If you want to hide and seek, gather around me and speak!
I do! I wanna! -Let me in!
"Would it be okay for me to join in?"
I do! I wanna! -Let me in!
Lost in thought
Hitori-chan, what's wrong?
Before she knows it she misses her chance, ending up all alone
On the school trip, the girl whose bento
Here you go.
was shared with only her teacher
I'm home.
No club activity to keep her busy,
she comes home right after school,
And here, we'll stir-fry it a bit.
The only messages she receives are
There's a lot of vegetables,
either from her parents or advertisers.
so you can probably make it quickly if you cut them in advance.
That girl is me
You can probably do that in the morning, yeah.
Hitori Goto, first-year in middle school.
Lately I've gotten good at making so many dishes so quickly
I thought I didn't need to know any more,
Sometimes I wonder
if this is the life I want to lead...
but lately I'm learning once again how interesting cooking can be.
But I always freeze up when I try to speak,
and can't look people in the eye...
This introverted life suits me just fine.
Personally I like a lot of options with rice.
Oh, of course. But you—
You watching this?
Nah.
Back in school, I was the guy who pretended to read in the corner of the classroom.
No friends.
Now you're part of a super popular band known to every teen.
Well, in a band even introverts have a chance to shine
I see!
Now, here's "Trigger" by Instorms!
What is it?
D-Dad, can I use your guitar?
Sure!
Th-Thanks!
I see
Hitori's finally picking up an interest in guitar.
If I started a band, perhaps even someone like me
Could have a chance to shine!
I've made up my mind.
I'm gonna learn to play guitar!
My First Electric Guitar
Then I'll form a band at school, and...
Master the Low Chords *Commonly Used Major Chords
E, A, G...
What's with all the English?
Then I'll play at the culture festival
and have everyone cheer for me!
3 Years Later
Cheer... for me?
I liked dark, cramped spaces,
so I'd bury my face deep in my hood
My eyes resented the heartless world,
but yearned for love
I liked being soaked by the rain,
because my face looked better clouded over
I pretended to be afraid of the storm
while waiting for the sky to burst
Strum through the light's distortion
I want to make thunder roar
Drum beyond the pain
What can I do? This fierce pounding is out of control
Strum in a harmonizing quartet
I want to cause a revolution
Drum in a lamenting forte
What can I do? My savage nature is beyond wild
BOCCHI THE ROCK!
#01 Lonely Rolling Bocchi
To be able to play before a crowd
I put in six hours of practice a day
The result?
Middle school ended, and I never played a single note for them!
Congrats on Graduating!
I never performed once...
98th Annual Graduation Ceremony
At the culture festival!
Never put together...
The members for a band!
Never made a single friend...
In three whole years!
Now, in high school...
Graduation
Yokohama Genseiryo Middle School
For sure I've gotta form my freakin' band!!
Yet fast forward a month after that declaration
And my heart remains grounded in my guitar,
little better than a shut-in...
Lyrics and composition by me.
From my closet with love.
But before I cause late-night disturbances playing out my shitty original song
Drag & Drop to Upload Video
Choose File
Upload Video
I should upload a cover I did of a popular band.
Uploading...
It's been some time since I took my dad's suggestion
and uploaded videos under the alias "guitarhero" but...
Wow, my latest video already has so many comments.
[Guitar] Acid "Spring Snow" [Gave it a try]
Views Dislike
Sorry I can't upload very often nowadays! High school's just been way too much fun! Next time I'll try a song I do all the time with my friends at karaoke!
[Guitar] Acid "Spring Snow" [Gave it a try]
Views Dislike
Sorry I can't upload very often nowadays! High school's just been way too much fun! Next time I'll try a song I do all the time with my friends at karaoke!
[Guitar] Acid "Spring Snow" [Gave it a try]
Views Dislike
Sorry I can't upload very often nowadays! High school's just been way too much fun! Next time I'll try a song I do all the time with my friends at karaoke!
10 comments Sort
Add Public Comment
Pyonkichi 5 Minutes Ago You're so good! Are you a pro by any chance? :D
Sam03 30 Minutes Ago You rocked the chorus, love it
I've been racking up the views lately, too,
and they're praising my skills...
