Sakura Wars

Herald Views: Sakura Wars TV Episode 1 in Tweets


You know you want it..The content of this piece was written during a viewing of the first episode of Sakura Wars TV on September 16, 2010. Edits have been made for spelling and grammar, but the rest is completely untouched, and un-edited from its original format.

Does anybody else pay attention to these intro segments? Didn’t think so.

8:53 PM: Welcome to another “Rainy Night and I’m Bored” edition of the showblog, everybody!

8:53 PM: Tonight’s feature is Sakura Wars TV.

8:53 PM: As most people will tell you, I’m a bit of a fanboy. :P

8:53 PM: I, ah, kinda played the first game until I could recite it line by line. No I won’t do that tonight. T_T

8:54 PM: Though you might get the sing-along for the opening song. ;) You’ve been warned!

8:54 PM: So I guess this will either be 30 minutes of me gushing, or 30 minutes of me ranting angrily about what’s different. :D

8:55 PM: ANYWAY, it’s going to be fun either way. So the basic info:

8:56 PM: Sakura Wars TV – licensed by .@sentaifilmworks

8:56 PM: Original Concept: Ohji Hiroi (Moeyo Ken, Samurai Crusader)

8:56 PM: Character designs by Kosuke Fujishima (Ah! My Goddess, You’re Under Arrest)

8:56 PM: Theme song: Geki! Teikokukagekidan! (Fight! Imperial Fighting Troupe!) By the Hanagumi

8:56 PM: Closing theme: Yume Mite Iyou by Chisa Yokoyama

8:56 PM: Starring: Chisa Yokoyama (Tenchi Muyo!, Zenki, Petit Puri Yucie), Ai Orikasa (Saber Marionette J, Tenchi Muyo, Planetes)…

8:56 PM: Akio Suyama (Heroman, Wolf’s Rain), and Tomizawa Michie(Bubblegum Crisis, Kimagure Orange Road, Sailor Moon) … among others

8:57 PM: Animated by Madhouse (Casshern: Sins, Hellsing Ultimate, Paprika, Perfect Blue, Trigun, Cyber City)

8:57 PM: Anyway, I’ve wasted too much time already. :) It’s time to get started!

8:59 PM: And it opens with? CG models of a Koubu as Fujieda Ayame explains things

8:59 PM: Koubu = Spirit Armor – basically a giant mech

8:59 PM: Used to kill demons :P

9:00 PM: Griping from businessmen for having too much money invested in Kanzaki Industries (we’ll learn more about them later :D)…

9:01 PM: And the “contents” – I’m guessing the pilots?

9:01 PM: Ayame standing in front of the screen now, photo of the Flower Brigade (Hanagumi) pops up as she proclaims…

9:02 PM: “And the ones who will operate the Koubu and carry out the core duties of Capital Defense… TEIKOKUKAGEKIDAN – HANAGUMI NANO!”

9:03 PM: (Imperial Fighting Troupe – Flower Division!)

9:05 PM: And the trademark opening song :D

9:05 PM: C’mon, sing along :D http://youtu.be/tQRmcLM8VBk (Dreamcast footage)

9:05 PM: Hikisaita, yami ga hoe~ furueru teito ni…

9:06 PM: Ai no utatakaraka ni, odorideru senshi tachi.

9:06 PM: Kokoro made, kotetsu ni, Uso suru otome~

9:07 PM: Aku rote jirashite, segimi wo shimetsu no da!

9:07 PM: Hashire, kosoku no – Teikokukagekidan!

9:08 PM: Unare, shougeki no, Teikokukagekidan! Hashire, kousoku no! Teikokukagekidan! Unare, shougeki no! Teikokukagekidan~

9:08 PM: OK, I’m done XD

9:09 PM: Show opens with footage of Sakura running toward Ueno Park

9:09 PM: …and she bumps into someone… bumpkin til the end, she is >_>

9:09 PM: First shots of Steampunk Edo.. and she’s thrilled :D

9:10 PM: Looks like she’s being followed… is that Tsubaki?

