7 Seeds

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7 Seeds
7SEEDS
(Sebun Shīzu)
Genre Adventure, Science fiction
Manga
Author Yumi Tamura
Publisher Flag of Japan Shogakukan
Demographic Shōjo
Serialized in Flag of Japan flowers
Original run 26 March 2002ongoing
Volumes 12

7 Seeds (セブンシーズ Sebun Shīzu?) is a science fiction manga series by Yumi Tamura published by Shogakukan.[1] The series is set in an apocalyptic future after a meteor hits Earth, bringing life to the brink of extinction. In 2007, it won the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo.[2]

Contents

[edit] Story

After scientists predict that Earth will be hit by a meteor, and in response, the leaders of every country met to develop a plan for human survival before the meteor hit. The Seven Seeds project was developed out of this meeting. Each country froze a number of young healthy people, which allowed them to survive the meteor. After the computer determined that Earth was once again safe for human life, it released them into the world.

The Japanese government created five groups of survivors: Winter group, Spring group, Summer group A, Summer group B, and Fall group. Each group consisted of seven members and one guide. The guide carried small tubes of poison on their necks to allow them to end their lives if their situation became unbearable. The Japanese government prepared seven "Fuji" as refuges for the groups. In each Fuji, the group would find seeds and numerous books instructing them on survival in the wilderness.

[edit] Seven Fuji

The Seven Fuji are not related to Mount Fuji.

  • Bungo Fuji in Oita is Mt. Yufudake, known as mountain Fuji in Oita, Akafuji. It contains a statue of Buddha Dainichi.
  • Ogino Fuji in Kanagawa is Mt. Kyogatake with a statue of Monjubosatsu (Manjusri)

[edit] Characters

Every member of each group has a name related to its theme(in other words, them name include kigo). For example, all of the members of the Summer group have names related to summer.

[edit] Summer group B

Summer group B is considered a group of failed people. The group is later added to the other four groups. They live near Bungo Fuji in the north area of Kyushu.

Members:

  • Natsu Iwashimizu(岩清水 ナツ), a shy and withdrawn 16-year-old female who collects and writes information about edible food such as mushrooms, grass, etc. "Natsu" means "summer" and "Iwashimizu" means "water trickling from rocks".
  • Arashi Aota(青田 嵐), a 17-year-old male who is Hana's (a member of Spring group) boyfriend. He was the first person who was kind to Natsu, and in general, he's a very nice guy. He loves to swim. "Arashi" means "tempest" and "Aota" means "green paddy".
  • Matsuri Tendo(天道 まつり), who is 16 years old. "Matsuri" means "festival" and"oldest/Tendo (usually Tento)"means"The Sun".
  • Semimaru Asai(麻井 蝉丸), an 18-year-old male with a rebellious personality. "Semi" means "cicada"and"Asa"means"ramie".
  • Chimaki Yamori(守宮 ちまき), a 19-year-old art college student. Chimaki's specialty is drawing murals in the environment to leave memories."Chimaki"means"zongzi"and"Yamori"means"gecko".
  • Hotaru Kusakuri(草刈 螢), a 12-year-old girl. She appears to be a fortune teller. "Hotaru" means "firefly".
  • Mozu(百舌) or Kaname(要). Mozu is portrayed as Death, and later it is revealed that he is the leader of the seven seeds programs, and the person who created Summer group A. "Mozu" means "butcher bird".

Guide:

  • Botan Saotome(早乙女 牡丹), the guide to Summer group B. She used to be a cop. "Botan" means "peony".

[edit] Spring group

The Spring group is unfrozen at about the same time as Summer group B. They live near the Fuji in Kanto. Later, Hana invites the last Winter group member to join the Spring group.

Members:

  • Mansaku Tsunomata(角又 万作), an 18 year old with a strong body. Mansaku is skilled in using archery to shoot enemies. He is an honest individual and enjoys meditation and Tang poetry. "Mansaku" means "witch hazel" and "Tsunomata" means "red algae".
  • Hana Suguruno(末黒野 花), a 17-year-old female, is the girlfriend of Arashi Aota. Overwhelmed with sadness when she woke up and thought that she would never meet Arashi again, she almost let herself killed in the harsh days. But then she found out that Arashi is probably one of the survivors, and once again struggles to meet the love of her life. She is very beautiful, strong-willed and tomboyish, and learned everything about wilderness survival from her father. "Hana" means "flower" and "Suguruno" means "burning of fields to make way for new crops".
  • Fujiko Amacha(甘茶 藤子), a 17-year-old female who strives to become a doctor. She gets along well with Hana. "Fujiko" means "wisteria child" and "Amaciya" means "hydrangea".
  • Haru Yukima(雪間 ハル), a 16-year-old who is capable of playing musical instruments, such as the orgel and the ocarina. He is rather intelligent and acts cool and reserved. "Haru" means "spring" and "Yukima" means "break of snowfalls".
  • Momotaro Nobi(野火 桃太郎), a 12-year-old genius. "Momo" means peach, "Taro" means "oldest/first son", and "Nobi" means "wildfire"
  • Chisa Taiami(鯛網 ちさ), an 18-year-old girl able to make ceramic items. She is very polite and obedient, and comes from a well-respected family. "Chisa" means "lettuce", "Tai" means "sea bream", and "Ami" means "net".
  • Hibari Niigusa(新草 ひばり), who is in a coma. "Hibari" means "skylark".

