I really do love the portrayal of fandom in i7. It shows such a deep love and appreciation for fans in a way that really encapsulates the themes of love between idols and fans. I think this is best exemplified through Zool’s storyline where their fans were initially portrayed as shallow, and just seeking the most popular thing, but in reality they resonated with Zool and their rebellion and came to truly adore them.
Actually, i7 just generally does a masterful job of using the idol industry to tell its story. Not to say that it’s a hyper realistic portrayal of the industry because I have no way of knowing that it is, but just in the way that it uses simple facts of the industry to reinforce its themes.
A good example of this is Negai wa Shine on the Sea in the anime. The Scene Where The Idol Performs Alone is a pretty tried and true trope, but i7 uses the fact that idol’s would realistically have pre recorded backing vocals to hammer in the fact that Trigger is a unit. Even if they’re alone, even when they’re separated they are one. Gaku and Tenn might not be on the stage with Ryuu, but because of their bond, because of their shared love for being idols, the love they direct toward their fans and each other, nothing can ever pull them apart, at least not in any way that matters
