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Bocchi the Rock! Fans Visit Series’ Real-Life Locations in Tokyo


bocchi the rock real-life locations hitori gotou

While many anime shows take place in iconic Tokyo locations like Shibuya and Akihabara, Bocchi the Rock! is set in Tokyo’s hip Shimokitazawa district which prompted many anime fans to seek out its real-life locations.

Shimokitazawa (or Shimokita for short) may not have instantly recognizable landmarks like the Shibuya Scramble Crossing or the Kabukicho Ichiban-gai in Shinjuku, but it still has lots of interesting sights that are featured in CloverWorks’ new anime.

Real-Life Shimokitazawa vs. Bocchi the Rock! Anime

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Shimokita is a commercial district in Setagaya, Tokyo that’s well-known for its cafés, bars, live music venues, and other independent shops.

This makes it the perfect location for Bocchi the Rock! as the series is all about a high school rock band.

What’s interesting is that the anime accurately depicts Shimokita, so much so that fans in Japan have begun going on “pilgrimages” to the various spots that the Kessoku Band visits in the series.

These fans have shared their photos on Twitter, some of which you can see here:

Shimo-Kitazawa station is featured a couple of times in the anime, and it’s not a surprise to see it in person.

But what’s surprising is that the painted wall that Bocchi and company use for their group photo is based on a real-life location.

Aside from taking photos, some fans have even shared walking tour videos of Shimokita on YouTube, complete with comparisons to the anime—perfect for those who can’t visit Japan or Tokyo just yet.

It’s not just Shimokita’s outdoor areas that are accurate to real life though, as even the live houses featured in the anime are based on real locations.

READ MORE: What Guitars Do They Use in Bocchi the Rock!?

Bocchi the Rock!: Real-Life Live Houses, Enoshima

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For instance, the live house STARRY is based on an actual live music venue called Shelter that’s located close to Shimo-Kitazawa station.

Aside from the now iconic stairs and neon sign, even its indoor stage looks accurate to the anime’s depiction.

In the latest episode, the Kessoku Band members watch Hiroi and her band perform live at the Shinjuku FOLT live house.

It turns out that this is also based on a real music venue called Shinjuku LOFT, as shared by a fan who recently visited Japan and watched a live show there.

Finally, lots of Bocchi the Rock! fans have also shared pictures from Enoshima Island, the island that the Kessoku Band members visited in Episode 9 during the last day of their summer vacation.

Even before the anime aired, Enoshima was already a popular tourist destination.

Given the show’s popularity, more visitors might drop by Enoshima soon.

You’ll likely see more of Shimokita and other trendy spots in Tokyo during the next episode of Bocchi the Rock! which will release this weekend.

Discover more anime news and info by following us on Twitter @epicstreamanime.

READ NEXT: Who Are Bocchi the Rock!’s Voice Actors? Cast and Artists

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