Miu Takigawa views the world from behind the safety of her bangs, content with peacefully passing unnoticed through life. Reserved and timid, Miu struggles to converse with or even smile at customers when at her part time job, but she works tirelessly to support her mother and precious little sister, Haru. It is a shock when a letter arrives from the entertainment company GIP, announcing that she has been chosen as a candidate for their new project.
Miu decides to accept the invitation and heads to the meeting spot where the eccentric ensemble of other candidates filter in, all summoned by their own letters. Not long after, the girls are escorted by a manager to a luxurious secret facility, where it is explained that they must follow the mysterious directions of "The Wall," whose orders are absolute.
The 24th of December, 2016, will see the birth of idols like no other; on that day, the group 22/7 will debut, whether or not Miu and the other members are ready to take the stage.
#1: "Sora no Emerald (空のエメラルド)" by 22/7 (eps 1-2, 10)#2: "One of them" by Miu Takigawa (Nagomi Saijou) (ep 3)#3: "Ikiru koto ni Raku ni Naritai (生きることに楽になりたい)" by Sakura Fujima (Sally Amaki) (ep 4)#4: "Yume no Fune (夢の船)" by Miyako Kouno (Mizuha Kuraoka) (ep 5)#5: "Yuutousei ja Tsumaranai (優等生じゃつまらない)" by Reika Satou (Chiharu Hokaze) (ep 6)#6: "Jinsei wa Waltz (人生はワルツ)" by Jun Toda (Ruri Umino) (ep 7)#7: "Kanjou Muyouron (感情無用論)" by Akane Maruyama (Kanae Shirosawa) (ep 8)#8: "Moonlight" by Ayaka Tachikawa (Reina Miyase) (ep 9)#9: "Kodoku wa Kirai ja Nai (孤独は嫌いじゃない)" by Nicole Saitou (Uta Kawase) (ep 11)
For some reason 22/7 has little to no negative reviews even with this relatively low MAL score so I thought I would take it upon myself to justify why it is the way it is.
For one, 22/7 has a ridiculous premise. I will spoil it right here, so here we go: The reason why all 8 girls were summoned to become an idol group was because a giant Wall (yes, WALL) that an entire secret facility was build around on spit out a golden plate that said so.
I want to inform anyone that might not know this, but 22/7 is a real idol group.
Which decided to make a promo anime. With a magic fantasy wall that spit out the absolute order that these girls are the key to form the ideal idol group. If this isn’t a promo that shows you are a little too full of yourself, I don’t know what is.
The wall’s orders are all absolute, truthful and all just work successfully every time. Meaning this series has no stakes. No stakes they might fail or any other emotional stakes because the series doesn’t bother to invest into any other element of a story.
The entire show is the characters doing some idol shit, implying they are struggling, instead grotesquely succeeding because the WALL is just the baddest boss ever and giving every single member an artificially emotional and dramatic backstory for the viewers to feel for them. Because this is how we write anime.
I don’t actually know if every member of this idol group has these backstories in real life, but I honestly doubt it by how anime and predictable they were.
Aspects I liked about the show were the strong production values. Having Yukiko Horiguchi as character designer on your team as well as a director or episode directors that bump out several great layouts is in your favor. Though since this is not Kyoto Animation, most of the effort put into the animation falls relatively flat because this studio isn’t all too well equipped to draw the taxing character designs of Yukiko as well as the script not being tight enough to actually justify any of the creative decisions. I wouldn’t say much is off-model but some scenes look more cleaner and better polished up than others. All the characters are but only pretty character designs of specific-archetype-number X with fake emotional backstories to back them up, that are so artificially crafted most people couldn’t fall for it if they tried. Though the reviews and almost 7.0 average score are telling me that it worked for some folks for sure.
I would be lying in denying that I didn’t enjoy the emotional core of episode 7, which not only striked me with its incredible storyboard layouts and fairly good plot, but I cannot say so for everything else in the show. All backstories, even the one I somewhat enjoyed, were just raw templates ripped out of the book “How to create a mediocre anime” and make no actual sense in context of the interal logic of the series. I will tell you a secret: Giving every character in your show a backstory isn’t going to make them get fleshed out or feel more authentic, especially when all the backstories are badly written and dishonest in their emotional core. The show is of one cour length, you could’ve made a competent idol anime out of what talent they already had on board by having a competent script writer just write idols be idols and fleshing them out with having to handle the struggles of the work and in their interactions with their group, but all of these aspects fall short because half of every episode has to be backstory time.
And if that wasn’t the worst aspect: I don’t think some members can sing. Some sound completely tone-deaf and to that are terrible voice actors, some are a little more authentic. Overall making the idol group voice act their “character” was not a smart idea, as they mostly sound bad. Especially the performances are underwhelming. The melodies are generic and forgettable and the lyrics are self-important and pretentious. Especially the debute song is a pack off ass. Singing about “Life is so hard” – urgh, just makes me sick.
