The appeal and evaluation of "22/7 (Nanabun no Nijūni)": New possibilities for idol anime

22/7 (Nanabun no Nijūni) - Youth wavering between idol and reality

The TV anime series "22/7 (Nanabun no Nijūni)", which aired in 2020, is based on an idol project for which Yasushi Akimoto serves as general producer. Animation was produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Takao Abo. The series aired on TOKYO MX and BS11 every Saturday from 11pm and consists of 12 episodes. Each episode was 30 minutes long, providing viewers with a new idol story.

Story and Characters

"22/7" is a story about eight girls who form an idol group called "22/7" and pursue their dreams. Each girl has a different background and struggles with their own worries and conflicts, but they all aim to shine on stage. The anime depicts the girls as they struggle between their real lives and their work as idols.

The main characters include:

• Mizuno Yui - The leader of the group, with a strong sense of responsibility. Her growth and leadership are central to the story.
• Aya Maruyama - A bright and lively personality, she is the mood maker of the group. Her positive energy energizes the team.
• Sato Reika - A member with a cool and mature aura. Her inner conflict and growth are depicted.
• Mizuna Kuraoka - A shy and reserved character. Her struggle with self-expression is an important element of the story.
• Nagomi Saijo - Serious and hardworking. Her efforts and growth contribute to the group's success.
• Amagi Sally - A member from overseas with a background in a different culture. The story depicts Japanese idol culture from her perspective.
• Rei Takatsuji - A member with an interest in fashion, her individuality and style bring a breath of fresh air to the group.
• Ayaka Tachikawa - The youngest member of the group. Her innocence and growth add emotion to the story.

The appeal of anime

The greatest appeal of "22/7" is its realistic character portrayal and deep storytelling. Each character's background and worries are carefully depicted, making viewers empathize with their growth and want to root for them. In addition, the difficulty of balancing their activities as idols with their private lives is realistically depicted, and the show contains many elements that will make viewers think.

The anime's music is also a big attraction. The songs, written by Yasushi Akimoto, are characterized by catchy, heartfelt melodies that link with the story. The opening theme "Muzui" and the ending theme "Nanimo Shite Agerenai" in particular captured the hearts of viewers. Additionally, the music inserted in each episode also adds excitement to the story and stirs the emotions of the viewer.

Background and Evaluation

"22/7" was created as part of an idol project by Yasushi Akimoto. Akimoto is a producer of successful groups such as AKB48 and Nogizaka46, and his experience and knowledge are reflected in this work. A-1 Pictures, the animation studio, is known for its high-quality animation, and they demonstrated their technical skills in "22/7".

Director Takao Abo has deeply touched viewers by carefully depicting the emotions of the characters. The script and direction are also well-constructed, with each episode depicting a different theme. These elements combined have allowed "22/7" to receive high praise.

Audience reactions and impact

"22/7" received a great response from viewers. In particular, the realistic portrayal of the characters and the depth of the story were highly praised, and many fans were born on social media. In addition, their activities as an idol group also attracted attention, and their live events and CD releases became a hot topic.

This work has been praised as a coming-of-age drama that goes beyond the idol anime genre. Viewers say they empathized with the characters' growth, friendship, and challenges to achieve their dreams, and it gave them an opportunity to reflect on their own lives. In addition, the realistic portrayal of the idol world has given viewers a chance to deepen their understanding of idol culture.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed 22/7, you might also like:

• Love Live! - The story of the idol group μ's. It depicts the growth and friendship of the characters.
• Idolmaster - The story of the idol group "765 Pro". It depicts the real world of idols.
• K-ON! - A coming-of-age story set in a light music club. The themes are friendship and growth.

These works, like "22/7," depict the growth of characters and friendships, and are sure to impress viewers. They are also especially enjoyable for those who are interested in idol culture and music.

summary

"22/7" is an idol anime that is appealing for its realistic character portrayals and deep storytelling. The combination of Yasushi Akimoto's production and A-1 Pictures' high-quality animation has resulted in a work that moves viewers. It has also been praised as a youth drama for depicting the characters' growth, friendship, and challenges to achieve their dreams. We hope that viewers will also enjoy related works and deepen their understanding of idol culture and music.