Guide:

  • Tosei Yanagi(柳 踏青), the guide for the Spring group. His age is unknown. Before being frozen, he was a member of Japan's Self-Defense Force. He has a strong sense of leadership, but is arrogant. However, risking his life, finally he rescued the group from a great danger. "To" means "to put one's foot down", "sei" means "fresh and young", and "Yanagi" means "willow". Incidentally, "Tousei" also means "strength of a party".

[edit] Fall group

The Fall group live near Kobe Fuji in Hyogo, where they cultivate land, harvest corn, and tame lambs, horses, and other animals. The Fall group is desperate to live in this new world. They are led by an architect while the others are slave members of the Fall group. After three years, they meet some Summer group B members (Arashi, Natsu, and Semimaru), and set out to visit each Fuji.

Members:

  • Akio Haza(稲架 秋ヲ) "Aki" means "fall".
  • Ran Shishigaki(猪垣 蘭)"Ran" means orchid
  • Ryusei Ogiwara(荻原 流星)"Ryuusei" means meteor
  • Hazuki Karita(刈田 葉月) "Hazuki" means "august of Lunisolar calendar".
  • Kurumi Shikano(鹿野 くるみ)"Kurumi" means wallnut
  • Akane Nashimoto(梨本 茜)"Akane" means madder
  • Sakuya Yamaki(八巻 朔也)

Guide:

  • Ryoya Izayoi, (十六夜 良夜) the guide for the Fall group.

[edit] Winter group

Three members of the Winter group died during the thawing process, leaving the team with only five members at the start. Kumakawa, the leader, was killed by tiger-like creatures soon after being unfrozen. Afterwards, Mutsuki, telling the remaining three where to go, committed suicide by jumping off a cliff. The three remaining members of the Winter group are Mitsuru, Fubuki, and Takahiro. They form a close relationship as they fight for survival.

Members:

  • Arare Fushizuke(柴漬 アラレ), deceased as soon as being unfrozen.
  • Fuuka Ayatori(綾取 風花), deceased as soon as being unfrozen.
  • Touji Murozaki(室咲 冬至), deceased as soon as being unfrozen.
  • Mutsuki Karezono(枯園 睦月), a university fist-year. He is a reporter student. Jumped off a cliff.
  • Fubuki Samejima(鮫島 吹雪), a high school baseball player. He had romantic feelings for Mitsuru Kagurazaka. Fubuki was killed by a tiger later on.
  • Mitsuru Kagurazaka(神楽坂 美鶴), who had feelings for Fubuki. Unable to bear his death, she danced in the snow and froze to death.
  • Takahiro Aramaki(新巻 鷹弘), like Fubuki, is a high school baseball player. He also has romantic feelings for Mitsuru Kagurazaka, but hid them because he knew he couldn't compete against Fubuki. Takahiro later becomes the only survivor from the Winter group. Fifteen years later, he meets Arashi, Natsu, and Semimaru, — members of Summer group B — during his travels. A while after, Takahiro meets Hana, who invites him to join the Spring group.

Guide:

  • Sayuru Kumakawa(熊川 冴), the guide for the Winter group.

[edit] Summer group A

The members of Summer group A were particularly chosen for the 7 Seeds Project by the Japanese government. This project raised more than 100 babies on an island until they reach the age of 17, and from those number, seven people were chosen to be frozen. Those children were raised and taught how to survive in wilderness. Many "failures" were eliminated from this project, and said to have left the island to join the rest of society. But somehow, many of the children believed that the "failures" never left the island. There are seven class technologies for them to learn: water, fire, wind, earth, vegetation, animal, and medical. For each class, only one survivor was chosen to be frozen. Each child chose two class technologies from these seven classes to learn.