Thats right... reality may suck but who cares
So long as I'm getting all this attention online!
Sam03 30 Minutes Ago You rocked the chorus, love it
Nekomi 5 Minutes Ago I listen to this every day! I just started playing guitar myself and I'm so in awe! Can't wait for the next one!
The internet is filled with socially anxious introverts just like me!
Deyon 1 hour ago 2:17 this part rocks
Johnson 1 hour ago
Gomachin 1 hour ago What pedals are you using?
Kaopin 1 hour ago I formed a band and played this for our culture festival! The whole school went crazy for it!
"I formed a band and played this for our cul—"
I put the effort in, okay?
I brought CDs to school and set them on my desk.
Talk to me!
I bought band merch and showed it off.
Talk to me!
I put in song requests at lunch...
This next song is a request from Goto-san in Class 2-A.
I'm gonna...
...for the death metal song I'd been obsessed with lately.
I'm gonna...
I'm gonna crush your skuuull!!!
Not the flashbacks!
Get out! Out of my head!
Gomachin 1 hour ago What pedals are you using?
Kaopin 1 hour ago I formed a band and played this for our culture festival! The whole school went crazy for it!
I wish I could perform live...
Gomachin 1 hour ago What pedals are you using?
Kaopin 1 hour ago I formed a band and played this for our culture festival! The whole school went crazy for it!
Replies
OZAKI 30 minutes ago I played it with my band club too!
Taku 5 minutes ago Lucky! Not sure if there's anyone at my high school that plays guitar...
That...
That could work!
Sleep Pipe
N-neat...!
All of a sudden I've got the band-girl look
Like a real somebody!
My presence is amazing!
Someone's just gotta talk to me now!
There'll be no time to rest in this year's culture festival!
So you could see the corgi's butt...
Do we move rooms next period?
Science Room B.
Hey, wanna karaoke after this?
Great idea!
You sure?
Wonder what I should sing...
Huh?
Did I go overboard hyping myself up last night?
I was as good as holding up a neon sign saying I'm into bands.
Maybe they just didn't want to approach me?
No, no, no!
My fragile mind would crumble!
Hey! Look at that!
Thump
At what?
I-If they're laughing at me now, it won't just be a mental breakdown,
it'd be mental annihilation!
Aw, it's so cute, I've gotta laugh!
Guitar?
My day's immediately better!
Right, Kita-chan?
Kita-chan?
Sorry, sorry! What was it?
I knew it wouldn't be easy
You can't wait for others to make a move and expect things to work out.
Anyone here must be wallowing in their solitude like me.
I bet that guy's separated from—
Papa!
Sorry we're late!
Hey, no problem.
Now, let's grab dinner!
What would you like?
It's a picture perfect family!
Please forgive my presumptuous empathizing...
Oh, I passed 30k subs.
Hey, that's right.
The place where I truly belong is online.
Sorta makes me not wanna go back to school...
Guitar!
That's a guitar, right?
Do you play?!
Hello?
I-I haven't talked to anyone in so long... my voice!
Hey, sorry to ambush you.
I attend Shimo-Kitazawa High, I'm second-year Nijika Ijichi
Hitori Goto. Shuka High. First-year.
So tell me, Hitori-chan...
First names already!
How well can you play?
A-A little.
Really?!
Say, I'm in kind of a pinch here...
If you can't do it, that's okay, but...
It's not like we're screwed if you don't.
Her tone says otherwise!
Okay, I'll come right out with it!
Please, just for today can you play support guitar in my band?
Band?
We've got a gig coming up, and our guitarist had to skip out!
The song's not too hard! You'll pick it up right away!
A gig?! Right now?!
Please! Please!
Um, err...
Thanks! Let's head to the live house!
I haven't even said anything yet!
I got dragged along.
Hitori-chan, do you come to Shimo-Kita a lot?
Oh, well...
I could never step foot in this chic and trendy part of town
We're almost to the live house.
Nijika-chan's sure looks fashionable
Like a real band girl
Meanwhile, I'm in a drab tracksuit
bags under eyes and slouched over like a cat...
I probably also reek of a closet smell?
since I spend so much time in there
No, I smell like mothballs.
Meanwhile, Nijika-chan smells amazing!
This is the scent of a proper high school girl!