9:10 PM: Her father is a very pretty man. >_> Just sayin.

9:10 PM: Anyway, child sakura – d’aww :3

9:10 PM: Hunh… the background music is the same as what they use in the game. Cool :D

9:11 PM: well… somewhat

9:11 PM: Same tone :P No synth, all instrumentals

9:11 PM: Oops… Sakura missed her contact >_> “I’M SAKURA SHINGUJI! :O”

9:12 PM: “I’m sorry I’m late! D:” … yep. Really late >_>

9:12 PM: And she almost gets run over >_> that would’ve been a short series

9:12 PM: OOPS :O just missed Tsubaki… again

9:12 PM: And Sakura’s gawking at trolleys >_>

9:13 PM: Bump-kin!

9:13 PM: hah :D She does her best unintentional Marilyn Monroe – caught over a steam vent!

9:13 PM: And everyone laughs >_>

9:14 PM: ohp… pickpocket is on the hunt… as is an annoyed cop. “Where are you from? T_T” “Sendai :D” “What’re you doing here? T_T”

9:14 PM: uh… being an adorable hilbilly. A-duh :p

9:15 PM: heh.. kid chose the wrong mark – “I saved you from that cop :D So pay up :D” “kay? :D -blank stare-” “>_>”

9:16 PM: “So how bout some thanks >_>” “THANK YOU VERY MUCH T_T -shakes hand-” “Man, country bumpkins are so… T___T” hehe. :)

9:16 PM: “I came to defend the capital :3” yeah… that wouldn’t get you a look that says “you belong in an asylum” >->

9:17 PM: “’cause Spring is here? T_T” “Yes :D” …that wasn’t a compliment, Sakura >.>

9:17 PM: Back to the Theater, wehre Fujieda speaks with someone about Sakura

9:17 PM: …that’s interrupted by a call from, yep.. Tsubaki. :D I knew it

9:19 PM: As Sakura stares at a huge poster for Romeo and Juliet. Confused Sakura is confused “Imperial Theatrical Troupe, Flower Division” (Hanagumi)

9:19 PM: And she’s inside now >-> This will be interesting.

9:20 PM: Yay fanservice! Sumire (Michie Tomizawa) and Maria (Urara Takano) singing a signature image song :D As Sakura stares all ‘_’ whu?

9:21 PM: And now she’s entranced… as she’s told to close the door or get out. >_>

9:21 PM: Oh… it’s Kasumi :D

9:22 PM: “Is there a Mr. Yoneda here?” “Manager Yoneda? :D” “O-o Manager?”

9:22 PM: The poor girl’s going to be ALL screwed up when she finds out the truth >_>

9:23 PM: OOPS :O Sakura screwed up the show. >_> And there goes Yuri on damage control.

9:23 PM: …Sumire’s gonna be pissed >_>

9:23 PM: “I just found her T_T” Yoneda’s deadpan delivery is still awesome. :D Though his drunk act is more fun

9:23 PM: And eyecatch!

9:24 PM: …yep. Sakura’s onstage and screwed… but Sumire saves the day with quick thinking… and another insert song.

9:25 PM: Lots of gorgeously animated musical scenes. I like :D

9:26 PM: heh.. I was right – Sumire’s pissed.

9:26 PM: “Even if it is a customer – ” “She’s not a customer T_T” Welcome to hell week, Sakura >_>

9:26 PM: And Iris :D

9:27 PM: …now Sakura getting chewed out. Poor bumpkin. :(

9:27 PM: They already hate her. Had to figure. :P

9:27 PM: “You’re right, Jean-Paul. :D Iris won’t leave! :D” Jean-Paul = badass teddy bear

9:28 PM: And Yoneda’s getting smashed :3

9:28 PM: He’s always more funw hen he’s had a few

9:28 PM: Sakura’s still all “WTF” >_> All will become clear soon, I bet

9:28 PM: Heh.. Kazegumi’s watching :D

9:29 PM: And Yoneda reminisces about Sakura’s dad… who’s a very pretty man I must reiterate

9:29 PM: …and Yoneda called it – going to Maria to apologize first >->

9:30 PM: For reference: Kazegumi – Tsubaki, Kasumi, and Yuri – they do the command center work in the games.

