Wild 7
| Wild 7 | |
 North American cover of the first manga volume | |
| ワイルド7 | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Mikiya Mochizuki |
| Published by | Shōnen Gahosha |
| English publisher |
  Comics One |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | Weekly Shōnen King |
| Original run | September 21, 1969 – July 16, 1979 |
| Volumes | 48 |
| Television drama | |
| Directed by |
Hideo Rokka, Mio Ezuki Sadao Nozoki, Yasuharu Hasabe |
| Network | NTV |
| Original run | October 9, 1972 – March 26, 1973 |
| Episodes | 25 |
| Original video animation | |
| Directed by | Kiyoshi Egami |
| Licensed by |
Enoki Films, Urban Vision |
| Released | 1994 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Episodes | 2 |
| Anime television series | |
| Wild 7 Another | |
| Licensed by |
Enoki Films, Urban Vision |
| Network | AT-X |
| Original run | April 27, 2002 – August 31, 2002 |
| Episodes | 13 |
| Live-action film | |
| Directed by | Eiichirō Hasumi |
| Written by | Masaki Fukasawa |
| Released | December 21, 2011 |
Wild 7 (ワイルド7 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.[1]
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 OAV was merely an adaptation of the manga version, however Wild 7 Another is a sequel of 13 episodes set after the OAV. It was shown in Japan from April 27 to August 31 of 2002 before airing it in Animax for Latin American viewers from September 9 to November 28 of 2006.
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.[2][3]
Reception
Tony Salvaggio had 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.[4] He had even pointed out that Wild 7 may have been the antithesis to the popularity of the A-Team.[4]
However, Mike Toole of Anime Jump had said that the OVA's character designs are so horrible that the manga artist may have been responsible for it.[5] 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.[5]
References
- ↑ Wild 7, Volume 1. Retrieved on December 11, 2007.
- ↑ "L'Arc~en~Ciel Performs Manga-Based Wild 7 Film's Theme". Anime News Network. October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ↑ "Nodame's Eita Stars in Wild 7 Police Action Manga's Film". Anime News Network. February 24, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Old School/New School. Retrieved on December 11, 2007.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wild 7. Retrieved on December 11, 2007.
External links
- Official film website (Japanese)
- Wild 7 Forever Fan Site (Japanese)
- Wild 7 World on Web Drama Fan Site (Japanese)
- Wild 7 (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- Wild 7 (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
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