Bakumatsu Rock

Bakumatsu Rock (幕末Rock) is a Japanese video game developed and published by Marvelous AQL. It was adapted into a manga series, Bakumatsu Rock -howling soul-, that began in May 2014 and into an anime television series, Samurai Jam -Bakumatsu Rock-, that aired on July 2, 2014   to September 17, 2014. The anime was streamed on Crunchyroll. Another game, Bakumatsu Rock: Ultra Soul, was released on September 25, 2014.

Story
The story is set in the Bakumatsu era, at the end of the shoguns' rule over Japan in the middle of the 19th century. The Tokugawa shogunate uses the brainwashing Heaven's Songs by the top idols in Shinsengumi to subjugate the country and its people. In this Japan, writing or singing any songs besides the Heaven's Songs is a capital offense. Ryōma Sakamoto and the other rockers rise up and change the world with rock 'n' roll for freedom and justice.

Characters

 * Sakamoto Ryōma (坂本 龍馬)
 * The lead singer and guitarist of the group, his dream is to become a famous rocker and spread rock throughout Japan. During the day, he works at the local pizzeria, "Albergo di Terada". The electric guitar he carries around was given to him by Shoin Yoshida, who believed that Ryōma possesses a "Peace Soul".
 * The lead singer and guitarist of the group, his dream is to become a famous rocker and spread rock throughout Japan. During the day, he works at the local pizzeria, "Albergo di Terada". The electric guitar he carries around was given to him by Shoin Yoshida, who believed that Ryōma possesses a "Peace Soul".


 * Shinsaku Takasugi (高杉 晋作)
 * One of Shoin's disciples, he plays bass guitar in the group. While he and Kogorō were on a search for their master, Shoin Yoshida, they met Ryōma and started a band. He is nicknamed "Cindy" by Ryōma. He is known for his sour face and unfriendly disposition.
 * One of Shoin's disciples, he plays bass guitar in the group. While he and Kogorō were on a search for their master, Shoin Yoshida, they met Ryōma and started a band. He is nicknamed "Cindy" by Ryōma. He is known for his sour face and unfriendly disposition.


 * Katsura Kogorō (桂 小五郎)
 * One of Shoin's disciples, he plays drums in the group. While he and Shinsaku were on a search for their master, Shoin Yoshida, they met Ryōma and started a band. He is nicknamed "Sensei" by Ryōma. He is known as a patient, mature and knowledgeable person. His special skill is inventing.
 * One of Shoin's disciples, he plays drums in the group. While he and Shinsaku were on a search for their master, Shoin Yoshida, they met Ryōma and started a band. He is nicknamed "Sensei" by Ryōma. He is known as a patient, mature and knowledgeable person. His special skill is inventing.


 * Hijikata Toshizō (土方 歳三)
 * A member of the Shinsengumi. He has served as both a director and a backup guitarist. He is known as a skilled swordsman. A proponent of "Heaven's Song".
 * A member of the Shinsengumi. He has served as both a director and a backup guitarist. He is known as a skilled swordsman. A proponent of "Heaven's Song".


 * Sōji Okita (沖田 総司)
 * The top member of the Shinsengumi. He is seen playing both the guitar and the keyboard. While publicly a kind and charming idol, in private he thinks of his fans as "worthless creatures." A proponent of "Heaven's Song".
 * The top member of the Shinsengumi. He is seen playing both the guitar and the keyboard. While publicly a kind and charming idol, in private he thinks of his fans as "worthless creatures." A proponent of "Heaven's Song".


 * Naosuke Ii (井伊 直弼)
 * He has worked for the Tokugawa family for many generations, and currently serves Yoshinobu. His main goal is to collect all five "Peace Souls" to enhance his magical powers.
 * He has worked for the Tokugawa family for many generations, and currently serves Yoshinobu. His main goal is to collect all five "Peace Souls" to enhance his magical powers.


 * Yoshinobu Tokugawa (徳川 慶喜)
 * The fifteenth head of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He was born with the talent of "Heaven's Song"
 * The fifteenth head of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He was born with the talent of "Heaven's Song"


 * Kondō Isami (近藤 勇)
 * Director of the Tokugawa Shogunate. In the past he was in an idol band, but withdrew and is now supporting the Shinsengumi as a general producer. He is known as a big brother that everyone can rely on.
 * Director of the Tokugawa Shogunate. In the past he was in an idol band, but withdrew and is now supporting the Shinsengumi as a general producer. He is known as a big brother that everyone can rely on.

Music

 * OP: Jack by vistlip
 * ED: Zetchō DAYBREAK (絶頂DAYBREAK) by Chō Tamashī Dan (Kishō Taniyama, Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Shōtarō Morikubo, Toshiyuki Morikawa & Kenshō Ono)
 * Over Mirage (非常幻想（オーバーミラージュ）) by Toshiyuki Morikawa & Kenshō Ono
 * Rolling Thunder by Kishō Taniyama, Tatsuhisa Suzuki, & Shōtarō Morikubo
 * INTERSECT by Kishō Taniyama, Toshiyuki Morikawa, & Kenshō Ono
 * REACTION by Tatsuhisa Suzuki
 * Zankyō -feedback- (残響 -feedback-) by Kenshō Ono
 * Hachinoji Distortion (ハチノジディストーション) by Shōtarō Morikubo

Reception
On Anime News Network, Hope Chapman, Carl Kimlinger and Rebecca Silverman gave the first episode of the anime a rating of 2 out of 5 and Theron Martin gave it a rating of 3.5 out of 5.