"The Seven Nights of Promise" review: A moving story and beautiful visuals

"The Seven Nights of Promise Festival": Seeking a miraculous reunion

"The Seven Nights of Promise" is a web anime distributed by XFLAG ANIME on YouTube, and is an original feature-length animation with a Tanabata theme, lasting about an hour. The director is Kazuya Murata, who is also in charge of the original story. This work depicts a story of friendship and reunion, and is deeply moving to viewers.

story

Mihara Seima, a first-year high school student, suddenly receives an email from his best friend Fujii Atsushi, whom he hasn't heard from in three and a half years. The email says, "There's a rare festival. Do you want to come? I want to meet and talk after a long time." Seima accepts the invitation and heads to the "Tanabata Nanaya Festival" held in an abandoned village deep in the mountains. However, Atsushi is nowhere to be found. Instead, he meets a girl named Senosawa Shiori, who also says, "There's someone I want to meet." Kanna, the festival's host, tells Seima, "I think you'll be able to meet Atsushi by the end of the festival." Seima and Shiori begin preparing for the festival. However, they end up getting caught up in strange events happening in the village. Will Seima be able to reunite with his best friend?

character

Mihara Seishin <br> The protagonist of this story, he is drawn into a mysterious festival as Hikoboshi (Altair) after receiving an email from his childhood friend Atsushi for the first time in three and a half years. Seishin has a strong desire to be reunited with Atsushi, and he participates in the festival with this wish in mind. His pure heart and feelings of friendship are at the heart of the story.

Senosawa Shiori <br> A girl chosen to be the Weaving Princess of the festival. She was involved in a bus accident and was seriously injured, and her deceased sister's organs were transplanted into her. Shiori participates in the festival with Hoshina, harboring feelings for her sister. The conflict between her past and present adds depth to the story.

Kanna <br> An interface for promoting the festival and an AI for managing the festival. Appearing as a hologram as a virtual deity, she supports Hoshina and Shiori in the progress of the festival. Kanna's presence blurs the boundary between reality and virtuality, adding a mysterious atmosphere to the story.

Atsushi Fujii <br> A childhood friend of Hosima, he hasn't been heard from in three and a half years since he moved to Tokyo, but he receives an email from Kugata inviting Hosima to a festival. Atsushi's presence is the driving force behind Hosima's actions, and reunion with him is a major theme of the story.

Senozawa Kaori <br> Shiori's older sister, she was caught in a torrential downpour during a bus trip and died shielding Shiori in the resulting bus accident. Shiori was seriously injured during the trip and had her organs transplanted into her. Kaori's death casts a large shadow over Shiori's heart, making her an important element of the story.

Princess Warrior Kozukihime <br> She is a fictional princess warrior, a pseudo-creation of a person from the past about whom only written records remain. Her existence symbolizes the history and traditions of the festival, providing a deep background to the story.

Production background and staff

The Seven Nights of Promise is an animation produced by XFLAG, with a Tanabata theme. The director, Murata Kazuya, was also in charge of the original story and created the worldview of the story. The script was written by XFLAG Studio, the character original was by Umishima Senbon, the character design was by Majiro, and the monster design was by Iijima Hiroya. The 3D director was Nakajima Ryusei (Try-Slash), the cinematographer was Yamaguchi Yuma (Rare Trick), the editor was Sakamoto Kumiko (J Film), the art director was Kasuga Hirotsugu (Ramekahirim), the color design was Kojima Makiko (Studio Road), the sound director was Aketagawa Jin, and the music was Iwashiro Taro. The planning producer was Hirasawa Nao (ARCH), the producer was Maeno Jonathan Kazushi, and the animation producers were Ogami Hiromasa and Ishiyama Naomi.

cast

The role of Mihara Seima is played by Saito Soma, the role of Senozawa Shiori is played by Yamamoto Nozomi, the role of Kanna is played by Mineuchi Tomomi, the role of Fujii Atsushi is played by Yamashita Daiki, the role of Senozawa Kaori is played by Senbongi Sayaka, and the role of Princess Warrior Kozuki Hime is played by Fukuhara Ayaka. These actors express the emotions of the characters realistically, adding excitement to the story.

Theme songs and music

The theme song for this series is "Awai," written, composed and sung by Anri Kumaki and arranged by Tatsuya Kitani. This song beautifully expresses the theme of the story, reunion and friendship, and will resonate deeply with viewers.

Evaluation and Impressions

"The Seven Nights of Promise" is a touching story about friendship and reunion. The story depicts the growth of Hoshina and Shiori and the difficulties they face, and leaves viewers with a deep impression. In addition, the production blurs the boundaries between reality and virtuality against the backdrop of the traditional Tanabata festival, adding a mystical atmosphere to the story. The acting by the cast is also superb, expressing the emotions of the characters realistically. In particular, the scenes depicting the friendship between Hoshina and Atsushi strike a strong chord with viewers.

This work is a culmination of XFLAG's high production techniques and creative ideas, providing viewers with new emotions. The storyline and beautiful visuals that make use of the Tanabata theme will provide viewers with an unforgettable experience. Please watch it and experience the story of Hoshina and Shiori.

Related Titles

"The Seven Nights of Promise" is the only work produced by XFLAG, and there are no other related works. However, other animation works by XFLAG also offer high quality and moving stories. In particular, the anime version of the "Monster Strike" series is a work that shows XFLAG's production technology and creative ideas. If you are interested, please check it out.

Recommendation

We highly recommend "The Seven Nights of Promise" to anyone looking for a touching story about friendship and reunion. We also recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy a work set against the backdrop of the traditional festival of Tanabata. Furthermore, this is a work that should be watched by anyone interested in XFLAG's high production skills and creative ideas. After watching it, you will be moved by the growth and friendship between Hoshina and Shiori, and feel the joy of their reunion.