In case you weren’t aware, the popular manga Bocchi the Rock! It has a spin-off currently in publication by the artist Kumichoutitled as Bocchi the Rock! Gaiden: Hiroi Kikuri no Fukazake Nikki. As the title indicates, she stars Kikuri Hiroithe band’s bassist and vocalist SICK HACKwho is always completely drunk throughout most of the main manga.
However, this spin-off showed a new side to the character, showing her completely sober. According to the official explanation, Kikuri Hiroi goes through three different personalities depending on the level of alcohol in his blood: a) If she is drunk, she is completely happy; b) If she is moderately drunk, she will be looking for more alcohol; c) If she is sober, she will let out realistic opinions.
It was the latter that attracted attention in the comment forums in Japan, since at the beginning of the sixth episode we can see Kikuri Hiroi completely sober and making comments such as: «Another tax increase, huh…»; «The birth rate remains at critical numbers»; «What the hell will happen to this country in the future?»; and “There is no reason to fool around when we already have to deal with global warming».
The first three comments are a direct criticism of the Japanese government. It is worth remembering that the Japanese government plans to raise corporate, income and tobacco taxes, in addition to carrying out spending reform and taking advantage of non-tax revenues to increase defense-related spending, according to the Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s plans.
Although the exact timing of the tax increases has not yet been determined (although it is inferred that it will begin in 2024), Japan still has the worst fiscal health among all first world countries. Another aspect mentioned by Hiroi is the low birth rate, that is, the decline in the number of births in Japan each year. Kishida also plans to increase spending on children’s policy to stem this decline.
Finally, with all this, In the comment forums it has been pointed out that “Bocchi the Rock! Now it’s an anti-Liberal Democratic Party manga“, in reference to the fact that said political party is the one that holds power in Japan and the one that has promoted all these tax changes. Precisely for this reason, opinions such as:
- «There is a possibility that they will start singing a song wishing death to Kishida at some festival.».
- «They are concerned about the decline in the birth rate, but what about the increase in lesbians and homosexuals?».
- «I don’t understand why there are people who support raising taxes in the first place.».
- «These kinds of social comments and criticisms used to be made all the time in manga, it’s only recently that it became completely taboo. When Abe raised taxes and this was mentioned in Doraemon, they almost ended up canceling the series».
- «I remember well, the Abe government really put a lot of control on the media and entertainment, didn’t they ever notice?».
- «Oh, Bocchi-chan, scratching immediate cancellation».
- «It is a nice adventure to go down a different path from others.».
- «Rock is definitely a musical genre that opposes the authorities, great Bocchi the Rock!».
- «First of all, regardless of the author’s ideology, this is just a portrait of the overly anxious Hiroi character, and not a portrait of criticism of the regime.».
- «If that’s what it is, there’s no need to go to the trouble of putting in stuff about tax increases and global warming that can get problematic later.».
- «Bocchi the Rock! has just been established as a manga for liberals».
Fountain: Yaraon!
