| Overview |
- “My dream might come true soon...”
- ―Nijika Ijichi's character information
Nijika Ijichi (伊地知 虹夏 Ijichi Nijika) is one of the main characters in the manga and anime series Bocchi the Rock!. She is a second-year student of Shimokitazawa High School and is the drummer of Kessoku Band.
Character information[]
An energetic and cheerful second-year high school student. She is the drummer of Kessoku Band. The organizer of her band who takes care of Hitori was already joined Kessoku Band. She has an older sister, Seika, who is the manager of the live house "STARRY" and has a special feeling for the live house.[6]
Appearance[]
Nijika has long blonde hair with a floating, triangular ahoge worn in a side ponytail and vermilion eyes.
In her uniform, she wears a white long-sleeve uniform with a tucked skirt and red ribbon with big polka dots, a dark blue pleated skirt, white socks, and red sneakers with white laces.
Personality[]
Nijika is generally a kind, sweet and friendly girl. She is outgoing, yet also very accommodating and makes others feel at ease. She was exposed to band culture at an early age due to the influence of her older sister, Seika, who was once in a band and is now the manager of a live house, and is familiar with the music industry .
Nijika is selfless by nature and does her best to support others. Indeed, not only does she work at "STARRY" out of gratitude towards her older sister, but she also holds the group together and alongside Kita, helps Hitori overcome her social anxiety. She also makes an effort to keep her best friend, Ryo Yamada in check whenever she's up to no good.
Indeed, despite her kindness, Nijika can be a bit of a tsundere towards her sister due to her stern attitude, and also towards Ryo and Kikuri, who often annoy her with their antics.
She is good at designing, and produces the logo for Kessoku Band as well as their CD covers. She also edits the video footage of concerts to post online.
Nijika was a fan of "guitarhero", and eventually realizes that she was actually Hitori, but this makes her become more confident of achieving her dream. Until it was revealed to everyone by Poison♡Yami, she kept it a secret from other members. Although she has her limits with Bocchi as of late due to the latter's self esteem where she felt that Bocchi needs to grow a spine.
Plot[]
History[]
Originally she was under the care of her mother who used to dote on her. Her sister, Seika also used to play a lot with her. However after Seika formed a band, she ended up neglecting her family and ultimately left the house, which made Nijika sad and angry. As a result, she came to hate bands because she felt they stole her sister from her. Her mother was the only one taking care of her at this point.
However, her mother died in an accident, and Nijika, worried that nobody would care of her after that, refused to go outside or even go to school, which concerned her father. He urged Seika return home to take care of her. Seika, realizing her mistakes, finally decided to spend more time with Nijika. She later brought Nijika to see her band perform in a live house. After seeing their performance, Nijika reopened her heart to her sister and was inspired to play music. Although compared to the guitar, she prefers drums because they look cooler.[7]
This also led Seika to quit her band and establish STARRY, where they started to live and work. Seeing that her sister had sacrificed a lot and that she wanted to become better at drumming, she was determined to form a band herself. She managed to recruit her classmate, Ryo Yamada, and subsequently a certain guitar-vocalist, who shortly afterwards, would abruptly quit.
Volume 1[]
Nijika met a girl in a pink tracksuit in a certain playground, and approached her after noticing her guitar. She asked if she could fill in for her guitarist who ran off. The girl was startled by her presence and was in a panic, but Nijika managed to introduce herself and convey her request to the girl, to which she reluctantly agreed.
Nijika then brought the girl to STARRY, and introduced her to Ryo who had already arrived. She and Ryo talked with the girl to get to know her a bit more, who then introduced herself as Hitori Gotoh. Nijika hesitantly agreed with Ryo's proposed nickname "Bocchi(-chan)". She also commented about the band name, which is a terrible pun. They later had a live session together and Bocchi officially joined the band.
Meeting again at STARRY, Nijika initiates topics of conversation by playing dice. They discuss their favorite songs (in which she mentioned liking melodic hardcore and punk rock), school, and especially about the band. She explained to Bocchi about the quota system, and how they really need money in order to perform. She suggested working part time to Bocchi which throws her again in a state of panic, so she offered Bocchi to work with them together in STARRY. Come Bocchi's first day on the job, she helped Bocchi by showing her the ropes. She was satisfied by Bocchi's work despite all her mistakes, but as long as Bocchi could overcome her current state step by step, she was already happy enough.
