The Bocchi the Rock! anime got a lot of praise for its loveable cast and creative animation, but the Bocchi the Rock! manga is also significant for “reinventing” the 4-koma genre, as explained by the series editor.
Recently, Manga Time Kirara editor-in-chief Takuya Sekoguchi was interviewed by Real Sound.
There, Sekoguchi explained why Bocchi the Rock! is a step above what readers think of when it comes to 4-koma titles.
About the 4-koma Genre
4-koma is a manga format with four panels. This is a common format that most people should be familiar with, even those who don’t read manga. After all, most comic serials and even webtoons follow a four-panel format.
For reference, a typical manga serial features 18-20 pages per chapter, and each page features a variety of panel numbers.
Some pages can have up to nine panels, while others can contain just one big panel.
A standard manga format gives the author more flexibility. Meanwhile, 4-koma manga are rather limiting given the limited number of panels.
Because of this, titles in this format are usually gag or comedy serials.
Manga Time Kirara is a seinen magazine family that serializes 4-koma titles. One of its sister magazines is Manga Time Kirara MAX, where Bocchi the Rock! is serialized.
According to Sekoguchi, Kirara is a magazine for otaku, meaning their readers are around 90% males in their 20s and 30s.
This has given Kirara an otaku image which is supported by the fact that its titles are mostly gag or cutesy serials.
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Bocchi the Rock! Editor Explains the Unique Appeal of the Series
Bocchi the Rock! started as fairly simple gag manga with cute characters, similar to Kirara’s other titles. But as the series progressed, it became a fully-fledged coming-of-age and music manga.
This combination of genres, coupled with its surprising depth of storytelling and characters makes Bocchi a unique series. These qualities make it stand out in the sea of simple 4-koma titles.
The manga’s inherent uniqueness and appeal are also possible factors in what made the anime blow up last season.
Sekoguchi explained that Bocchi is a good example of how he aims to reinvent the image of Kirara.
After all, because Manga Time Kirara has an otaku identity to it, some readers tend to look down on the magazine family.
With Bocchi becoming a huge success, it’s possible that we’ll see more 4-koma titles like this that aren’t just focused on gags or being cute.
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Source: Real Sound
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