7SEEDS

DESCRIPTION

CAST

CHAPTERS

ONA Action7SEEDS
ONE SHOT Slice of Life7SEEDS Bangai-hen: Memories - Sorezore no Natsu
ONA Action7SEEDS 2
MANGA Adventure7SEEDS Gaiden

REVIEWS

• 

  Unleash

  100/100
  A team survival-adventure flavored coalesce of love, hardship, philosophical thought, and psychological seasoning. ´◡`

  __INTRODUCTION (NO SPOILERS)__

  In 2007, this manga received a Shogakukan Manga Award. I believe it was well deserved. It's an outstanding story that covers a lot of ground. For all of the ground it covers it also answers a lot of questions and I bet most readers would be satisfied by the end of reading it, and if not, you can read 7SEEDS Gaiden for a little bit more closure. I was and still am sated by this story and what it provides. You have a thrilling survival adventure that's true to reality in plenty of the ways I want it to be. You have a heap of opportunities to read this with a philosophical lens, and for those who haven't explored deeply on the big questions of life, this can be rewarding as the characters will walk that path with you as you read. It took 16 years to craft this excellent manga and by some close shave coincidence, one year more and it would total the amount of time for something very carefully planned to take in the world presented in the manga.

  __MAIN COURSE: (WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!)__ __ [STORY]__ From the very start we're thrown right into a dire situation with characters who wake up confused and paranoid. Not only that, but they lack trust and right away you'll find yourself looking for the bad guy. If you've seen something like _The Walking Dead_ or _BTOOOM!_ you'll find those same paranoid feelings creep into your mind that the characters exude throughout the story. Questions like "Are they safe to be in the group?" or "What if they hurt x?" might float around. It makes sense that you and the characters would feel this way. Wait-where are we? What are these characters here for and why? We're in the ocean? These questions are answered pretty quickly-at least for the first group we get to know: Team Summer B. Now if you put pieces together before you're told they're pieces you'd quickly come to the realization that if there is one team, there has to be others. There sure is, and we get to know about each character in all 5 teams. Each team composed of 8 characters, one of the 8 characters being the assigned guide for each team. We follow one team for given periods of time during the manga and we get to learn about the members and watch the virgin world shape and test their limits. Virgin world? Yeah, the guides know about it. The guides were told the fundamental reasons for why the teams are all on this dangerous world that we find out to be Earth post-meteor apocalypse. As true with humanity, when the clock is ticking they'll stop at nothing to persevere. It was a carefully thought out plan: preserve a certain selection of humans in sleep chamber pods equipped to survive the rough ride of the ocean's wrath until the pods themselves deem it safe to wake them up. Many years after the Earth adjusts to the vast changes caused by the impact of the meteor, the pods wake the preserved sleeping humans inside, and they are burdened with great responsibility to survive and restart humanity. "What if a team is unstable and wants to end humanity for whatever reason?" Much like other holes you could come up with, this was appropriately planned for as well. The mastermind behind this happens to be a wealthy middle aged man named Takashi Sugurono. Now while he might have been a smart guy, he's not a genius, and he is flawed like other humans. We find out that his intuitions happen to fall flat on an area unexpected: Team Summer A. A team that was derived from the 17 years (from birth) of systematic training and schooling of approximately 100 genetically engineered humans. Yes, out of 100 specialists who trained from birth, only 7 of them were supposed to remain after an unexpected final test of survival, proctored by Takashi and their teacher. Now I'm not gonna say how these guys happen to be flawed in a world where you simply need to survive with others, but for various reasons, they are. There are many lessons to be learned and a lot of the basic things are covered: corruption, distrust, sex/rape, sharing resources, conflict, love, tragedy, revenge, friendship, anti-hero, etc. There is one thing that I really, really, appreciate: Takashi planned to have each person be an expert in something, we're not left in a world absent of something even not related to survival, such as the artist. To my pleasant surprise the artist was included in the careful selection of people meant to shoulder the burden of restarting humanity. Yeah I said it again, "the burden of restarting humanity" These characters were also selected in a way that allows for each person to have an opposite sex partner to procreate with. If they survive, that is. If you like the idea of two people being in love and surviving together, this story isn't very forgiving and tests you with edge-of-your-seat moments. "How far would you go for someone you love?" Is a question that's implied throughout the quest for Hana to find her boyfriend Arashi. Both of which, while concerned for the others' wellbeing, don't know of their own status for a long part of the story, making you desire their eventual meeting even further. That in itself could easily be its own separate manga. As you learn about the characters and watch them through their struggles you'll want them to meet each other to see how they feel and interact, and to my great satisfaction they do meet each other after scarce communication left behind and clues of where to go. Surprisingly, this manga doesn't strangle your soul energy and leave you depressed that things could be so cruel. This manga may appear unforgiving at first, but it turns out to be a rather uplifting one. At the end after all the ordeals and challenges they had to face together, the remaining characters meet and set up a long term commune and begin to think about the future very carefully and deliberately. __[CHARACTERS]__ __(WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!)__ Out of the 40 people selected for project 7SEEDS, only a few of them were intended to be genetically apex experts in necessary fields. This leaving a good amount of rather regular people who are adept at certain skills, with the exception of a very few, who seem to be good at hardly anything. It didn't matter which character it was, I found myself cherishing them, relating to them, and I even grew attached to them through their struggles. There are a few characters outside of these 40 that lived before the meteor hit and even those characters were noteworthy and potentially relatable for some readers. It's enjoyable to see strong females worth admiring and men who let themselves be weak in the face of others (the inverse is also still true.) I never grew bored of any character, and this is important because the manga puts the focus on certain sets and even certain characters alone. You get to be with them for periods of time that allow you to grow attached (or hate them, and that's understandable.) There is absolutely character development and it's beautiful how it is executed. I loved seeing Natsu grow more brave, or her playful, boastful, aggressive, tsukkomi Semimaru who grows to love(?) her. I loved seeing Hana simply exist, she's a very strong person and I can't imagine many people withstanding what she did in this book, that goes for Takahiro too, he's my favorite character for this reason: being a very weak, innocent, warm-hearted person, who took on the responsibility of living for his friends and despite the odds he survived a rather lonely, cold existence. __This manga relies heavily on the characters, if you don't like them I think it would be hard to consume.__ The characters are what complete this story, had they been mundane or predictable there's no way I'd be writing this review, or my rating being perfect as it stands. The closure in [7SEEDS Gaiden](https://anilist.co/manga/101011/7-Seeds-Gaiden/) seals the last remaining points.
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• 

