the animation. And that is why, even though there is no sound, I hear what Beck's mangaka wanted to tell me.

Based on a manga with the same title, this anime revolves around Tanaka Yukio, known by his nickname Koyuki, a 14-year-old who feels disengaged from life. By rescuing a peculiar dog named BECK (the somewhat Frankensteined-looking dog or whatever you wish to call it), he encounters guitarist Minami Ryuusuke and gets involved in Ryuusuke's new band, also named BECK. Koyuki’s life begins to transform as the band strives for fame.

Throughout his journey, he faces numerous awkward and novel situations that he has never dealt with before. If you've ever experienced similar challenges, you'll instantly relate to this anime. (Actually, I somehow don't like how the anime ends xp) Beck heavily depends on its connection with viewers; if you fail to make that connection, you probably won't enjoy the anime. It's not your typical slasher series but instead focuses deeply on viewer emotions.

So, if you appreciate music (it has an awesome rock soundtrack so good that I even imported it) and enjoy a compelling storyline, and are looking for a break from the overplayed bloodshed scenarios, this anime is perfect for you. ^^