Two of Japan’s most recognizable pillars of soft power are, of course, J-Pop and anime, with Ado, YOASOBI, LiSA, Dragon Ball, and Neon Genesis Evangelion gaining global recognition in recent years. So, what happens when you combine the youthful and vibrant sounds of J-Pop with the free-flowing inventive styles of anime? Well, you end up with Bocchi the Rock! ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！ Serialized as a manga by publisher Houbunsha in 2017, the anime premiered in 2022, produced by CloverWorks of Spy x Family, The Promised Neverland, and My Dress-Up Darling fame.
Bocchi the Rock! follows the titular Hitori ‘Bocchi’ Gotoh, an introverted high-school girl who finds refuge, and eventually kinship, through her dedication to guitar-playing. The nickname Bocchi is derived from the Japanese term hitoribocchi (hitori = one person, bocchi = loneliness), which unfortunately denotes a rather lonesome individual. A pressing issue and social taboo in modern Japan, wherein younger people may become disillusioned with the rigid structure and limited prospects of working life, and thus distance themselves to avoid ridicule. This same mental affliction severely affects Bocchi during her formative middle and high-school years, for a lack of social interaction only contributes to a spiral of self-doubt and voluntary seclusion. Yet, after picking up her father’s guitar, Bocchi finds her calling and soon begins to excel musically. Initially limiting her exposure to just the digital realm, publishing videos under a pseudonym, Bocchi is eventually spotted by a fellow high-schooler in need of a guitar player, urging the pink-haired hero to join her group, Kessoku Band.
Bocchi the Rock! Real-Life Locations
Based in the music-bar and vintage clothing hub of Shimokitazawa, Kessoku Band operates out of Starry, a basement music venue modeled after Shimokitazawa’s real-life Shelter. Bocchi the Rock! anime does not just recreate Shimokitazawa; it replicates it with a 1:1 attention to detail with Shimokitazawa taking the metaphorical stage as a recent member of Japan’s anime pilgrimage lineup.
Shimokitazawa Station
Located a mere eight minutes from Shinjuku Station on the Odakyu Line, Shimokitazawa Station is your starting point for everything second-hand and music focused. The station recently played host to a Bocchi the Rock!-themed collaboration with the Odakyu Line, with cutouts of the characters being dotted along the route, alongside exclusive merchandise. Collaboration is an integral motif when discussing Bocchi the Rock!, as not only does the show promote the harmonies of teaming-up with your fellow peers and artists, but the property has been the subject of many a product collaboration since its debut. At the time of writing, and to celebrate the recent announcement of a second season, the team behind Bocchi the Rock! is currently working with Converse on a clothing and accessory line.
Shimo-Kitazawa Station
train station- 2 Chome-24-2 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan
- ★★★☆☆
Village Vanguard
The Shimokitazawa location of bookstore Village Vanguard appears during several scenes of the anime, as much like in real life, it is a popular hangout spot for students and tourists alike. Not wanting to let an opportunity pass by, this branch of Village Vanguard has become somewhat of a flagship store for Bocchi the Rock! merchandise, with uniformed characters promoting everything from manga volumes to plush figurines. The perfect stop for any fan wanting to pick up some themed goods, the store also welcomes photo-taking of its many Bocchi the Rock! decorations.
Village Vanguard Shimokitazawa
book store- Japan, 〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−10−15 マルシェ下北沢 １Ｆ
- ★★★★☆
Shelter
Established in 1991, long before the premiere of Bocchi the Rock!, music venue Shelter is a compact but atmospheric testament to Shimokitazawa’s rocking roots. This underground and grunge-like rock house plays the role of Kessoku Band’s home and hangout, and thus, is unsurprisingly a top-of-the-list destination for fans of the anime. Though please do keep in mind that Shelter is primarily a business, and not a painting that lives only to be photographed. Due to its popularity, the venue has had to bar the taking of photos if the customer is not attending a show. The solution? Support Shelter and support local artists. Buy a ticket to a gig, take some thematic photos, and rock out to one of Shimokitazawa’s finest offerings.
Shelter Shimokitazawa
point of interest- Japan, 〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−6−10 仙田商会仙田ビル B1
- ★★★★☆
Senrogai
The Senrogai is a prime example of maximizing utility. An outside public spot, this space frequently hosts small culinary festivals, pop-up restaurants, and food trucks. As a public space, the Senrogai is relatively new, only opening to businesses in 2020. A mainstay for the anime as a hangout spot for Kessoku Band, the space recently hosted a Bocchi the Rock!-themed café and store, incorporating songs from the show. A sign of a shifting Shimokitazawa, the Senrogai promotes modern business while buildings and murals from decades past loom overhead.
Shimokita Senrogai Open Space
tourist attraction- Japan, 〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−３３番１２号 付近 下北沢交番の隣
- ★★★★☆
Enoshima
In the ninth episode of season one, Kessoku Band take a day trip to Enoshima, located just west of Kamakura and around an hour from Shinjuku Station, again via the Odakyu Line. Renowned for its sea views and seafood, Enoshima is a popular destination for an escape from Tokyo, which is precisely why the band heads there to bond and de-stress. The Enoshima Sea Candle is a lighthouse that features an observation deck for visitors to catch panoramic views of the coastline, and if the sky is clear, a view of Mount Fuji. So, if the schedule allows, follow in the steps of the band by taking some time away from the supersonic speeds of Tokyo, and bask in the slower summer sun of Enoshima.
Enoshima
sublocality level 2- Enoshima, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-0036, Japan
- ☆☆☆☆☆
Shimokitazawa’s Ever-changing Image
When creating the anime adaptation of Bocchi the Rock!, the team at CloverWorks managed to not only capture the emotive intricacies of social anxiety and personal growth, but also capture a snapshot of a changing Shimokitazawa. Like much of modern Japan, this fashionable neighborhood is constantly warring internally, with a tug of war between the old and the new — with 90s grunge-inspired live houses and rock bars contesting with the more modern moe-infused cafés and clothing stores. But much like with the members of Kessoku Band, Shimokitazawa can be a prime example of compromise and co-operation within a rapidly shifting Tokyo.
The direct inspiration for Kessoku Band comes from Japanese alt-rock group Asian Kung-Fu Generation (with members of both bands sharing names), and much like the latter’s track World Apart, Shimokitazawa can indeed feel like two different towns. Though like any good band must learn to harmonize, Shimokitazawa must accept that co-existence is key.
A season one recap film of Bocchi the Rock! premiered in 2024, and an announcement for the production of season two was made in early 2025. In response to the cheers of the fans for one more song, it seems like Kessoku Band will be taking the stage for an encore!
