Kessoku Band (album)

Kessoku Band (Japanese: 結束バンド, Hepburn: Kessoku Bando) is the debut studio album by Kessoku Band, a fictional musical group from the anime television series Bocchi the Rock!, released digitally on December 25, 2022, and physically on CD on December 28 by Aniplex. Featuring vocals from voice actresses Yoshino Aoyama, Sayumi Suzushiro, Saku Mizuno, and Ikumi Hasegawa, the album consists of 14 tracks previously heard in the anime, including a cover of Asian Kung-Fu Generation's "Rockn' Roll, Morning Light Falls on You", as well as newly recorded songs; nine singles preceded the album's physical release. Commercially, Kessoku Band peaked at number one on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums Chart and Oricon Albums Chart, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

Kessoku Band
Studio album by
Kessoku Band
ReleasedDecember 25, 2022
Studio
  • Catapult Studio (Tokyo)
  • Victor Studio (Tokyo)
  • Onkio Haus (Tokyo)
  • Sony Music (Tokyo)[1]
Genre
Length54:01
LanguageJapanese
LabelAniplex
ProducerGen Okamura
Singles from Kessoku Band
  1. "Seishun Complex"
    Released: October 9, 2022
  2. "Distortion!!"
    Released: October 9, 2022
  3. "Karakara"
    Released: October 30, 2022
  4. "Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet"
    Released: November 6, 2022
  5. "That Band"
    Released: November 27, 2022
  6. "What Is Wrong With"
    Released: November 27, 2022
  7. "Never Forget"
    Released: December 25, 2022
  8. "If I Could Be a Constellation"
    Released: December 25, 2022
  9. "Rockn' Roll, Morning Light Falls on You"
    Released: December 25, 2022

Background and release

Kessoku Band is a fictional musical group in the manga series Bocchi the Rock!. In the anime adaptation of the manga, Yoshino Aoyama, Sayumi Suzushiro, Saku Mizuno, and Ikumi Hasegawa provided the voices for Kessoku Band's members Hitori Gotō, Nijika Ijichi, Ryō Yamada, and Ikuyo Kita, respectively.[2] After the airing of the fifth episode, it was announced that the group will release a self-titled album, consisting of 14 tracks including those featured in the anime series.[3] The musicians in charge of Kessoku Band, Osamu Hidai (drums), Yūichi Takama (bass guitar), Akkin (guitar) and Ritsuo Mitsui (guitar), were selected by music director Gen Okamura through personal connections, with Hasegawa performing the vocals for most of the songs.[4]

"Secret Base", "I Can't Sing a Love Song", "The Little Sea", and "Flashbacker" are newly recorded songs for the album, while "Rockn' Roll, Morning Light Falls on You" is a cover of the Asian Kung-Fu Generation song of the same name, and served as the ending song of the anime's twelfth and final episode.[5] Several Japanese musicians have contributed to the album's songs, such as Ai Higuchi, Otoha, Ikkyū Nakajima of Tricot and Genie High, Maguro Taniguchi of Kana-Boon, Yūho Kitazawa of the Peggies, Kayoko Kusano, and Zaq.[6]

Nine singles debuted prior to the album's physical release: "Seishun Complex" and "Distortion!!" on October 9, 2022;[7] "Karakara" on October 30;[8] "Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet" on November 6;[9] "That Band" and "What Is Wrong With" on November 27;[10] and "Never Forget", "If I Could Be a Constellation", and "Rockn' Roll, Morning Light Falls on You" on December 25.[11][12] Kessoku Band was distributed in advance on digital music and streaming platforms on December 25, 2022, before releasing in CD format on December 28.[13] A limited edition of the CD included a Blu-ray containing the opening and ending sequences of the anime series.[14] The album will also be released as a two-disc vinyl LP on December 27, 2023.[15] Kessoku Band performed the album's songs at the Kessoku Band Live: Kōsei event, held at Zepp Haneda in Tokyo on May 21, 2023.[16]

Critical reception

In a review for Mikiki, Shi called Kessoku Band "a truly exceptional piece of music that does not get stuck in the usual 'anime song style'". The reviewer stated that the album is in the vein of Japanese rock music, and that the "metal-like" lead guitar creates a unique structure that "did not seem to exist at the time of the 2000s and 2010s". Shi praised the vocals, particularly of Hasegawa and Aoyama, and the album's cohesiveness, but described the transition from the beginning to middle as "rough".[17] Tomonori Shiba, writing for Nikkei Marketing Journal, described the music as high-quality and "filled with the essence of Japanese guitar rock from the 2000s onward", which originated in Shimokitazawa, the primary setting of Bocchi the Rock!.[18] Z11 of Real Sound opined that the album's sound corresponds to the theme of the series; the vocals "give a sense of a world connected to the story" and the texture of the songs evokes the presence of the main characters.[19]

