Draft:Beat and Gum

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Beat and Gum
Jet Set Radio characters
First appearanceJet Set Radio (2000)
Created bySmilebit
Designed byMasayoshi Yokoyama
Ryuta Ueda
Kazuki Hosokawa
Voiced byBeat:
Casey Robertson (English; 2002-present)
Gum:
Julissa Aguirre (English; 2008-2014)
In-universe information
GenderBeat:
Male
Gum:
Female
OccupationGangsters; leaders of the GGs
OriginTokyo-To, Japan
NationalityJapanese

Beat[a] and Gum[b] are a pair of fictional characters appearing in Sega's Jet Set Radio series. Designed by the original game's artists, both characters debuted in the 2000 video game, Jet Set Radio, and have since become prominent characters associated with Sega's branding and name. They are both voiced by unidentified actors in the original titles.

Beat and Gum are the leaders of the GGs, a group of graffiti gangsters who roam the streets of Tokyo-To, Japan and tag public property with their graffiti. After forming their gang, the two sought DJ Professor K and made his pirate-radio broadcasting station their base. Both Beat and Gum are seventeen-year old school dropouts who ran away from home in order to express themselves through the form of art, and continuously defy the law and its captains. Throughout the franchise, Beat and Gum capture the attention of rivalry gangs, many of which pose a threat to their organization.

Video game journalists have commented positively on the two characters since their debut, and have garnered recognition for their appearances outside their respective franchise. Often appearing alongside each other, Beat and Gum are noted for being the sole main characters of Jet Set Radio, and the series' mascots.

Beat[edit]

Role in Jet Set Radio[edit]

Beat is one of the main protagonists of Jet Set Radio, and acts as the leader of his gang, the Graffiti Gangsters. He is often described as adventurous, obnoxious, and optimistic. Alongside Gum, Beat recruits Cube and Combo - two gangsters from the United States - and helps them put an end to the hoax behind a mysterious vinyl record that could supposedly summon a demon.

In Jet Set Radio Future, Beat serves a relatively minor role until the end of the story. Throughout the game, Beat is depicted as a false antagonist, and is described as a "some headphone wearing freak" by Gum prior to his debut. Many of the characters assume he is responsible for the majority of the wrongdoings around the city, and it is later revealed that a robot (Zero Beat) was created by Goji Rokkaku to impersonate the graffiti artist.

Development[edit]

Casey Robertson voices the character in Jet Set Radio Future and in several crossover video games, including Sega Superstars Tennis, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, and Sega Heroes. Beat's original voice actor in the original Jet Set Radio remains unknown. The unknown voice actor's archived lines from the game were reused in Sega Heroes.

Reception[edit]

Two cosplayers dress as two different variants of Beat, from Jet Set Radio (right) and Jet Set Radio Future (left).

Beat has received a generally positive reception among video game journalists, with many often mistaking him as the sole mascot of the Jet Set Radio video games. Beat was featured on Comic Book Resource's "Jet Set Radio's 5 Best Characters, Ranked" list.[1] The Gamer indirectly mentions how Beat may be more popular than the series itself, writing: "As he's appeared in several Sonic and Sega party games, the main protagonist of Jet Set Radio might now be more famous than the game itself."[2] The Gamer ranked Beat the seventh best Sega character, calling him "the most iconic character in the title," and "a stand-out character in Sega's lineup."[3]

Gum[edit]

Role in Jet Set Radio[edit]

Gum is one of the main protagonists of Jet Set Radio, and serves as the de facto leader of the Graffiti Gangsters. She is described as cool, sarcastic, and reckless. Alongside Beat, Gum is able to recruit Cube and Combo and learn about the Golden Rhinos and their mission to obtain an old indie record that supposedly has the ability to summon a demon.

In Jet Set Radio Future, which takes place in an alternate reality of the original game, depicts Gum as the official leader of the GGs, who recruits YoYo. She has a strong hatred for Beat, and resents his actions.

