Bocchi the Rock! Re:Re: Recap Movie Now Playing Nationwide

September 9, 2024
Category : Events
Tags: anime

Events

Bocchi the Rock! Recap Movie Re:Re: Special Stage Greeting Held with Appearances by Yoshino Aoyama, Sayumi Suzushiro, Saku Mizuno, and Ikumi Hasegawa! Surprise Comment from Singer Ado
The popular 4-panel manga Bocchi the Rock!, written by Aki Hamaji, is serialized in Manga Time Kirara MAX by Houbunsha. It was adapted into a TV anime in the fall of 2022, and now, the recap movie Bocchi the Rock! Re:Re: has been released nationwide, with the first part already in theaters and the second part released on Friday, August 9th.

To commemorate the release of the second part, a special stage greeting event was held on Sunday, August 11th, at Shinjuku Wald 9, featuring the four main cast members of the band Kessoku Band: Yoshino Aoyama, Sayumi Suzushiro, Saku Mizuno, and Ikumi Hasegawa!

During the event, many new details about the second part were revealed, and a special comment from singer Ado, who is active as a performer, was delivered to the cast, adding to the excitement of the venue.

Official Report from the Stage Greeting Commemorating the Release of Bocchi the Rock! Re:Re: Recap Movie!

On Friday, August 9th, the Bocchi the Rock! Re:Re: Recap Movie premiered in theaters. To celebrate the release, a special stage greeting event was held on Sunday, August 11th, featuring the four cast members of Kessoku Band: Yoshino Aoyama (Hitori Goto), Sayumi Suzushiro (Nijika Ijichi), Saku Mizuno (Ryo Yamada), and Ikumi Hasegawa (Ikuyo Kita).

When asked about the highlights of the second part, which has been generating excitement since its release, Aoyama shared, “It’s rare for a TV anime to be turned into a recap movie, so I’m amazed that so many people are still coming to see it even in the second part.” When Hasegawa asked the audience, “How did you all like the recap?” the venue erupted in applause.

The opening theme for this movie is the newly recorded and previously unreleased third song, “Doppelgänger.” Hasegawa, who performed the song, recalled, “When I went to the studio for the recording and heard that this might be the third song, I was shocked, thinking, ‘What an idea!'” Mizuno added, “When I was told I might be doing chorus for the ‘phantom’ third song, I thought, ‘This is going to be awesome!'” Both expressed their surprise and excitement.

Hasegawa also reflected on the recording process, stating, “We had intense discussions about how to approach the singing,” showing her deep connection to the work.

Additionally, the opening video for the second part features scenes of the members’ summer vacation, which were not depicted in the TV series. Suzushiro commented, “The parts that viewers of the TV anime might have imagined but never saw were especially abundant in the second part. Everyone’s time together felt so real (laughs).” Hasegawa also mentioned, “I never imagined that the recap movie would give me a deeper understanding of Ikuyo Kita, the character I play. I’m really glad to have had this opportunity to explore her more.”

Aoyama added, “The TV anime focused on Hitori Goto as the protagonist, but in the second part, it feels like Kita-chan takes center stage. It made me realize that everyone shines because each character has their own unique appeal. It truly is a wonderful work.”

The event also highlighted the ending theme, a cover version of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION’s “Re:Re:,” which also serves as the subtitle for the movie. Aoyama candidly shared, “When I saw the title, I had a feeling we might be singing it.”

She continued, “The songs of Kessoku Band don’t really have that typical ‘character song’ vibe. But when it comes to Hitori-chan’s songs, I wanted to deliver something that’s uniquely hers. So, I hope that by taking on this legendary song, we can bring a new world of Hitori-chan to everyone.”

During the event, new information was announced about the release and distribution of a mini-album containing the opening theme “Doppelgänger” and the ending theme “Re:Re:”. Additionally, it was revealed that the song “Watashi dake Yūrei,” performed by Kikuiri Hiroi’s band “SICK HACK,” will also be available for streaming. Mizuno expressed her excitement, saying, “When I saw it again in the theater, the atmosphere was even more intense than on TV. It was super cool! I’ve become a bigger fan of Kikuri-san, and I’ve been eagerly waiting to listen to this on my phone…!”

Towards the end of the event, a surprise comment was delivered to the stage! The four cast members were astonished to hear it was from singer “Ado,” with all of them exclaiming, “Whaaat?!” The audience responded with thunderous applause. Aoyama expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m really feeling how many people are being reached by this. It’s all thanks to your support.”

Finally, Hasegawa shared her thoughts, “With the release of the second part, I’m feeling a bit of the same sadness I did when the TV series ended. But with so many stage greetings and live tours still ahead, this isn’t the end. I want to keep spreading the appeal of Kessoku Band and Bocchi the Rock! to as many people as possible.”

Mizuno added, “The first part flew by, and now the stage greetings for the second part are already starting, but I’m determined to keep conveying my love for Bocchi the Rock! as we go. I hope everyone watches and loves the second part as much as I do!”