Commercial performance

Kessoku Band debuted at number one on Billboard Japan's Download Albums chart dated December 28, 2022, with 5,877 downloads during the period dated December 19–25,[20] and has remained at the top for seven non-consecutive weeks.[21] It also entered atop the Top Albums Sales chart dated January 4, 2023, with 73,244 sales recorded during the period dated December 26, 2022, to January 1, 2023.[22] The album opened at number six on the Hot Albums chart dated December 28, 2022, but rose to number one the following week.[23][24] The album also debuted atop the Oricon Albums Chart dated January 9, 2023, selling 72,553 copies in its first week. It also topped the Digital Albums Chart and Combined Albums Chart on the same issue date.[25][26] Kessoku Band remained at number one in the Digital Albums Chart for four consecutive weeks, marking the first time a female group achieved that record.[27] In February 2023, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan for reaching 100,000 physical sales.[28]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Tidal and the album's liner notes.[29][1]

Kessoku Band track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicVocalsLength
1."Seishun Complex" (青春コンプレックス, Seishun Konpurekkusu)Ai HiguchiOtohaIkumi Hasegawa3:23
2."Hitoribocchi Tokyo" (ひとりぼっち東京)HiguchiMasamichi NagaiHasegawa3:52
3."Distortion!!"Maguro TaniguchiTaniguchiHasegawa3:23
4."Secret Base" (ひみつ基地, Himitsu Kichi)ZaqDaichi YoshiokaHasegawa3:52
5."Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet" (ギターと孤独と蒼い惑星, Gitā to Kodoku to Aoi Hoshi)ZaqOtohaHasegawa3:48
6."I Can't Sing a Love Song" (ラブソングが歌えない, Rabu Songu ga Utaenai)ZaqKōhei TsukadaHasegawa3:08
7."That Band" (あのバンド, Ano Bando)HiguchiKayoko KusanoHasegawa3:33
8."Karakara" (カラカラ)Ikkyū NakajimaNakajimaSaku Mizuno4:25
9."The Little Sea" (小さな海, Chiisana Umi)OtohaOtohaHasegawa3:43
10."What Is Wrong With" (なにが悪い, Nani ga Warui)Yūho KitazawaKitazawaSayumi Suzushiro3:47
11."Never Forget" (忘れてやらない, Wasurete Yaranai)ZaqYoshiokaHasegawa3:43
12."If I Could Be a Constellation" (星座になれたら, Seiza ni Naretara)HiguchiHidemasa NaitoHasegawa4:18
13."Flashbacker" (フラッシュバッカー, Furasshubakkā)OtohaOtohaHasegawa4:35
14."Rockn' Roll, Morning Light Falls on You" (転がる岩、君に朝が降る, Korogaru Iwa, Kimi ni Asa ga Furu)Masafumi GotohGotohYoshino Aoyama4:31
Total length:54:01
Kessoku Band – limited edition Blu-ray bonus
No.TitleLength
1."Seishun Complex" (non-credit opening video)1:32
2."Distortion!!" (non-credit ending video)1:32
3."Karakara" (non-credit ending video)1:32
4."What Is Wrong With" (non-credit ending video)1:32
Total length:6:08

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal and the album's liner notes.[29][1]

Fictional line-up
  • Ikuyo Kita – vocals (tracks 1-7, 9, and 11-13), rhythm guitar (track 1)
  • Hitori Gotō – lead guitar, lyrics; vocals (track 14)
  • Ryō Yamada – bass guitar, composition; vocals (track 8)
  • Nijika Ijichi – drums; vocals (track 10)

Musicians
  • Osamu Hidai – drums
  • Yūichi Takama – bass guitar
  • Akkin – guitar, arrangement
  • Ritsuo Mitsui – guitar, arrangement

Technical
  • Gen Okamura – director
  • Gendam – recording, mixing
  • Yūji Kamijō – recording
  • Mitsuyasu Abe – mastering
  • Masaharu Yamanouchi – production
  • Ken Kobayashi – production cooperation
  • Shunsuke Arai – production cooperation
  • Naomi Kobayashi – production cooperation
  • Yūji Kimura – production cooperation
  • Keigo Mikami – production cooperation
  • Yōko Shimane – production cooperation
  • Kōhei Yamada – production cooperation

Design
  • Kerorira – key frame
  • Asuka Yokota – coloring
  • Tsubasa Kanamori – photography
  • Yasunao Moriyasu – background
  • Tomoyuki Uchikoga – product design

Charts

Certifications and sales
Certifications and sales for Kessoku Band
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[35]
Physical 		Gold 159,945[36]
Japan
Digital 		— 69,133[37]

Release history
Release dates and formats for Kessoku Band
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various December 25, 2022
Aniplex [13]
Japan December 28, 2022 CD
December 27, 2023 Vinyl LP [15]