So overall what makes 22/7 not great is the badly written script, artificial and bland characters but having a generally great production even if the team cannot handle it like a KyoAni would. But what made it really bad was the finale. The finale just flat out made the anime say to the viewers that they don’t care in explaining the Wall at all. The last episode was actually hilarious, I recommend watching that one at least.
This anime didn’t give a fuck. For sure some of the production team did, because I consider it a good production, but the actual product is an empty husk and creatively bankrupt piece of “art” that serves exactly one point – promo for an idol group.
They didn’t care to write an authentic, genuine and emotional script, they just wrote some “anime bullshit” premise and then threw in emotional backstories to sway any uneducated viewer easily.
Also let the characters grow to love being an idol seemingly off-screen and make them all emotionally invested in the job right before the last order of the wall is delivered towards the end of the show, then let the plot commence and leave the show end with a “bang” – all to promote an idol group. One of the harshest industries there are. And they glorify this work in this anime as well.
22/7 sucked and was among the most banal and shameless promos I have seen, while wasting some great animation talent in the same process. Truly shameful.
Overview
Story: 1/10 – Absolutely terrible
Art & Animation: 7/10 – Really good with great layouts. Not on a KyoAni level, though it felt like they tried with having Yukiko on the team
Sound: 4/10 – Terrible voice acting and pretentious and artificially emotional lyrics, falls in theme with the show. It did have a decent OST and sounddesign though.
Character: 2/10 – Nothing humane.
Enjoyment: 6/10 – I did have a good time even if some of it was laughing by how dumb it was
Idol: 3/10 – It speaks for itself
Overall: 4.0 (range: 3.5-4.5, strong 3 to light 4)
An anime adaptation of 22/7 adds another title to the seasonal idol lineup we get every year. Usually, we get at least 1-2 idol theme anime per season but 22/7 is also known for being a real life idol group. And make no mistake, becoming a member of the 22/7 idol group is no easy task. Because out of over 10,000 candidates, only a few are selected as being worthy. On a few are born to be an idol. Only a few has what it takes to be a member of 22/7.
Idol shows are known for their promotional material and a testament of having characters
as role models. The members have strict life styles and in Japanese culture, they must abide to rules or be eliminated. Because of this, becoming part of an idol group is a celebrated feat, an accomplishment that one should be proud of. 22/7 consists of 8 characters, all with different personalities, backgrounds, and ambitions. However, they are united under the same banner, to be idols and entertain the world through music.
The idol culture graces us with facts that in the entertainment world, anything can happen. Being high school students, they’re still learning to grow up and taking steps into adolescence is no easy task. The first few episodes promises to set up a storytelling saga to showcase the reality of idol life. Being managed by “The Wall”, the show is unique in that it’s not managed by a talent agency. From the first episode, we are introduced to Miu Takuigawa, an ordinary high school teenager looking for work. After having trouble earning income for her family, she decides to become a member but interestingly enough, Miu is one of the less qualified members compared to the other cast. More interestingly, Miu is initially chosen as the lead center and with that comes a huge responsibility. It doesn’t take long for her to clash with fellow idol member Nicole in the second episode. And this shouldn’t be a surprise either as the audience should easily be able to see that Nicole qualifies more as a leader than Miu. The first two episodes brings together the melodrama and reality of being in an idol group. Even within the group, they have problems so what’s to say they won’t face even bigger problems?
Luckily, differences can be put aside as by the time we reach the third episode, 22/7 is in line to perform their first live concert. It doesn’t go well at first due to equipment failure but as the leader, Miu takes charge for herself and manages to save them from humiliation. In essence, her actions earns the respect of the group and the audience. And because of her committment, it’s safe to say that Miu earned her spot. But this show isn’t just about Miu. Viewers should remember that there are 7 other girls and each of them come from different backgrounds. From episode 4 and onwards, we are given insights about some of their personalities and background stories on a personal level for the remaining cast. This form of storytelling is also important as it showcase the realism of the show. There’s obvious social problems that the idols deal with including social anxiety, loneliness, self-doubt, and even the deaths of a loved one. If we look at the bigger picture, this show seems to aim to be an emotional drama than the lighthearted pop culture such as Idolmaster or Love Live. Some of my favorite episodes in this season exists because it gets you emotionally invested into the cast such as Akane, Toda, and even Ayaka. Other times, the anime aims to collectively tell stories about the group as a whole to the world. In one of the later episodes, it tests the emotional connection of the group as they become attached together like a family. The more you watch 22/7, the more you realize it’s more than just a group of idols existing together to perform on stage. It’s about living a life to fulfill dreams and overcoming life obstacles that didn’t seem possible.
From the theatrical performances to the character designs, A-1 Pictures adapted this anime like a play. The characters are the actors, or idols in this case, but always portrayed as realistic as possible. They are humans after all and even transcending into the idol realm doesn’t immortalize them as Gods. But as 22/7 grows more in popularity, you can see how the group improves themselves with better dance coordination, singing tunes, and even their stage outfits. On the technical level, the animated music videos themselves uses CGI with some 3D choreography. Now, before you throw the towel, I do want to say this show managed to animate itself rather well. The dance movements look sharp and chereography has coordination while not being overly reliant on the animation itself. It may take time to get used to but as it stands, 22/7’s CGI works wonders.
