7FATES: CHAKHO Anime Guide: Complete Character Breakdown of BTS Members’ Roles

The worlds of K-pop and anime have collided in spectacular fashion with the release of CloverWorks’ animated adaptation of BTS’ fantasy webtoon “7FATES: CHAKHO.” This 11-minute anime short brings to life the gritty, supernatural universe of Sin-si, where seven fated individuals – each representing a BTS member – battle monstrous beings known as “beom.” Released on April 4, 2025, this visually stunning project marks an exciting expansion of HYBE’s multimedia universe, transforming the popular 2022 webtoon into a cinematic experience.

Under the creative direction of Shin Wakabayashi (known for “Wonder Egg Priority”), the short film offers both devoted ARMY and anime enthusiasts a fresh narrative within the established 7FATES mythology. With its blend of Korean folklore, urban fantasy aesthetics, and character designs inspired by the seven global superstars, this adaptation creates a unique bridge between BTS’ artistic vision and the expressive potential of Japanese animation, providing fans with a new dimension to explore the band’s creative universe.

CloverWorks Brings Sin-si to Life: The Anime Adaptation

The respected Japanese animation studio CloverWorks, renowned for acclaimed series like “Spy x Family” and “Wonder Egg Priority,” has transformed the digital panels of the webtoon into fluid, dynamic animation that captures the dark, supernatural essence of the original story. Unlike a direct adaptation, this 11-minute short film presents a new narrative within the established 7FATES universe, offering fresh insights into the characters and their world. The project represents a significant milestone in cross-cultural entertainment, blending K-pop’s global influence with Japan’s animation expertise.

Director Shin Wakabayashi brings his distinctive visual style to the project, infusing the short with the same emotional depth and surreal imagery that characterized his work on “Wonder Egg Priority.” His involvement signals the high production values HYBE and CloverWorks committed to this adaptation. The film serves as part of a larger multimedia initiative from HYBE, which also includes “The Star Seekers,” an animated adaptation featuring TXT as magical idols fighting dark forces.

What makes this adaptation particularly noteworthy is how it maintains the essence of each BTS member’s character while reimagining them through the lens of Japanese animation aesthetics. The art direction by Yuki Funagakure creates a moody, atmospheric version of Sin-si that feels both futuristic and anchored in traditional Korean cultural elements, particularly through its references to the historical tiger hunters (Chakhogapsa) of the Joseon era.

7FATES: Character Guide to BTS’ Animated Alter Egos

At the center of the narrative stands Zeha, portrayed by the animated version of Jungkook. As the protagonist, Zeha awakens in a hospital with no memory, only to discover he’s a human-beom hybrid with extraordinary powers. His journey of self-discovery drives much of the plot, with Jungkook’s natural maknae (youngest member) energy transformed into Zeha’s youthful determination and inner strength. The character’s vulnerability paired with untapped power creates a compelling parallel to Jungkook’s own artistic evolution.

Jimin’s counterpart, Haru, represents one of the most mystical characters in the ensemble. Once a rock deity guarding the boundary between worlds, Haru has been reincarnated as a human while retaining his supernatural awareness. The character embodies Jimin’s ethereal performance quality and emotional depth, with graceful movements that echo the idol’s dancing prowess. In the short film, Haru’s spiritual connection provides crucial guidance to the others.

RM’s intellectual leadership translates into Do-geon, the team’s weapons specialist and strategic mind. With criminal skills and encyclopedic knowledge of weaponry, Do-geon brings both brains and brawn to the tiger-hunting team. The character reflects RM’s role as BTS’ leader and primary lyricist, demonstrating how intelligence can be as powerful as physical strength in battle against supernatural forces.

V’s character, Jooan, embodies compassion and emotional complexity. His storyline involves falling in love with a beom, creating moral dilemmas that challenge the team’s mission. This romantic subplot mirrors V’s artistic sensibility and his ability to convey deep emotions through subtle expressions – qualities the animation captures through lingering close-ups and nuanced character design.

Jin portrays Hwan, a skilled archer whose playful demeanor masks deadly precision. Having lost his family to a beom attack, Hwan channels his grief into becoming an elite hunter. The character reflects Jin’s position as the oldest BTS member – experienced and capable while maintaining a lighthearted presence that lifts the team’s spirits during dark moments.

J-Hope’s counterpart, Hosu, carries perhaps the most traumatic backstory – an escapee from captivity who hides his golden eyes, which are both cursed and powerful. The character’s journey from hiding his true self to embracing his unique abilities parallels J-Hope’s artistic range, from bright energy to deeper emotional expression.

Completing the seven is Cein, SUGA’s character, a survivor carrying deep psychological and physical scars from a beom attack. His quest for revenge drives him forward, reflecting SUGA’s intensity and unflinching approach to difficult themes in his music. The animation portrays Cein with subtle nods to SUGA’s mannerisms and thoughtful presence.

Korean Folklore Meets Urban Fantasy: The World of 7FATES

The original webtoon, launched in January 2022 and concluded in mid-2023, draws heavily from Korean folklore, particularly the tradition of “Chakhogapsa” – tiger hunters from the Joseon Dynasty period. This historical reference is reimagined in a dystopian urban setting called Sin-si, where supernatural tiger-like monsters called “beom” threaten humanity. The anime adaptation preserves this cultural foundation while enhancing it with visual storytelling techniques unique to animation.

The dystopian city of Sin-si serves as more than just a backdrop; it functions almost as a character itself, with the animation bringing to life its shadowy alleys, neon-lit urban landscapes, and hidden supernatural realms. CloverWorks’ attention to environmental storytelling creates a vivid sense of place that expands on the webtoon’s illustrated world.

Beyond its surface-level action and fantasy elements, both the original webtoon and this new adaptation explore themes of fate, trauma, loyalty, and rebirth. Each character carries emotional and physical scars from their encounters with beom, creating a narrative about resilience and finding strength through connection with others – themes that resonate with BTS’ own music and message. The story functions as both an entertaining supernatural adventure and a metaphorical journey of self-discovery and healing.

The Creative Vision Behind the Animation

The artistic excellence of 7FATES: CHAKHO’s animation comes from a collaborative team of industry veterans. Shin Wakabayashi not only directed but also wrote the short film, bringing his distinctive storytelling approach to the BTS universe. Character designer and animation director Dan Ni Zhang successfully translated the webtoon’s illustrations into fluid, expressive animated characters that maintain their connection to the BTS members while functioning as distinct entities.

The atmosphere of Sin-si owes much to art director Yuki Funagakure, while Kazuko Nakashima’s color design establishes the moody palette that distinguishes different settings and emotional tones throughout the short. Special effects by Chiemi Irisa bring supernatural elements to life, from the fearsome beom to the characters’ special abilities. This visual experience is complemented by Shūta Hasunuma’s musical score, which creates an atmospheric soundscape that honors BTS’ musical legacy while establishing a unique identity for the animation.

The Japanese voice cast brings additional depth to the characters, with talents like Shōya Ishige (Zeha), Miyuri Shimabukuro (Haru), and Yūichi Nakamura (Jooan) delivering performances that capture the essence of these complex roles. Their voice work helps bridge the gap between the BTS members’ personas and their animated counterparts, creating characters that feel authentic to both worlds.

For BTS fans and anime enthusiasts alike, this short film represents an exciting intersection of global pop culture influences. By reimagining the members’ artistic vision through the medium of Japanese animation, 7FATES: CHAKHO continues the band’s tradition of creative experimentation while offering a visually stunning entry point into their expanded universe.

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