Development[edit]

Gum was voiced by American actress Julissa Aguirre for the Sega All-Stars series, who also provided the voices of NiGHTS and the female Xbox Live Avatar. She provided the voice for the character in Sega Superstars Tennis and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Gum is also voiced by an unidentified actress in Jet Set Radio. She is likely voiced by Marci Henderson, Andria Batise, Corina Harmon, or Jessica Crispi. In Jet Set Radio Future, she was voiced by either Gianna Giusti or Jessica Crispi. Archive voice footage from Jet Set Radio was used for Gum for her appearances in Jet Grind Radio Advance and Sega Heroes.

Reception[edit]

A cosplayer dresses as Gum, based on the character's appearance from Jet Set Radio Future.

Gum has received a generally positive reception. She is noted for being easily recognized by the video gaming community, alongside her initial catchphrase, "Hey, You!" Gum was also featured on several video game magazine covers during the early 2000s in order to promote the Jet Set Radio franchise, the Sega Dreamcast, and the original Xbox console. In an op-ed, Christian Donlan for Eurogamer briefly mentions his love for the character in Jet Set Radio Future, but denies her existence to be his favorite aspect of the video game.[4] In a 2014 article, Donlan further commented on the character in the game, writing: "Gum's the star of the show in my house - as the game's a lot easier than its predecessor, character selection is often a purely personal matter."[5] DiGi Valentine, for his character review series Who Dat?, commented positively on Gum's expressions, sassy personality, and color scheme, while praising her animation styles and noting her "tougher demeanor" in comparison to Beat.[6]

With the release of De La Jet Set Radio, the re-release of the original game, Gum has often been mistaken as the sole-protagonist of the game, especially in Australia.

Legacy and other appearances[edit]

Both Beat and Gum appeared in No Doubt's music video for their 2002 song, "Hella Good," which featured black-and-white gameplay footage from the Xbox game, Jet Set Radio Future.[7]

The duo made appearances in the Sega Hard Girls series in the episodes "Broken Jet Set Radio" and "The Excessive 54th Annual! Go Give It All You've Got! Only You Can Be the Champion! Surpass All the School Events of the Past! Sehagaga Academy Sports Festival." Gum appeared in the episode "I Heard We're Graduating Sehaga," which did not feature Beat.[citation needed]

Gum and Beat have become recurring and playable characters in the Sega All-Stars video game series, both first appearing in Sega Superstars Tennis.[8] Gum was rumored to have been subsequently deleted during early development of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing,[citation needed] but was announced she would be appearing in its 2012 sequel, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, exclusively by Nintendo Power.[9] Beat, however, appeared in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing wearing his attire from Jet Set Radio Future, and was announced for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed during a beta testing reveal at a video game convention. However, Beat does not appear in the mobile version Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, whereas Gum does. In a publication by Archie Comics, Beat is featured in the comic book "adaptation" of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, in Sonic Universe #45.[10]

The pair of characters have been featured numerous times as cameo characters in other Sega franchises and crossovers, as well as other video games. Beat and Gum appear in Sonic Adventure 2 on in-game posters, while Beat's outfit makes a cameo in Sonic Forces.[11][12][13][14] Both characters make a cameo appearance as part of a profile icon in Sonic Colors: Ultimate. In 2018, Sega announced Gum would be playable in the mobile game, Sega Heroes,[15] which also features Beat. In 2021, Sega dropped a teaser trailer announcing Beat as a playable character for the video game Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania.[16][17][18][19] In June 2023, Sega announced that both Gum and Beat would appear as playable characters in Ubisoft's Roller Champions.[20][21][22][23] The character designs, particularly that of Gum's redesign, received a mixed response.[20][21] They were officially added to the game on 27 June 2023.[24]

In 2017, concepts for a "new" Jet Set Radio game (titled Jet Set Radio Evolution) created by Dinosaur Games, which included updated and futuristic outfits of Beat and Gum, were rejected by Sega.[25] The two characters were used in motion as a way to improve the pitch, with their updated designs commented on as "colorful."[25] In April 2023, it was rumored that Sega had supposedly leaked footage of a Jet Set Radio franchise reboot game through an online survey, which featured cel-shaded renders of Beat and Gum wearing updated attire.[26][27] Later that year, at The Game Awards, it was announced that a new game was officially in-development, showcasing both characters in Sega's teaser trailer.[28][29][30][31]

