[7][8] Numerous pieces of merchandise have been released in Lee's likeness, including figurines and plush dolls.

[11] Kishimoto's first editor, Kosuke Yahagi, originally drew the author a draft of Lee's appearance.

[13] Due to the popularity Lee garnered over the course of the series, Kishimoto tends to place him toward the front of promotional artwork in which he appears.

[22] When Tsunade, a Konohagakure medical ninja, returns to lead the village as the Fifth Hokage, she offers to operate on him.

[24] Immediately after the operation, Lee follows a team of ninja led by Shikamaru Nara who attempt to stop Sasuke Uchiha from defecting from Konohagakure to the village of Otogakure.

[20] In Part II, Lee obtains the rank of Chunin, and is dispatched with his team to help save Gaara following his abduction by the criminal organization Akatsuki.

[30] In the fourth film, which is set in Part II, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Neji Hyuga, and Lee are assigned to escort the maiden Shion, who needs to perform a ritual to seal a demonic army.

[37] Rock Lee is also the main character of a spin-off manga by Kenji Taira that follows his training in comical misadventures.

[41] My Hero Academia author Kōhei Horikoshi said that Rock Lee's inhability to use ninjutsu and instead use hand-to-hand combat made him highly stand out in the manga.

He also praised how heroic is Rock Lee's portrayal in the Chunnin Exams when facing Orochimaru's underlings.

[42] Several publications for manga, anime, video games, and other media have provided commentary on Lee's character.

[44] Active Anime celebrated Lee's introduction in the series as a comedic relief to the growing tension of the story at that point.

[48] He was also listed as one of the three "Honorable Mentions" from Naruto by Wizard Entertainment's Danica Davidson with comments from the article being focused on Lee's determination.