Nijika is Kessoku Band’s drummer, while her older sister Seika runs the live music venue STARRY. The new film goes back to their earlier lives and the events that led to STARRY’s creation.
The Ijichi sisters take the lead
It expands on the prequel story included at the end of volume five of Aki Hamaji’s manga. Hamaji says the idea came to her on the way home from a recording session for the first anime season. She wanted to explore the sisters’ past, glimpsed at the end of episode eight, and wrote the story of how STARRY came to be.
For viewers used to seeing Seika behind the counter and Nijika playing with her friends, the film will explore their lives before Hitori entered the picture. Hamaji also says Erika Yoshida’s screenplay has expanded the original manga story.
The team behind the new Bocchi the Rock! film
CloverWorks is handling the animation, with Shin Wakabayashi directing, Erika Yoshida writing the screenplay and Yukiko Horiguchi designing the characters. Wakabayashi previously directed Wonder Egg Priority, while Horiguchi’s character design credits include K-On!.
Maaya Uchida and Sayumi Suzushiro return as Seika and Nijika. In her comments about the film, Suzushiro recalls Nijika saying in season one that her sister was her only family. She says this story will give viewers a deeper understanding of the feelings behind those words.
Hoshi no Ashiato is a separate prequel project. A second television season has also been confirmed, so the film and the next TV season are distinct productions.
Advance tickets go on sale November 6
The first Mubitike advance tickets go on sale at participating Japanese cinemas and online on November 6, 2026, priced at ¥1,600 each including tax. There are two illustrated ticket designs, each accompanied by a sticker matching the ticket artwork. Stickers are available while supplies last, after which tickets will continue to be sold without the bonus.
The Japanese release is currently scheduled for 2027 without a specific date. A Vietnamese theatrical release has not been announced.
Sources: the official film website and the November 1, 2026 announcement. Images: Bocchi the Rock! project / Houbunsha / Aniplex. Checked November 2, 2026.
