Konnichiwa minna-san! I'm back.
For all you music lovers out there, here is an anime for you.
Hope you enjoy it.
BECK is a manga by Harold Sakuishi published by Kodansha in Monthly Shōnen Magazine. It was adapted as an anime television series with the title BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad. It tells the story of a group of Japanese teenagers who form a rock band. The manga was licensed in North America by Tokyopop, but after the release of the 12th volume in June 2008, the manga went on a hiatus.The series has also spawned three guidebooks. The manga won the 2002 Kodansha Manga Award for shōnen[1].
The 26-episode anime television series was aired on Japan's TV Tokyo from October 2004 to March 2005. It was directed by Osamu Kobayashi, animated by Madhouse and produced by Takeshi Shukuri and Yoshimi Nakajima.
A live-action film adaptation will be released in 2010. The film stars Hiro Mizushima as Ray and Takeru Satoh as Koyuki.[2]
SYNOPSIS:
Yukio, known by his friends as "Koyuki", is a regular 14-year-old Japanese boy who enters junior high school with two childhood acquaintances. One is a pervert, and ironically the other is a highly sought after female student. Koyuki's boring life is changed when he saves an odd-looking dog, named Beck, from some kids. Beck's owner turns out to be an emerging rock musician, Ryûsuke Minami, who soon influences Koyuki to start playing the guitar, and even gives one to him. The story focuses on the trials and tribulations of their rock band named BECK, and Koyuki's relationships with the members of the band, in particular Ryûsuke and his sister, Maho.
CHARACTERS:
Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka (田中 幸雄, Tanaka Yukio?)
The main character; the series follows his rapid development from living an average life to becoming an outstanding guitarist. He is the fourth member recruited into BECK, playing rhythm guitar and singing slower songs. Also seems like a person that doesn't know much about life.
Ryūsuke "Ray" Minami (南 竜介, Minami Ryūsuke?)
A slacker, but incredibly talented guitarist, he inspires Koyuki to begin playing guitar. He is the lead guitarist of BECK as well as its founding member. A large amount of the story revolves around him and his Gibson Les Paul guitar, named Prudence (Lucille in the original version, coincidentally the same name of B.B. King's famous black Gibson), that has an amazing back story.
Maho Minami (南 真帆, Minami Maho?)
Maho is Ryûsuke's younger sister and a talented singer. She is brash but emotionally fragile, and gradually builds a romantic relationship with Koyuki.
Ken'ichi Saitou (斉藤 研一, Saitō Ken'ichi?)
Saitou teaches Koyuki both guitar and swimming. Though he can be a demanding instructor, he opens up to Koyuki, even asking him for relationship advice on occasion.
Yoshiyuki Taira (平 義行, Taira Yoshiyuki?)
BECK's bassist, Taira is the first member recruited by Ryûsuke. Although he can sometimes seem uncaring or apathetic, he is actually the most mature of the band members and often offers helpful advice. During performances, he removes his shirt midway through the song when he does not play and continues the song without it.
Tsunemi Chiba (千葉 恒美, Chiba Tsunemi?)
The main vocalist for BECK, Chiba's vocals are more punk- and rap-oriented than Koyuki's and thus more fitting for the majority of Beck's songs. Chiba's inclusion in the band was that originally during a baseball game early in the series it was brought to Ryusuke's attention that he was a vocalist with a great presence on stage.
Yuji "Saku" Sakurai (桜井 裕志, Sakurai Yūji?)
Saku is BECK's drummer and last member to join but for Koyuki. He and Koyuki are good friends and classmates; Saku was the first person to talk to Koyuki after school bullies impose a school-wide silent treatment.
... and if your still not convinced, here's a picture:
