Sakura Wars

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Sakura Taisen
サクラ大戦 (Sakura Wars, Great War Among the Cherry Blossoms)
Genre	Adventure, Drama, Musical, Mecha, Romance, Steam Punk
Game: Sakura Taisen
Developer	Red Entertainment
Publisher	Sega
Genre	dating, strategy, simulation
Platform	Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Play Station Portable
Released	1996
Game: Sakura Taisen 2 ~Kimi, Shinitamō koto Nakare~
Developer	Red Entertainment
Publisher	Sega
Genre	dating, strategy, simulation
Platform	Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Sony Playstation 2, Sony Playstation Portable
Released	1998
Game: Sakura Taisen 3 ~Pari wa Moeteiru ka?~
Developer	Red Entertainment
Publisher	Sega
Genre	dating, strategy, simulation
Platform	Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Sony Playstation
Released	2001
Game: Sakura Taisen 4 ~Koise yo, Otome~
Developer	Red Entertainment
Publisher	Sega
Genre	dating, strategy, simulation
Platform	Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows
Released	2002
Game: Sakura Taisen~Atsuki Chishio Ni~ a remake of the original Sakura Taisen
Developer	Red Entertainment
Publisher	Sega
Genre	dating, strategy, simulation
Platform	Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 2
Released	2003
Game: Sakura Taisen Monogatari ~Mysterious Paris~
Developer	Red Entertainment
Publisher	Sega
Genre	adventure, strategy, simulation
Platform	Sony PlayStation 2
Released	2005
Game: Sakura Taisen 5 Episode 0 ~Kōya no Samurai Musume~
Developer	Red Entertainment
Publisher	Sega
Genre	dating, strategy, simulation
Platform	Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 2
Released	2004
Game: Sakura Taisen 5~Saraba, Itoshiki Hito yo~
Developer	Red Entertainment
Publisher	Sega
Genre	dating, strategy, simulation
Platform	Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 2
Released	2005
OVA: Ouka Kenran
Directed by	Takaaki Ishiyama
Studio	Rave
No. of episodes	4
Released	1997
OVA: Gouka Kenran
Directed by	Takaaki Ishiyama
Studio	Rave
No. of episodes	6
Released	1999
OVA: Sakura Taisen: Kanzaki Sumire Intai Kinen ~ Su Mi Re ~
Directed by
Studio	Rave
No. of episodes	1
Released	2002
OVA: Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris
Directed by
Studio	Rave
No. of episodes	3
Released	2003
OVA: Sakura Wars: Le Nouveau Paris
Directed by
Studio	Rave
No. of episodes	3
Released	2003
TV anime
Directed by	Ryutaro Nakamura
Studio	Madhouse
Network	JPN TBS TV3 Chilevisión, Etc...TV
Original run	April 8, 2000 – September 23, 2000
No. of episodes	25

Sakura Wars (サクラ大戦, Sakura Taisen^?) is a Japanese franchise series of video games, manga, and anime developed by Red Entertainment and published by Sega based on an idea by Ouji Hiroi. The title is literally translates as "Cherry Blossom Great War", but is colloquially "The Great War Among the Cherry Blossoms", sakura being the Japanese word for "cherry blossom".

The franchise originated as a single Sakura Taisen game on the Sega Saturn video game console in 1996, featuring gameplay that is a mix of tactical wargames and romance games or dating sims. Many spinoff games were also produced, covering many different gameplay types. Animé features were created to tie in to the original games, including several OVAs, a television series, a currently running comic series (manga) featured in Kodansha's Magazine Z, and a full-length motion picture. The animated series was created by Ouji Hiroi, the original designer, and Satoru Akahori, the series advisor.

The storyline for the original Sakura Taisen games and related anime takes place in the 1920s of an alternate Tokyo following the adventures of the Teikoku Kagekidan—Hanagumi (lit. "Imperial Floral Assault Force—Flower Division") and its leader Ensign Ohgami Ichiro as they defend Teito (lit. "Imperial Capital" a.k.a. Tokyo) against evil creatures that threaten their city. While carrying out this mission, the Hanagumi continue to perform on stage undercover as the Imperial Opera Troupe. Thus the Hanagumi perform as one during the day, and "changes characters" come time for battle. The spin-off games and anime take place in the same universe as the Teikoku Kagekidan—Hanagumi, but revolve around different teams at different locations.

