“Rock is a Lady’s Modesty” is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiroshi Fukuda. It has been serialized in Hakusensha’s seinen manga magazine Young Animal since October 2022. An anime television series adaptation produced by Bandai Namco Pictures premiered in April 2025. The series is directed by Shinya Watada together with writing by Shogo Yasukawa, character design by Risa Miyadani and production by BN Pictures. The voice cast is led by Akira Sekine as Lilisa Suzunomiya and Miyuri Shimabukuro as Otoha Kurogane.
The anime is currently streaming on HIDIVE.
Series Premise
At the elite Oshin Girls’ Academy, Lilisa Suzunomiya, navigates the pressures of high society after being adopted into a wealthy family. To fit in, she suppresses her love for rock music and the guitar gifted by her late father, aspiring instead to become the school’s “Noble Maiden.” However, a chance encounter with Otoha Kurogane, a secret rock drummer, reignites Lilisa’s passion, leading them to form a band and challenge the academy’s rigid expectations.
Episode 9 Overview
Episode 9 of “Rock is a Lady’s Modesty,” titled ‘It’s Finally Our Turn ♡ / Everything You Say Is Annoying!!!,’ sees Lilisa and her band, Blanc de Noir+α, finally taking the stage at the battle of the bands.
Release Date
Rock Is A Lady’s Modesty Episode 9 was released on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 11:56 pm JST.
Where to Watch
Japanese viewers can watch the episode on JNN (TBS). Meanwhile, international audiences can stream the English-subtitled version of Rock is a Lady’s Modesty Episode 9 via HIDIVE, which requires a paid subscription. Additionally, fans in Southeast Asia can watch the series through Ani-One Asia’s official YouTube channel.
Plot Summary
Here’s a recap of what transpires in Episode 9:
The Performance Begins: Blanc de Noir+α takes the stage after Bitter Ganache’s performance. The episode hones in on the band’s make or break performance at the school event. Lilisa is determined to shine, especially since Tamaki’s fans mostly comprise the audience.
Tina’s Struggle: Tina, the keyboardist, immediately struggles with her timing, throwing off the band’s rhythm. She becomes increasingly flustered. Tina misses her timing from the start and struggles to recover, becoming increasingly flustered. The pressure mounts as the audience begins to lose interest in their faltering performance.
Lilisa’s Frustration: Lilisa also finds herself playing awkwardly, struggling to regain control. Her frustration grows as she recognizes the band’s sound isn’t gelling. She is annoyed that Bitter Ganache and the audience are left unimpressed with the performance and her guitar skills, and they begin waiting for the next performers.
Mid-Performance Crisis: As Tina is overwhelmed, she considers quitting mid-song.
Otoha’s Guidance: Otoha, with her strong drumbeat, guides Tina. This allows Tina to find her rhythm and start enjoying the set.
Lilisa’s Revelation: Despite resolving Tina’s immediate problem, Lilisa remains frustrated. She realizes she cares too much about what others think, hindering her performance.
Finding Authenticity: Lilisa makes a decision to disregard the audience’s expectations and Tamaki’s influence. She decides to play for herself and reconnects with her genuine love for rock music. Once Lilisa decides to give the proverbial middle finger to Tamaki, the audience, and everyone else, she finally starts playing real rock again. She follows Otoha’s beat, strips herself bare, and tunes out everything except how good her instrument feels in her hands.
Visual and Musical Climax: The episode culminates in a visually arresting performance as Lilisa embraces her true self. The music becomes louder and more chaotic, brimming with energy.
Key Moments and Analysis
Tina’s Growth
Episode 9 highlights Tina’s journey as a musician and her struggle with confidence. Despite being a novice, she finds her place in the band with Otoha’s support. More importantly, Tina doesn’t transform into a prodigy; she just finds her niche where she can be herself.
Lilisa’s Internal Conflict
The episode delves into Lilisa’s internal conflict between her desire to please others and her passion for rock music. Her realization that she needs to be true to herself is a pivotal moment in her character development. Pacing issues aside, the climax of this episode hits as hard as anything else we’ve seen from Rock Lady. Ironically, the problem plaguing Lilisa on stage is the same one that plagues her at home and in school. She cares too much about what other people think of her, and she inadvertently brought that self-conscious attitude to the place that was supposed to be her sanctuary. It’s an understandable mistake, given how she had been living her life before meeting Otoha, but it goes against the rock and roll ethos that liberated both leading ladies.
