Be Right There
In the morning, Bocchi begins her day by attending to her mundane morning activities. She reflects on her life regarding her new part-time job and bond with Ryo and Nijika.
She wonders if she’s ascended past her introverted phase. Bocchi heads to school with her guitar in hand. Bocchi overhears some girls discussing bands and attempts to jump into their conversation. She gets their attention but draws a blank because she doesn’t know how to start a conversation. At lunchtime, Bocchi eats alone and ponders what could have happened if she had conversed with them.
The girls at my high school would find me creepy if I wanted to barge into their conversation, I knew that. But I knew that one day, I’d be a famous guitarist and travel to Oto-Station. In this Guitar Man segment, I’m interviewing Bocchi about her past high school experiences.
Bocchi hears some girls discussing Kita’s stellar vocal and guitar skills. Since Bocchi had been sick for a few days, she plans to make it up to Nijika and Ryo by recruiting a talented vocalist and guitarist. From afar, Bocchi watches the girls converse with Kita, the red-haired girl from episode one. Bocchi learns that Kita is a talented musician and athletic person.
Bocchi is scared to approach Kita because she’s worried she won’t be accepted. She follows Kita to her class and spies on her from afar, but Kita asks if Bocchi would like to join her band. Bocchi starts beatboxing despite wanting to ask Kita if she’d like to join her band, but ends up embarrassed and rushing back to the same spot she had her meal. She starts playing a new song called “Double Dark Past, Bocchi Acoustic Version.”
Kita stumbled upon Bocchi’s music playing and tells her that she’s a phenomenal guitarist. Bocchi asks Kita if she’d like to join her band, but Kita declines. Kita says she can’t participate because she doesn’t know how to play guitar. To get closer to her senpai, she once lied about being a phenomenal guitarist. Kita grabs Bocchi’s guitar and starts playing along with the music.
Kita asks Bocchi if she can teach her how to play guitar. Bocchi accepts her offer and informs Nijika and Ryo to act like party-goers at work. The two head for Starry Club and Bocchi mentions Nijika and Ryo by name, causing Kita to stop. Kita tells Bocchi she can’t go to the Starry Club for unknown reasons.
Nijika and Ryo are startled when they see Kita and Bocchi. Kita reveals that she was the runaway guitarist they mentioned in episode one. Bocchi notices Ryo and apologizes for her terrible actions. At the Starry Club, Kita informs Nijika and Ryo about her reasons for running away from the group and ditching practice. Ryo tells her that she’s been lighting incense for her every day because she thought Kita had died.
Kita is surprised that Nijika and Ryo aren’t angry with her. Nijika tells her not to worry because they found a replacement guitarist in Bocchi. Kita asks what she can do to make it up to them. Nijika’s sister suggests helping with Starry’s activities since it’ll be a busy night. Kita accepts the offer, puts on a maid outfit, and starts working. A fellow worker named PA-san compliments Kita for her fragrance.
Nijika and Kita are having a drink reception routine with Bocchi when Ryo watches. She’s so upset that she lost her identity to Kita that she sings a new song about her woes. As Bocchi’s soul ascends to the sky, we receive a brief illustration from the series’ creator Aki Hamaji.
Nijika asks Bocchi to teach Kita how to make people’s refreshments. Bocchi performs the task but loses focus because of Kita’s constant staring. This results in Bocchi receiving a hand injury due to the overfilled coffee. Kita caters to Bocchi’s wound and asks what inspired her to join a band. Bocchi tells Kita she wants to work toward World Peace, but in reality, she wants to be popular.
The club opens as customers flood the area asking for tickets and drinks. Ryo asks Kita who was the senpai she wanted to get close to, and Kita confirms it’s Ryo. Kita explains she saw Ryo playing her guitar on the streets one day and started growing affectionate toward her. She adores Ryo’s above-it-all attitude and her unisex appearance.
After noticing Ryo’s talent, Kita followed her activities for a while. We learn that she dropped out of a band before joining Kessoku Band. Kita compares bands to acting as one’s second family. She argues it feels like you’re a part of a mysterious relationship that leaps above friendship and romantic relationships. Therefore, Kita’s goal was to become Ryo’s girlfriend and join Kessoku Band. ..
Kita argues that she can’t join the band because she’s too irresponsible and doesn’t deserve to be in a band. Once the festivities conclude, Kita thanks everyone for their hospitality and wishes them good luck. Bocchi attempts to stop Kita but trips. Kita recognizes Bocchi’s act as a sign of her wanting to join the band. Kita reiterates why she can’t join, but offers to help Bocchi with her music career if she ever changes her mind. ..
Kita tells her friends that she ran away before a concert and attempted to squeal about her other irredeemable acts. She mentions seeing calluses on her fingertips, while Ryo points out that means Kita’s been practicing guitar without anyone knowing. Nijika asks Kita to join Kessoku Band, and Bocchi can assist her with learning guitar. After contemplating it, Kita accepts their offer.
Nijika suggests that they stop partying hard, puzzling Kita. Before Bocchi departs, Kita, Ryo, and Nijika praise her for her stellar work. The next day, Kita announces her discomfort with learning guitar. Despite receiving a fitting guitar from Ryo and Bocchi’s guidance, she doesn’t know if she can perform masterfully.
This confirms Bocchi’s suspicions that Ryo spent her remaining allowance on Kita’s former bass. The episode concludes with the girls continuing Kita’s guitar training.
The Episode Review
This episode introduces a new bandmate, showcases spectacular development for Bocchi, and inserts more exciting breadcrumbs concerning certain characters. Fans will adore what this episode brings and how it sets up some possible disputes and issues for our crew to tackle. ..
Kita, the character, is an opposite of Bocchi. Despite being popular, athletic, and a great singer, she lacks basic guitar knowledge. Her interactions with Bocchi, Nijika, and Ryo will make viewers laugh and smile. It’s a bummer the episode didn’t focus more on Kita’s singing voice, but her character offers some interesting information about Ryo’s past. ..
Ryo’s decision to leave his past band makes you wonder who the crew was and if they’ll resurface in later episodes. Imagining Kessoku Band clashing with Ryo’s former group at the culture festival sounds like an exciting spectacle waiting to happen. Hopefully, that breadcrumb about Ryo leads to something like that, as it would serve as a satisfying conclusion. ..
In this episode, Bocchi played an important role. Not only did she help Kita and Kessoku come to an agreement, but she also showed some growth in doing so. Despite her cowardice, she demonstrated courageous feats that will inspire many people who suffer from introvert-like tendencies. At the same time, I can’t help but smile whenever Bocchi overthinks things. ..
Episode three of the anime series offers a unique mix of animation techniques, stunning visuals, and excellent camera work. Fans of the series will adore seeing Bocchi defeat her anxiety and giggle at her failed attempts. Kita brings some familiar yet genuine energy to Kessoku Band, and I can’t wait to see how her relationship grows with our cast. Hopefully, the next chapter can deliver another fantastic outing.