Featuring original character designs by Kosuke Fujishima and character designs by Hidenori Matsubara, the games and animé are set in a fictional Taisho Era Tokyo (and later Paris and New York) where all modern technology is powered by steam, giving the series a steampunk feel. Steam-powered automobiles, ships and even steam-powered construction robots and computers are common devices. This futuristic past is not so safe however, and monsters and other forces of darkness constantly menace and seek to bring down these legendary metropolises. In their way stands a secret strike force of psychically-empowered women who drive steam-powered suits of power armor known as 光武 Koubu.

Contents 1 Games 1.1 Sakura Taisen 1.2 Sakura Taisen 2 1.3 Sakura Taisen 3 1.4 Sakura Taisen 4 1.5 Sakura Taisen (remake) 1.6 Sakura Taisen V Episode 0 1.7 Sakura Taisen V 1.8 Popularity 2 Anime 2.1 Sakura Taisen: Ouka Kenran 2.2 Sakura Taisen: Gouka Kenran 2.3 Sakura Taisen: The Television Series 2.4 Sakura Taisen: Katsudou Shashin (Sakura Taisen: The Movie) 2.5 Sakura Taisen: "Su~Mi~Re": Kanzaki Sumire Intai Kinen 2.6 Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris 2.7 Sakura Taisen: Le Nouveau Paris 2.8 Sakura Taisen: Sakura Taisen New York NY 3 Manga 4 Live Performances 4.1 Teito Hanagumi 4.2 Other shows 4.3 Spin-offs 5 Characters 6 Franchise 7 Notes and References 8 External links

[edit] Games

The Sakura Taisen game was released in 1996 for the Sega Saturn video game console. The gameplay is a mix of tactical wargames and dating sims, with a plot that was partially inspired by the Takarazuka Kagekidan (宝塚歌劇団), along with its one time rival the Shochiku Kagekidan which once had a theatre in Ginza and of whom Ouji Hiroi's aunt was a founding member. The popularity of the game lead to the release of several sequels on the Saturn and Sega Dreamcast, and recently (following the official demise of the Dreamcast) the Sony PlayStation 2. Many spinoff games were also produced, covering many different gameplay types, including puzzle, action, and pure adventure games.

There have been more than ten separate Sakura Taisen game releases, among them five core titles, some of which have been ported and re-released on Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony Playstation Portable, and/or Microsoft Windows, as well as two games for the Nintendo Game Boy Color. Each of the main games are elaborated on below.

[edit] Sakura Taisen

• Sakura Taisen (サクラ大戦)^[1]
• Platform(s): Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation Portable
• Release date: Saturn: September 27, 1996; Dreamcast: May 25, 2000; Windows: 2000; PSP: March 9, 2006

The inaugural game, this Sega Saturn game was released in 1996 and established the Live Interactive Picture System (LIPS) dialog game system, wherein the player is presented with dialog options to choose from during conversations with other characters. Each choice made (or not making one at all) adds or deducts "trust points" from various characters' totals, eventually shaping the player's relationship with the rest of the cast, and ultimately, the ending of the game.

The second portion of gameplay featured turn-based battling between the characters' Koubu and their enemies. Units moved about on a grid-based map of the battlefield performing attacks and spectacular special moves to destroy the villains.

The game's setting is 1923 and follows the adventures of the members of the Teikoku Kagekidan—Hanagumi (lit. "Imperial Floral Assault Force—Flower Division") as they defend Teito (lit. "Imperial Capital" a.k.a. Tokyo) against evil creatures of the Kurono Sukai (lit. "Hive of Blackness") led by the vile Tenkai. All the while the Hanagumi continues to perform onstage undercover as the Imperial Opera Troupe^[2]. The Hanagumi consists of Shinguuji Sakura, Kanzaki Sumire, Maria Tachibana, Kirishima Kanna, Iris Chateaubriand, Ri Kohran and their leader Ensign Ohgami Ichiro.

[edit] Sakura Taisen 2

• Sakura Taisen 2 ~Kimi, Shinitamou koto Nakare~ (サクラ大戦2 ～君、死にたもうことなかれ～)^[3]
• Platform(s): Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation Portable.
• Release date: Saturn: April 4, 1998; Dreamcast: September 21, 2000; Windows: March 1, 2001; PSP: March 9, 2006.

The second game in the series was released in 1998. It was the first in the series include subtitles and the ability to choose a "battle plan" that increases the team's ability to use certain tactics. A number of variations on the Adventure Mode's LIPS system were also added.

