"Not Another One-Punch Man": Why Bocchi the Rock! Season 2 Is Already Sparking Big Concern
At long last, Bocchi the Rock!has finally been greenlit for a second season. Despite how short season 1 was, it undoubtedly exploded in popularity to become one of the biggest anime of the decade, so hearing that the anime is finally coming back is nothing but a blessing for old and new fans alike.
As exciting as Bocchi the Rock! season 2, there’s been a surprising amount of concern from fans. While not much is currently known about season 2’s production, there’s already been a notable staff change announced for season 2, and with it, fans are expressing concern for Bocchi the Rock! season 2 to the point of comparing it to One-Punch Man season 2, one of the most divisive productions in modern anime. Those concerns are undoubtedly premature and largely unfounded, but even so, it’s easy to see why people would have them, in the first place.
Why Fans Are Worried About Bocchi The Rock! Season 2 (& Why They’re Comparing It To One-Punch Man)
Is Bocchi The Rock! Going To Be Another One-Punch Man?
The reason why fans are already worried about Bocchi the Rock! season 2 stems from its director. Season 1 owed much of its identity to the creative and all-around gorgeous animation of its director, Keiichiro Saito, who’s since gone on to direct Madhouse’s Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and in a surprise announcement, Keiichiro Saito has been confirmed to not be directing Bocchi the Rock! season 2. According to an interview with Saito, he had no desire to return for season 2 since the increased focus on music would be too challenging, and as understandable as that is, it’s nonetheless disappointing.
The change in directors is the biggest reason why people are comparing Bocchi the Rock! to One-Punch Man. One-Punch Man season 2 had a major change in staff, going from being produced by Madhouse to J.C.Staff and much of the principal staff not returning, most notably with season 1 director Shingo Natsume being replaced with Chikara Sakurai, and with how steep the drop in quality from season 1 to season 2 was, Bocchi the Rock! losing its original director for season 2 has fans worried it will have a similar drop in quality as One-Punch Man season 2.
Why No One Needs To Be Worried About Bocchi The Rock! Season 2
Bocchi The Rock! Season 2 Still Has Plenty Going For It
As understandable as people’s concerns over Bocchi the Rock! season 2 are, they should ultimately be for naught. As disappointing as Keiichiro Saito’s departure is, Yusuke Yamamoto worked as his assistant director in season 1 and was even responsible for much of the key animation throughout the series, including that of the opening theme song. Bocchi the Rock! season 2 probably has one of the people most qualified to continue Keiichiro Saito’s legacy in Yusuke Yamamoto, so there shouldn’t be as severe a drop in quality as with One-Punch Man, if there will even be one at all.
The staff is another reason why there’s no cause for concern. While One-Punch Man couldn’t retain most of its staff for season 2 to the point of having to change studios, Bocchi the Rock! has retained key animator Keito Oda and is still being produced by CloverWorks, so Bocchi the Rock! season 2 should retain enough key staff members to avoid the same pitfalls as One-Punch Man season 2. Bocchi the Rock! not being an action-heavy show will also make things easier, and hopefully, it won’t be long before all comparisons to One-Punch Man are completely gone.
Source: Aniplex's official YouTube channel.
One-Punch Man
- Release Date
- October 5, 2015
- Directors
- Shingo Natsume, Chikara Sakurai
- Writers
- Tomohiro Suzuki
- Franchise(s)
- One-Punch Man
Cast
Makoto Furukawa- Kaito Ishikawa
- Creator(s)
- ONE
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
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