  colleensmangarecs

  100/100
  7 Seeds is a masterpiece of apocalypse fiction

  I've contemplated back and forth on whether I wanted to write a review on this series. It's storytelling and world building is so complex and intricate that I've felt overwhelmed by how I could even begin to describe my love for this manga. However I'll try my best, since I really feel the need to convey what a special series this is.

  7 Seeds is nothing short of a masterpiece, interweaving stories of more than 30 characters in truly unexpected and surprising ways. With each group you come to meet overtime you learn more and more about each character, their motivations, and how they fit into this post-apocalyptic society. Even the flashbacks to characters that were once dwelling in certain places were still intriguing and fleshed out the world of 7 Seeds even further.

  This manga was dark, morbid, and bleak while still being able to give you a ray of hope at the same time. There were moments where my jaw hit the floor or where I could not stop crying. Despite this, the tone of the series never felt like it was bogged down with nihilism and cynicism about whether human could successfully live together where the previous way of life has been destroyed. The characters of Hana and Arashi being the main reason we are able to consistently have a slight positive outlook.

  It also doesn't shy away from the long term trauma that certain events can cause in a person's life. Ango and most of the Summer Team A being the biggest example of how government control and lack of human empathy can make even the most devoted people turn on their superiors. On the opposite of that spectrum we also have Haru, who suffered great loss on his own in the new world. Unlike Summer Team A, he internalized this trauma and kept it with him.

  Real quick, I would like to mention the character of Natsu. I knew right away that people would most likely hate her character, since she's a timid girl (nothing is worse than that apparently). However, I really love Natsu's characterization and how we see her slow and steady growth to become a bit more confident throughout the series. People don't change personalities instantly, even when they have willingly expressed wanting to change. Being thrown into a post-apocalyptic world where you have no idea what happened to your family and have to fend off dangerous new creatures probably won't lend itself well either. I would argue Natsu would represent a large majority of how people would act in that situation.

  I could go on and on about how good this series is but I hate reviews that are more than 4 paragraphs long so I'll leave it at that.

  The art, characters, and writing are phenomenal. Every new arc makes it hard to put the series down. This is in my top 10 manga series of all time.

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• 

  Snguine

  88/100
  Human characterization and unflinching themes bring 7SEEDS close to its full potential

  I believe 7SEEDS is a manga that can be easily misunderstood based on your expectations when you read it. Initially, it might appear cluttered or even disheartening due to its approach as a regular survival tale with a leading protagonist, a definite plot of action, and scenes that seem to fulfill in a simple manner. However, when you delve deeper and truly engage with its intent, it becomes much more thoughtful and, quite frankly, more human than most stories of its genre.

  Not all characters cope with survival in the same way. This is one of the story’s strongest aspects. Some characters adapt quickly, coming to terms with their situation and moving forward. Others struggle more, clinging to the past, freezing in danger, or breaking down under pressure. Both reactions are portrayed as valid, creating a balanced narrative that makes it easier to connect with even the initially unlikable characters.

  While some characters may seem annoying or make unreasonable choices, these reactions become understandable when considering their dire circumstances. They are not well-trained soldiers or ideal survivors; they are ordinary people thrust into a terrible situation with no control over their fate. The novel doesn’t portray them as heroes; instead, it allows them to remain human even when they face downfall.

  The manga also explores the theme of fear. Fear doesn’t disappear when a character becomes stronger; it lingers, shaping their thoughts, behaviors, and even guarding them at times while also keeping them captive. This constant feeling of fear grounds the story, preventing readers from feeling in complete control of the unfolding events.