Now, the big question remains. How should the music be judged? As “idols who cross dimensions”, the seiyu in this show had to undergo through lengthy process of being selected so rest assured that the music you hear is top tier quality. It relies a lot on conveying emotions and communicating the idols’ emotions to the audience. Sony Music Records bought top tier talent together to compose their discography. The most noticeable one is perhaps the OP theme song, “MuzuI” performed by Uta Kawase. Also distinguishable is the fact that almost every episode contains a different ED theme, most often featuring the prominent character related to that episode. Insert songs are also occasionally used in episodes during climatic moments.
There’s a good chance people missed out on this show this year. It’s a niche anime targeted to the music demographic but from what’s shown, 22/7 itself went above expectations to be more than just idols performing on stage. The amount of melancholy is above the general consensus and in retrospect, it reinvents itself as a music drama. Spread the word and let it be known that 22/7 is a rewarding experience.
22/7... That is the title of the anime...sounds like a mathematical thing. However, what is behind this mysterious number? This numerical value certainly seems familiar to one or the other in relation to π (Pi), but mathematics does not play a major role here.
22/7 or "Nanabun no Nijūni" is an idol group that was formed in late 2016. The group itself consists of eleven members (2 + 2 + 7 = 11), eight of them appear here in the main anime (the other three will appear in the OVA, 13th episode).
STORY:
With no idea in mind, our eight girls receive a mysterious letter that does not
tell anything beside to meet in a zoo. From that point on, we get to know that they are the chosen ones to start a new idol group. Despite the different starting skills in singing and dancing, which is the most important thing for idols, they work together to improve their skills and knowledge. A deep friendship arises, together they manage to overcome hurdles and support each other.
In the 21st century, AI (Artificial intelligence) is already an important part in our daily life. So is it possible to analyze everything and calculate even the perfect idol flow? Since all-important information (center position, performance times, etc.) is given by a mysterious "wall" from the headquarter and must be followed absolutely, this could be an indication of such an AI.
However, we are humans and not machines, we know sadness, we know what makes us happy, me know the feeling of losing important things. Do we really have to do everything the AI suggests? Our girls also face this hurdle, because the AI demands many things that cannot be understood by humans.
CHARACTERS:
The first three episodes are focusing on the center member Miu. She is a very shy girl and had little confidence in the whole idol thing at the beginning. She did not want to become an idol even. We get to know her background situation in detail.
Nevertheless, all eight members will already be seen in the first episode. After the first three episode, we will learn more and more about each girl. The background stories of them are very touching, some are also very sad. Instead of thinking negatively, they want to transmit new positive energy to people with their songs. All of the girls had a different past, but fate (and AI) brought them together as a unit. Together they spread the happiness among the people and can solve all problems! The harmony between them is definitely there.
ART:
The animations are a little different from their music videos, which were produced before the anime. It is definitely smoother and better now. The girls are portrayed sweetly, as it is often the case in idol anime.
SOUND:
One of the most important thing for a good idol anime in my opinion. Although the group has released only four singles yet, it is fun to hear their songs, idol music to brighten up your day. The entire 22/7 group also sing OP and ED. Each character will have their own unique ending song during the anime also. Idol music should spread a good mood and joy among its fans and listeners, their songs certainly succeeded in that way.
ENJOYMENT:
I was looking forward every Saturday for a new episode of 22/7. I really like the new idea of 22/7 that differs from e.g. Love Live! or Re: Stage Dream Days. The "AI wall" is certainly an interesting thing that is not known from other idol anime. It reflects the power of AI nowadays.
Besides that new idea, I really enjoyed the characters. We learn a lot about them and as a result they grow close to our hearts. The support of each other in difficult situations is really very touching. You can feel the love between them.
For idol fans (like myself), 22/7 is definitely a recommendation. You will have cute girls, good music and an unique story line.
(Looking forward for the OVA and hopefully a second season already!)
It all started with Takigawa Miu, a shy and anti-social girl. One day Miu found a letter containing an invitation to join an idol named 22/7. The idol group which consists of 8 member, has its own story. in each episode there is a background and reasons for how these 8 member arrived at 22/7. There are lots of anime titles out there like this but none are as unique as 22/7.
Carrying the theme of idol, this anime does not only contain girls singing, dancing, or cheering. what makes this interesting is that it contains not only those 3 things, but this anime is
actually full of flashbacks or backgrounds of each character.
In addition, the song was beautiful, the rhythm of the music hummed melodiously. but unfortunately 22/7 shows very few concerts.
Although rarely appear this anime is worth watching and the idol anime should be like 22/7. Not only rely on songs, anime idols must also have a clear background and purpose about the idol itself.
I know all of this is only for money, promotion, or fame but there is no harm in experimenting, because there are still many opportunities out there, like the sky does not end.