BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad - Recommendations

VivisQueen says...

If you want more about cool alternative bands making it big through their talents and despite their personal issues, then Nana is a great one to try out after Beck. The animation styles are different and Nana has more emphasis on the psychology/relationships of the characters involved, but the musical element is a huge driving force for most of the plot.

bittersweetness says...

Both Beck and Nana deal with the hardships that certain people face as they attempt to make themselves and their music known, as well as deal with other day-to-day conflicts.

LaughOnceInARedMoon says...

Both Nana and Beck deal with the lives of musicians and how people can be changed by music. In each of the series there is a band that is trying to get started up, and become a group that everyone knows. If you like rock music I think you will enjoy this anime.

Ran says...

Both anime deal with a group of young people who create a band and try to become famous. Beck is more centered on the world of music, whereas Nana gives more importance to the relationships within the band; this makes the two anime very much complementary. If you like one, you'll probably also like the other.

Iahel says...

Nana and Beck tell us about the musical industry and everything concerning the creative process. We'll meet naive novices and tycoons of record labels, rookies and stars. Although in Nana the story is focused on love and relationships, it's also about the life of musicians, including live shows in small clubs, the recording process, promotion and music videos. If you want to know more about the musical industry you'll enjoy watching these series.

avidkid10 says...

The largest difference between Nana and Beck is Beck focuses more on the music. However if you still enjoyed the great music and the drama behind it, then I definetly recommend Nana. Nana features fatastic punk rock music from two bands and drama galore. Nana is a more mature story line but will have those hiliarious moments.

noteDHero says...

Nana and Beck are charming coming-of-age dramas framed around the highs and lows of the talented bands' struggle to get signed to a major label. While differences stemming from the shows' intended audience--Nana, a josei; and Beck, a shounen--are clear, both believably chart the growth in its main character's maturity with wonderful relationships to supporting characters, love interests, and the abstraction of the music business as an antagonist. These anime are top notch in the music genre.

streety2k says...

In both series they show the sacrifices that need to be made while in a band as well as relationships and hardships that must be dealth with in everyday life. If you enjoyed one of the series because of its writing as well as music concepts you will no doubt more than enjoy the other.

GacekSSJ4 says...

Both animes are about band, love and their life problems and how they handle them. I'm sure if you liked NANA you will like Beck and vice versa.

winzar says...

Both this anime are music based anime. One (beck) more centred on the music and the relations between the bandmate and the other (nana) is more shoujo but i think the music predominant.

The OST of both anime is made by professional musicians and it isn't so bad for j-rock!

ZenithAstrali says...

How does one rock group get from singing in forgotten pubs to performing in front of tousands? How is the life of a rock star in making? If you want to know, both these anime have the answer. Filled with great music, realistic, romantic and entertaining, both Beck and Nana are sure to keep you chained to the chair.

KiraRin says...

Anyone who has ever been in a band, had a friend in a band or been a fanatical groupie will find something appealing in both Nana and Beck.

The shows follow a band from the ground up; from the bickering arguments, romance, record deals and break-ups. Nana, being a significantly longer series, is much more character orientated and probably aimed more at a female audience. However, Beck explores each character well but is firmly rooted in the music.

As similar, and as different as these shows are, I think they will both appeal to the same crowd.

cygaretka says...

I think that Beck and Nana are similiar, because of their unquestioned ambiency.Both animes are showing extraordinarily passion for music, ambition, and hard work for making dreams come true.Beck and Nana tell us also that our exertions aren't giving us any safety, that sometimes in our life we must resign for sake of other people. Against they are showing how important and beautiful frendship can be.If you like one, I'm sure you will enjoy the other.

joykimlee says...

Both are jrock joy to the ears.  Altho I much prefer Nana shoujo over Beck shounen since i'm a girl.  Beck is engaging but Nana is addicting.  Watching one reminds of the other for its story ambience, rock music, romance sacrifices, band hardships and life dramas.  Guys may say Beck is good whilst girls will say Nana is the greatest.  Must watch jrock appreciation for all bandmates!

kooltilldend says...

