Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad

I don't know if 9/10 it's too much, but I don't really care about that. I started watching Beck because I was getting into rock and learning how to play electric guitar, so I decided that watching an anime related to a rock band would be a great idea... And it was. From all the anime lists related to rock bands, Beck was the only one that could show amazing rock soundtracks that makes us want Beck to really exist, and how life is hard for every one, and that real fame is something not easy to get. I love the story, it's the same world as ours, there are lots of references to popular bands like Rage Against The Machine and the Beatles (so in the end it also adds more knowledge to the viewer that knew little about rock history). In the manga and movie there are no vocals so it's always great to hear the main character sing in the anime. The characters are full of emotions and each struggles with something different but in the end all want the same... "To be an hit in America". And this series just show why Rock is the genre of music with the best back story ever, full of legends. But the most important thing to me is that every time I was giving up at learning the guitar I watched an episode of Beck, and after watching it my motivation would rise like a Phoenix. This is why Beck will be a legendary series, because it has a great story, but above all it gives us motivation to become great musicians.

Beck is overall an entertaining animation by Harold Sakuishi.

As everyone has felt and will feel, the story progresses on the slow side. This should not be an issue.

There are an array of diverse characters to enjoy throughout the series and much of the character development is done quite well. Or well enough so that you know the role they are suppose to play in the plot.

Some of the animation is a little on the skimpy side, but in animation you can play it off as to give the series atmosphere the art was rendered so (but if you read through the original work you can tell the animators for this anime were slacking or you'd question budgeting as the art work in some places drop big in quality). It is nice to see a real place get animated into this work (I.E CBGBs,-I was sad when they shut down-, other venues).

Guitar enthusiast, might love or hate the guitars that are show cased in this animation, I for one loved the idea that they used Gretsch (I love this company, sad they were bought out by fender)guitars instead of just sticking with Fenders and Gibsons. Harold Sakuishi also incorporates a "legendary" guitar or a well known guitar in the blues world, into the storyline which is entertaining in itself.

Music is great. I am a big fan of the Beat Crusaders and they did the most of the major musical work in Beck. The Husking Bees vocalist was used as the main singer, which wasn't too bad. I would venture to say that all the music used are quite "catchy." This is a great story told through a great medium.

Also, like one of the other reviewers noted, this anime will make you want to learn the guitar. I agree 100%.

This is the most impressive anime-movie i've seen in my life. Perfect theme to write the script makes "Beck" the best between the youth and new generation of musicians. I've noticed that authors know a lot about rock-stage and music, in fact even about Guitars (Gibson Les Paul, Jaguar and Acoustic Guitars by Martinez are really good). Also they used really good songs, that have given some atmosphere to the project... The script is awesome, just because of its variety of mini-scenes, that makes serial more watchable. You will see romantics, some detective scenes, sports and of cource daily life of Rock Musicians! I've even heard that some people began to play the guitar after watching some series... Heh good luck to them ;)

This anime will possibly change your mind. Very delicate.. with a powerful soundtrack! Enjoy!

Wow so nostalgic! I first watched this show when I was 13-14yrs old, I haven't thought about it since. All I remembered about it was their was a dog that was all mismatched & it was about a band, I knew I loved it back then but I honestly had no memory of what was so good about it. Well having stumbled upon this hidden gem again I decided I should check it out and see if my judgment would have changed from having seen so many more shows since then. I'm very happy to see that my taste was still good even for this being like the second not main stream anime I've ever seen. The story is pretty straight forward, ordinary bullied kid meets a guitarist by chance. Becomes friends, starts hanging out with him & his band, then decides to pick up guitar. And thus the story unfolds, the life of a struggling band. This shows got tons of action, kick ass music and even a bit of romance. Its pretty solid. My only sorta complaint is that the show is clearly "finished" as of the last episode, I would have really liked a second season but tbh I'm not sure they really could have done another season. The animation isn't bad, its not winning any awards but for its time it was definitely pretty good. Now the music is what really makes this show shine, every song is kick ass! No other way to put it, you just want to sit their singing along with the op & ed every single time. The songs the bands play throughout the show are great. I haven't picked up my guitar in years & right in the middle of episodes this show had me wanting to just bust it out and get to practicing! Its pretty inspiring haha. The English dub is really good, all the characters match really well. I'm pretty sure everybody who watches this will like it, make sure you watch at least 3 episodes or so. The beginning might seem a little slow but this is a solid show.

4.5/5 Why? Solid story, I only wish we got to take it just a little farther. Animation is pretty good, good for its time. Music is top notch, awesome songs all throughout this show!! Dub is also really good, all the characters match great. If this show doesn't inspire you at least a little then idk your just a miserable person lol.