Have you heard of the manga 7SEEDS? It's a hugely popular manga that's set to be adapted into an anime series exclusively on Netflix in spring 2019. The excitement surrounding 7SEEDS is building, so we'd like to take a closer look at it. We'll also introduce the "Summer B Team" that appears in the series. Be sure to use this as a primer before watching the anime.
What is 7SEEDS?
Long-running Manga
7SEEDS (Seven Seas) is a long-running manga that was serialized in Bessatsu Shojo Comic from the November 2001 issue to the July 2017 issue (it moved to Monthly Flowers from the June 2002 issue). It was serialized until very recently. Given its popularity, this long-awaited anime adaptation is truly a long-awaited one! It's a little sad that it's exclusive to Netflix (lol).
Unusual for a shojo manga
The illustrations are completely shojo manga-esque, but it's a sci-fi, slightly fantasy-infused shojo manga that's far from the mainstream. However, it does have some romance elements, so it's sure to get you excited. The author, Yumi Tamura, has been working on manga since 1985. Her most famous works include Tomoe ga Yuku! and BASARA. She's a hugely popular manga artist with many familiar titles.
Many Characters
7SEEDS is completed in 35 volumes. One of the things I'm looking forward to is seeing how much of the story will be covered in the anime, but the fact is that there are a lot of characters. The story is set in a future Japan, with five teams of seven members, each struggling to survive. This time, we'll focus on one of these teams, "Summer Team B." You won't understand 7SEEDS without knowing about "Summer Team B."
This Manga Was Amazing in 2018!
It even ranked 10th in the 2018 "This Manga is Amazing!" magazine. This impressive ranking comes after a 16-year serialization! While the anime adaptation may be attracting attention, it's a remarkable achievement to have a work from 16 years ago selected among newer works. With its appearance in this magazine, it's sure to see a resurgence in popularity.
What's the plot of [7SEEDS]?
Project
First of all, "7SEEDS" is the name of a project created by the Earth government in the manga. The project's impetus begins with a story about Earth's future revealed by scholars. The scholars predict that "in the near future, a giant celestial body will fall, causing various disasters on Earth and a tragedy similar to the extinction of the dinosaurs." The government's response was to freeze and preserve young individuals with high-quality DNA. Once the disaster has subsided, they will be thawed and released using a computer. This is an ambitious project aimed at ensuring the human species thrives in a post-disaster world.
Release
7SEEDS is held in each country, and Japan is divided into five teams of seven people, each released to various locations. Upon waking, some are meeting each other for the first time, while others are acquaintances, creating a diverse range of relationships. The characters are of various ages, and they overcome numerous conflicts and incidents to survive. This is a true sci-fi survival manga. It's an exciting and thrilling story, typical of author Yumi Tamura.
[7SEEDS] What is Summer Team B?
The First Team
7SEEDS has an outstanding story structure! The order in which the five teams appear seems very well-calculated. The richness of this story is one of 7SEEDS's strengths, and it's typical of author Yumi Tamura! This "Summer B Team" appears from the first volume of the manga. This is why only this team appears from start to finish.
Team Division
It's no exaggeration to say that the members selected for this project are representative of all humanity. They possess excellent DNA, and their criminal history and health are also taken into consideration. However, the government seems to have put a bit of a twist on this "Summer B Team." In addition to the same requirements as the other teams, they also have additional requirements such as being rebellious and withdrawn. This team was created as a backup based on the assumption that "innocent, purebred people have a weak will to survive." It's true that even if they're thawed, they'll still have to survive, so a slightly unusual (problematic) team may be necessary (lol).
[7SEEDS] Member Introduction!
Iwashimizu Natsu
This is Iwashimizu Natsu, the protagonist of the Summer B Team arc. She's 16 years old and extremely introverted. Perhaps because of this, she was bullied at school and refused to go to school. Her shyness initially caused a lot of trouble for those around her, but she gradually became stronger! This is definitely a must-see. Her hard work and courage have helped her get out of difficult situations. Incidentally, before being frozen, she lived in Saitama and had a cat named Nuts. The anime's voice actress is the incredibly popular Nao Higashiyama!
