Bocchi the Rock! is getting a new film titled Bocchi the Rock! Hoshi no Ashiato which is scheduled to hit theaters in 2027. Rather than a compilation film, it is a prequel story focusing on Nijika Ijichi and her older sister, Seika.
As reported by Anime News Network, the story is adapted from a special chapter at the end of volume 5 of Aki Hamaji’s manga.
Synopsis
“Before Kessoku Band was formed, this is the story of two sisters’ dream that began with a farewell.”
The film adapts “Hoshi ni Tamukeru Ai no Hana,” the special chapter at the end of volume 5 of the manga Bocchi the Rock!. This time, Seika Ijichi, Nijika’s older sister and the manager of the live house STARRY, takes the lead role.
According to Aki Hamaji, the idea for the story came to her on the way home from a voice recording session for the first anime season. She wanted to fill in the sisters’ past glimpsed at the end of episode 8 and trace their path up to the founding of STARRY.
Production Staff
The film is directed by Shin Wakabayashi (Wonder Egg Priority), with character designs by Yukiko Horiguchi (K-On!) and a screenplay by Erika Yoshida. Here is the staff announced so far:
- Original Work: Aki Hamaji
- Director: Shin Wakabayashi
- Screenplay: Erika Yoshida
- Character Design: Yukiko Horiguchi
- Stylist: Hiroaki Iriyama
- Color Design: Kazuko Nakashima
- Art Director: Yuki Funagakure
- Director of Photography: Yuya Sakuma
- Editing: Daisuke Hiraki
- Sound Director: Akiko Fujita
- Graphic Design: Yuto Hama
- Animation Production: CloverWorks
For the voice cast, two actors from the anime return as the Ijichi sisters:
- Seika Ijichi: Maaya Uchida
- Nijika Ijichi: Sayumi Suzushiro
Director Shin Wakabayashi also shared his thoughts on the story:
“The original story is a tale of dreams and secrets. Within it, what guides Seika is the power of wishing. ‘Wishing’ can look like a last-ditch effort when we can’t ‘act.’ Compared with ‘acting,’ ‘wishing’ is a weak choice because it involves no action, and it should be obvious which one is more committed to results. Yet reading this story, I feel it was ‘wishing’ that made the greatest contribution to Seika and Nijika. I find that part very interesting and captivating, and I want to keep that appeal in the film.”
About Bocchi the Rock!
Bocchi the Rock! is a four-panel manga by Aki Hamaji serialized in Manga Time Kirara MAX since December 2017, and it is still ongoing. The TV anime aired in October 2022, followed by two compilation films, Re: and Re:Re:, in 2024. A second season of the TV anime is also in production.
You can follow the latest news about the film on the official Bocchi the Rock! Hoshi no Ashiato website.
If you’re curious about the STARRY manager’s past, this film will be a chance to get to know Seika better. In the meantime, you can watch the first teaser trailer below.
[Teaser] Bocchi the Rock! Hoshi no Ashiato Set for 2027 Release!