The Power of Music
Episode 9 underscores the power of music as a means of self-expression and liberation. The band’s initial struggle and eventual triumph demonstrate how music can help them overcome their insecurities and connect with their true selves.
Visual and Auditory Experience
The episode is praised for its arresting visuals and dynamic music. The adaptation turns the theatrics up to 11 with a slew of symbolism and a sizzling splash of color. Tina loses herself within the brambles of a dark forest before Otoha drums a hole through reality and yanks her back into the light. Lilisa once more fantasizes about being Otoha’s sub. Tamaki dreams up a cage to contain her bandmates’ throes of passion. The cinematography dials up the contrast between light and shadow. A crackle of fire and electricity conjures the word “YOUTH” out of thin air. In short, it looks great. Yasafumi Soejima’s storyboards continue to evoke his eclectic experiences with the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime, and Ōri Yasukawa ‘s direction is full of kinetic camera movement—a dramatic flair for these fits of adolescence.
Musically, the episode is also on point in subtle yet important ways. For instance, Bitter Ganache’s song sounds fine, but you can pick up how the energy of the vocals doesn’t quite match the vibe of the backing instrumental. It feels polished to a fault. By contrast, the first two songs from blanc de Noir +α (great name, Tamaki) sound noticeably rougher. Tina’s part is simple, which is accurate to the narrative, and the show lets us hear the song relax when she finally gets back on beat. More importantly, Tina doesn’t transform into a prodigy; she just finds her niche where she can be herself.
Reception
- Positive Reviews: Critics have praised the episode for its emotional depth, character development, and stunning visuals.
- Focus on Authenticity: The episode’s theme of staying true to oneself has resonated with viewers, who appreciate the series’ exploration of identity and self-expression.
- Visual and Musical Appeal: The dynamic animation and engaging music have been highlighted as key strengths of the episode, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Main Characters
- Lilisa Suzunomiya: A young student who suppresses her love for rock music to fit into high society. She is voiced by Akira Sekine.
- Otoha Kurogane: A skilled drummer who encourages Lilisa to embrace her passion for music. She is voiced by Miyuri Shimabukuro.
- Tina Isemi: A novice keyboard player who struggles with confidence but finds her place in the band. She is voiced by Ayaka Fukuhara.
- Tamaki Shiraya: Oshin Girls’ Academy’s student council president and a Noble Maiden.
Themes
- Self-Discovery: The series explores the journey of self-discovery as the characters navigate their passions and identities.
- Rebellion: The characters challenge the rigid expectations of their society, breaking free from traditional gender roles.
- Friendship: The bond between the band members is a source of support and strength as they pursue their dreams.
- Authenticity: The importance of staying true to oneself is a central theme, as the characters learn to embrace their unique qualities.
Anime vs Manga
“Rock is a Lady’s Modesty” is adapted from the manga series by Hiroshi Fukuda. The anime adaptation is produced by Bandai Namco Pictures and directed by Shinya Watada. The anime series premiered in April 2025.
Episode List
- Episode 1
- Episode 2
- Episode 3
- Episode 4
- Episode 5
- Episode 6
- Episode 7
- Episode 8
- Episode 9
- Episode 10 – Airing soon.
Similar Anime
Fans of “Rock is a Lady’s Modesty” may also enjoy:
- Bocchi the Rock!: Another anime that uses the rock world as a setting to explore misfits who express themselves through fast-paced guitar and drums.
- Girls Band Cry
- Birdie Wing: Shares commonalities such as a blonde commoner with a chip on her shoulder, a pleasant black-haired elite with immense talent, and yuri-baiting.
Conclusion
Episode 9 of “Rock is a Lady’s Modesty” is a compelling installment that showcases the band’s performance at the battle of the bands. It delves into themes of self-discovery, authenticity, and the power of music. The episode’s stunning visuals and dynamic music enhance the viewing experience, making it a standout in the series. As Lilisa embraces her true self and the band finds its rhythm, viewers are left eager to see what the future holds for Blanc de Noir+α.
