Beck 2, an Uninspired review for a Meh Volume

So, Beck volume two was not nearly as grabbing as volume. That’s pretty much all there is to it. Even with one of my favorite supporting characters being introduced it just didn’t have that same feel as volume 1 did. Now the series if I recall correctly is 30 plus volumes so it’s expected that there will be some slow downs and parts that are not as captivating as other, but still it’s a bit of let down that it happens right at volume two.

Let’s start off with the bad. Manabu, jack ass pretty boy vocalist. Yes you can see him as just an arrogant lead singer with a big ego, but it seems more than a little obvious that they made him the type of jack ass he is so he could be the “jerk singer” in Eiji’s band. It’s fine I mean Sakuishi did a good job, I really do dislike Manabu, in fact I want someone to cock punch him, but I dunno just seems a little flat. The writing in general seemed a little week in this volume, not bad, just a little weak. Also bad again…the facial expressions. Koyuki especially, but even Ray and Chiba have some pretty bad and over the top ones drawn on them. Since most of the rest of the art is so realistic, it just kind of rubs me the wrong way. Oh lastly even though I like Saitou-san they went way too far on some of the drawings of him to make him a little bit of a creepy/perverted old man.

Now for the good. Saitou-san, despite how he is sometimes drawn, is a great supporting character. He’s funny, he’s quirky, and well he’s a supporter. He helps Koyuki out a lot, and has a great talking bird named Page. Also of amusement is the way in which Izumi-chan half likes and half plays with Koyuki. The poor kid doesn’t really stand a chance of ever figuring her out, but it’s funny. Plus, as a boy, sometimes I think that’s exactly how girls act, and it makes it all the easier to feel for Koyuki. He only makes a brief appearance but finally Chiba has arrived. Just based off this one volume it’s kind of hard to get a good feel for him, he seems a little girl crazy, but there’s hope that there’s more too him than that.

So, basically it’s still worth your time to read, but it’s not nearly as captivating as the first volume. If you think of it in terms of a 5 point scale; 4.5 for volume 1, 2.75 to 3 for volume 2.

Things that disappointed me compared to the anime. Ok now I know in the anime they didn’t use all the Beatles songs, because it would cost too much to get the rights to use. However, the made up band The Rocket Boys and their song “Follow Me” were awesome and it makes me sad that it wasn’t in the manga. Oh also the “Full Moon Sway” lyrics being way different again from the anime is a bit bothersome too.