Oh, am I walking too fast?
N-No...
The club we're gonna play at is called Starry.
My big sister's the manager there.
Playing at a club...
That sounds weirdly legit.
Wait, what's my heart doing?
And so...
I've been working there part-time...
Hitori-chan, do you have good reflexes?
N-No, but I'm somehow always the last one standing in dodgeball
I... I see.
Me? Playing in a club?
No, don't back down now!
Remember your daydreams of performing at the culture festival!
And your first solo show at Zepp Super Arena!
Hitori! Hitori! Hitori!
I'm the girl who sold out the Budokan...
What?
Oh, nothing!
Please don't regret asking me
I might've made a mistake choosing her...
We're here!
This is the place!
Am I headed straight to hell?
Good morning!
My first club...
This poor lighting... constricting atmosphere...
I-It's so soothing!
You okay, Hitori-chan?
I'm home!
No you're not!
Could we ask the PA to record again?
That's the band that's playing today.
I thought bands would be intimidating,
They might be a little older than us?
but they're all indoorsy, shadow dwellers and introverts!
After they're done, we'll rehearse too.
They're just like me!
That there's the PA.
No drinks on the equipment!
Good morning.
Please forgive my prejudice!
What's wrong now?!
You're finally back.
Ryo!
This is Goto Hitori-chan!
She's a guitarist I met in the park by miraculous happenstance!
Oh?
Scary! Is she staring me down?
This is Ryo Yamada. She plays bass.
I-I'm Hitori Goto! Terribly sorry for offending you!
Hang on!
Y-You're okay!
Ryo's just not the expressive type.
Feel free to call her a weirdo! She likes it!
I don't, actually.
Seemed like she does...
By the way, about the manager...
She told us to practice until we're up
Also, she stormed out in a rage
to buy things after you snuck off.
N-No way!
Let's be in the studio before she comes back!
You too, Hitori-chan!
C'mon!
R-Right!
Real life is scary.
But I feel like many fun things are up ahead
Here's today's set list and score.
Wh-Where are the other band members?
This is everyone!
We'll be doing all instrumentals this time.
Right. I can handle this song.
Though without any vocals, the playing's gotta be all that much better...
But I'm supposedly good at guitar. I can do this.
I think I can do this!
A gorilla?
Maybe they'll be blown away by my playing!
I mean, I get pretty good... pretty decent reactions online.
Let's take it right from the top.
It's your first time, so we'll run through slow,
I even have 30,000 subscribers!
then we can speed it up as you get used to it.
Yeah, let's do this!
Okay, let's go!
She sucks!
H-How can I suck?
Ah, I'm kidding!
I'm guitarhero!
Well, not totally kidding, but... Ah, I'm sorry!
I've got 30,000 subscribers!
Allow me to explain!
Guitar Man's Easy-to-Learn Hitori Classes
In a band, it's super important to be in sync with your fellow live performers!
But Hitori has social anxiety and can't make eye contact,
and she'll be inclined to rush ahead of the others!
She might be an awesome solo player,
God
Social Butterfly
Normal Person
Water Flea
Hitori
but when in a band, she's sub-water-flea level, the worst there is!
Hello. I'm Plankton Goto.
She sounds like an washed up comedian!
And thus, Hitori Goto turned to dust,
and never picked up a guitar again.
BOCCHI THE ROCK!
THE END
Water Flea Hitori Goto
Drummer Nijika Ijichi
Bassist Ryo Yamada
Guitar Man As Himself
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
Come out, please!
The show's about to start!
I c-c-can't do it!
It's not your fault! We just came together today!
It's not like I'm very good either.
I'm very good.
Just look at me, okay!
Stay here in reality!
I'm no help with MC'ing either.
I-I could offer up my life to put on a harakiri show!
Th-They'll at least remember our band name
Sorry I sucked!
That's a little too rock!
It's okay.
If they heckle you, I'll give them a bonk with my bass.
Bonk.
Would that really make such fancy a noise?
I mean, bloodshed is pretty rock.
It is.
You can't justify everything with "rock"!
Besides, the only people coming to watch us are probably my friends.
Nijika is my only friend, so...
Normal high school girls don't know to judge good music from bad.
She'd be ratio'd if she said that online.