One word sums it up really: Music!

Yup if you are a fan of music and enjoyed either one...you simply have to watch the other! Agreed the stories have hardly anything in common, the animation sytles vary a fair bit as well but again, both animes are built around music and as such, if you like music, both are must-watch!

On the other hand, if you don't enjoy music...well why are you even reading this? :)

eaper says...

Each of these series have much in common, being focused mainly around the hardships accompanying starting a band, some complex romances, and growing up in general. If you liked either of these series you'll surely enjoy the other.

Elven says...

Both are about music and starting from zero, finishing with being pretty known :)! Love both!

chii says...

Growing up is hard. Especially when your goals involve music in some way. Both of these shows explore being young and wanting to make it big in the music industry and the drama attatched to it. Nana is more aimed at girls where Beck is more aimed at boys which is why I probably enjoyed the drama in Nana way more than Beck. Check either out if you are wanting to explore a music drama.

CluelessGamer says...

Nana is far more relationship forward. Romance, hookups, multiple relationships happen. Beck is far more slice of life in that aspect. I don't think you'd get you romantic anime fix from Beck, however you will get your good anime fix. Beck has a rare setting for anime that is a real world. No oversized eyes with mini skirted school uniforms in Beck. Instead you get references too The Beatles, the whole British invasion, and a band that sounds like Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Nana's drama comes from the relationships, Beck's happens more within the band. Both have unique animation styles, great music, good characters, and a rather realistic world.

Nana more feminine, Beck more masculine. I enjoyed both.

Larkawolfgirl says...

Both show not only the drama of the music industry, but how this drama affects artists personal relationships as well.

Inu230 says...

Having a voice other people want to listen to is not always enough to make you famous, though it does help you get recognized. 

M.C. in both animes have voices that draw crowds and aid them in creating meaningful relationships.

OkamiHime95 says...

Both anime are actually quite emotional, and deal with hardships that some bands/singers face. They also make many musical references, so if you like music, you will enjoy these anime.

Starletka says...

Both involve the world of music and the tough path of trying to make it, but more importantly both revolve around the topic of growing up and everything that comes along with it, like alcohol, drugs, and sex. NANA has more focus on the characters and their growth, while BECK focuses more on the music aspect.

InkedC says...

Both animes are about the struggles that musicians go through trying to become known in the music scene, while also dealing with their personal relationships. Though Beck focuses more in the music itself, Nana reaches a little more in the everyday life of the characters, while still enjoying the amazing songs they play in almost every episode. I believe if you want to stay in the same mood after finishing Beck, you'll definitely enjoy Nana.

simukaid says...

Watch a group of young teens struggle to be recognized in the music world in both Beck and Nodame Cantabile. Both contain music from old classics to modern Japanese rock.

LaughOnceInARedMoon says...

In both of these series we see a group of young adults that is deeply involved with music. While Nodame Cantabile has more humor in it than Beck I got the same feeling from both of them.

xandersnape says...

The anime style of the show is quite similar if you liked that aspect, and although they're not alike in genre, the music in both shows is good. Plotwise, the anime is quite different, however they both share the same undertones of young people and the choices they make.

jurexplay says...

Well, both shows concentrate on character realtions and music. Although in terms of music they are almost absoulutelly diffrent, both anime try to show that by hard work any kind of slob can become a good musician.

miercoles13 says...

Both series seem to share a type of feeling you can only get by getting to know the main characters very well, you sometimes feel nervous just as they are about to deliver a performance and excited after seeing them succeed.

winzar says...

Both this anime are music based anime. but Nodame cantabile si more centred on Classical music and composition.

I think that you may watch both because the have different approch to the music: one is more "pop" and one is more professional but i find out that Nodame is funnier than Beck because the protagonist (nodame) is a very crazy girl and all the situation she createsare out of mind!

Aganoth says...

Both of these wonderful anime are, at their cores, about the finding, understanding, and love of music.  It could also be said that both deal with finding your own type of passion to Music (Joy of performing vs. Joy of performing perfectly).

