Wild 7 Explained

Wild 7
Ja Kanji:ワイルド7
Ja Romaji:Wairudo Sebun
Genre:Action[1]
Type:manga
Author:Mikiya Mochizuki
Publisher:Shōnen Gahōsha
Demographic:Shōnen
Magazine:Weekly Shōnen King
First:September 21, 1969
Last:July 16, 1979
Volumes:48
Type:drama
Director:Hideo Rokka, Mio Ezuki
Sadao Nozoki, Yasuharu Hasabe
Network:NTV
First:October 9, 1972
Last:March 26, 1973
Episodes:25
Type:ova
Director:Kiyoshi Egami
Music:Kazushi Umezo
Studio:Studio Kikan
First:December 17, 1994
Last:February 21, 1995
Runtime:50 minutes
Episodes:2
Type:tv series
Wild 7: Another
Director:Sumio Watanabe
Music:Hiroshi Motokura
Studio:E&G Films
Network:AT-X
First:April 27, 2002
Last:August 31, 2002
Episodes:13
Type:live film
Director:Eiichirō Hasumi

is a Japanese manga series by creator Mikiya Mochizuki that debuted on 1969 on Weekly Shōnen King where it ran until 1979. The creation of the manga had been based on the condition that Japan and other non-communist countries were facing in the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of militant student activists and politicians being caught and seen as corrupt with their economies recovering from the days of World War II.[2]

It has been adapted into a live action series, an OVA and a spin-off anime. A live action film adaptation premiered in Japan on December 21, 2011.

Plot

In the wake of rising criminality and terrorist activities in Japan against Japanese nationals, the Japanese National Police Agency has no choice but to authorize the mobilization of a special Counter-terrorist Motorcycle unit consisting of reformed convicts, ranging from simple thugs, individuals forced into prison for simple petty trouble and former Yakuza henchmen and leaders to combat armed criminals and terrorists.

Media

Anime

The Wild 7 OVA is an adaptation of the manga, however Wild 7 Another television series is a sequel of 13 episodes set after the OVA. It was shown in Japan from April 27 to August 31 of 2002 before airing it on Animax for Latin American viewers from September 9 to November 28 of 2006. The television series was released on DVD with Japanese audio and English subtitles by Discotek Media on July 31, 2018.[3]

Live action

A live action drama series ran on NTV from 1972 to 1973. Despite being popular with TV viewers, it was forced to end after 25 episodes due to concerns of violence being shown. A live action film was released on December 21, 2011.[4] [5]

Reception

Tony Salvaggio of Comic Book Resources said that Wild 7 was one of the best manga/anime from the 1960s and 1970s, similar to what Golgo 13 and Speed Racer had been through as they had fueled adventure to its readers and viewers.[6] He even pointed out that Wild 7 may have been the antithesis to the popularity of the A-Team.[6]

However, Mike Toole of Anime Jump said that the OVA's character designs are so horrible that the manga artist may have been responsible for it.[7] But he later suggested that the director of the Wild 7 OVA, Kiyoshi Egami, should be held responsible for the OVA character design instead of Mikiya Mochizuki.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sherman . Jennifer . Live-Action Wild 7 Film Gets Manga Adaptation . . April 2, 2022 . September 26, 2011.
  2. http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=422 Wild 7, Volume 1.
  3. Web site: Discotek Licenses Wild 7: Another TV Anime . Anime News Network . 8 November 2018.
  4. Web site: L'Arc~en~Ciel Performs Manga-Based Wild 7 Film's Theme . October 7, 2011 . October 9, 2011. Anime News Network.
  5. Web site: Nodame's Eita Stars in Wild 7 Police Action Manga's Film. February 24, 2011 . October 9, 2011. Anime News Network.
  6. http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=cmi&article=2480 Old School/New School.
  7. http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=178 Wild 7.