When it comes to the global anime scene, Japanese anime has long held the throne, with series like Naruto, Attack on Titan, and Demon Slayer dominating international screens. However, in recent years, China has started making significant strides in the animation industry with its unique contribution: Scissors Seven. This unconventional, comedic, and action-packed series offers a fresh take on the genre, blending humor, heart, and a distinctive art style to create something entirely its own.
What Is Scissors Seven?
Scissors Seven, also known simply as Killer Seven, is a Chinese animated series created by He Xiaofeng and produced by AHA Entertainment and Sharefun Studio. The series first aired in China in 2018 and gained international attention when Netflix picked it up for global distribution. Since then, Scissors Seven has amassed a cult following, with viewers drawn to its quirky humor, fast-paced action, and touching emotional beats.
At its core, the story revolves around Seven, an amnesiac barber with dreams of becoming a skilled assassin. However, unlike your typical assassin, Seven is clumsy, soft-hearted, and often distracted by more mundane pursuits, such as cutting hair. With a pair of telekinetic scissors and the ability to disguise himself, he takes on assassination jobs to uncover the truth about his forgotten past. What follows is a chaotic blend of humorous misadventures, emotional discoveries, and thrilling battles.
A Blend of Genres
One of the most striking features of Scissors Seven is its seamless blending of different genres. At first glance, the series appears to be a lighthearted comedy with its eccentric characters, offbeat humor, and whimsical art style. However, as the story progresses, viewers are treated to a surprising amount of depth, emotional resonance, and intense action scenes.
Comedy
Comedy is the backbone of Scissors Seven. The show frequently indulges in absurdist humor, slapstick comedy, and clever one-liners that keep the audience entertained. The protagonist, Seven, is constantly bumbling his way through assassination attempts, often getting sidetracked by mundane distractions like giving people haircuts. His cluelessness and good-hearted nature contrast hilariously with his supposed profession as a killer-for-hire.
Supporting characters like Dai Bo, Seven’s pigeon mentor, add to the comedic elements with their quirky personalities. Even the villains in the series often have humorous, exaggerated traits that subvert typical villainous tropes. The show isn’t afraid to break the fourth wall or poke fun at itself, making it feel self-aware in a way that appeals to modern audiences.
Action
Despite its comedic tone, Scissors Seven also excels in delivering thrilling and visually striking action scenes. Seven’s telekinetic control of his scissors allows for creative fight choreography, with the scissors zooming through the air in dynamic and unpredictable ways. The battles often combine traditional martial arts with fantastical elements, creating a unique fusion of hand-to-hand combat and supernatural powers.
The animation style during the action sequences is fluid and fast-paced, with vibrant colors and dramatic camera angles enhancing the excitement. These moments of action not only showcase Seven’s growing skills but also delve into deeper narrative threads, such as his mysterious past and the rival assassins who seem to know more about him than he does himself.
Emotional Depth
Beyond the humor and action, Scissors Seven contains moments of surprising emotional depth. As Seven embarks on his journey to recover his lost memories, he encounters characters with complex backstories and motivations. These moments give the show a layer of heart, as it explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and personal identity.
The relationship between Seven and his mentor, Dai Bo, as well as his interactions with other recurring characters like the feisty chicken Xiao Fei, add to the emotional weight of the series. Even though Seven’s primary goal is to rediscover his past, he develops strong bonds with those around him, making it difficult for him to truly embrace the assassin life. These emotional moments serve to balance the show’s wackiness and keep viewers invested in the characters’ growth.
Art Style and Animation
Visually, Scissors Seven sets itself apart from both traditional Japanese anime and Western animation with a unique and playful art style. The characters are drawn in a simple yet expressive manner, with exaggerated features and minimalistic designs that add to the comedic tone. The series is also known for its frequent use of visual gags and over-the-top facial expressions, which heighten the humor and give the show its distinct charm.
However, Scissors Seven isn’t afraid to shift its art style when the tone changes. During intense fight scenes or emotional moments, the animation becomes more detailed and polished, with fluid movements and dramatic lighting that enhance the gravity of the situation. This ability to shift between playful and serious visuals reflects the show’s overall balance between comedy, action, and emotion.
Character Dynamics
Scissors Seven is driven by its colorful cast of characters, each with their own quirks and backstories. While Seven is the focus, the supporting cast adds richness to the narrative, ensuring the show never feels one-dimensional.
Seven: The Amnesiac Assassin
At the heart of the series is Seven, whose journey to recover his lost memories forms the central narrative arc. Despite being an assassin-in-training, Seven is anything but a cold-blooded killer. His clumsiness, good-natured personality, and frequent distraction by more mundane tasks make him a lovable and relatable protagonist. The contrast between his assassin ambitions and his actual skills (or lack thereof) serves as a key source of the show’s humor. Yet, as the series progresses, viewers begin to see glimpses of a darker, more mysterious past lurking beneath his goofy exterior.
Dai Bo: The Pigeon Mentor
Dai Bo, a talking pigeon and Seven’s mentor, serves as both comic relief and a guiding figure in the series. Despite his small size and somewhat cowardly nature, Dai Bo provides wisdom (and plenty of sarcastic remarks) to Seven. His backstory and connection to Seven’s lost memories add an intriguing layer to the series, showing that even the most seemingly lighthearted characters have hidden depths.
Xiao Fei: The Fiery Chicken
Xiao Fei, a chicken with a fiery personality, provides an additional layer of comic relief while also contributing to the series’ action. Though initially antagonistic towards Seven, Xiao Fei becomes an important ally and friend, showcasing the theme of unexpected friendships that runs throughout the show.
Why Scissors Seven Stands Out
What sets Scissors Seven apart from other animated series is its ability to blend seemingly contradictory elements into a cohesive whole. It mixes lighthearted humor with intense action and emotional depth, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and heartfelt. The show’s unique visual style, memorable characters, and genre-bending storytelling make it a standout in the growing landscape of Chinese animation.
As China continues to expand its influence in the global animation industry, Scissors Seven is a shining example of the creativity and innovation that Chinese animators bring to the table. Whether you’re a fan of anime, action, comedy, or heartfelt character-driven stories, Scissors Seven offers something for everyone. With its quirky charm and compelling narrative, it’s no wonder the series has gained a devoted following around the world.
The Future of Scissors Seven
With several seasons already under its belt and more potentially on the way, Scissors Seven shows no signs of slowing down. As the story continues to evolve and delve deeper into Seven’s past, fans can expect even more action, laughs, and emotional moments.
