Mangaka Aki Hamaji s not a fan of the rumors circulating around her series Bocchi the Rock!
The anime adaptation of Hamaji’s series was one of the breakout hits of 2022, surpassing series like Chainsaw Man in popularity polls. With that attention has come plenty of fan speculation and theorizing. One rumor, in particular, started on the online media platform Pixiv, which troubled Hamaji enough to respond on Twitter and correct what she has deemed false information. The Pixiv posts purported that the series title found inspiration from the J-Rock band ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, with “Bocchi” referencing lead singer “Gotchi” and “the Rock” coming from the title of his 2006 book “GOTCH GO ROCK!”
Bocchi the Rock Creator’s Dismisses the Rumors
While ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION is no stranger to the anime industry, with its music featured in hit shows like Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist, Hamaji denied any connection between Bocchi and the group. In her tweets, she playfully dismissed the rumors as the stuff urban legends are made of while explaining that she felt compelled to correct these false rumors given how many anime fans believe content posted on Pixiv to be accurate. Although Pixiv does not claim to be a news source, touting itself as an online community for artists, Hamaji expressed her confusion and disappointment at seeing people make up things about the series and pass them off as true.
Despite her frustrations, Hamaji also has much to celebrate as Bocchi the Rock! has been riding a wave of unexpected success since the anime adaptation’s debut in 2022. The show won over fans and critics alike, who praised it for revitalizing the lackluster slice-of-life genre and for the depiction of its all-female cast, who received acknowledgment as inspiring role models for young women. The series centers on protagonist Hitori Goto, an introverted young woman with aspirations of playing guitar onstage, whose life takes a turn for the better when she joins the rock group Kessoku Band. Viewers have also applauded the anime’s portrayal of Hitori’s social anxiety, which creator Aki Hamaji chooses to depict as a strength of her unique personality rather than a weakness.
A second season of Bocchi the Rock! has yet to be confirmed, but all episodes of the critically acclaimed first season are available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Source: Twitter
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