BOCCHI THE ROCK!

Hitori Gotoh is an intensely shy high schooler who dreams of being in a band but can barely speak up in class. She practices guitar alone, imagining flawless performances while real social moments leave her frozen. When a chance places her as the guitarist in a fledgling group, Hitori is pushed out of her comfort zone by more outgoing bandmates and awkward rehearsals. The series traces her small wins and comic mishaps as she learns to perform, form friendships and test her limits through music, with her inner monologues and exaggerated daydreams supplying much of the show's humor and heart.

Released in 2022, the anime was created by Erika Yoshida and Aki Hamazi. It features Yoshino Aoyama, Sayumi Suzushiro, Saku Mizuno and Ikumi Hasegawa as the main voices, and its music-forward episodes helped the show stand out early on.

It didn't sweep major international awards, but the series attracted strong fan support and featured in many seasonal discussions and anime community roundups for its characters and soundtrack. It boosted the profiles of its voice actors and musicians widely.

Online conversation around the show grew fast, with fans sharing clips, covers and artwork. Many viewers connected with Hitori's awkward honesty, and the series sparked renewed interest in guitar learning and indie-style band stories among younger audiences. Its catchphrases and visual gags spread widely on social platforms.

Audiences rated it highly, averaging 8.341 out of 10 from 198 votes, praising its blend of comedy and slice-of-life moments. Viewers often highlighted the animation, soundtrack and voice performances, while themes like social anxiety, creative ambition and friendship drive the emotional core, and it remains popular with fans.