Aota Arashi
This is Aota Arashi, one of the essential members of "Summer B Team." He's also handsome! He's 17 years old and has been dating a girl on another team since before he was frozen. He's loyal, always worried about her, and a kind, righteous young man. Incidentally, he was working hard at swimming with the goal of competing in the Olympics. He's highly intelligent and truly accomplished in both academics and sports. However, when he's anxious, he easily becomes suspicious. He's quite sensitive. The voice actor is everyone's favorite, Jun Fukuyama!
Semimaru Asai
This is Semimaru Asai, a typical delinquent (lol). This Semimaru was formed from a troubled family background and a history of being bullied. However, he's very caring, and his quick thinking and intuition are unmatched when it comes to emergencies. He also seems to be quite interested in Natsu, who's on the same team, and is quite persistent in his interactions with her (lol). His way of interacting with her is unique and intimidating, but he's also the team's mood maker. He's even better than he looks! His voice actor is the renowned Katsuyuki Konishi!
Saotome Botan
This is Saotome Botan, a former police officer who serves as the guide for "Summer Team B." A guide is a civil servant with excellent survival skills who briefs, protects, and supports the members after they're thawed. He's been given a cyanide compound to use in case the members get sick or want to die. At first, Saotome was quite overbearing and sometimes earned the other members a negative reaction, but they later warmed up to her, even calling her "Big Sister Peony." Her voice actress is Yoko Soumi, famous for her role as Cameron Diaz!
Tendo Matsuri
This is Tendo Matsuri, a 16-year-old who briefly ran away from home. As the daughter of a farming family, she has some knowledge of agriculture. She has a cheerful, sociable, and always smiling personality, but in her original world, she suppressed herself and lived her life constantly, constantly reading other people's moods. Perhaps because of this, she has excellent observation skills and is quick to read the mood. It's now become an advantage. She's also good friends with Natsu, who is on the same team, and they can talk honestly. Her voice actress is Kana Asumi, whose cute voice is soothing!
Yamori Chimaki
This is Yamori Chimaki, a first-year art school student who is extremely laid-back. Apparently, in her original world, she spent her days leisurely drawing pictures. He doesn't do much, but I think he lacks the behavior or emotion of impatience (lol). He speaks without change no matter the situation, which can sometimes throw off the pace. However, he loves drawing, so as long as he can draw, he doesn't seem to care if he's frozen. He might actually be the most eccentric character. His voice actor is the wonderful Akira Ishida!
Kusakari Hotaru
This is Kusakari Hotaru, 12 years old and the youngest member of this team. He has a bright, cheerful personality and is cute and soothing. He can predict the weather 100% and his hobby is palm reading. The Kusakari family is related to the Niigusa family, another team, and is a branch of the Niigusa family (the Souke family). He has saved his teammates countless times with his sharp observation skills and quick wit. Don't think he's a kid! His voice actor is the incredibly popular Aoi Yūki, who appears in an anime every season!
Mozu
He's the teacher of "Summer A Team," known for his exceptional survival skills, who calls himself Mozu. His real name is Mozunoto Kaname. He's actually the creator of this project and the nephew of the Prime Minister, who is in charge of the project. His real name is finally revealed in volume 12 of the manga, but Mozunoto is also the Grim Reaper. He observes each team and will even attempt to kill them if he deems them a failure. He's a very important character. His voice actor is the handsome voice actor Kazuhiko Inoue!
[7SEEDS] Which team will survive?
Did you enjoy this? Did you know? A detailed look at Natsu's B team, who appears in 7SEEDS! We've introduced the "Summer B Team." Although they're said to be a group of dropouts, they have the best survival skills and are doing well. They're all open-minded and flexible, and each one is unique and outstanding. The anime will air in spring 2019, but we hope you'll check out the manga before then!
