BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad

title: BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad

total episode: 26

release date: 2004 october 06

summary: tanaka yukio, known as koyuki, is your typical 14-year old, feeling detached from life and with a liking for western rock music. one ordinary day, after returning from school, he saves a grotesque dog belonging to aspiring young musician minami ryuusuke, who yearns to form a rock band named BECK. from that moment on, koyuki must undergo a journey through his adolescence and struggle for fame and fortune.

review: as far as story goes, the only setback is that it progresses at a slow pace. this however can be seen as a plus-side because that is how daily-life drama is supposed to be. anyways, the drama instilled is very believable and easy to relate to everyday life. koyuki’s transformation from a pathetic loser schoolboy to a awesome band member is highly credible, and the relationship between koyuki (the main character schoolboy) and maho made me watch to the very end. the music "moon on the water" is a very catchy song, i think it is a real treat for those who enjoy heavy rock. as for the ending, i think it is a major disappointment. just when the climax is about to be reached, i was presented with a sketchy slide show which seems to have been rushed. it is imperfect, but the series can be and still remain an all-time great.

rating: 8 out 10

to stream this anime (english sub: click here)