Members:

They don't have a family name.
  • Koruri(小瑠璃), from wind class.
  • Ayu(あゆ) also known as Madonna, from vegetation class.
  • Gengorou(源五郎), from animal class. Kind and serves as a sempai to Ango.
  • Ryou(涼), from fire and water class. Rebellious and seems cold but shows glimpses of compassion at times. Although dating Nijiko, may be attracted to Koruri for always showing him kindness. The top student and the rival of Ango. "Ryou" means "cool".
  • Ango(安吾), from fire and water class. The top student and the rival of Ryou. Ryou and Ango reluctantly respect each other. Attracted to Ayu and best friends with Koruri, Mayu, Nobara, and Shigeru.
  • Ban(鷭), from medical class. At times, seems slow and not talented, but shows amazing strength in his field.
  • Nijiko(虹子), from earth class. Dating Ryou. Cold and cynical. "Niji" means "rainbow".

Guide:

  • Unami(卯浪) as the guide. After waking up from the frozen sleep, he became the target of revenge by summer group A.

[edit] Climate

  • The main climate now in Japan are the longest dry season and greatest rain season they ever know.
  • Even then there anomalies (glitch?) in beginning story certain area in Japan were told there are snowfall in earth.

[edit] Flora and fauna

This new world has different and evolved strange animals and vegetations.

[edit] Animal world

Mamalia:

  • Carnivore rabbits, cannibalistic animals that reside in a large pack and attack their victims together using their sharp teeth.
  • Lamb horses, an animal which was tamed by the Fall group. This tall animal could be mounted, milked, and get it wool removed.
  • White mice, which live in ruined buildings and city areas.
  • Wolves and dogs, which live in grasslands and forests. The wolves had the ability to take the illusionary form of humans to help their pack. The dogs group up to attack dinosaurs.
  • Sabertooth tiger, which also live in grasslands and forest areas. They are enemies of the dogs and wolves. They attack using their speed.
  • Monkeys, which live in trees and forest areas.

Insects:

  • Giant praying mantises live in swamps and cave areas. They have the ability to control the victim's body to lay their eggs. These insects have the ability to kill dragonflies. They live in nests in small groups. A giant praying mantis's offspring are able to control the victim's body. Their greatest fear is fire. Encountered by the Spring group.
  • Giant dragonfly that live in swamp area. Grasshoppers eat it.
  • White cockroach live in fruits and hunt in mass groups. These insects are carnivorous.
  • Poison bee, who's sting will give the victim immense pain, but the stinger is not venomous.
  • Deadly bee, where one sting by this insect results in death.

Lizards:

  • Crocodile, which lives near the beach and water areas.
  • Desert Hibernating Dinosaur, which lives in desert soil and hibernates during dry season with half of the body inside the soil. Active in rain season.
  • Meadow Hibernating Dinosaur, which lives in desert soil and hibernates during dry season, then grows a type of flower on its back. Also active in rain season.
  • Giant Water Lizard, which lives near water and ruins. These animals hunt the white mouse in mass groups and reproduce by laying eggs in the green algae area.

Worms:

  • Leeches, which live in the swamp.

Fish:

  • Nautilus, mistakenly recognized as Ammonite.
  • Shark
  • Gigantic fish from deepest sea, which are carnivorous and very active in rain season.

Birds:

  • Medium bird unknown, which is caught and caged by fall group.[citation needed]

[edit] Botanical world

  • Gigantic Venus Flytrap, a carnivorus plant that eats rabbits and any other animal that passes near it.
  • Gigantic Sundew, a carnivorus plant that catches people or other animals that crosses its path.
  • Gigantic Nepenthes, carnivorous plants that eats whatever falls into its pit in the ground.
  • Cactus, which grow in the desert area.
  • Banana tree, which Grow and Life wild in certain area.[citation needed]
  • Green Algae, which lives on the surface and ruined buildings near the water area.
  • White tree and fruit, a tree in which the fruit contains white cockroaches.
  • Flower(Hana) tree, which grows near one of the Fujis.
  • Corn, which is planted in fields and harvested by Fall group.
  • Opium tobacco leaf, which is planted and used by Fall group, and creates hallucinations when smoked.

[edit] Bacteria and protozoa

  • Blue Mucus, which was accidentally touched by Hana, a member of the Spring group; it created a skin disease in her hand. Every animal or plant that gets this disease would eventually die. The available cure is by using high concentrated salt or salt water. Blue Mucus usually pops up during first rainy season and disappears quietly by sea water or salt water until the next rainy season.

[edit] References

  1. ^ 7 Seeds (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia. Accessed 2007-02-18.
  2. ^ 小学館漫画賞:歴代受賞者 (Japanese). Shogakukan. Retrieved on 2007-08-19.

[edit] External links