The story takes place in the fourteenth year of Taisho (1925), roughly a year after the conclusion of the original game. Ensign Ohgami has returned from a tour of duty in the Imperial Navy and has been permanently assigned as squad leader of the Imperial Floral Assault Force—Flower Division (and errand boy for the Great Imperial Theater). Two new members, Reni Milchstrasse and Orihime Soletta, have joined the squad from the now-disbanded Hoshigumi (lit. "Star Division"), and many new enemies are arising to threaten Teito.

[edit] Sakura Taisen 3

• Sakura Taisen 3 ~Pari wa Moeteiru ka?~ (サクラ大戦3 ～巴里は燃えているか～)^[4]
• Platform(s): Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows, Sony PlayStation 2
• Release date: Dreamcast: March 22, 2001; Microsoft Windows: September 18, 2003; PS2: February 24, 2005

Released in 2001, Sakura Taisen 3 represented the most dramatic change in the series to date. It was the first major Sakura Taisen title to be released on the next-generation Dreamcast console (a puzzle-based spinoff game had been released earlier), and featured all-new 3D graphics and a new battle system known as the Active and Real-time Machine System (ARMS), which used a gridless action-point-based combat scheme. Additionally, the game featured an all-new cast of girls in an all-new setting.

It is the middle of 1926, barely weeks after the Capital was saved a second time. Ohgami has been promoted to lieutenant and reassigned to "study" in the French capital of Paris, the City of Lights. However, just as he arrives Ohgami is informed that he is there to train a new "Paris Assault Squad" (Japanese: "Pari Kagekidan"), and battle marauding Beast-Men (Japanese: "Kaijin") with the "Groupe Fleur de Paris" (Japanese: "Pari Hanagumi"), a team of young women working undercover as performers in Les Chattes Noires, a famous Parisian nightclub. The Paris team consists of Erica Fontaine, Glycine Bleumer, Lobelia Carlini, Hanabi Kitaoji, and Coquelicot.

[edit] Sakura Taisen 4

• Sakura Taisen 4 ~Koi Seyo, Otome~ (サクラ大戦4 ～恋せよ乙女～)^[5]
• Platform(s): Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows
• Release date: Dreamcast: March 21, 2002; Microsoft Windows: March 3, 2005

Sakura Taisen 4, released in 2002, revealed a newly restructured story format, concentrating on "wide, rather than long" gameplay (2 large multipathed 'Acts' versus many short 'Episodes'), the last of the Tokyo and Paris storylines featured the entire combined casts of Sakura Taisens 1 through 3, as well as the ability to create an "Ohgami Kagekidan" (lit. "Ohgami's Assault Force") to used in the fight against evil.

The setting is now spring 1927. Ohgami has returned to Tokyo from Paris in triumph, and finds the Teikoku Kagekidan in battle with a new foe, this time one that looks impossible to defeat with the resources currently at hand.

[edit] Sakura Taisen (remake)

• Sakura Taisen ~Atsuki Chishio ni~ (サクラ大戦 ～熱き血潮に～ )^[6]
• Platform(s): Sony PlayStation 2
• Release date: February 27, 2003

In 2003 Sega remade the original Sakura Taisen game, releasing it on Sony's PlayStation 2 game console. New content and remade artwork was added by series art director Matsubara Hidenori. The game featured remastered full motion video sequences, and battle system conversion to ARMS, which was the 3D graphics and tactical combat engine used in Sakura Taisen 3 and 4. LIPS interaction sequences were also updated to include the LIPS types introduced in previous releases, and adding Action LIPS, where the player enters a series of commands on the controller, in a fashion similar to "Simon Says".

Reprising the original story of the first Sakura Taisen game, there are no changes to the plot other than re-recorded speech dialogue by the original voice actors, and several new scenes and "extra content".

[edit] Sakura Taisen V Episode 0

• Sakura Taisen V Episode 0 ~Kouya no Samurai Musume~ (サクラ大戦V EPISODE 0～荒野のサムライ娘～)^[7]

About the title: The subtitle "Kouya no Samurai Musume" can be interpreted to mean *"The Samurai Girl from the Wild West", though the literal Japanese translation is actually *"The Samurai Girl from the Wild/Wilderness".

