AoD Review: Beck Vol. #6

[Chris Beveridge]

[float:left] [image]http://www.animeondvd.com/images/boxart/beck6.jpg[/image] [/float] Review

Beck Vol. #6 (of 6)
Released By: FUNimation Entertainment, Ltd.
MSRP: $29.98
Running time: 100 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Resolution: 480i/p (mixed/unknown)
Encoded With: MPEG-2
Release Date: 01/29/2008
Review Date: 01/24/2008
Date Announced: 10/20/2007
Region: 1 - North America
Reviewed By: Chris Beveridge

In Summary:
I don't know how Beck did in terms of popularity in Japan, but it's a series that just resonated very well with me and proved to be very enjoyable. I wasn't sure how well it would transition from its manga origins as the book has a definite feel of its own, but they captured the magic and enhanced it through the ability to really use music to strengthen the emotions and impact overall. The final volume of the series is a perfect place to stop since it ties up the Greatful Dead concert, their biggest venue yet, and deals with some smaller subplots that help to set up for the next leg of their journey. I had only hoped to see more resolution or progress made in Koyuki and Maho's relationship, but what we do get here is simply beautiful in its simplicity. Beck is a series that will be hard for a lot of people to get into, but if you do get into the show, it will resonate strongly. Very highly recommended.

[closetanimefan]

Shouldn't that be the "Greatful Sound" concert?



I would have liked to see more of Maho and Koyuki as well, but I thought the dialogue between the two of them over the slide show in the dub was excellent. This series has been an outstanding release all the way through, well worth the price of the singles.

[Chris Beveridge]

It changes soooo many times during the show as to what it's actually called.

[The Great Bear]

I'm just waiting for my copy to show up. I've enjoyed the show so far, but I've heard some people are disappointed by the ending, so I want to see it myself.

[monkeebiz]

I must've read the review too fast because I didn't see which song they ultimately used for the Greatful Sound performance. There was some talk of replacing the original, which made me hesitate on the series.

[Chris Beveridge]

Having not seen the "original" release, it didn't make an impact on me with what was used. I'd heard of it way back when it was licensed, but it hasn't been something that stayed there to be honest. I know the songs affect things for some people, but for my "virgin" experience with the show, it didn't make a difference if they were changed.

[sunflower33]

Um, I love the series and I love your reviews, but the band is The Grateful Dead, and the concert is Grateful Sound. If spelled properly.


The last episode was most disappointing to me. I'd heard they needed to do a quick wrap-up of the series because it was suddenly decided to end it at 26 episodes instead of 39, and so they used all those still shots as an epilogue. I really wish they'd had a chance to do more with it.

But that doesn't change the fact that this is the best rock band anime (with the best rock music) that I've seen.

[something]

Originally Posted by monkeebiz

I must've read the review too fast because I didn't see which song they ultimately used for the Greatful Sound performance. There was some talk of replacing the original, which made me hesitate on the series.

This is what I really, really, really want to know. If it's changed at all, I will not be using the DVD to watch that episode. I refuse to acknowledge it exists with anything other than the original performance.

Also, god I hate the slideshow storytelling bit at the end. They did their best to ruin the ending with that, and it was appalling. If you can't animate enough to finish the manga, JUST LEAVE IT AS IS. Thankfully the ending on the whole was fantastic and I can just ignore that final bit whenever I watch, but it's become one of my absolute pet peeves. Umisho and Nodame Cantabile do the same thing, though to a far, far less annoying extent.

At any rate, Beck is an amazing show and I think disc 6 shipped yesterday, so maybe I'll rewatch it in the near future.

[pi8you]

They changed it, even on the Japanese end of things, resulting in something sooooo much worse than the original version, it was a few repeating lyrics that only marginally fit with the music.

Still, while that caused the episode to lose its punch, the series as a whole remains very high on my list of favorites. I'm glad to have all the DVDs finally, but sad that there's no more to be had(I'd really like to see the US tour as well).

Chris - is the name switching on the dub side of things? I marathoned through it when disc #6 showed up last week and it was consistently Greatful Sound on the Japanese side.

[Mr. Spiffy-Pants]

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

Having not seen the "original" release, it didn't make an impact on me with what was used. I'd heard of it way back when it was licensed, but it hasn't been something that stayed there to be honest. I know the songs affect things for some people, but for my "virgin" experience with the show, it didn't make a difference if they were changed.

I honestly think that that is how those who have not seen the episode in question (Episode 24, if I'm not mistaken) will feel. The song is weak and I think Funimation could have found someone locally who could've written a better song fairly easily and probably for very little cash, but if you don't know the impact of the original you should be able to easily over-look it. My girlfriend thought it was fine, I cringed and muttered the entire time. All I have to say is that I have the BECK OST and I enjoy the ORIGINAL song quite a bit.