Wild 7 (Japanese: ワイルド7, Hepburn: Wairudo Sebun) 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]

Wild 7
North American cover of the first manga volume
ワイルド7
(Wairudo Sebun)
GenreAction[1]
Manga
Written byMikiya Mochizuki
Published byShōnen Gahōsha
English publisher
MagazineWeekly Shōnen King
DemographicShōnen
Original runSeptember 21, 1969July 16, 1979
Volumes48
Television drama
Directed byHideo Rokka, Mio Ezuki
Sadao Nozoki, Yasuharu Hasabe
Original networkNTV
Original run October 9, 1972 March 26, 1973
Episodes25
Original video animation
Directed byKiyoshi Egami
Music byKazushi Umezo
StudioStudio Kikan
Licensed by
Released December 17, 1994 February 21, 1995
Runtime50 minutes
Episodes2
Anime television series
Wild 7: Another
Directed bySumio Watanabe
Music byHiroshi Motokura
StudioE&G Films
Licensed by
Original networkAT-X
Original run April 27, 2002 August 31, 2002
Episodes13
Live-action film
Directed byEiichirō Hasumi
Written byMasaki Fukasawa
ReleasedDecember 21, 2011 (2011-12-21)

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

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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

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Anime

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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

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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

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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]

References

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  1. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (September 26, 2011). "Live-Action Wild 7 Film Gets Manga Adaptation". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  2. ^ Wild 7, Volume 1. Retrieved on December 11, 2007.
  3. ^ "Discotek Licenses Wild 7: Another TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
  4. ^ "L'Arc~en~Ciel Performs Manga-Based Wild 7 Film's Theme". Anime News Network. October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  5. ^ "Nodame's Eita Stars in Wild 7 Police Action Manga's Film". Anime News Network. February 24, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Old School/New School. Retrieved on December 11, 2007.
  7. ^ a b Wild 7. Retrieved on December 11, 2007.
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