Have you heard of the shojo manga "7SEEDS," which is set to be adapted into an anime in spring 2019? It's one of the most popular manga series, and many consider it their bible. Once you start reading one chapter, you'll find yourself reading the next chapter—a true masterpiece. We're going to reveal the "7SEEDS" project!
What is [7SEEDS]?
Shojo Manga
When you think of shojo manga, you think of romance stories that beautifully express emotional emotions. While many of them are school-themed, "7SEEDS" is a fantasy set in another world. Although it's set in a different world, it's not a fantasy world where fairies and monsters exist, nor is it one where people can fly or use magic. It's a fantasy that feels real.
Blockbuster
"7SEEDS" is a 35-volume epic (plus one spin-off). I'm sure many readers, even those who read the spin-off, will want to see more. It's that engaging from start to finish. The series began serialization in the November 2001 issue of Bessatsu Shojo Comic (Shogakukan) and ran for approximately 16 years, ending with the July 2017 issue (moving to Monthly Flowers from the June 2002 issue).
Aspiring Manga Artist
This photo, likely from her younger days, is of Yumi Tamura, the author of "7SEEDS." In addition to "7SEEDS," her most notable works include "BASARA" and "Tomoe ga Yuku!". "BASARA" has been serialized for about eight years, "Tomoe ga Yuku!" for about three, and her other works have also been serialized for long periods of time. She's truly a hugely popular manga artist. I admire the fact that she's been writing manga for so many years.
This Manga is Amazing!
"This Manga is Amazing!" has become a kind of reference book for finding the next best-selling manga. The rankings are highly anticipated every year, and in the 2018 edition, "7SEEDS" even ranked 10th. It's already a huge seller, but perhaps it's experiencing a resurgence. It's such a popular work that it appeals to everyone.
【7SEEDS】Synopsis
A Tough Beginning
He wakes up to a catastrophe. "7SEEDS" begins in this state, before he can even use his brain. The story is set in a fictional future Earth. It takes quite a while to understand, but the story has a worldview that's not typical of a shojo manga. But that's what makes it great. It's sure to appeal to everyone!
What is the "7SEEDS" Project?
It all began when scientists from the original Earth predicted that "in the near future, a giant celestial body would fall to Earth, causing various disasters and creating a situation similar to the extinction of the dinosaurs." Once the disaster subsided and a computer determined that the Earth was habitable for humans, they would thaw the frozen humans they had chosen as the best option and leave a legacy for the future. This was the "7SEEDS" project, which was said to be reckless. It's quite an ambitious plan, isn't it?
【7SEEDS】Summer A Team
The Created Child
Within the "7SEEDS" project, there are children who are trained to enter the future. Born for this purpose, they are oppressed by harsh exams and studying only to survive in the future. However, these children do not find this painful; rather, they strive for it as a goal. They are innocent and have never even known their parents, but they work hard with a positive attitude to enter the future with their friends. They adore their teachers and live happily, always smiling.
To Go to the Future
These are the ones who survived the final trial. The final trial began suddenly, and was so harsh and inhumane that the friends they had lived with until then died. Knowing that it was a test, many of them called out, "Teacher! I'm dropping out! Help me!" but no one came to their rescue. Even when they were buried under rubble, had broken legs, or were about to be attacked by an animal, the teachers still didn't come. Failure meant death. Can you endure such a test?
After the Trial
This is the expression on the faces of the seven members of Summer A Team, who fought and competed to be selected to go to the future. They were all in despair, breaking down in tears; their cheerfulness was no longer with them. This final trial left deep wounds on all of them, and they will continue to suffer trauma even after they reach the future. The planners had hoped that these seven members would be the most successful team, but they were no longer able to function as normal people. This was all part of the "7SEEDS" project. They could not go to the future without losing the most precious things they possessed. It's so cruel, isn't it?
In the future?
How will these children, who have been thrust into the future with despair, fear, and unreasonable truths, thrive there? I hope you'll find out in the main story, but I also want you to decide whether the "7SEEDS" project was a success or not. It may seem like the children were inconvenienced by adults' convenience, but perhaps the adults were also desperate.