Platform(s): Sony PlayStation 2
Release date: September 22, 2004

In a departure from traditional Sakura Taisen gameplay, Sega released a completely action-based game which acts as a prequel to the Sakura Taisen V main game. This game featured "Action Rodeo Combat", with the protagonist fighting off her foes while on horseback, and interacting with characters via the revised LIPS system used in Sakura Taisen ~Atsuki Chishio Ni~.

The story is now set in the United States, and focuses on one of the new cast members of Sakura Taisen 5, a young American girl named Gemini Sunrise. Gemini has lived all her life out in the Wild West of Texas. At the request of her late master, Mifune, she has a new assignment waiting for her in New York City. The young samurai cowgirl boards her best pal Rally the Horse, and rides off, where her adventures begin.

[edit] Sakura Taisen V

• Sakura Taisen V ~Saraba, Itoshiki Hito yo~ (サクラ大戦V ～さらば愛しき人よ～)^[8]
• Platform(s): Sony PlayStation 2
• Release date: July 7, 2005

The fifth major release in the seminal Sakura Taisen series of games, Sakura Taisen V adds a new set of features, including new LIPS interactions that use some of the unique characteristics of the PlayStation 2 platform, like the Dual Shock 2 Controller's Analog Joysticks, and a three-dimensional navigation system that opens up the streets of New York for the player to explore, including areas of Queens, and Manhattan Island.

Set in New York City, Sakura Taisen V feature an all-new cast of characters, working in Broadway's "Little Lip Theater". Joined by a new protagonist and player character, Taiga Shinjiro, the "New York Fighting Troupe" (Lit. "New York Kagekidan") rides to battle in their "STAR" combat armors, which can transform into flying aircraft and engage evil on the ground as well as in the clouds. The new team consists of Sagiitta Weinberg, Gemini Sunrise, Diana Caprice, Rikaritta Aries, Subaru Kujou and Lachette Altair.

[edit] Popularity

The original Sakura Taisen recorded the biggest sales as a Sega Saturn original title. The game received the 1997 CESA Grand Prix Award and the 1997 Game of the Year Semi-Grand Prix Award.

Famitsu, a widely respected Japanese gaming magazine released their Top 100 games of all time. Sakura Taisen scored 13th place ahead of popular games like, Dragon Quest V, Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy IX, Xenogears, Kingdom Hearts, Street Fighter II, Super Mario Bros, Metal Gear Solid 3, Resident Evil, Zelda 3, Tales of the Abyss, Pokemon, Resident Evil 4, Fire Emblem and others.

Sakura Taisen 1 scored 13th place
Sakura Taisen 2 scored 36th place.
Sakura Taisen 3 scored 18th place.
Sakura Taisen 4 scored 91st place.

However, despite the license's tremendous popularity in Japan and East Asia, and growing fanbase in North America and Europe, Sega has not yet chosen to localize any of games themselves for release in English (though the various anime series are available in the U.S. and Europe through third-party distributors). Perhaps this can be attributed to uncertainty over American gamers' receptiveness to the series' unusual gameplay. Chinese language versions of the first three games are (as of 2004) currently available for the PC platform, and Sakura Taisen 5 Episode 0 ~Kouya no Samurai Musume~ is to be released in both Chinese- and Korean-language versions.

[edit] Anime

In 1997, the world of Sakura Taisen was extended to those without access to a game console, in the form of an animated OAV (Original Animated Video, a.k.a. OVA) series. The success of the original OVA lead to the release of numerous Sakura Taisen animated works, currently totalling about seven major releases, including a full-season TV series by Madhouse and a theatrical motion picture feature by Production I.G. Geneon Entertainment (formerly Pioneer Entertainment) has released the Sakura Taisen Motion Picture on video in the United States, with ADV Films and FUNimation releasing the various OVAs and the TV series under the name Sakura Wars.

The anime features the voices of Japanese seiyū Michie Tomizawa, Kikuko Inoue, Chisa Yokoyama and Urara Takano among others. The popularity of the anime and its character actors have lead to the release of dozens of musical soundtracks, radio plays and video recordings of live musicals put on by the voice actors (in character) on stage (see Live-Action Performance section below).

The major animated works released to date are elaborate on below.

[edit] Sakura Taisen: Ouka Kenran

Ouka Kenran^[9] was released in Japan in 1997, not long after the original game's skyrocketing popularity and public demand for more products from the soon-to-be franchise.

