Author & Artist: Fukuda
Publisher: Yen Press (Print & Digital)
Translation: Ajani A. Oloye
Lettering: Phil Christy
Publication date: September 23, 2025
Rating: Teen
Genre: Manga (JPN), Life Slice, Comedy
Fukuda Hiroshima’s English debut, Rock is a female humility and ultimately comes out of Yen Press! This time, the anime adaptation arrived earlier than the source material, and was part of the Spring 2025 lineup, and was available on Hidive. It’s not long after the season ends. Whether it’s adjusted to suit the anime or just listening to it is an introduction to the first volume by someone who’s completely new to the series.
There are no attacks! @yen Press, 2025
One girl is different from the other girls, but she blends in so beautifully that you can’t tell. Lilisa Suzumiya works hard to become a noble maiden. For Lilisa, the only way to make her mother (who was married to high society) happy and honor the established Suzumiya surname is to abandon her “common people” life for a while. If that means giving up your love for rock music, playing the guitar and posing as a genuine princess at school, then that’s it.
However, her conviction is tested when an idol hits Lilisa and drops a guitar pick during her first year with the current top student. Lilisa knows better than returning it in front of her prying eyes. As she chases otoha into an unused building on campus, she is shocked by her core, and blows up with the drum set that is in front of her, with a song that Lilisa truly knows.
Hope…@yen Press, 2025 Reality…@yen Press, 2025
Rock is the first volume of female humility, an energetic, flashy and fun introduction. The central conflict lies between Lilisa. Lilisa is between Otoha, a naturally born aristocrat, desperately trying to prove that she deserves her stepfather’s recognition and love. She is tall and thin, but has long, silky Raven Black hair. She moves with elegance and captivates everyone who is blessed with her presence.
It’s no wonder Lilisa watches otoha with wide-eyed curiosity. But looking at her behind the drums, she is smoothed with sweat, her arms and legs are desperately moving, but very accurately moving, negating everything that Lilisa has come to believe about her, and everything that a woman who wants to be a noble maiden should act.
For Lilisa, otoha represents her childlike wonder, her interest adjacent to her obsession with music, and the joy that shakes her to the heart. Lilisa cannot temper the reality that Otoha can simultaneously accept these contradictory modes easily, effortlessly and easily.
@yen Press, 2025
Of course, Otoha must continue to play drums under rap as all the girls are under strict director and constant reviews. But her embarrassing hugs on rock and drums threaten everything Lilisa wants to achieve. She was born into a nobleman, so she argues that it is not so dangerous for her to lead this double life and accept herself in comparison to Lilisa.
We accompany Lilisa as she stands on the ground and tries to look at her goal. But it is soon clear to readers how she will scramble to find a small excuse so that she can return to the abandoned room Otoha uses as a studio. As for Otoha, we still don’t have as much insight into her as Lilisa, except for her commitment to music.
@yen Press, 2025
When Marimo Ragawa’s Snow White anime adaptation aired in 2021, I wrote a post about the relationship between music and manga. Certain creators, such as Thanat, emphasize the importance of cartoon rhythms related to narrative flow, which can be considered relatively similar to music. Still, music as a manga genre can be difficult.
I divide musical comics into two main categories: depicting songs that are not present as given, and incorporating works already composed by musicians such as Nodam Cantabile. While the directions of existing songs by groups and orchestras vary, readers still have the option to have ideas about the sound and mood of the song, there is no way to guess the musicality of the original song just by looking at the page. You might argue that cartoon music is merely a tool, and that what is important is the emotions the creator wants to convey. But for me, knowing about songs leaves something that is desired.
Rock chooses female humility and includes songs from two groups. It’s full of muddy things from Lite’s “Ghost Dance” and Sakuban’s “Youth.” When I visited YouTube and gave these songs a spin, I laughed after seeing so many comments along the line, “Rock is the humility of the woman who brought me here.” It’s great to see manga that connects today’s manga with works released years ago! Also, listening to actual songs while reading the volume certainly adds to the experience.
But of course, the aspect that gives the heavy lifting is Fukudajima’s exaggerated and dynamic panels. When performing, the distorted bodies of otoha and Lilisa and Fukuda choose to portray these young women with their elements. I haven’t seen an adaptation of the anime yet, but I’m curious to see if (or how) that energy is translated to the screen.
Rock is a woman’s humility, and judging by this volume, it does not reinvent the wheel. I can already guess what competition and plot beats I would expect. Lilisa, fighting for recognition/acceptance from her family, we learn that otoha and the other members they employ, group shenanigans and their journey ahead.
Furthermore, I didn’t really like certain panels, such as when OTOHA’s crotch close-ups stretched out during PE or the sexual indications seen in chocolate and ice cream ads. They do not control the story, but they were not sparse and not easy to ignore.
These instances affected my reading experience and I decided that this series wasn’t perfect for me. But if you don’t mind the kind of portrayal I mentioned above, if you’re a music nerd and you’re reading about young girls who’ve come together by sharing your tea, then Rock is a good series where women’s humility gives you a chance!
@yen Press, 2025
Rock is a humble volume of women. It is printed digitally on the Yen Press website and other retailers.
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