Rhythm Heaven (2008) is a music game released for the Nintendo DS systems. After its creation and eventual international release the year after, many have learned of the colorful cast of characters the videogame inculdes.
One pair that has been especially notable with fans of the franchise is the Rockers; a duo of guitarists, consisted of J.J. Rocker, and the player character, who takes on the role of his disciple.
Some of the members in its fan communities believe that they might be, perhaps, gay and fucking. And while the Rhythm Heaven franchise has never confirmed exactly what they are, the game has implied, through the interactions Rocker has with the disciple, that there's something beyond a casual friendship, rather, they have a stronger bond than that.
Firstly, it is important to compare the evolution Rocker's disciple had with him, on both Rockers and Rockers 2. Upon reaching one of three ratings in the musical minigames (Try Again - OK - Superb), the player briefly sees an epilogue screen, that being a drawing showcasing the "aftermath" of the chosen minigame.
In the original Rockers minigame, the epilogue screen for the Superb rating shows Rocker standing on a stage, while the disciple smiles (at him?) in the corner. (¹)
One thing that is noticeable is the fact that, in this case, he does not smile. In fact, Rockers portrays him as being somewhat more serious, implying that the duo is not exactly close in the moment.
Rockers 2, on the other hand, does the "opposite" of what Rockers had done for its Superb rating screen; it instead shows the disciple on what is presumably that same stage, tears streaming down their face as Rocker is the one in the corner—only this time, he smiles, also crying. (²)
As a matter of fact, J.J. Rocker's expressiveness only becomes overtly evident after the player unlocks the Guitar Lessons. Even on the Basic Course (unlocked after the player completes Rockers), he is shown opening up about, for instance, the hairy vegetables.(³) Rocker also seems to have a lot of fun with Frog Hop 2, even "singing" along with it. (⁴)
This is not shown in Rockers, which might imply the guitar lessons take place after each minigame and only shows that their relationship is progressing, that it is stronger.
Rockers 2 takes that progression of their relationship and makes it obvious, once again, by its epilogue screens. Even in the OK screen, Rocker is shown smiling already; the Try Again screen shows his face, whereas Rockers' Try Again screen showed him with his back turned (⁵). By Rockers 2, they have become closer than ever, so much so that he truly shows his emotions.
Even in Rockers, despite their initial distance, the way he talks to and about his partner already sets up their future closeness(⁶), that Rockers 2 "confirmed".
It is also worth considering that Rocker has never been shown being this close and open with anyone other than his disciple. This only reinforces the fact that they are as close as they can be, and their relationship has truly blossomed into something beautiful.
Truly, they are fucking.
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