Sakura Taisen: Ouka Kenran was designed to appeal primarily to established fans of the game rather than the inexperienced. It expanded the story of the Hanagumi, with two of the four released episodes focusing on the beginnings of the Hanagumi's parent organization, the Imperial Floral Assault Troop, and how the various members of the Hanagumi were scouted out and recruited. The later two episodes jump far forward, placing themselves within the actual timeline of the original game, and switch perspectives to that of the game's protagonist and player character, Ichirou Ohgami. This perspective switch is jarring to newcomers and does little to introduce them to the world of Sakura Taisen, thus cementing the purpose of the Ouka Kenran OVA as a for-fans-by-fans product.

Despite this, Ouka Kenran was released on VHS Video by ADV Films in English as Sakura Wars, and met with surprising success among Americans, eventually meriting further releases of Sakura Taisen animation material regardless of the presence of the license's core products (the games) in that country. The original OVA is no longer available singularly, though it is packaged with the second OVA, Sakura Taisen: Gouka Kenran in the Sakura Wars OVA Collection on DVD Video, released in 2003 by ADV Films.

[edit] Sakura Taisen: Gouka Kenran

Main article: Sakura Wars Gouka-Kenran

Following the success of the Ouka Kenran series, Sakura Taisen: Gouka Kenran^[10] continued the trend of showing side stories happening alongside and between the events of the original video games. Each episode of the six-episode series shows a separate adventure from somewhere in the timelines of Sakura Taisen and Sakura Taisen 2. The episodes were written to concentrate on different members of the eight-member Flower Division (the original six plus two from Sakura Taisen 2): Maria and Sakura in the first, Iris and Leni in the second, Kanna and Sumire in the third, Orihime and Kohran in the fourth, and all of them together in a two-part episode.

Again, little was done to aid newcomers to Sakura Taisen in finding out the basics of the background and story provided in the original games. Gouka Kenran remained a fan-concentrated work.

Released in the US on DVD Video by ADV Films as a two-volume release called Sakura Wars: Return of the Spirit Warriors and Sakura Wars: Wedding Bells.

[edit] Sakura Taisen: The Television Series

First aired in Japan in April of 2000, the first TV incarnation of the Sakura Taisen franchise was essentially a retelling of the plot of the first Sakura Taisen, with a slightly different art style, and various major details altered. As with previously released animations, the TV series focused more on the Hanagumi than on the player character of Ohgami. The plot was also darker, and avoided some of the almost camp sensibilities of the games.

The series was later licensed by ADV films as "Sakura Wars TV", and was first released on DVD Video in 2003. The DVD releases covered six volumes. On December 27, 2005 ADV released the Sakura Wars TV Complete Collection Thinpak.

[edit] Sakura Taisen: Katsudou Shashin (Sakura Taisen: The Movie)

Main article: Sakura Wars: The Movie

The first full-length feature release in the franchise, Sakura Taisen: Katsudou Shashin (lit. "Moving Picture") takes place just after the conclusion of the third game, Sakura Taisen 3: Pari wa Moeteiru ka?" (as Flower Division Captain Ohgami Ichirou sails back to Tokyo to resume his position in the Imperial Floral Assault Force), and slightly before the beginning of the fourth game, Sakura Taisen 4: Koise yo, Otome.

Lachette Altair, former Captain of the experimental Star Division joins the Hanagumi to gather data for a proposed plan to defend New York City in America. But not all that comes from America is benign, for the monolithic Douglas Stuart company, under the leadership of Brent Furlong and his enigmatic minion Patrick Hamilton, are parading before Tokyo the Japhkiel, a revolutionary, unmanned fighting machine, as the future of the Imperial Capital's defense.

Released in Japanese theaters in December of 2001, the film saw a limited North American theater debut in July of 2003, and a DVD Video Release by Pioneer Animation/Geneon Animation as Sakura Wars: The Movie.

[edit] Sakura Taisen: "Su~Mi~Re": Kanzaki Sumire Intai Kinen

Translated as Sakura Taisen: Sumire Kanzaki Retirement Special "~Su~Mi~Re~", this 2002 Japanese release was a thirty-minute OVA commemorating the retirement of one of the franchise's key voice actresses, Michie Tomizawa, who played the character of Sumire Kanzaki. Following Tomizawa's announcement of her leaving the Sakura Taisen series, the decision was made to also announce the retirement of Sumire, the character. A much loved character and voice actress, both Sumire and Tomizawa left the stage to a sold-out live concert. FUNimation productions released the OVA in the US as Sakura Taisen: ~Su~Mi~Re~ in 2004.