While both follow different paths to these ends, I think it's pretty obvious that they're still inline; if you like one you will like the other (Disliking Rock or Classical withstanding).  

lagman92 says...

There is of course the difference in type of music, Beck being Rock, and Nodame being classic, But both instantly catches you. And even though you might think "yuck" at one of the things, you'll be suprised.

The music is great in both. But not only music. There's a deeper story in both nodame and beck, wich is just as catching, if not more.

So i higly recomend these.

eaper says...

Each of theses stories center around long shots trying to make it into the music world, either a small band or a student led orchestra. Although Nodame is definitely more of a comedy, they both have plenty of laughs and serious parts.

JonStark says...

Nodame Cantabile is lighter and brighter with better protagonists although I find Beck's music to be superior ( maybe cause I listen to rock more).

Ishmoo says...

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad has an extremely similar atmosphere to Sakamichi no Apollon in many ways, though the setting and style of music vary greatly. The emphasis on a developing friendship between two young men is strikingly similar, as are the tribulations they go through as their bond deepens. The music is fantastic in both, though more rock and punk centered in Beck. I'd have to give Beck a slight edge over Sakamichi no Apollon in quality, though it pains me to say so being a huge Watanabe fan. Both have top notch writing and well developed characters though, again, I'd rate Beck higher in both.

lovesnsd says...

If u like Sakamichi no Apollon, u will like Beck and vice versa as Beck is rock and more modern verison of Sakamichi no Apollon and Sakamichi no Apollon is Jazz and 60's version of Beck

discospider says...

Both of these shows are centered around boys who don't belong but find their place in rock/jazz. You will see many of the same struggles and joys of finding friends with whom you can play music with. While there is the obvious music connection, the similarities go beyond that into a similar atmosphere and feel.

Humice says...

Both animes deal with the themes of using music as a release to help their teenage main characters deal with loneliness they both try to identify the themes of their respective music. Rock music for Beck and Jazz for Kids On the Slope (Sakamichi no Apollon)

Marvelman says...

Sakamichi no Apollon and Beck both share themes of friendship, love, and passion. The styles of both shows do a great job of creating a realistic feel and get you to like the characters through tales of their feelings.

Additionally, both shows do a great job with their soundtracks and implementing music into the show without getting into a supernatural theme. If you want a realistic story of friends, aspirations, music, and life in general, Beck and Sakamichi no Apollon go very well together.

Sianeka says...

If you liked Beck, and seeing the interplay of characters to whom music is a big factor in their life, then I'd recommend checking out Kids on the Slope.  If you enjoyed following the growing friendships and ties main guy Kaoru Nishimi makes due to his music in Kids on the Slope, then check out the formation and trials and tribulations of newly formed rock group Beck. Kids is a bit more slice-of-life and features jazz rather than rock as Beck does, but both anime are about how music changes the life of the main protagonist.

ApolloLight says...

I think both the shows relate because they both are about enjoying music and how it be used to show/share emotions. The both have sub plots which makes the show even better. The only difference in the type of music the show cover. Beck is more rock while kids on the slope is jazz.

NerdConsultant says...

both are about Young people coming to terms with there lives and there love of music and have some incredible well written music eve though styles are diffrent. both shows also have similar characters and tones

takuuuuun says...

Coming of age anime about starting a band anyone? well say no more. Though i prefer kids on the slope mainly because it's directed by one of my favorite directors (Watanabe is a asthetic god). the animation in both even though beck is a tad older is pretty darn good. Ofcourse because they are both coming of age anime it gets a bit cheesy but because beck was made in like early nineties  the cheese got a little too dated and moldy  

Shadow06 says...

Since both series are mainly  about music and the forming of a new band, while the protagonists in both cases are quite unfamiliar with music and have to start from scratch. Both are guitarists, which never give up and try their hardest at what they put their minds to.

Omurqi says...

