to play with the band. His appearance is based on Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha. 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. 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. 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. 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 while bully Hyodo instigated the entire class not to do so. He is closer to Koyuki than the other members of the band, and Koyuki often confides in him during moments of self-doubt. Towards the end of the series, he moves away to attend high school, but promises that he will return on the condition that Beck reunites. As Koyuki does reform Beck, he returns, telling the band that he essentially ran away from home to do so. 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. Media Manga The original manga was written and illustrated by Harold Sakuishi and published by Kodansha in its shōnen manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Magazine from 1999