[edit] Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris

Released in the US by Funimation on 28th August 2005, the three-part OVA covers the events of the Paris Kagekidan's formation, including the recruitment of Erica to the Fleur de Paris and the circumstances of Lobelia's capture by the police. Episodes in the OVA also connect the Paris Kagekidan with the events of Sakura Taisen: The Motion Picture. Ecole de Paris moves along the timeline of the Sakura Taisen 3 game, starting when the Fleur de Paris only has one member, with the third and last episode placed shortly after Captain Ichirou Ohgami's arrival and the (in-game) addition of team members Hanabi, Lobelia, and Coquelicot.

[edit] Sakura Taisen: Le Nouveau Paris

A sequel to Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris. As yet this three-part OVA has not been licensed for release in the US. This tells the story of the Paris Kagekidan's members in the weeks following Ohgami Ichirou's reassignment to Tokyo.

[edit] Sakura Taisen: Sakura Taisen New York NY

The 5th Sakura Wars OVA to be released, Sakura Taisen New York NY focuses on the five members of the New York Hoshigumi. There will be a total of 3 DVDs released in Japan with 2 episodes on each disc for a total of 6 episodes. The release dates and episode titles are as follows:

• DVD 1 will be released April 4, 2007. The first and second episodes will be titled "Me and My Girl" and "X ... and The City"
• DVD 2 will be released June 2007. The third and fourth episodes will be titled "Hoshi no Kagayaku Yoru ni" and "Mother, I want to sing!"
• DVD 3 will be released August 2007. The fifth and sixth episodes will be titled "Kindan no Rakuen" and "New York Yori Towa ni"

[edit] Manga

Sakura Taisen has a manga currently running (as of March 2007) in the serial anthology comic Magazine Z. The manga is also licensed and released in English by TOKYOPOP.

Titled Sakura Taisen', the manga is written by Hiroi Ouji and illustrated by Ikku Masa. It follows the plot of the original Sakura Taisen game but wnlike the television adaptation, the manga stays closer to the game's plot, with only minor alterations. As part of a commentary feature at the end of each volume, the manga contains characterizations, events and some side stories that players of the game would not have been able to see, since they were playing the game through the eyes (and perception) of Ensign Ohgami.

In visual style, illustrator Ikku Masa's style is similar to that used by the Sakura Taisen TV series, with slightly rounder and more "doll-like" faces and facial features, as opposed to the sharper-edged style of character designer Kosuke Fujishima. The mechanical designs are almost identical to those used in the TV series, with the Koubu differentiated only by color and weaponry. Unlike the TV series, however, the Koubu are correctly sized, whereas in the TV series the Koubu were larger, more like piloted vehicles than powered armor suits. The regressed designs contrast, however to the highly stylized and personalized Koubu seen in Sakura Taisen ~Atsuki Chishio Ni~, the PS2 remake of the original game.

[edit] Live Performances

From 1997 onwards, the seiyū of the anime characters performed onstage and in-character as their Sakura Taisen counterparts in a series of live-action stage shows. From 1997 to 2006 the original Teito Hanagumi performed two shows a year: a New Year's Show and a Summer Kayō Show. In August 2006 the Teito Hanagumi had their final performance. The Paris Hanagumi and New York Hoshigumi still perform live-action shows following the end of the Teito Hanagumi's run.

[edit] Teito Hanagumi

• Ai Yueni ("Because of Love") First Summer Kayou Show. This was the first Sakura Taisen live show and was performed from July 19 to 21, 1997.

• Tsubasa ("Wings") Second Summer Kayou Show. Performed from August 11 to 16, 1998. It was the first show to include the characters Reni Milchstrasse and Soletta Orihime. Additionally, Dandy Boss and his gang are first introduced here.

• Benitokage ("Crimson Lizard") Third Summer Kayou Show. Performed from August 4 to 7, 1999.

• Arabia No Bara ("Rose of Arabia") Fourth Summer Kayou Show. Performed from July 23 to August 4, 2000.

• Shinshun Kayou Show 2001 ("2001 New Year Show") Performed from January 3 to 7, 2001. This was the first live show where the Hanagumi performed the Taiko.

• Kaijin Bessou ("Villa Of the Sea God") Fifth Summer Kayou Show. Performed from August 10 to 18, 2001.

