A Bocchi the Rock! anime prequel movie focusing on a younger Seika and Nijika Ijichi has been announced. It’s subtitled Hoshi no Ashiato and is set to release in 2027.
An accompanying teaser visual depicts the siblings in the back of a car, with Nijika (Sayumi Suzushiro) casting a side glance at her older sister (Maaya Uchida). Meanwhile, a teaser video features the words, “The story of the ‘sisters’ dream,’ which began from a ‘separation.'”
The Bocchi the Rock! film is directed by Shin Wakabayashi (Wonder Egg Priority and 22/7 – The Diary of Our Days Episode 9, My Dress-Up Darling Episode 5 storyboard artist) at CloverWorks. It features character designs by Yukiko Horiguchi (K-On!, 22/7, the upcoming Devils’ Crest) and a script by Erika Yoshida (Bocchi the Rock! and Maebashi Witches series composer, the upcoming live-action The Apothecary Diaries series).
Other staff include:
• Stylist: Hiroaki Iriyama (“Anatanante.” music video)
• Color designer: Kazuko Nakashima (Wonder Egg Priority, The Elusive Samurai)
• Background art director: Yuki Funagakure (7FATES: CHAKHO, Virgin Punk: Clockwork Girl [co-credit])
• Compositing director: Yuya Sakuma (Horimiya and 7FATES: CHAKHO, Bocchi the Rock! live lighting director)
• Sound director: Akiko Fujita (Bocchi the Rock!)
• Graphic designer: Yuto Hama
The movie’s announcement comes amidst the production of Bocchi the Rock!‘s second season, which was announced last February with some staff changes. The anime are based on Aki Hamazi‘s Houbunsha-published 4-koma manga, which follows the socially anxious but skilled guitarist Hitori “Bocchi” Gotoh as she joins a band led by the cheery Nijika.
Aside from the teaser video and visual, a shikishi from Season 1’s director Keiichiro Saitou (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. – Regards co-director) and the first batch of advance movie tickets, featuring art by Horiguchi, were also unveiled:
The TV anime’s first season aired during the Fall 2022 anime season and was followed by two compilation movies in 2024. The manga started regular serialization in Manga Time Kirara MAX in 2018 (after debuting as a guest title in 2017) and has eight volumes as of 2025.
Source: @BTR_anime
