Year:
1997
Studio:
Sega Enterprises,
Bandai Visual, Animate
Film
Feature:
3/5
DVD:
0/5
Sakura Wars is a
four episode series detailing the origins of the Imperial Floral
Assault Unit. The series is based on the Sakura Wars roleplaying video
games and is a prequel to the games. The basic idea is that it is 1919
in a Japanese Steam-Tech world. Robotic demons threaten Japan.
The IFAU is formed comprised of girls with high Spirit Energy, which is
required to operate the newly developed combat mecha (which look a lot
like BattleTech Urban Mechs). To help them develop their Spirit Energy,
the girls are also an opera troupe and they do performances.
In Japanese sakura means cherry blossom, which seems to be the light
pink leaves of a cherry blossom tree since that image is used a lot.
Overall it's an ok series. The character stuff was good but a bit
rushed in a short series. The battle scenes get repetitive and there
were only two battle scenes in the series. But I did like the last
battle since it showed a lot of moves that must come from the video
game.
Cast
Sakura Shinguji (Amber Allison) - star of the series who inherited the
Cherry Blossom Spirit Attack sword attack from her father
Sumire Kanzaki (Sascha Biesi) - stuck up, she was the experimental
pilot of the suits
Maria Tachibana (Catherine Berry) - Russian American, first commander
of the unit
Iris Chateaubriand (Jessica Schwartz) - little French girl
Ri Kohran (Boni Hester) - the inventor
Kanna Kirishima (Sheila Gordon) - a tall big woman, martial artist with
a powerful punch.
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Ayame Fujieda
(Amy L Gamber) - regular army, she recruited most of the girls
Ikki Yoneda (Bill McMillin) - in charge of the whole operation, family
friend of Sakura
Ichiro Ohgami (Brian Gaston) - young officer and new commander of the
Imperial Floral Assault Unit
Act 1 - The Demon
Wars Begin
Sumire is discovered to have the Spirit Energy to run the experimental
suits and she helps in their development. Ayama recruits Kanna, Maria,
Iris and Ri. Sakura tries to be found worthy of her father's sword. The
girls go out for a day at the fair and are attacked by a demon.
Act 2 - The Cherry Blossom Spirit Attack
The opera company is formed. Sakura works on developing the Cherry
Blossom Spirit Attack. Ayame recruits Sumire who immediately clashes
with the rest of the team and Kanna in particular. Ikki visits Sakura
and recruits her into the team.
Act 3 - Spring is the Time for First Battles
A year later Sakura is still only helping backstage at the opera. Maria
asks to be replaced as commander of the Flower Division. Maria gives
Sakura the lead in the next opera. The demons capture Nippon Bridge and
the team gets their baptism by fire. Ichiro arrives.
Act 4 - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ichiro is having a hard time being commander. In order to feel more
like part of the team, he decides to stage an opera. But a demon attack
threatens to ruin the opening night. At the end of the night they are
truly a team.
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