9:30 PM: …aaaaaand Sakura gets a gun to her face. Nice welcome that is.

9:30 PM: “I wanted to apologize ;-;” …she got her answer >_>

9:31 PM: And a fun “GET OUTTA HERE T_T” to reiterate.

9:31 PM: …now it’s Iris’s turn… the little kid with the Omen smile

9:31 PM: “Jean-Paul, are you mad? Yeah… Iris feels the same way :3 Right, Jean-Paul. <3 …We hate you T_T”

9:32 PM: Oh boy :D Sumire’s next, right down to the “Ohohoho” laugh Michie does so well… she’s as haughty as ever, too >_>

9:32 PM: “A life in which I could play only role would be nothing but pain for me :3” oh u

9:32 PM: Photo shoot time. :D This is gonna go bad

9:33 PM: …I called it. >_> Sakura took out the lights… and pissed off Sumire… again

9:33 PM: Off to the Kazegumi, watching Maria go out to pick up Ayame (Fujieda)

9:34 PM: aw… sad Sakura… in the… hall? >_> #Thatdoesntwork

9:34 PM: Secret trap door is go!

9:34 PM: And she’s in the basement >_>

9:34 PM: …with… something >_>

9:34 PM: Those eyes… koubu?

9:34 PM: Koubu! :D

9:34 PM: …and they want her dead o_o

9:35 PM: yowza

9:35 PM: …ehe.. suicidal koubu

9:35 PM: Again, this will end badly

9:35 PM: “Take the long view on Sakura. :|” Fujieda has the right idea.

9:36 PM: >_> It ended badly

9:36 PM: Five dead koubu ‘-‘ And traumatized Sakura

9:36 PM: Yoneda knows something >_>

9:37 PM: Back to Sakura… who’s being shaken by Yuri. “A MONSTER ATTACKED ;o;” “Nope… just a badass mech

9:37 PM: Ouch O_o slapped by Sumire… that HAS to hurt. Both physically and your pride

9:38 PM: Wow.. Night in the Imperial Theater music.. as Sakura trudges through town

9:38 PM: back to Ueno Park.. in tears. :(

9:39 PM: And… credits? No! D:

9:39 PM: At least the Chisa ending theme is nice. :\

9:40 PM: Next episode: Sakura gets rejected by the Hanagumi some more :P I kid, I kid

9:41 PM: Anyway, the verdict: As a Sakura Wars fan, this delivers on SO many levels

9:41 PM: They fleshed out the backstory without getting overbearing, they put in tons of music and subtle nods to the games…

9:42 PM: And they didn’t try to say “OK THIS IS AN ACTION SHOW :O” or “THIS IS A ROMANTIC COMEDY :O”

9:42 PM: It actually FEELS like Sakura Taisen. the animation is good, though there is some nasty color bleed at one or two points (may be source)

9:43 PM: And the acting is fantastic – they reunited the whole cast for this, so far. Not one voice was out of place.

9:43 PM: Anyone curious about Sakura wars or even vaguely interested, pick this up. .@sentaifilmworks licensed it and sells the series in a brick.

9:44 PM: It’s well worth the cost of admission for possibly the best, most accessible while also highly faithful video game to anime adaptations.

9:46 PM: But as a warning: watch this subtitled. The Japanese cast was hand-picked for the franchise; they are part of what makes Sakura Wars special

9:47 PM: Anyway, as always, thanks for sitting around and listening to me rant about the feature. :D g’night, everybody!

Sakura Wars TV is currently available through Sentai Filmworks.
The full series can be purchased at The Right Stuf International.

About the author

Samantha Ferreira

Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.

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