Anime
Bocchi the Rock!: Prequel Movie Set to Premiere in Japan in 2027
The Ijichi sisters take center stage before the formation of Kessoku Band; CloverWorks unveils a first teaser visual.
A new anime feature film, "Bocchi the Rock! Hoshi no Ashiato", has been announced for 2027. Unlike the two compilation films from 2024, the production tells a standalone prequel story about Seika Ijichi and her younger sister Nijika. An official teaser visual and a first announcement video were released on November 1, 2026.
Seika and Nijika before the Formation of Kessoku Band
The story is set ten years before the familiar events. The starting point is a separation between the two sisters, whose shared dream ultimately leads to the creation of the STARRY live club. Seika, the club's future operator, is this time at the center of the story. Nijika is the drummer of Kessoku Band in the TV series.
The source material is the special story "Hoshi ni Tamukeru Ai no Hana" from volume 5 of Aki Hamaji's manga. In her official commentary, the author explains that she wanted to further develop the sisters' past, which ends with the eighth anime episode. The film picks up this story and expands it into a feature-length work.
This video will only connect to YouTube once you play it.
CloverWorks Confirms Team and Cast
Shin Wakabayashi is directing. The screenplay is written by Erika Yoshida, who was already involved in the first TV season. Yukiko Horiguchi is responsible for the character design, while CloverWorks is producing the animation. The studio is also involved in other announced film projects, including Pokémon: Wildcard and the anime anthology GROTESQQQUE.
Maaya Uchida will once again voice Seika Ijichi, and Sayumi Suzushiro returns as Nijika. ANIMEC is handling the Japanese distribution. A specific premiere date and a release in Germany have not yet been announced.
Second TV Season Remains a Separate Project
The new prequel is not the same as the already announced second TV season. The existing series first aired in 2022, followed by two feature films that summarized the events of the first season. In parallel with the film announcement, Kessoku Band presented the concert series "ASIA TOUR 2027 – To Asia." Four performances are planned in three cities: on March 13 and 14, 2027 at Hall 5 of INTEX Osaka, on May 8, 2027 at KINTEX in Seoul, and on May 22, 2027 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong.
Yoshino Aoyama, Sayumi Suzushiro, Saku Mizuno and Ikumi Hasegawa will take the stage on the tour. The backing band consists of guitarists Ritsuo Mitsui and akkin, drummer Osamu Hidai and bassist Yuichi Takama. In Osaka, the first concert begins at 6 p.m., and the second at 1 p.m. Japan local time. The official tour website collects event and ticket information.