Nothing to worry about, okay?
Easy to say, but...
I certainly know how to judge.
Well, you're not normal.
Hey, that wasn't a compliment.
Sorry.
But...
We can't force her.
You're right.
Sorry to push you so hard.
No, actually...
I r-really was happy you reached out to me.
I've wanted to be in a band for so long...
B-But I couldn't get the people together...
So I just upload covers to the internet instead.
What do you usually play?
I learnt every hit song from the past few years,
so my band could get started right away
That's awesome!
Not at all.
I mean, look at how things turned out.
Maybe I was never meant to be in a band.
Covering all popular songs?
She sounds like guitarhero-san!
Have you heard of her?
She's probably about our age, I think...
guitarhero...
[Guitar] Acid "Spring Snow" [Gave it a try]
Views: 1,012
Sorry I can't upload very often nowadays! There's just so much going on at high school! Next time I'll try a song I do all the time with my friends at karaoke!
10 comments Sort
M-Me?!
I'll send you a link if you haven't!
She's super awesome! You should hear her!
Awe... some?
She comes up in my recommendations a lot, so I've seen her too.
She really is excellent.
Right?!
Though her naming sense is a bit cringy...
It is?!
I follow her with notifications on!
I'd love to play with her some day!
You just did, actually...
Anyway, what I'm trying to say is
is that even awesome, popular people
must put in a lot of work where we can't see.
You should watch her later!
I think you'll get what I mean if you watch the videos.
I always figured real-life people didn't care about me at all...
Just because it didn't work out today doesn't mean you should just give up!
It could be that we're just kind of, you know.
Kind of what?
Hitori-chan?
Yet here's a kind person who's been watching all this time
and actually called out to the likes of me.
She stood up.
This miracle may never repeat itself.
I can't let it go to waste!
I... I'm...
D-Do you want to perform after all?
Hitori-chan?
I know all that, rationally...
But I'm still too scared...
Just facing the audience's gaze would...
If you're scared, you could play from in here.
Ripe Mangos
Th-This is just like my own setup at home!
Where exactly do you live?
Ripe Mangos
How you feelin' tonight, Shimo-Kita?!
She's suddenly more outgoing.
By the way, how do you want us to introduce you?
"Hitori-chan"? Should we use your real name?
I'd... I'd rather not...
Any nicknames, then?
In middle school, they called me "Hey" and "You there"...
I don't think those are nicknames!
I never knew anyone well enough to get nicknames from them!
Hitori...
Hitoribocchi (all alone)...
How about Bocchi-chan?
Another tactless comment!
I'm B-B-Bocchi!
She likes it?
It's just my first ever nickname...
This is making me teary-eyed.
Oh, you haven't told me your band name yet.
It's Kessoku Band.
Kessoku Band...
As in a "cable tie"?
It's impec-cable.
No, intolerable! We are so changing it!
Why? It's cute.
Yeah, I guess.
Band name aside, it's time to play!
Don't worry.
Even if you're not good, the key is to have fun!
Your feelings will show through your playing
R-Right...
We can always work on the skill part next time.
Yeah.
Next... time...
Okay, let's go!
Right.
Me... they're okay with my being there next time!
Nice to meet you! We're Kessoku Band!
We'll play a bunch of songs you probably know,
so please enjoy!
Who's that?
It feels terrible to not be at my usual best but..
playing in a band with other people is so much fun!
Today I'm shining like a star...
NOT!
In fact I may have even reached a new low!
Boy, I screwed up!
Your intro bombed, too.
E-Excuse me!
B-B-B...
What?
B-B-B-B-B...
Okay, you're freaking me out!
B-Before our next performance, I'll strive to be able to greet my classmates!
What kind of resolution is that!?
She's come so far.
Okay, I get it.
Sure!
Then let's have a Bocchi-chan welcome party- slash post-mortem!
Actually, I've had enough socializing for today. I'm going home.
Sorry. I'm sleepy.
P-Pardon me!
This cable tie's not holding anything together!
I'm gonna get over my social anxiety
and show them what I can do as Guitar Hero
For Nijika-chan,
Ryo-san,
and Kessoku Band's sake!
S-Sorry! Sorry!
#02 See You Tomorrow
Watch it!