It's already been widely reported in the local game and anime blogs, but we still shake our heads and wonder - it's either an inspired piece of casting, or the most outrageous gimmick to push a TV show. It turns out that the local translation of the hit Japanese animated series "Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad" will feature six frontmen of the Philippines' best selling bands as voice talents.

Lending their vocal chords to the production are Rico Blanco (Rivermaya), Raimund Marasigan (Sandwich), Jett Pangan (The Dawn), Teddy Corpuz (Rocksteddy), Ney Dimaculangan (Six Cycle Mind), and Yael Yuzon (Sponge Cola).

Gee, don't they already look like anime characters in real life though? We have the photos to prove it. (See images below)

"Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad" turns out to be the perfect anime vehicle for these musicians though, because the TV series is about the members of a rock band, and often features the most eclecic musical references and in-jokes. The Wikipedia entry for the series mentions a dream sequence involving "Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and Freddie Mercury standing around crying while picking up trash."

The local translation of "Beck" hits the cable channels on April 14 on ABS-CBN's all anime "Hero TV" channel.

Here are the PR blurbs of the casting, with our original photos providing a visual reference.

Ryusuke (Ray) Minami: VOICED BY RIVERMAYA'S RICO BLANCO

A Japanese character with a long history in America. He speaks fluent English, and frequently uses both Japanese and English in his conversation. He lives alone in a shack by the fishing pond. His skills and taste in music inspire Koyuki to take up the guitar. His talent in playing the guitar and writing songs is unparalled. The band's creator, Ryusuke is BECK's lead guitarist and band leader. A once younger Ryusuke and Eddie Lee stole the Lucille (a very famous guitar named after a woman) from the boot of Syke's vehicle. This begins a deeper backstory of Ryusuke's character.

Saitou Ken'ichi: VOICED BY THE DAWN'S JETT PANGAN

Koyuki's guitar and swimming teacher. Saitou once swam in the Olympics but was unable to achieve his dream of winning so he turned his life to teaching others how to swim better. Saitou is loud and demanding in public, and especially strict when it comes to swimming. But when he is out of the water, he is much more open, even turning Koyuki for advice on his attractions to Momo. Saitou is a fan of British rock and his favorite band in the anime is the fictional Rocket Boys while in the manga, it's the Beatles.

Taira Yoshiyuki: VOICED BY SANDWICH'S RAIMUND MARASIGAN

The first recruited member of BECK, Taira is the bassist, and the most talented band member next to Ryusuke. Little is known about him, and his attitude may sometimes come off as uncaring. He has been seen working as a traffic officer.

Chiba Tsunemi: VOICED BY ROCKSTEDDY'S TEDDY CORPUZ

Main vocalist for BECK, he is the key member that Ryusuke needed to bring Taira into the band. Compared to Koyuki, his voice is more punk-and rock-oriented, like the majority of the band's songs. He also named the band "BECK," inspired by Ryusuke's dog.


Yuji Sakurai: VOICED BY SPONGECOLA'S YAEL YUZON

The fourth member to join, he was also Koyuki's first good friend, sticking with him even when the school bully and his gang beat him up for breaking the silent treatment on Koyuki. He is the drummer, inspired by his brother and replaces the original drummer of BECK who followed Ryusuke from his original band, Serial Mama.

Eiji: VOICED BY 6 CYCLE MIND'S NEY DIMACULANGAN

Originally in Ryusuke's first band Serial Mama, he formed a new Belle Ame (Beck's main rival) which became popular not through their talent but the band members' looks. Getting all the big breaks, Belle Ame seemed destined for greatness, until Beck overtook them on their drive to fame.