Teen girls rule the world and they also make really cool bands!
About Girl Meets Rock!
Girl Meets Rock! is a manga series by Kuwahali with art by Tetsuo Ideuchi. It is published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. In it, we meet Chihiro Hatono, a new high school student. She’s been looking forward to high school so she can join the Light Music Club and live out her rock band dreams. She buys a guitar, which she doesn’t know how to play yet, and is ready to try her best! Upon joining the club, she realizes this wont be a straight shot at all. Loving music won’t be enough to carry her through when there are a lot of factors at play, like the relationship politics of teenagers!
My Thoughts
I can’t get over how fun a story like this is. First of all, Hatono is such a great main character. She’s s bit awkward but she isn’t afraid to put herself out there for her goals. The main goal being to join the Music Light Club and form a band. However, this story really takes a slice of life approach and we get to see Hatono and her peers interact, her first band with other first years, her making new friends, and dealing with the craziness of being teenagers. People in the club are dating and breaking up. Other friends are being made but they’re also being separated. Not to mention the non-club requirements like field day! And while the main focus is Hatono, we do get to see some of the other club members dealing with things.
While Hatono is going through her daily life, we see some other characters work in the background to set in motion a new band, that will ultimately lead to Hatono’s true band. I appreciated this because as we know, most people’s first band isn’t their end goal band. Plus, it gives Hatono the experience of trying something that doesn’t work and it leading to something that does.
Overall, this story is off to a great start. It feels fun and lighthearted, but does have some serious themes underneath the teen goofiness of it all. I’m looking forward to seeing Hatono come into her voice and grow in her next band and beyond.
Where to Buy Girl Meets Rock! Vol 1
Girl Meets Rock! Vol 1
Story: Kuwahali
Art: Tetsuo Ideuchi
Translation: Catherine Delage, Sarah Moon
Lettering: Elena Pizarro
Editor: Laurel Ashgrove
Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment
Girl Meets Rock! Vol 1 is available for preorder now and releases on August 4.
Thank you, Seven Seas Entertainment, for the ARC.
