AnimationBusiness reports that TBS has invested 2.5 billion yen (around 22 million USD) into Seven Arcs group, and I’m wondering how this will affect the Seven Arcs anime studio? Will it lead to significant changes?
According to AnimationBusiness, the hefty investment focuses “to strengthen 3D and human resources. Build a system to produce high-quality, high-end works that are globally accepted”.
This means that TBS is looking to properly back Seven Arcs studio, giving them resources to improve their animated work. In addition, TBS wants to create a quality working environment for the people at Seven Arcs studio. Thus, it makes the investment rather significant. If the people working on the anime have a better work place, it’ll make everyone happier, which will most result in a better end product. But above and beyond that, it’ll take stress and pressure off the shoulders of the employees at Seven Arcs studio. Considering how anime studios work with crazy deadlines, it makes me very happy to see this type of an investment coming from TBS.
So with that being said, what’ll this investment mean for Seven Arcs anime products? Well, only time will tell, but how about we take a look at the anime created by the studio? Thus, giving us a better idea of what to expect from their upcoming shows!
The History of Seven Arcs Anime Studio
Seven Arcs started off with a 4-episode OVA in 2003, titled Triangle Heart: Sweet Songs Forever. It was a romantic adventure that couldn’t capture the audiences. But it was an admirable attempt that all of us can appreciate, right? However, what followed after their debut showed the studio’s potential!
In 2004, Seven Arcs created Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, with the second season released the following year, titled Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s. In 2007, the studio created another anime in the series, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS. But were these shows good? On MyAnimeList, season 1, 2 and 3 have a score of 7.40 or higher. While that’s not a good indication of quality, it gives you an idea of what the viewers thought of it. However, I’d say that these shows were good for the time of their release, but they don’t hold up, whatsoever. In turn, I find them only “good”.
Seven Arcs Studio’s First Real Breakthrough?
The studio worked on Inukami in 2006, but it’s a show not worth mentioning. It’s not good. Trust me, okay? But in 2008, 5 years following the studio’s first anime, Seven Arcs created something that almost every anime fan watched; Sekirei. While the show is by no means “great”, it’s one of the studio’s most well-known anime, and thus, it’s important to bring it up! I for one like Sekirei. So I was happy that season 2 was released in 2010, titled Sekirei: Pure Engagement.
In 2009, Seven Arcs created White Album, an extremely odd rom-com, that got a second season later that same year. Plus, during 2009, the studio animated Asura Cryin’ and Asura Cryin’ 2. But once again we’re at a crossroads. Both White Album and Asura Cryin’ are just decent TV anime, without much to them. While they are enjoyable to watch, Seven Arcs didn’t really do much with these shows, and therefore, they are mediocre at best.
In 2011, the studio worked on Dog Days, a fantasy adventure that got a luke-warm reception. But it did get a second season a year later, in 2012.
The 2012 Split? Seven Arcs Pictures Is Formed
Seven Arcs didn’t create anything during 2013 and 2014, as their subsidiary company, Seven Arcs Pictures, was now creating the anime. In turn, this split meant that shows were being handles by two Seven Arcs companies, that fall under the same umbrella organization.
Seven Arcs Pictures is most well-known for creating the fanservice-ridden Trinity Seven, and no, I’m not saying that as an insult. I actually enjoy the anime and think it’s very entertaining. While the studio also created ViVid Strike in 2016, the subsidiary company worked mostly on movies and OVAs, meaning that there’s not much to discuss.
2017: TBS Acquires Seven Arcs. 2019: Two Studios Merge
Following the acquisition by TBS, Seven Arcs and Seven Arcs Pictures merge as a singular anime studio in October of 2019.
Since then, Seven Arcs has created Arte, Tonikaku Kawaii and Blue Period. The last two are often considered the studio’s best works to date, which says a lot, doesn’t it? It seems like Seven Arcs studio is getting better and better, especially now that TBS is backing them.
Currently, Seven Arcs studio is working on Mato Seihei no Slave, which is a highly anticipated TV anime, as it’s based on Takahiro‘s well-known manga of the same name. It will premiere in 2022.
CONCLUSION
TBS investing 2.5 billion yen into Seven Arcs anime studio will most likely mean a better working environment for everyone involved. It’ll give the employees more and better resources, while also eleviating the stress and anxiety of the workers. Thus, this investment will improve the work environment.
What about the anime itself? Will we see changes? YES. That’s to be expected. While there’s no way to know for sure, Seven Arcs studio keeps getting stronger and stronger by the year. In turn, it makes perfect sense that this investment would improve their work as well, and maybe they’ll be able to create more than just a few works per year. It’ll give them opportunity to work on a original anime as well, as now they would have the money needed for an effective creative team.
AnimationBusiness reported that TBS wants Seven Arcs studio to create 3D work that is globally accepted. Could this mean that we might get a new visual style? While I’m just speculating, I woiuld not be surprised. There’s hight probability of major changes coming, if TBS wants to push their shows globally, rather than succeed regionally. However, regional success is always the most important, so there’s no way that Seven Arcs will abandon what makes them unique, as their visual style is easily recognizable.
Considering that Seven Arcs studio is working on an exciting anime, Mato Seihei no Slave, I think it’ll be our first true taste of what the money can mean for future Seven Arcs anime. Until then, I’ll live you with the following question; what manga do you want to see Seven Arcs anime adapt?
