Bocchi the Rock Ch. 79 Review - Parallel Pairing

Written by Rei Caldombra 8/9/2024 Video: https://youtu.be/3n1u74QPxuk

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This chapter starts the CD release party, properly introducing us to the genki gyaru that is Warabi!

I really want to focus on Warabi and Ame and how they parallel Bocchi and Kita as pairings, so I will not be talking a lot about the minor beats of this chapter. Kessoku Band is brought backstage for the CD release event that the last few chapters have been building up to where they meet Warabi. After some talking, she heads on stage to get the party started. We end with Bocchi bumping into Ame, who did end up coming to the event. Good job on successfully enticing her here Bocchi!

Bocchi the Rock has always had great character design, and Warabi fits right in. Don’t worry, like most Bocchi the Rock characters she is a total weirdo too. She has a split-dye hair design, with half black and half white. This is new for the series and fits with the more unique and modern designs in BTR. The split hair creates symmetry while separating the two colored halves, but also has an asymmetrical element with the earrings close to the hair. Her hair is perfectly half black and half white, but both earrings are black rather than one being white. I believe the black and white is meant to represent how the darker tonal music she sings, represented by black, is contrasted by her bright and positive personality, represented by white. Perhaps both her earrings being black are meant to represent that side of her being the more well-known side. Or it could be that her upbeat personality is a front, and deep down she is more gloomy like the songs she sings.

I’m a big fan of asymmetry in character design and think it helps make characters more distinct and convey more personality, even in a minor way. I added asymmetry in my vtuber design by having an ear clamp on only 1 ear and 1 of my 4 horns be chipped.

Let’s get deeper into her personality and how that fits in with the other characters. Warabi is upbeat, trendy, and quick to act close. She fits strongly into the gyaru type. She is very direct and speaks with a lot of slang.

Bocchi can you please not remind me of the cringe we used to say?

Together with Ame they form a pair representing Klimnt’s Night. We have a negative, awkward introvert and a positive, friendly extrovert. Does that dynamic sound familiar? This pairing matches Bocchi and Kita. In the previous two chapters, I talked extensively about how Ame parallels Bocchi at the beginning of the series. Ame is a perpetually online shut-in who has severe social anxiety that results in her overcompensating through ridiculous acts in an attempt to seem normal. I don’t think they are intending to do something similar with Warabi and Kita, but the parallels between them are clear. They are both trendy, energetic girls who react to everything with positivity and have an awkward girl they want to bring out of their shell. But they still have distinct differences that keep them from feeling like the same character like they did with Ame. Warabi is a gyaru while Kita is not. Kita does not use any slang that I am aware of. Kita is also not quick to give nicknames, demonstrating how they view closeness differently. Kita took until after the school concert before she shifted from Gotoh to Hitori. Warabi immediately started using nicknames after meeting Kessoku Band. With Kita we have seen her positive outlook get broken down, such as when she was fighting with her Mom. Kita is also not as direct as Warabi, often beating around the bush about criticizing people. Like with Ame and Bocchi, they have enough similarities that they work as parallels without feeling too repetitive and bringing their own substance and vibe.

Bocchi is motivated right now by wanting Ame to see the crowd of fans. Showing how much more proactive she is now, she goes out to look for Ame. This also shows Bocchi being more positive, not assuming that she failed to attract Ame and that she would not show up.

Bocchi offering her autograph successfully attracting Ame rather than the other reasons is a good joke, but it also serves to show how Ame does not see what is right in front of her. Bocchi has learned to better recognize her self-worth, but Ame is still going through this. Through the support of her friends and fans that she got in person, she grew to be more confident.

Warabi seems to get this issue, saying that Ame doesn’t see the fans who love her when she is cooped up inside. Bocchi also recognizes that seeing the Klimnt’s Night fans will help her deal with her internal struggle. Bocchi already learned that she needs to face the crowd to improve and become the more confident and capable person she wants to be. When Bocchi got cheered for during her street performance with Kikuri, she recognized that people weren’t out to get her. But Ame still has that negative perspective on people, as we saw in the previous chapter where she was paranoid after hearing there were some negative comments about her. If Ame can see this crowd of real people who love her music, she may be able to push through her negative self-talk. I like Ame as a character and how strongly she showcases Bocchi’s growth.

Warabi also gets at the recurring theme of people inspiring and uplifting each other, and wanting to show that gratitude. She says that Ame gave her the chance the be a star. She wants to convey to Ame her thanks by showing her the fans who love her work and the singer that she inspired with her music. Kita and Bocchi also have this dynamic, wanting to show their appreciation for each other’s support.

I’m proud of myself for conjuring the perfect shot of Bocchi and Kita from the anime in my mind for this comparison. I love this scene, it’s a beautiful moment for their bond.

Bocchi and Kita have had a lot of time to get to know each other and grow together, breaking down the walls they had set. But Ame and Warabi have not, only having met once with a figurative and literal wall between them despite all the work they’ve done together. Also note that Ame and Warabi are not making direct eye contact, while in the above photo Bocchi and Kita are looking directly at each other.

Warabi wants to break down this wall during the concert. We had a lot about Warabi conveyed in this one chapter, both with her personality and how she plays off the other characters. Warabi is a great new character, having an interesting design and bringing a fun new extrovert into the fray. With Ame successfully being brought to the event, I have high hopes that we will have a very sweet next chapter with both Bocchi and Warabi aiming to help Ame in their own way. Thank you for reading!

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