One day, she got a message from Bocchi to "dance wildly with an energy drink on her hand" in an attempt to make the live house looks more lively for a certain guest. Nijika bought a lot of energy drinks for that, only to notice that Bocchi brought Kita - the runaway guitar-vocalist of the band. Kita apologized for her abrupt departure and explained her reason, but Nijika had no trouble with her.
In order to promote the band, Nijika suggested the band shoot a professional photograph outside. After multiple suggestions of the kind of photo they wanted, they decided to do the "jump style" where according to Ryo, it is a powerful shot for an anime. She felt a "youth sensation" with that style and felt optimistic for the band's future.
Nijika asked about the band's next live only to be rejected by Seika, who explained that the band would need to pass an audition in order to perform. They did so, and passed, allowing them to hold their first live Afterward, Nijika and Kita went to Bocchi's house to visit and talk about the band, where they met Bocchi's little sister, Futari, and noted how different she and her sister were. They tried to design T-shirts for Kessoku Band. However, they weren't able to come to a consensus, and opted for a basic shirt with the band's logo instead.
On the day of the live, they were hampered by a rainstorm, which resulted in a low turnout from their ticket buyers. Nijika and Kita tried to cheer up the somber mood in the house during the MC session to no avail. Everything went wrong until Bocchi stepped up with her solo, which brought the band's spirits up, giving them the boost they needed to perform better. After the celebratory feast at an izakaya, Nijika reveals to Bocchi that she realized her identity as "guitarhero. She also give Bocchi her title "Bocchi the Rock".
Relationships[]
Hitori Gotoh[]
Nijika is a long-time GuitarHero OTube fan and subscriber, but was unaware of the fact that Bocchi is GuitarHero when she recruited her. She approached Bocchi in a playground to play guitar for Kessoku Band after their guitarist/vocalist ditched on short notice. Nijika encouraged Bocchi to join the band, do band activities, and work part-time in STARRY. She realized Bocchi is GuitarHero after their first live show in STARRY, she expressed her gratitude for Bocchi that night for saving the band every time they were in a bind. Nijika witnessed Bocchi play without a crowd and recognized her skill as something of professional level and out of Kessoku Band's league at that moment, which motivated her to work harder to not be a baggage to Bocchi. She respected Bocchi's wish to keep her OTube identity a secret to make her comfortable, and when Poison♡Yami attempted to reveal Bocchi's identity, Nijika tried to defend her until Bocchi ultimately gave in and allowed other to know she is Guitarhero. Nijika called her "Hitori-chan" when they first met but now calls her "Bocchi-chan" ever since Ryo suggested it. Currently, Nijika reads Bocchi as someone not above lying or running away and frankly calls out bad behaviors, but trusts her judgement in high-stake situations and recognizes Bocchi's attempts at showing care for her.
Nijika establishes herself as a trustworthy friend towards Bocchi, as well as a good leader of Kessoku Band. She always helps to deal with her anxiety shenanigans, and is always the one devising plans to improve Bocchi's social anxiety. There are many examples of this, like having her working part time together in STARRY, or being the one that suggested to visit her house. In fact, Nijika is viewed as the main reason why Bocchi managed to get out from her shell and perform in a band. When Nijika finally discovered Bocchi is GuitarHero, she cared more about how to make Bocchi comfortable with that fact and not too sensitive towards it. Most of the time, Nijika always try to coax Bocchi out of her shell if she wants to contribute to the band while defending Bocchi from Kikuri, who always bother Bocchi by invading her personal space, and Ryo, who always borrowed Bocchi's money. Nijika initially called her
Ryo Yamada[]
Nijika and Ryo have known each other since grade school, but Nijika only initiated talking to Ryo after her ill-received solo performance in their cultural festival. During their conversation, Ryo revealed she was already part of a band named Hamukitasu. Due to their love for music, their friendship continued to grow and Nijika would support Ryo's band and musical endeavors by attending her shows. Nijika believes music is where Ryo shines best.
In high school, Ryo decided to quit Hamukitasu and give up on music, but Nijika invited her to play bass for her and start a new band which eventually became Kessoku Band. Niijika often lets Ryo stay over in her household, frequently enough that most items in her room are Ryo's belongings (like clothes, mangas, and other trinkets). Currently, Nijika attends Houdai University, and Ryo is kicked out from her home and resides in a small apartment unit inside the Saitama region.
Despite all the troubles Ryo caused her, their relationship remains good and close, so close that even Ryo cannot stand being alone from her, and be the one that has her easily give a smile when talking. In most cases, Nijika is always ready to call Ryo a leech for borrowing Bocchi's money too many times and for using a quick rich scheme that she will chastise Ryo. Nijika refers to Ryo as "Ryo," and settles for "Yamada" when she is mad.
