Bakumatsu Rock

Bakumatsu Rock

Cover of the video game
幕末Rock
Genre Adventure, Rhythm game
Game
Developer Marvelous AQL
Publisher Marvelous AQL
Platform PlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP February 27, 2014
Manga
Bakumatsu Rock -howling soul-
Written by Shinshu Ueda
Published by Ichijinsha
Demographic Josei
Magazine Monthly Comic Zero Sum
Original run March 28, 2014 – ongoing
Anime television series
Samurai Jam -Bakumatsu Rock-
Directed by Itsuro Kawasaki
Written by Mitsutaka Hirota
Studio Studio Deen
Licensed by
Sentai Filmworks
Network Tokyo MX
English network
Original run July 2, 2014 – September 17, 2014
Episodes 12
Game
Bakumatsu Rock: Ultra Soul
Developer Marvelous AQL
Publisher Mavelous AQL
Platform PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Vita
Released
  • JP September 25, 2014

Bakumatsu Rock (Japanese: 幕末Rock) is a Japanese video game by Marvelous AQL. It was adapted into a manga series, Bakumatsu Rock -howling soul-, that began on March 28, 2014 and into an anime television series, Samurai Jam -Bakumatsu Rock-, that premiered on July 2, 2014.[1][2][3][4] The anime is streamed on Crunchyroll.[5] Another game, Bakumatsu Rock: Ultra Soul, was released on September 25, 2014.[6]

Story

The story is set in the Bakumatsu era, at the end of the shoguns' rule over Japan in the middle of the 19th century. The Tokugawa shogunate uses the brainwashing Heaven's Songs by the top idols in Shinsengumi to subjugate the country and its people. In this Japan, writing or singing any songs besides the Heaven's Songs is a capital offense. Ryōma Sakamoto and the other rockers rise up and change the world with rock 'n' roll for freedom and justice.

Characters

Voiced by: Kishō Taniyama
The lead singer and guitarist of the group, his dream is to become a famous rocker and spread rock throughout Japan. During the day, he works at the local pizzeria, "Albergo di Terada". The electric guitar he carries around was given to him by Shoin Yoshida, who believed the Ryōma possesses a "Peace Soul".
Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki
One of Shoin's disciples, he plays bass guitar in the group. While he and Kogorō were on a search for their master, Shoin Yoshida, they met Ryōma and started a band. He is nicknamed "Cindy" by Ryōma. He is known for his sour face and unfriendly disposition.
Voiced by: Showtaro Morikubo
One of Shoin's disciples, he plays drums in the group. While he and Shinsaku were on a search for their master, Shoin Yoshida, they met Ryōma and started a band. He is nicknamed "Sensei" by Ryōma. He is known as a patient, mature and knowledgeable person. His special skill is inventing.
Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa
A member of the Shinsengumi. He has served as both a director and a backup guitarist. He is known as a skilled swordsman. A proponent of "Heaven's Song".
Voiced by: Kensho Ono
The top member of the Shinsengumi. He is seen playing both the guitar and the keyboard. While publicly a kind and charming idol, in private he thinks of his fans as "worthless creatures." A proponent of "Heaven's Song".
Voiced by: Hiroki Yasumoto
He has worked for the Tokugawa family for many generations, and currently serves Yoshinobu. His main goal is to collect all five "Peace Souls" to enhance his magical powers.
Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga
The fifteenth head of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He was born with the talent of "Heaven's Song"
Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara
Director of the Tokugawa Shogunate. In the past he was in an idol band, but withdrew and is now supporting the Shinsengumi as a general producer. He is known as a big brother that everyone can rely on.

Reception

On Anime News Network, Hope Chapman, Carl Kimlinger and Rebecca Silverman gave the first episode of the anime a rating of 2 out of 5 and Theron Martin gave it a rating of 3.5 out of 5.[7]

Episode list

No. Title Release date
1 "Peace Soul! Let’s Rock!"
"Pīsunsoru! Rōkuyaruzeyo!" (ピースソウル! ロックやるぜよ!) 		July 2, 2014
2 "Top Idol! Rampage at a Concert!"
"Tōpuidoru! Raibudeboreruzeyo!" (トップアイドル! ライブで暴れるぜよ!) 		July 9, 2014
3 "Passion! Let’s Work!"
"Passhon! Baitosuruzeyo!" (パッション! バイトするぜよ!) 		July 16, 2014
4 "Bath Concert! Let’s Get Passionate Naked!"
"Basuraibu! Hadakadepasshonzeyo!" (バスライブ! 裸でパッションぜよ!) 		July 23, 2014
5 "Peaceful! Heaven’s Song is Wild!"
"Pīsufuru! Hebenzusonguyabaizeyo!" (ピースフル! ヘブンズソングヤバいぜよ) 		July 30, 2014
6 "Royal Concert! Rocker’s Hearts are Moved to Tears!"
"Roiyarukonsēto! Shishinofugakokuseruzeyo!" (ロイヤルコンサート! 志士の心が哭けるぜよ!) 		August 6, 2014
7 "Rocker’s! Let’s Form a Band!"
"Rokkā! Bandokumimuzeyo!" (ロッカー! バンド組むぜよ!) 		August 13, 2014
8 "Dark Cherries! Death to Rock"
"Dākucherīzu! Rokkushisubeshi!" (ダークチェリーズ! ロック死すべし!) 		August 20, 2014
9 "Mask the Rocker! The Soul is Important!"
"Masuku·de·Rokkā! Sourugadaijizeyo!" (マスク・ザ・ロッカー! ソウルが大事ぜよ) 		August 27, 2014
10 "Solo Debut! We Can’t Play Together Anymore!"
"Sorodebyū! Moūitoguchiniyarenee!" (ソロデビュー! もう一緒にやれねえ!) 		September 3, 2014
11 "Heaven’s Song! Time for the Climax!"
"Hebenzusong! Kuraimakkuzuzeyo!" (ヘヴンズソング! クライマックスぜよ) 		September 12, 2014
12 "Ultra Soul! The Dawn of Rock!"
"Urutarasouru! Rokkunoyoakezeyo!" (ウルトラソウル! ロックの夜明けぜよ!) 		September 17, 2014

Music

References

  1. ↑ "Bakumatsu Rock Manga Starts This Month in Zero-Sum". Anime News Network. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Bakumatsu Rock Game for Female Players Gets TV Anime in July". Anime News Network. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Bakumatsu Rock TV Anime's 1st Promo Video Previews Opening". Anime News Network. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Sentai Filmworks Adds Samurai Jam -Bakumatsu Rock- Anime". Anime News Network. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Crunchyroll Adds Bakumatsu Rock Anime". Anime News Network. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "New Bakumatsu Rock Game to Bundle Bonus Anime Episode". Anime News Network. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Hope Chapman, Carl Kimlinger, Rebecca Silverman, Theron Martin (2 July 2014). "Samurai Jam - Bakumatsu Rock". Anime News Network. Retrieved 19 July 2014.

External links