See also

References
  1. Kessoku Band (2022). 結束バンド [Kessoku Band] (Liner notes) (in Japanese). Aniplex. UPC 4534530140937.
  2. 青山吉能、鈴代紗弓、水野朔、長谷川育美ら“結束バンド”キャストが生出演！ 『ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！』特番が放送決定. Anime! Anime! (in Japanese). December 24, 2022. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  3. 「ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！」結束バンドの活動を振り返る第2弾PV公開、アルバムも発売. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 6, 2022. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  4. 結束バンドの神アルバムはこうして生まれた！TVアニメ『ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！』長谷川育美×三井律郎×岡村 弦スペシャル座談会（前編）. LisAni! (in Japanese). December 25, 2022. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  5. アニメ『ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！』最終話EDはアジカンカバー “ゴッチ”も感謝. Kai-You (in Japanese). December 25, 2022. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  6. 「ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！」結束バンドのアルバム配信スタート、アジカンのカバーも収録. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 25, 2022. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  7. オープニング＆エンディング情報＆映像公開︕ 豪華クリエイター陣が結束バンドへ楽曲提供！. Aniplex Newsbox (in Japanese). October 9, 2022. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  8. ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！：テレビアニメ新ED「カラカラ」公開　ボーカルは山田リョウ　中嶋イッキュウが楽曲提供. Mantan Web (in Japanese). October 30, 2022. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  9. ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！：結束バンドのアルバムが12月28日発売　「ギターと孤独と蒼い惑星」配信開始. Mantan Web (in Japanese). November 6, 2022. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  10. 「ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！」新ED「なにが悪い」と8話劇中曲「あのバンド」が配信開始. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 27, 2022. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  11. 第12話劇中曲「忘れてやらない」「星座になれたら」配信スタート！リリックビデオ＆ライブ映像も！. Aniplex Newsbox (in Japanese). December 25, 2022. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  12. 第12話エンディング楽曲「転がる岩、君に朝が降る」解禁！ 結束バンドによるカバー楽曲！. Aniplex Newsbox (in Japanese). December 25, 2022. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  13. 「ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！」結束バンドのアルバム、サブスク配信開始. AV Watch (in Japanese). Impress. December 26, 2022. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  14. 最終回のライブ演奏曲も収録！『ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！』結束バンドのアルバム情報解禁. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). December 25, 2022. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  15. 『ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！』ライブイベント「結束バンドLIVE-恒星-」BD＆DVD発売決定！ アルバム「結束バンド」LP盤も発売. Animate Times (in Japanese). September 8, 2023. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  16. 「ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！」結束バンド初ワンマン、ぼっちのギターソロ再現で観客沸かす. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 21, 2023. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  17. 結束バンド『結束バンド』超一流かつ新鮮な邦楽ロックの傑作 話題のアニメ「ぼっち・ざ・ろっく!」劇中バンドのファーストアルバム. Mikiki (in Japanese). December 28, 2022. Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  18. （柴那典の新音学） 今年の注目株、アニメ発「結束バンド」. Nikkei Marketing Journal (in Japanese). Nikkei, Inc. January 13, 2023. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  19. 『ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！』結束バンドが持つ楽曲の魅力は？　アニメ＆ロックファンを惹きつける邦楽バンド特有の“青臭いエモさ”. Real Sound (in Japanese). Blueprint Co., Ltd. May 20, 2023. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  20. 【ビルボード】結束バンド『結束バンド』がDLアルバム首位、ELLEGARDEN『The End of Yesterday』が続く. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). December 28, 2022. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  21. 【ビルボード】結束バンド『結束バンド』、通算7度目のDLアルバム首位. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). March 1, 2023. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  22. Singh, Surej (January 12, 2023). "Fictional band from Bocchi The Rock! anime outsell Stray Kids and NCT Dream on Billboard Japan charts". NME. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  23. 【ビルボード】すとぷり『Here We Go!!』が総合アルバム首位獲得 ELLEGARDEN／INIが続く. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). December 28, 2022. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  24. 【ビルボード】結束バンド『結束バンド』が総合アルバム首位獲得. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). January 10, 2023. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  25. Komatsu, Mikikazu (January 6, 2023). "BOCCHI THE ROCK! Kessoku Band Album Dominates Oricon's Three Weekly Charts". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  26. ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！：アルバム「結束バンド」 音楽ランキング3冠達成. Mantan Web (in Japanese). January 6, 2023. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  27. オリコン週間デジタルアルバム1/9〜1/15、結束バンド「結束バンド」女性グループ初の4週連続1位. Musicman (in Japanese). January 18, 2023. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  28. Komatsu, Mikikazu (February 16, 2023). "BOCCHI THE ROCK! Kessoku Band 1st Album Receives "Gold" Certification in Japan". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  29. "Kessoku Band on Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  30. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-01-09" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  31. "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-01-09" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  32. "Weekly Digital Albums Chart: January 2, 2023" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  33. "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of January 4, 2023". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  34. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-01" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  35. "Japanese album certifications – ぼっち・ざ・ろっく！ – 結束バンド" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved February 10, 2023. Select 2023年1月 on the drop-down menu
  36. Cumulative physical sales figures for Kessoku Band as of May 2023:
  37. Cumulative digital sales figures for Kessoku Band:
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