Beck

At first, I stumbled upon Beck's anime by chance, and once I fell in love with it, I eagerly moved on to the manga as soon as the anime concluded. My enthusiasm was driven by the overwhelmingly joyful story. This manga quickly became one of my favorites, and here is my review...

Story:
The narrative revolves around Tanaka Yukio (Koyuki) and his band, Beck (Mongolian Chop Squad). The story unfolds gradually, introducing the main characters and developing strong friendships over time. While there are some romantic elements, they're not overwhelming but rather enjoyable. Despite being a music-centric manga, the musical aspects were great, but what truly resonated with me were the relationships between the characters, which kept me engaged until the very end.

Characters:
Each character, whether major or minor, has their own unique charm. One of the reasons I love this manga is that you can find a character to relate to. This connection is crucial because, in my opinion, without bonding with an anime or manga, you can't fully enjoy it.

Drawing:
The artwork was good and suitable for the target audience of the manga. I must say Sakuishi Harold did an excellent job with the illustrations. Although I've mentioned this, I feel it's worth noting that art is subjective, so how one perceives the drawings will vary from person to person.

Enjoyment:
There's not much more to add; I've already expressed multiple times how enjoyable this manga is. ;D

In The End:
This is a manga worth reading—not just something to pass the time when you're bored, but a treasure trove of enjoyment. If you read this manga because of my recommendation, I'm confident you'll thank me (don't take it the wrong way :D). When a friend lent me this manga and I finished it, I was immensely grateful to them for allowing me to experience such pleasure.

Beck was one of the first animes I ever watched. I was around eleven, playing a Guitar Hero 2 mod filled with anime songs. The creators were huge Beck fans. The game kicked off with "Hit In The U.S.A," and one of the first playable tracks was "Moon On The Water." That hooked me instantly.

I was just a kid then, so my memory of the anime is hazy. I know I enjoyed it, but I didn’t really grasp much. What stuck with me were the songs. Over a decade later, I stumbled upon the manga and thought I should give it another shot. It would be nice to recall what the story was like. Was it even that good?

Oh, boy, it was.

I’ve read other band-focused mangas before. Nana is excellent, but music there feels more like a backdrop for character development. Then there’s Fuuka, which was... well, let's not go there.

Beck felt different. It’s genuinely about music—its power and its allure. The creator clearly loves music, peppering the story with references. Band t-shirts, manga chapters mimicking famous album covers—it’s a treasure trove for music geeks. From rock legends like Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix to hip-hop classics like Wu-Tang Clan, alternative rock from Radiohead and Sigur Rós, and hardcore from Black Flag and Converge.

The art at the start was disappointing, especially the character designs, but it improves significantly by the middle. The live performances are breathtaking, capturing the energy of real concerts with a serious photography feel. There are some weak plot points, particularly Ryusuke’s backstory being too outlandish, but they don’t spoil the overall narrative of the band’s journey.

Beck’s true magic lies in conveying passion. We feel every high and low the band experiences, sharing their excitement when they write great songs and their frustration after bad gigs.

It also beautifully captures those defining moments for any music fan: discovering a new favorite band, buying your first guitar, being blown away by a live performance, or the enchantment of a music festival surrounded by amazing artists. A memorable concert that only those who were there can truly appreciate. No other medium has translated these feelings so well.

Mal- 9/10.

Only because the romance was not handled as well, and the fight between Chiba and Koyuki at the end felt off. Additionally, the introduction of Victor Slater as a new villain seemed forced.

But this manga still gave me goosebumps, happy tears, and everything I could have hoped for. Thank you, Harold Sakuishi Sensei.

The songs are all amazing; if only I could hear them. I'm glad I discovered the anime first since it has numerous songs released and some unreleased ones readily available on YouTube. This helped me while reading the manga when the characters were performing.

There is genuine struggle that makes you feel their pain when they lose, but the rewards are also incredible. So yeah, the highs are also awesome.

And thank you for reading this. See you in some other manga, another time. ✌❤

Story, 9/10: The tale of Beck revolves around a teenage boy who leads an unremarkable life, lacking ambition and merely going through the motions day by day. His musical preferences are questionable at best. One fateful day, he meets a guitar prodigy, and his life takes an unexpected turn. Beck is the name of the band formed by this boy and others.

In my view, the story's greatest strength lies in its portrayal of the challenges faced in the music industry. The members of BECK must continually overcome obstacles and navigate backstage politics. Powerful figures try to hinder their success, preventing them from selling records, performing at major venues or festivals, and even attempting to sow discord among the band members.

Art, 10/10: The artwork is simply outstanding. The level of detail in facial expressions, clothing, weather elements like rain and snow, and instruments is some of the most realistic I've ever encountered.

Characters, 8/10: Character development is perhaps the weakest aspect of this manga, but it’s still quite good. The main characters and even a few side ones receive decent development. My only wish is that more attention had been given to fleshing out other band members.

Enjoyment, 10/10: This manga really knows how to tug at the heartstrings. The type of music discussed—mostly classic rock like The Beatles, The Who, and Jimi Hendrix—is exactly what I love. Even the cliché "never give up" message feels right here, unlike its usual eye-rolling effect.

Overall, 10/10: This has become one of my new favorites. Watching the characters face and refuse to surrender to challenges that many people can't overcome is inspiring. It’s rare to see such determination these days when so many expect everything handed to them. That said, not all parts of Beck will appeal to everyone. If you're a music lover, though, I highly recommend giving it a shot.

A straightforward premise: Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl. Girl is captivated by a boy in a band. Two boys cross paths, and gradually, their world begins to turn upside down. This blend of comedy, action, drama, romance, and music can only be described as a masterpiece. It's essential reading for both newcomers to the manga scene and seasoned veterans.

Like many others, I first encountered the anime before picking up the books. After finishing the anime, I became obsessed with reading the manga. I've been immersed in manga and anime for over a decade now, and never before has a story, its characters, and an artist resonated with me the way this series has. The character development—from gradual growth as they age to transformative experiences—along with their interactions despite their diverse backgrounds and personalities, makes this one of the all-time greatest for me. After completing this series, I'm unsure if any other manga could ever take its place.

I had been planning to read Beck for quite some time, and finally, I picked it up on Saturday morning (it's now 2 AM on Monday). Wow, am I glad I did! Reading Beck was an incredible journey. I found myself rooting intensely for the characters, who felt incredibly real. Their emotions became mine; it was as if I was living through their experiences. This manga was truly beautiful. I'm even considering watching the anime just to enjoy the music scenes. If I don't end up watching it, I'll definitely seek out the soundtrack from the anime. Words fail me when trying to describe how satisfying a read Beck was. I honestly can't come up with a single complaint. When I reached the final chapter, I felt sad—not because something bad happened, but because my journey with these characters had come to an end. The ending was immensely satisfying. The sense of fulfillment I felt finishing Beck is akin to what I experienced after reading Flowers of Evil, another one of my favorite manga (yes, Beck has definitely earned its place on that list). I'm so thankful I got the chance to read Beck. It left me feeling fantastic!

2:21 AM EST, Monday, Aug 2, 2021, age 16!