Suzushiro reflected, “Time has flown by so quickly, and I found myself cherishing the memories of the recording sessions and the day we all watched the final episode together. I truly believe the 12 episodes we created were ones of significant growth for each character, and I’m excited to see where they go next. I hope we can continue to spread the circle of Bocchi the Rock! fans far and wide.”

Finally, Aoyama shared, “It’s not often that I get to keep saying, ‘I’m Yoshino Aoyama, the voice of Hitori Goto,’ even after the anime has ended. I’m so glad I encountered Bocchi the Rock!, and through the recap movie, I was able to reconnect with why I became a voice actress in the first place. This is a work I’ve dedicated my life to, and I want to continue sharing this wonderful view with all of you through our love and your support.”

The event concluded with the cast and audience together shouting the signature “Thank you!” cheer from Kessoku Band, closing the event on a high note.

The opening theme for Bocchi the Rock! Re:Re: Recap Movie, based on the original work by Aki Hamaji, is “Doppelgänger,” a song that became the “phantom” third track during Kessoku Band’s first live performance. The ending theme is a cover of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION’s “Re:Re:,” performed by Yoshino Aoyama as Hitori Goto. Comments regarding the music and the film were shared by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION’s Masafumi Gotoh and others who contributed to the tracks.

Currently in theaters as the second part of the two-part recap movie Bocchi the Rock! Re:Re:, Masafumi Gotoh reflected on his youth, when music and rock bands were his only solace. “Perhaps the girls in the story share some of the same feelings we did back then. Listening to their music, it feels like those desperate days were not in vain, and I find comfort in that,” he said. Additional comments were also provided by Ai Higuchi, who wrote the lyrics for “Doppelgänger,” and Masahiro Tobinai, who composed the music.

Along with the release of the main theme, the lyric video for “Doppelgänger” has also been made public. Additionally, streaming of the tracks “Doppelgänger,” “Re:Re:,” and “Watashi dake Yūrei” by SICKHACK, which also plays in the second part, began today, August 11th.

Bocchi the Rock! is an anime based on a 4-panel manga by Aki Hamaji, depicting the story of Hitori “Bocchi” Goto, an extremely shy girl who joins a band and grows through the experience. The Bocchi the Rock! Recap Movie is a theatrical release that re-edits the TV anime into a condensed format.

Comments from Ai Higuchi
My heart is always pulled to extremes, and the middle feels like walking a tightrope.
It might be easier to let go of one side, but I believe that both sides of the heart are important.
Bocchi-chan has the strength to play music that only someone with her “introverted” nature can create, and that takes courage.
I’m always inspired by her bravery.

Comments from Masahiro Tobinai
Facing both my inner and outer self, I struggle to understand who I am by expressing my thoughts.
Bocchi reminded me that this is how music is made.
I’m grateful to Kessoku Band for shaking my heart time and time again.

Comments from Masafumi Gotoh (ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION)
The landscape of youth, spent as if constantly being chased by something.
I couldn’t even tell if I was moving forward or backward; all I had was music and my rock band to hold onto.
Perhaps these girls share some of the feelings we had back then.
Thinking this way, it feels like those desperate days weren’t wasted, and I find solace in that.

Film Information for Bocchi the Rock! Re:/Re:Re: Recap Movie
Part 1: Bocchi the Rock! Re: – Now playing in theaters nationwide

Part 2: Bocchi the Rock! Re:Re: – Now playing in theaters nationwide

Introduction
Bocchi the Rock! is a popular 4-panel manga by Aki Hamaji, serialized in Manga Time Kirara MAX by Houbunsha.

The story follows Hitori Goto, a painfully shy and introverted girl, who joins a band called “Kessoku Band.” Alongside her three unique bandmates—Nijika Ijichi, Ryo Yamada, and Ikuyo Kita—Hitori grows as both a musician and a person, resonating with many fans.

When the TV anime adaptation aired in the fall of 2022, it quickly exploded in popularity, particularly among younger audiences, and received widespread acclaim, winning numerous awards both domestically and internationally.

On the music front, Kessoku Band’s full album Kessoku Band made a huge impact, ranking first in Oricon’s “Digital Album Ranking” and Billboard JAPAN’s “Download Albums Chart” in the first half of 2023.

This story of Kessoku Band, which made a sensational debut both in anime and music, has been re-edited from the TV anime and is now being presented as a recap movie in theaters in 2024, with impressive screen and sound quality!

If you’re introverted, play rock!

Story
Hitori “Bocchi” Goto is a lonely girl who loves playing the guitar.

She spends her days playing alone at home, but by a twist of fate, she ends up joining “Kessoku Band,” led by Nijika Ijichi.

Unaccustomed to performing in front of others, can Hitori become a great band member?

Official Website
Official X (Twitter): @BTR_anime
Official Instagram
Official TikTok: @btr_chiktok
Hashtag: #BocchiTheRock