Yoyoko Ohtsuki[]
Kessoku Band was introduced to SIDEROS during a gig at FOLT brought to them by Kikuri Hiroi. Nijika initially thought Yoyoko was judging them, but Akubi explained that she is nicer than she seems. Both bands are acquainted and get to know each other better during the Mikakunin Riot campaign. Nijika and Yoyoko attended the same driving school after Mikakunin Riot with the intent of driving their bands for tours, both have passed and have their driver's license. Currently, they both attend Houdai University as college mates and frequently hang out with each other.
Despite sometimes being exasperated with how she communicates, Nijika looks up to Yoyoko and relies on her advice for college and for other things. Meanwhile, Yoyoko evidently wants to hang out with Nijika in college and band activities, but is very indirect with her intents and communicates it in roundabout ways which go over Nijika's head and her bigger requests end up getting overlooked. Nijika refers to Yoyoko with her last name ("Ohtsuki-san").
Seika Ijichi[]
Nijika has a complicated but loving relationship with her older sister, Seika. Seika has a rough way of communicating which Nijika often complains about, but she also acts as Nijika's guardian in lieu of their parents' absence. In return, Nijika shows her affection in minor and major ways, she handles much of the household chores and sets surprises for Seika on her birthdays. Nijika continually updates Seika regarding their band activities and Seika gives her advice moving forward without spoiling her.
Growing up, Nijika and Seika were often at odds with each other due to their 12-year age gap, with Seika's rebellious nature and Nijika's childish nature clashing. Due to the death of their mother, Seika's running away from home, and their father being at work, Nijika was often left alone at home as a kid. After some time, this realization made Seika decide to stick by Nijika's side. Nijika's fondness for bands was nurtured because Seika would bring her to her live shows, this inspired Seika to quit her band and start a live house which eventually became STARRY.
Kikuri Hiroi[]
After Kessoku Band's first live performance in STARRY, Kikuri starts to frequenting the Ijichi's household to use their shower (because her apartment unit doesn't have one). Nijika is generally cold to Kikuri due to her drunk habits but, due to her considerate nature, has a soft spot for her and helps regardless, like helping her walk on their way to FOLT and serving her food after accompanying them to a temple on New Year's Day. Kikuri tends to refer to Nijika as "imouto-chan" or along the lines of "Seika's little sister" while Nijika calls her by her last name ("Hiroi").
Name origin[]
- The name Nijika means "rainbow" (虹 niji) and "summer" (夏 ka).
- Nijika's surname Ijichi means "that" (伊 i), "earth, ground" (地 ji) and "know, wisdom" (知 chi).
Trivia[]
- Her surname is derived from Kiyoshi Ijichi.
- Her birthday, May 29 (5/29) is a reverse reading of his birthday, September 25 (9/25).
- Her drum kit is a "Tama Imperialstar 22" Vintage Red with port hole and a black "Pearl Chad Smith Signature Snare Drum".
- She likes melodic hardcore and Japanese punk rock songs.[8]
- She claims to not be good at singing.[9]
- She is the only member of Kessoku Band who doesn't play a string instrument, and she sometimes feels left out because of that.
- Her ahoge has been affectionately called a "Dorito" by the fanbase due to its shape.
- She always keeps her ribbon (given to her by Seika[10]) with her. Often wearing it as a bow around her neck or as an accessory.
- Her chat head icon is her ahoge.[11]
References[]
- ↑ Bocchi the Rock! manga - Volume 2, chapter 21, page 78
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Bocchi the Rock!" TV Animation Official Guidebook -COMPLEX-
- ↑ Volume 1 purchase bonus 4p from the official setting document collection (booklet).
- ↑ Bocchi the Rock! manga - Volume 7, chapter 75
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bocchi the Rock! manga - Volume 1, chapter 13, page 117
- ↑ Translated from the official website.
- ↑ Bocchi the Rock! manga - Volume 5, chapter 61
- ↑ Bocchi the Rock! manga - Volume 1, chapter 3, page 27
- ↑ Bocchi the Rock! manga - Volume 1, chapter 3, page 28
- ↑ Bocchi the Rock! manga - Volume 5, chapter 61, page 188
- ↑ Bocchi the Rock! manga - Volume 2, chapter 14
| Kessoku Band |
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|---|---|
| SICK HACK | |
| SIDEROS | |
| STARRY | |
| Others | |
| Relatives | |