I'm making this recommendation purely based on the fact that as an amateur guitarist myself, I greatly enjoyed the focus on instruments and learning to play in both of these shows. While the genre's of these two shows are far apart (Beck being more of a serious anime about an up-and-coming rockband and K-On! being totally lighthearted), my enjoyment for these two shows skyrocketed because of these shared plot elements. If you can relate with this, don't hesitate to check the other out!

crimsonredwings says...

Even though K-On! and BECK are different styles of anime, they both have the same story. The main character didn't really have anything going for them and then they get into playing guitar and their life is changed forever. If you like one you'll like the other!!

oryx says...

K-ON & Beck.. animes about music. K-ON-> cute schoolgirls, more comedic and light, while Beck is more serious, with more emphasys on character developement, music, and imo. great english voice acting :) definitely reccomend both!

eaper says...

If I had to compare Beck to K-On!, I would say K-On! is like Beck-lite, the same starting point and flavor (A younger person starting from scratch and joining a band), but a lot lighter humor and less talk about the actual music. Both these are great series, and are must sees for anyone that enjoys music.

Raku says...

This is for you, if you like to see average people start up as novices and grow into an amazing band.

silentser says...

both stories will make you love the character, and cheer them on as they take step by step to achieve something, you will cry when they cry, you will laugh when they laugh,

strangelookingcat says...

Music anime. Need I say more?

Other than that, both your main characters start out as newbie guitar players and then in a few short months, they become experts at it. Add to that, loveable side characters and really catchy tunes, you got yourself an instant recommendation.

tac0 says...

Both Paradise Kiss and Beck follow an unlikely group on a long journey of love and accomplishment. Although the subject matter is very different it is easy to find similarities in the main characters; they are both new to the fields that lead them down their new paths and both needed that supplement to their lives, although neither realized it before they found it.

VivisQueen says...

Understated, passionate, and infinitely cool, both Beck and Paradise Kiss portray the counterculture of how a young person escapes the droll/oppressive nature of nine-to-five society by immersing themselves in an artform. Beck chooses the rock music route whilst Paradise Kiss is about bohemian fashion but in the end, it's all about the sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll, baby.

Prettykitty20034 says...

Both of these shows take a more mature look at the teen drama. In each the main character meets some new friends and discovers a new passion. In Beck it's music, while in ParaKiss, it's fashion. The plots aren't similar at all, it's the tone and the style that make these two shows seem alike.

Zuzane says...

Both series are about outsiders, feeling bitter about their grey and boring life, who suddenly find the passion, which becomes point of their life. They manage to get out from the sterotype layout of life (school->university->work), make friends with some crazy and great people (even find love among them...) and fight the world, that isn't interrested in their job, parents, whose plans about their children's future where different and their own fears and flaws.

ZenithAstrali says...

It's all about art, leaving daily preocupations aside and creating not  something satisfactory, but something great. Characters in both anime give their all to make a difference and stand out from the rest in the music industry in Beck and in the fashion industry in Paradise Kiss.

If you impressed by passion while watching one series and want more, the other is a perfect fit.

Omurqi says...

If a "growing-up" kind of story, where the ordinary main character gets thrown into an extravagant world is what you're looking for, then both Beck and ParaKiss will please you plenty. With great music in both, and a wide range of over-the-top, and YET believable characters, both shows give you a realistic look into the world of extravaganta from the eyes of a very regular teenager.

DistMan says...

These are shows about a band trying to go pro. These shows depicts the band-reality quite well; It's about the chemistry, perseverance and stubborness. Going pro in todays mainstream music community ain't easy after all. While focusing alot on the music these shows also focus on love and interraction amongst friends.

yukichii says...

Both Beck and Kaikan Phrase are all about music. Kaikan Phrase has good music that is very passionate one! If you liked Beck, I recommend you watch Kaikan Phrase as well. Enjoy the music!

abbyz44 says...

If you liked Beck, you'd like Kaikan Phrase because the music, like in Beck, is awesome. I can't help but root for the band Kaikan Phrase; I want them to make it big, just like how I rooted for the band Beck.

KiraRin says...

Although Kaikan is most definitely a show aimed at the female persuasion, I would say that girly fans of one will enjoy the other.