• Harukoi Shisumireyume Nowakare Performed from January 2 to 6, 2002. In lieu of a regular New Year show, this one was Sumire's retirement performance. The title is reminiscent of kabuki and translates to "Calling up the image of blooming violets at the time of separation, how far I long for spring..."

• Shin Hen Hakkenden ("The New Hakkenden") First Super Kayou Show. erformed from August 15 to 25, 2002. From this point onwards the summer shows were referred to as "Super" Kayou Shows. This was also the first summer show that did not include a live orchestra.

• Shichi Fukujin ("Seven Lucky Gods") New Year Show. Performed from January 3 to 7, 2003.

• Shin Takarajima ("The New Treasure Island") Second Super Kayou Show. Performed from August 15 to 21, 2003. The recorded album from this live show received the 17th Japanese Gold Disc Award for the best Anime Album of the Year in 2003.

• Utae! Hanagumi! ("Sing! Hanagumi!") New Year Show. erformed from January 2 to 5, 2004.

• Shin Saiyuki ("The New Journey to The West") Third Super Kayou Show. Performed from August 13 to 19, 2004.

• Warae! Hanagumi! ("Laugh! Hanagumi!") New Year Show. Performed from January 7 to 10, 2005.

• Shin Aoi Tori ("The New Blue Bird") Fourth Super Kayou Show. Performed from August 13 to 20, 2005. In this show Michie Tomizawa rejoins the cast as Sumire Kanzaki.

• Tonderu! Hanagumi! ("Soar High! Hanagumi!") New Year Show. Performed from January 4 to 8, 2006. The villain from "Shin Aoi Tori" returns, continuing the "Aoi Tori" story arc.

• Shin Ai Yueni ("The New Because of Love") Final Super Kayou Show. Performed from August 12 to 22, 2006. This was the last summer live show performed by the original Sakura Taisen cast (Teito Hanagumi).

[edit] Other shows

A spin-off musical called Musical Sakura Taisen Hanasaku Otome was performed from April 4 to 11, 1998. This musical centered around the Otome-gumi, which featured girls training to enter the Hanagumi.

[edit] Spin-offs

The Paris Hanagumi produced one mini show during the intermission of the Fifth Summer Kayou Show ("Kaijin Bessou") August 13, 2001. This team has also appeared in several Christmas dinner shows, including:

• December 21, 2001 - Sakura Taisen Dinner Show Paris no Christmas "Joyeux Noel! Dinner Show Tokyo"
• December 22, 2002 - Sakura Taisen Dinner Show Paris no Christmas "Joyeux Noel! Dinner Show Tokyo"
• December 24, 2003 - Sakura Taisen Dinner Show Paris no Christmas "Bonne Noel! Christmas Dinner Show"
• December 23, 2004 - Sakura Taisen Dinner Show Paris no Christmas "Christmas Dinner Show"

The New York Hoshigumi had a stage show titled Sing Grand New York, which was performed from March 18 to 19, 2006.

[edit] Characters

See: List of Sakura Wars characters

[edit] Franchise

There is also an official Sakura Taisen shop on the top floor of the Sega "GIGA" Amusement Center, located in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district. Called "Taisho Romando", the store sells only Sakura Taisen-related merchandise, such as costumes, toy models, art books, copies of the games and videos, posters, wall scrolls, and even snack foods. The store was recently upgraded to include the Sakura Cafe, which serves dishes featured and inspired by the setting and characters of Sakura Taisen, such as "Coquelicot Coffee", which is served in Vietnamese style that is popular in France.

[edit] Notes and References

[edit] External links

• Sega's official Sakura Taisen Web site (in Japanese)
• ADV's Sakura Wars - The Website (in English)
• FUNimation's Sakura Taisen: Sumire Web site (in English)
• Pioneer's (Geneon's) Sakura Wars: The Movie Web site (in English)
• The Sakura Taisen Archives - SakuraArchives.com
• Sega's official Sakura Taisen Cafe website (in Japanese)
• i-POLILIN Satoru Akahori Sakura Wars Series Advisor Site
• Sakura Taisen series at MobyGames
• Sakura Wars at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
• Intereview with Ouji Hiroi (in Japanese) detailing the role Shochiku Kagekidan played in the inspiration of Sakura Taisen. A partial translation can be found at: http://community.livejournal.com/takarazuka/16166.html