  Another aspect of the story that is very real is the relationships that develop among the characters. Individuals unite due to a mutual need, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll trust each other. Trust takes time to build, and there are instances where one person doesn’t fully trust another. Genuine connections emerge, but there are also times when things fall apart. Misunderstandings occur, people get hurt, and some bonds strengthen while others shatter completely.

  What’s interesting is that the story doesn’t try to transform all the relationships into something positive. It acknowledges that in such a situation, conflicts will arise. Individuals will rely on each other unhealthily at times, and they’ll make mistakes that affect everyone around them. This candor makes the emotional parts of the story even more impactful because they don’t feel forced or unrealistic.

  The world itself plays a significant role in all of this. The nature in 7SEEDS is not harmonious or relaxing; it’s unpredictable and often dangerous. The surroundings feel like something the characters are constantly negotiating with. The world doesn’t care about their survival or make things easy for them. This creates a tense atmosphere, with even minor things becoming major problems.

  At the same time, there’s an uncanny beauty to the world. It’s developed into something different, something that’s not part of humanity anymore. The contrast between beauty and danger is one of the reasons why the setting is so memorable. It’s not just a backdrop; it actively shapes the story and the characters in a natural setting.

  The other prominent theme is memory. The characters belong to a world that no longer exists, and they all cope with it in different ways. Some cling to their memories desperately, while others try to release them to adjust. Neither approach is presented as the correct one. Any tenacity can make you strong, but it can also lead to stagnation. Releasing can help you move on, but it can also leave you disoriented.

  This conflict is evident in the minor scenes of the story. Even simple reminders of ordinary meals or locations can make the characters feel better, but they can also serve as reminders of all the things they’ve lost. These moments are handled in a low-key manner, avoiding overdramatization and making the characters feel more authentic.

  Another aspect to consider is the pacing of the story. This can be a point of contention for some readers. The narrative is leisurely and doesn’t always follow a straight line. Certain arcs are less focused or slower than others, which can make the story feel like it’s drifting away. However, when you look at the bigger picture, the moments are often building something in the background.

  It’s understandable that some readers may not be comfortable with certain aspects of the story. Not all the storylines will resonate with everyone. Some characters are given more focus than others, which may seem frustrating when your favorite character is sidelined. However, this also makes the story feel less contrived and more natural. It reflects the idea that not all things in life receive equal attention and solutions.

  One of the aspects I admire most about 7SEEDS is its unique approach to the concept of strength. Strength doesn’t necessarily equate to physical prowess or reckless actions. Sometimes, it’s about taking risks when you’re not fully prepared. It can also be about trusting others or acknowledging your own limitations.

  This portrayal of characters makes them more relatable. Instead of viewing them as above-the-situation individuals, we see people who are navigating the challenges of life, trying to make sense of it as it unfolds. This perspective gives their progress more significance, even when it’s slow or uneven.

  The story also subtly builds anticipation for hope, but it’s not the kind of hope that comes with grand triumphs. Instead, it’s the kind of hope that emerges in small, meaningful ways. It’s an insightful moment for the characters, a slight improvement in their circumstances, or a decision to continue despite uncertainty. This hope feels more authentic because it acknowledges the inherent difficulties of life.

  The narrative doesn’t shy away from dark moments. Sometimes, things go wrong in ways that are unjust. There are losses that don’t come with clear lessons, and there are moments that don’t feel like they’re meant to shock us. These moments further emphasize the randomness of survival. You may do everything in your power and still face challenges.

  As the manga progresses, the emotional weight of the story begins to settle in. It’s not a single moment or turning point that brings it all together; it’s the cumulative experience that has been building over time. The characters have changed, not dramatically, but as a result of their shared experiences.

  The conclusion doesn’t try to tie everything up neatly. I believe this suits the story. Life in this world is inherently uncertain, and nothing can be guaranteed to turn out well. However, the characters have gained a deeper understanding of themselves and each other. That’s a more raw and realistic ending.

  I believe the most important aspect of reading 7SEEDS is that it doesn’t try to impress you in a blatant way. It doesn’t revolve around moments of extreme highs or melodramatic turns. Instead, it focuses on revealing the experience of living with something challenging that a person may not fully understand at the time.

  Even if you don’t necessarily like it in the end, I believe there’s value in what it tries to achieve. It shows survival in a less idealized and more grounded in human behavior. It doesn’t assume that individuals will become better simply because they’re forced to survive. It demonstrates that individuals remain complex, even in extreme circumstances.

  That’s probably the reason why the story is so moving. It doesn’t provide clear answers, but it makes you start thinking about what you would have done in such a situation. It leaves you wondering what you would retain and what you might need to let go of about yourself.

  Ultimately, 7SEEDS isn’t about saving the world. It’s about the process of trying to find a way to live in a world that no longer makes sense. It’s about learning to continue on without knowing what awaits. And whether you like it or not, that attitude is something that’s sincere and can’t help but be noticed.

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