The Unforgettable Chemistry Between Anime, Music and Characters - Interview to ”Bocchi the Rock!” voice actresses, Yoshino Aoyama and Saku Mizuno.
Here is another interview series of The TV animation, “Bocchi the Rock!”. Yoshino Aoyama voiced the guitarist Hitori Goto, and Saku Mizuno voiced the bassist Ryo Yamada, they are the casts that gave life to the world of “Bocchi the Rock!”. The duo wrote lyrics and composed music for the band "Kessoku Band," which appeared in this animation, and this time we had a photo shoot under the image of “Kessoku Band”. Check out the unique images of Aoyama and Mizuno in the grunge version, as well as their abundant talk about their love for “Bocchi the Rock!”
Response from Overseas Fans
—The response from the audiences of this animation series has been tremendous even now, after the last episode is over. How do you feel about it now frankly?
Aoyama: Many people told me that they were watching the anime while it was airing, but now that it's over, I feel that they are EVEN MORE excited about it. I think this is because the Kessoku Band album ("Kessoku Band") was released, along with the Blu-ray and DVD. When I saw the album reaching No. 1 on the music chart, I realized for the first time that so many people were watching and listening to this album. It made me think that "Bocchi the Rock! " is the center of popular trends.
Mizuno: Since the album came out, we have heard not only "I saw the animation" but also "I bought the album of Kessoku Band". We also found that Kessoku Band has been ranked in the distribution charts and karaoke rankings. I am extremely happy to be able to feel the response from the audience directly.
—There are also good comments from overseas on YouTube, aren't there?
Aoyama: Yes, there are, and the number of comments from overseas on Instagram has also increased significantly.
Mizuno: Yes, there has been an increase.
Aoyama: Even if I’m not so good at English, I feel that they like this animation very much judging. It's funny because even overseas they keep the original title "Bocchi the Rock! (BOCCHI ZA ROKKU)'' It's interesting, isn't it? It is strange that BOCCHI-chan has become a character that is accepted overseas as well. The word "BOCCHI" does not mean just being “alone”. It is a word with a strong sense of “loneliness”. I am looking forward to seeing if the word "Bocchi'' will become a meme overseas in the future (laughs).
Mizuno: That makes me even happier!
Aoyama: I wouldn't feel good if someone pointed at me and said "BOCCHI" (laughs). But I didn't think such a new culture would be born from "Bocchi the Rock!”, so now I’m proud of myself that I’m a part of the new culture.
Mizuno: My friend told me that "Bocchi the Rock!” was ranked No. 1 in the anime ranking on an overseas website. I like Western music, and although I don't understand all the lyrics, I listen to it because the music is cool. In the same way, people from overseas who haven't watched the animation of "Bocchi the Rock!” but who just listened to the music of the animation and they enjoyed it. I think that is even better. When I think about it, I feel that the power of music is amazing.
— In English, there is another word for "Geek," but it is a bit difficult to explain the concept of "INKYA (introvert)” to people overseas.
Aoyama: It is unique to Japan, isn't it? Things like a Japanese style closet, Oshi-Ire, are part of Japanese culture. I feel that this animation has somehow led to the spread of the concept of Japanese culture.
Mizuno: Cup Sake (the sake which is in a cup and sold at the vending machine) is also a part of this culture you mentioned, right? (laughs).
Aoyama: Indeed. There is a bottleneck technique (in guitar), but I don't think there has ever been Cup-Sake technique in the past.
Mizuno: There is no such thing (laughs).
Aoyama: I wonder if people overseas play guitar with a Smirnoff Vodka bottle.
Mizuno: That's cool though (laughs).
Aoyama: It makes it more fashionable, doesn't it? (laughs).
Mizuno: Some foreigners might buy "Onikoroshi (the brand name of Sake in the animation) " as a souvenir from Japan in the future.
Aoyama: Ah, indeed! I hope they like it.
