22/7 (ナナブンノニジュウニ, Nanabun no Nijūni) is a Japanese idol girl group formed through a media mix project by Yasushi Akimoto, Aniplex, and Sony Music Records, which included the members performing as a musical group and an anime television series based on their characters. The members consist of voice actresses who provide the voice and motion capture for their characters.
Contents
History
2017–2018: Debut, 22/7 Keisanchū, final three characters revealed
An audition for eight characters, which included both a CD debut and an anime, was held until December 17, 2016, with the final examination taking place on December 24, 2016. On December 25, 2016, the idol group name was revealed as 22/7, which was chosen because it is an approximation to the mathematical constant
π
{\displaystyle \pi }
, a transcendental number that represents their concept as "idols transcending through dimensions." Among 10,325 applicants, eleven voice actresses were chosen through voting, with only the first eight characters announced. The group held their debut showcase on June 16, 2017, and an animated adaptation was announced during their first live event on July 22, 2017. 22/7's first single, "Boku wa Sonzai Shiteinakatta", was released on August 22, 2017, with the jacket designs illustrated by Yukiko Horiguchi. The music video was animated by Tatsunoko Production.
On April 11, 2018, 22/7 released their second single, "Shampoo no Nioi ga Shita", with the CD visuals designed by Horiguchi again. A series of animated character shorts were also released. To promote the group's upcoming activities, 22/7 launched individual social media channels for the characters, including YouTube. 22/7's variety show, 22/7 Keisanchū, was broadcast on Tokyo MX beginning July 7, 2018.
22/7's third single, "Rikaisha", was released on August 22, 2018. The song was promoted during their annual live event on July 22, 2018, where they also announced Chiharu Hokaze had been elected the leader of the group. "Rikaisha" debuted at #7 on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart. On September 21, 2018, the three characters for the remaining members of the group were revealed during a promotional event.
2019–present: Departure of Hanakawa, 22/7's anime adaptation
On July 22, 2019, the music video for their fourth single, "Nani mo Shite Agerarenai" was released, becoming the first of their releases to include all eleven characters. The single was released on August 21, 2019, with the disc debuting in 4th with 29,000 units sold in its first week on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart. On December 11, 2019, Mei Hanakawa announced that she was leaving the group due to health issues. Hanakawa's final performance with the group was held on December 24, 2019, where Uta Kawase was introduced as a new member taking over the role of Nicole Saitō.
In February 2020, Takatsuji and Kuraoka went on hiatus due to poor health; Takatsuji resumed activities with the group on May 15 while Kuraoka returned to the group in September 2020. On December 1, 2020, Takeda went on hiatus to focus on her studies. On December 23, 2020, Hokaze announced she was leaving the group to pursue voice acting full-time, her final release with the group being "Boku ga Motteru Mono nara", which was released on February 28, 2021. On March 22, 2021, it was announced Takeda would return on April 10, 2021.
The remaining eight members continued to perform activities. On September 29, 2021, Umino and Kuraoka announced they were leaving the group in November while Takeda announced she was leaving in December. Umino stated her reason for leaving is to pursue voice acting full-time; Kuraoka stated it was to find a career path suitable for her; and Takeda stated she wanted to pursue a career as a model and television personality. On November 2, 2021, it was announced that Takatsuji would be leaving the group following a series of unexplained absences from work. Following the departures of the five members, the project announced on December 27, 2021 they were retiring the five characters played by them.
Characters
Current
Nicole Saitō (斎藤 ニコル, Saitō Nikoru)
Voiced by: Mei Hanakawa (2017–2019), Uta Kawase (2019–present)
Nicole is a 16-year-old girl. She was designed by Kurehito Misaki.
Sakura Fujima (藤間 桜, Fujima Sakura)
Voiced by: Sally Amaki
Nicknamed "Ranran", Sakura is the 16-year-old daughter of a good family. She has a sunny personality with a dark side. Sakura was not originally written as an English speaker, but after noticing Amaki had drawn in a large overseas fanbase, she was rewritten as an English speaker who had grown up overseas. She was designed by Kantoku.
Retired
Miu Takigawa (滝川 みう, Takigawa Miu)
Voiced by: Nagomi Saijo
A girl who develops an inferior complex, Miu serves as the main protagonist of the anime series. She is a 16-year-old girl from Saitama Prefecture who is distinguishable from bangs that covered her eyes most of the time. Miu was designed by Yukiko Horiguchi.
Reika Satō (佐藤 麗華, Satō Reika)
Voiced by: Chiharu Hokaze (2017–2021)
Reika is a 17-year-old honor student who is part of student council. She was designed by Hirokazu Koyama. The character was retired on December 27, 2021.
Miyako Kōno (河野 都, Kōno Miyako)
Voiced by: Mizuha Kuraoka (2017–2021)
Miyako is an energetic 17-year-old girl from Osaka who speaks Kansai dialect. She was designed by Mieko Hosoi. The character was retired on December 27, 2021.
Yuki Tojo (東条悠希, Tōjō Yūki)
Voiced by: Urara Takatsuji (2017–2021)
Yuki is a 15-year-old tomboy. She was designed by Akio Watanabe. She was revealed as a character in September 2018. The character was retired on December 27, 2021.
Jun Toda (戸田 ジュン, Toda Jun)
Voiced by: Ruri Umino (2017–2021)
Jun is a 15-year-old high class girl. She was designed by Masayoshi Tanaka. The character was retired on December 27, 2021.
Tsubomi Hiragi (柊つぼみ, Hīragi Tsubomi)