For merchandise and promotional material, the characters have been featured as part of magazines, pins, and action figures. Gum does not have any officially-licensed action figures or statues, as opposed to Beat. In 2015, First 4 Figures released a statue of Beat, limited to 1,250 pieces -- which includes LED lights as part of the display.[32]

Fanbase and other content[edit]

The pair of characters are often featured as part of fan-made and unofficial Jet Set Radio video games, more often than the other cast of characters.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Bīto (Japanese: ビート)
  2. ^ Gamu (Japanese: ガム)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Jet Set Radio's 5 Best Characters, Ranked". CBR. 2020-12-26. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  2. ^ "The 16 Best Video Games Set In Japan". TheGamer. 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  3. ^ Allen, Dominic (2023-05-05). "10 Best Sega Characters Of All Time". TheGamer. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  4. ^ "What do I really love about Jet Set Radio Future?". Eurogamer.net. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  5. ^ "Retrospective: Jet Set Radio Future". Eurogamer.net. 2014-11-02. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  6. ^ Valentine, DiGi (April 18, 2018). "BEAT & GUM (Jet Set Radio) - Who Dat? [Character Review]". YouTube. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  7. ^ "Hella Good". Making the Video. MTV. March 30, 2002.
  8. ^ "SEGA Superstars Tennis". Eurogamer.net. 2008-01-18. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  9. ^ Luty, Dave (2012-08-29). "Gum Joins The All Stars Racing Transformed Lineup". The Sonic Stadium. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  10. ^ "Exclusive: Danica Patrick to guest star in Archie Sonic". Destructoid. 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  11. ^ Square, Push (2017-08-31). "Sonic Forces Brings Back Classic SEGA Characters on 7th November". Push Square. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  12. ^ "Sonic Forces dashes onto PC this November". PCGamesN. 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  13. ^ Furu, Eirik Hyldbakk (2017-09-01). "Sonic Forces' launch date and special edition revealed". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  14. ^ "Sonic Forces DLC Content Leaks, Includes Episode Shadow and Persona 5 Costumes". Gaming. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  15. ^ "Sega Heroes mobile puzzler brings Sonic, Jet Set Radio, and others together". Shacknews. 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  16. ^ McWhertor, Michael (2021-08-04). "Jet Set Radio's Beat joins the new Super Monkey Ball roster". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  17. ^ "Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania review — More fun than a … you know". VentureBeat. 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  18. ^ Connor Sheridan (2021-08-04). "Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania adds Beat from Jet Set Radio as an unlockable character". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  19. ^ "Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania Features Jet Set Radio Star". Digital Trends. 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  20. ^ a b "Roller Champions' Jet Set Radio Crossover is More Deflating Than Exciting". Game Rant. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  21. ^ a b Square, Push (2023-06-12). "Not Like This! Jet Set Radio Returns in Roller Champions on PS4". Push Square. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  22. ^ Brian (2023-06-12). "Roller Champions getting Jet Set Radio collaboration". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  23. ^ "Jet Set Radio Gets An Official Revival Of Sorts, But Not With Its Own Game". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  24. ^ Life, Nintendo (2023-06-13). "Sega's Jet Set Radio Returns As A Roller Champions Update". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  25. ^ a b "Dinosaur Games Reveals Jet Set Radio Concepts For a Rejected Game". Gaming. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  26. ^ McWhertor, Michael (2023-04-10). "Rumored Persona 3 remake and Jet Set Radio reboot footage leaks". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  27. ^ Wallace, Anthony (2023-04-11). "New Jet Set Radio Game Is In Development At Sega". Retro Dodo. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  28. ^ Bevan, Rhiannon (2023-12-08). "Sega Announces New Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, And More". TheGamer. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  29. ^ Lyles, Taylor (2023-12-08). "New Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe, and More Are In Development | Game Awards 2023". IGN. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  30. ^ Mahardy, Mike (2023-12-07). "Sega announced five games in 90 seconds at The Game Awards". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  31. ^ Holiday, Charming (2023-12-08). "Sega Is Bringing Back Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, and More Classic Franchises". Game Rant. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  32. ^ Mäki, Jonas (2014-11-19). "Beat from Jet Set Radio released as a statue". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
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