【7SEEDS】Takashi Suegurono
Key Person 1
Now, let's introduce some key figures in the "7SEEDS" project. His expression is so unchanging, you might never have seen him again (lol). His name is Takashi Suegurono, and he was responsible for the progress and management of the "7SEEDS" project. It's no exaggeration to say that he was in charge of everything. He also served as the teacher (instructor) for the Summer A team.
The Face of a Father and a Husband
He is also the father of Hana Suegurono, one of the Spring Team members. Because of his inhumane and cruel treatment of Summer A Team, he distanced himself from Hana, leaving her with a vague sense of him as a father. After coaching Summer A Team, he worked with his wife, Miho, to manage Ryugujo (the underground evacuation shelter). Hana's birth transformed him, and he proactively listened to the complaints of the residents of Ryugujo as the penguin mascot. He also remained concerned about Ango and Ryo of Summer A Team until the very end. She eventually realizes that she had unconsciously thought of him as a son. Takashi, who had lost his humanity during the "7SEEDS" project, finally regained his warm, empathetic self thanks to Hana!
Farewell to His Wife
In fact, Ryugu had been flooding without her realizing it. By the time Miho realized it, a significant amount of water had already entered. She could have opened the heavy door and escaped. However, opening the door would have drowned everyone inside. Realizing this, Miho tightly closed the door from the inside, saving everyone at the cost of her own life. Takashi noticed something strange and headed to the scene, but it was too late. Miho was floating gently in the water. Looking out the small window, my beloved wife met my eyes with a slightly helpless smile, as if she had finally achieved her goal. It was so sad I cried (lol). Takashi continued to work hard after that, and I was impressed.
The End
Ryugu became overrun with unruly elements and the mysterious pathogen Mite X, and was eventually wiped out. Takashi himself was infected with the pathogen and committed suicide. He died thinking of Ango, Ryo, and the other students, for the sake of the flowers that would live in the future, but it can be said that he worked hard for the Earth until the very end. Although he may have acted in some wrong ways, he was a noble man with too much humanity to be hated.
【7SEEDS】Mozunoto Kaname
Past
Mozunoto Kaname is heavily involved in training the Summer A Team within the "7SEEDS" project. The Mozunoto family is a wealthy conglomerate that provided significant funding to the "7SEEDS" project, and Kaname is the heir to that family. As a result, he was kidnapped as a child and, although freed, abandoned in the mountains and survived for about two weeks. He decided to participate in this project to avoid letting his past become a traumatic experience and to live with it. You might think he's a strong person, but the truth is, he's unknowingly deeply traumatized and emotionally scarred. He's handsome, though (lol).
Shinigami
He coaches Summer A's team and acts as the Grim Reaper in the future. The Grim Reaper's role is to "kill those deemed unnecessary in the future." To fulfill this role, he even attempts to kill Hana. However, Mozudo has spent time with Hana, training her survival skills as a young girl. It's clear that Mozudo is deeply involved in the "7SEEDS" project. Deep down, he's happy that Hana is alive in the future, and he can't help but love Ango and the others. He doesn't realize it, though. If it weren't for the "7SEEDS" project, I think he'd be a kind older brother.
The End
In the end, not as the Grim Reaper or the "7SEEDS" project, but as Mozudo Kaname, he uses a giant, ferocious ant as a decoy to protect Kurumi, who is pregnant with Aki, and disappears, leaving only his left hand behind. While it's not clearly depicted, it's believed he amputated his own hand and escaped from the ants. It's horrifying, but Kaname's willingness to go to such lengths to protect Kurumi and the others suggests he's regained some of his humanity.
Was the [7SEEDS] Project a Success?
The "7SEEDS" project involved many people. Many human rights were lost, and many sacrifices were made. When humanity was on the brink of extinction, was this the right approach for the government? Indeed, all other plans ended in failure. Only the "7SEEDS" project proceeded as planned, ensuring that humans could survive in the future. This manga made me realize that life is very difficult, painful, and joyful. I hope you will read it and empathize with it. The anime will surely be a masterpiece!