Filled with J-rock and bishies who are handy with their instruments, there is plenty of musical drama as the band dynamic is tested. Beck keeps the focus firmly on the music and band members, whilst Kaikan is a little floaty about its subject matter. Enjoy one, and I certainly think you should at least try the other.

snivets says...

If you liked either of these shows about an unknown band trying to make a major label debut, then definitely check out the other! There will be plenty of similar drama as the band members struggle with their personal lives and their music lives as they try to make it big.

Darkpenguin13 says...

You would like Black Heaven because, like Beck, it also deals with the basic idea of the rock world. It focuses on the lead guitarist of the legendary rock band Black Heaven.  They must use their music to save the universe while still getting the groceries home before their wives get grumpy.

BelYaun says...

If you liked watching Koyuki work to become a star then you will enjoy watching the protagonist of Black Heaven regain the spirit he once had as a rock star.

tjhooker says...

Both Beck and Black Heaven are about characters who are trying to live their dreams of making it big in a band, while dealing with the problems that arise because of it. Both shows have great soundtracks too; if you like rock, you'll love these.

DNReno says...

Both Beck and Black Heaven are based on Rock music and the idea that if you are not satisfied with life as it is, there is always another path you can take. While watching either, you can't help but hope for the success of the main characters. If you enjoyed one of these, I highly recommend watching the other.

abbyz44 says...

If you liked Beck, you might like Full Moon. It's a very cute anime and is more for girls. I didn't think that it would get me emotionally involved with it because it looked so cutesy, but it really does have a good story to it, and it also has a great end. Beck is totally different and yet it leaves with the same feel as Full Moon wo Sagashite; in both you want them to make it as a band, and also both anime have really good songs to them. Definitely watch these if you enjoy anime that leaves you warm and fuzzy inside.

Saufkultur says...

You could propably think, this guy isn't sane to compare FMwS and Beck, and you're right. However there are a few similarities. For first, if you see mitsuki and how hard she tries to become a star, you just have to cheer her on. Somehow the same happens with tanaka and ryuuske from beck. The soundtracks are both very well produced and fit to the anime. Well but if you are the more realistic type just stick with beck, if you like the magical girl genre try fmws.

jurexplay says...

Well both anime are about teenagers trying to reach the top in harsh and cruel music buziness. While both anime have very little in common, if you enjoy listening to music I'm sure you will like them.

whiteneko says...

I know that beck is shounen and Full Moon is Shoujo. However, both are about what it takes to break into the music industry. While one focuses on a solo career and the other on a band (and the complexities and tensions of learning to work together through your personal differences.) Even though beck is truly more aimed at a young male audience, it has a bit of romance, and alot of friendship and highschool issues. The music style of both is quite different but both are very good. Full Moon is more cutesy pop, while Beck is harder rock. Full Moon has some magic and fantasy thrown in which Beck lacks. Beck is more slice of life. But both are very similar in their overall theme.

AndriasSch says...

If you are one of those who knows how wonderful and hard could be become a musician, Beck will be one of your favourites.

Omurqi says...

Beck and Piano no Mori adress both the essence of making music and how tough the music world can be. Lots of emphasis is laid on putting your feelings into music, and not just playing the notes. If you enjoyed one of these titles for its accurate focus on music, definitely give the other a try.

eaper says...

Each of these series focus on the difficulty of making it into the world of professional music. If you enjoy that aspect of either anime, you will surely enjoy that aspect of it in the other.

Ebonyslayer says...

If you liked Carole & Tuesday, you'd also like Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad because they both have protagonists trying to make a name for themselves in the music industry. And they both have female characters that are pretty likeable.

snivets says...

Both shows feature kids trying to make it in the music world. As the characters encounter lots of obstacles and work to overcome them, they explore friendships and face personal struggles.

Pandigirl5 says...

The dynamics of personalities the each f the characters have in both shows are very reminiscent of each other. Plus the music back drops that help tell the story of the storyline coincide as well. But overall, I liked Carol & Tuesday gave off similar vibes BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad. The nostaglia was there for me.