Beck (manga) - Characters

Characters

Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka (田中 幸雄, Tanaka Yukio?)

The main character; the series follows his rapid development from living a boring average life to becoming an outstanding guitarist and singer. Before meeting Ryusuke, he only listened to Japanese pop music, having never heard a foreign band before. He is the last member recruited into Beck (along with Saku), playing rhythm guitar and singing slower songs. Koyuki is voiced by Daisuke Namikawa in the Japanese anime, with Kazuya Hirabayashi providing his singing voice, and by Greg Ayres in the English dub. He is portrayed by Takeru Satoh in the live-action film.

Ryusuke "Ray" Minami (南 竜介, Minami Ryūsuke?)

A slacker, but incredibly talented guitarist, who inspires Koyuki to pick up the instrument. Ryusuke speaks better English than Japanese, having lived in New York for 8 years. He is the lead guitarist of Beck as well as its founding member. A large amount of the story revolves around him and his bullet-hole ridden Gibson Les Paul guitar, named Lucille (which is the same name as B.B. King's famous black Gibson). Ryusuke is voiced by Yuuma Ueno in the Japanese anime and by Eric Vale in the English dub. He is portrayed by Hiro Mizushima in the live-action film.

Maho Minami (南 真帆, Minami Maho?)

Maho is Ryusuke's younger half-sister and a talented singer. She is brash but emotionally fragile, and gradually builds a romantic relationship with Koyuki. Maho is voiced by Miho Saeki in the Japanese anime, with Sowelu providing her singing voice, and by Brina Palencia in the English dub. She is portrayed by Shiori Kutsuna in the live-action film.

Tsunemi Chiba (千葉 恒美, Chiba Tsunemi?)

The main vocalist of Beck, Chiba's vocals are more punk and rap-oriented than Koyuki's and thus more fitting for the majority of Beck's songs. He is also very good at karate, which he uses in his performances. He is voiced by Shintaro Ohata in the Japanese anime, with Tatsuzo of YKZ providing his singing voice, and by Justin Cook in the English dub. He is portrayed by Kenta Kiritani in the live-action film.

Yoshiyuki Taira (平 義行, Taira Yoshiyuki?)

Beck's bassist, Taira is the second member recruited by Ryusuke. Although he can sometimes seem uncaring or apathetic, he is actually the most mature of the band members and often offers helpful advice. He usually performs shirtless, much like the real-life person he is based on: Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His main live bass is a white Music Man Stingray (a 1993-1996 model as identified from the type of bridge) with 3-band EQ and a trans bridge. Taira is voiced by Kenji Nojima in the Japanese anime and by Jerry Jewell in the English dub. He is portrayed by Osamu Mukai in the live-action film.

Kenichi Saitou (斉藤 研一, Saitō Ken'ichi?)

Saitou is a perverted middle-aged man and former Olympic swimmer who teaches Koyuki both guitar and swimming in exchange for Koyuki working for his business. Though he can be a demanding instructor, he opens up to Koyuki, even asking him for relationship advice on occasion. Saitou is voiced by Porsche Okite in the Japanese anime and by R Bruce Elliott in the English dub. He is portrayed by Takanori Takeyama in the live-action film.

Yuji "Saku" Sakurai (桜井 裕志, Sakurai Yūji?)

Saku is Beck's drummer and the last member to join (along with Koyuki). He first becomes good friends with Koyuki at school, being the only person to talk to him. He is voiced by Tōru Nara in the Japanese anime and by Johnny Yong Bosch in the English dub. He is portrayed by Aoi Nakamura in the live-action film.