On July 2, gaming news source Twinfinite reported that Sega is open to revisiting the first five entries in the series, given “sufficient demand” from customers. In an interview with Sakura Wars (2019) director Tetsuya Ootsubo, Twinfinite staffers asked whether Sega would consider remaking or remastering the original Sakura Wars games.
Ootsubo replied, stating:
Regarding remasters and/or remakes, it’s true that the older titles can’t be played on modern equipment, so if there is sufficient demand for it, we are open to the idea of revisiting the earlier games.
In the same interview, Ootsubo noted that the team was interested in producing a sequel to the game.
Sakura Wars (2019) shipped worldwide on Sony’s PlayStation 4 console on April 28. The title launched in Japan on December 12, 2019. The title, which is available on Sony’s PlayStation 4 console, sold through 166,771 as of January 13, according to Famitsu.
On May 11, it was reported that Sega filed for four new trademarks related to the Sakura Wars brand with the Japanese patent office.
Sequel anime series Sakura Wars (2019) The Animation hit Japanese TV on April 3, with Funimation streaming the title in North America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Wakanim is offering the show in Europe.
The core voice cast includes:
- Seijūrō Kamiyama : Yōhei Azakami
- Sakura Amamiya: Ayane Sakura
- Hatsuho Shinonome: Maaya Uchida
- Azami Mochizuki: Hibiku Yamamura
- Anastasia Palma: Ayaka Fukuhara
- Claris: Saori Hayami
- Sumire Kanzaki: Michie Tomizawa
- Reiji Shiba: Tomikazu Sugita
- Kaoru Rindou: Yui Ishikawa
- Komachi Ooba: Ryoko Shiraishi
- Yang Shaolong: Yuuichirou Umehara
- Yui Huang: Sumire Uesaka
- Arthur: Nobunaga Shimazaki
- Lancelot: Manami Numakura
- Yaksha: Chisa Yokoyama
- Elise: Nana Mizuki
- Margarethe: Rie Kugimiya
Bleach creator Tite Kubo provided the original character designs, while Jiro Ishii (Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, Under the Dog) was in charge of the story structure. Series composer Kohei Tanaka (Sakura Wars franchise, One Piece, Mobile Fighter G Gundam) returned to score the game’s soundtrack.
Other staff members include:
- Script: Takaaki Suzuki (Girls und Panzer, Strike Witches)
- Setting and Scenario Summary: Takanobu Terada
- Development Director: Tetsuya Ootsubo
- Producer: Tetsu Kitano
- Character Visual Setting: Masashi Kudou
- Main Mechanical Designer: Mika Akitaka
- Executive Producer: Haruki Satomi
- Original Concept: Ohji Hiroi
Sega describes Sakura Wars (2019) as:
The stage is set in a steampunk version of 1940s Imperial Tokyo. Only a short while ago, a cataclysmic event destroyed the Imperial Combat Revue of Tokyo, the capital’s global defense force stationed at the Imperial Theater. Now home to the Flower Division, an inept rookie squad who also strives to impart hope on the citizenry with their theatrical talents, the theater has fallen on hard times and risks closure. It’s up to Seijuro Kamiyama as the captain of the new Tokyo revue to lead his squad and restore the Imperial Combat Revue and the theater back to their former glory! With the help of the revue’s five colorful performers, he must rise to the challenge of competing in the Combat Revue World Games, protecting the inhabitants of Tokyo and getting the theater back on track.
The Sakura Wars franchise is an original project by Sega CS2 R&D (later Overworks) and Red Entertainment. Oji Hiroi (Moeyo Ken, Far East of Eden), Satoru Akahori (Saber Marionette J, Martian Successor Nadesico), and Kosuke Fujishima (Ah! My Goddess, You’re Under Arrest!) are listed as the original creators of the franchise.
The first title appeared on the Sega Saturn in 1996. The initial entry, while released only in Japan at the time, was estimated to have a 200,000 lifetime sales goal. The title sold 205,270 units in its opening week, which was roughly 57% of the launch shipment. At the time, the title was seen as having the largest debut for a Sega title to date. It would go on to move 359,485 copies throughout the Saturn’s lifespan.
Since then, the title has gone on to spawn:
- Seven main-line titles
- Fifteen spin-off games
- An anime TV series by Madhouse
- An anime TV series by Sanzigen
- Five anime OVA series
- Eight manga and light novel adaptations
- Sixteen high-profile live stage shows
