Sakura Wars TV: Review and impressions of charming characters and a magnificent story

Sakura Wars TV - A unique world where nostalgia and newness collide

"Sakura Wars TV," which aired in 2000, is a TV anime based on the popular Sega game series. Set in a fictional era from 1923 to 1924, this anime depicts the girls of the Teikoku Kagekidan battling monsters, and has captivated viewers with its unique worldview that combines nostalgia with newness. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal of "Sakura Wars TV," its production background, characters, story, music, and more.

Production Background and Overview

"Sakura Wars TV" is based on the Sega video game "Sakura Wars", but has been reimagined with its own original script and direction. The original work was written by Hiroi Oji, the series was supervised by Akahori Satoru, and the director was Nakamura Ryutaro. The animation was produced by Madhouse, and the production was done by the Sakura Wars Production Committee and TBS.

The series was broadcast from April 8 to September 23, 2000, with a total of 25 episodes. It was mainly broadcast on TBS, but also on Mainichi Broadcasting System, Hokkaido Broadcasting System, TVU Fukushima and other networks at different times. Each episode was 30 minutes long, making it an easy format for viewers to follow.

story

"Sakura Wars TV" is set in the fictional era of 1923 to 1924. This era has a unique worldview where historical background and fantasy intersect. The story depicts the girls of the Imperial Combat Revue as they grow up while fighting monsters. The girls have a dual nature: they appear on the stage as a troupe that performs glamorously on stage, but behind the scenes they fight monsters using their spiritual armor, "Kobu."

The story begins with Sakura Shinguji volunteering to join the Teikoku Kagekidan. With her father's keepsake, the sacred sword Arataka in hand, she faces various difficulties with her companions. The story depicts their growth, friendship, and battles, giving viewers inspiration and courage.

character

One of the charms of "Sakura Wars TV" is its unique characters. Below, we will introduce the main characters in detail.

Sakura Shinguji

Sakura Shinguji is a 17-year-old girl from Miyagi Prefecture, the daughter of Colonel Kazuma Shinguji, who was a member of the Imperial Army's Anti-Demon Squad. She volunteered to join the Imperial Combat Revue and is also a swordsman with a license in the Hokushin Itto-ryu style. In her private life, she is a very ordinary girl, with a sensitive and delicate side. She always carries her father's sacred sword, Arataka, which is said to have the power to ward off evil.

Sumire Kanzaki

Kanzaki Sumire is a 16-year-old girl from Kanagawa Prefecture, and the only daughter of Kanzaki Shigeki, the CEO of Kanzaki Heavy Industries. She is also studying imperial studies in order to become the head of the Kanzaki zaibatsu in the future. She joined the Teikoku Kagekidan after becoming a test pilot for the prototype spiritual armor "Oubu" developed by Kanzaki Heavy Industries. Perhaps due to the environment she grew up in, she has a self-righteous side to her personality, which often causes conflicts within the Flower Troupe.

Maria Tachibana

Maria Tachibana is a 19-year-old girl from Russia (Ukraine) and half Japanese-Russian. She was born in Kiev, Imperial Russia, and after participating in the Russian Revolution of 1917, she worked as a gangster's bodyguard in Manhattan, USA. After that, she met Fujieda Ayame, who was looking for a suitable Koubu pilot, and joined the Teikoku Kagekidan Hanagumi as its first captain in 1922.

Iris

Iris is a 9-year-old girl from France (Champagne), the daughter of Count Chateaubriand. She is the youngest member of the Teikoku Kagekidan Flower Troupe, and is the most psychic girl in the Flower Troupe with the best spiritual powers. However, her control is unstable, and there is a risk of her going out of control. She joined the Teikoku Kagekidan after Ayame Fujieda persuaded Iris and her parents, who were bored with her abnormal powers. Since she lives away from her parents, she also has a childish side, as she never lets her teddy bear "Jean-Paul" leave her side.

Li Honglan

Li Honglan is a 17-year-old girl from Beijing, Republic of China, born as the daughter of a trader. She was scouted by Fujieda Ayame, and while living in Kobe, she picked up a somewhat questionable Kansai dialect. In 1921, she was assigned to the Teikoku Kagekidan Hanayashiki branch as an engineer, and from an early age, she loved inventing, making useful items and causing explosions. Her inventions played a major role in the development of the Koubu.

Kanna Kirishima

Kanna Kirishima is a 19-year-old girl from Okinawa Prefecture, and the 28th successor of the Kirishima Ryu Ryukyu Karate style. She is 197 cm tall and has a special skill of being a first-class navigation license. She joined the Teikoku Kagekidan in 1922, and was an early member of the Hanagumi along with Maria Tachibana. She has a bold and reliable personality, and is more like a strong-willed mother than a father figure to the Teigeki.

Subtitles and episodes

"Sakura Wars TV" is a series consisting of 25 episodes, each with a different subtitle. Below, we will briefly introduce the subtitles of each episode and their contents.

• Episode 1: "Sakura Comes to the Imperial Capital" - This is the episode in which Sakura Shinguji volunteers to join the Imperial Combat Revue.
• Episode 2: "The City to Protect" - Depicts the girls of the Teikoku Kagekidan fighting to protect the imperial capital.
• Episode 3 "Sakura's First Stage" - This is the episode where Sakura takes to the stage for the first time.
• Episode 4: "The New Captain of the Kagekidan" - A new captain appears, and new developments begin for the Hanagumi.
• Episode 5: "Evil Shadow" - The story depicts the girls standing up against the demonic shadow that looms over the imperial capital.
• Episode 6 "The Spirit of Koubu" - This is the episode where Koubu learns the mindset he needs as a pilot.
• Episode 7, "Delicious Order" - Depicts the girls maintaining order in their daily lives.
• Episode 8, "This Is a Review" - In this episode, the girls look back on their performance on stage.
• Episode 9: "The Girl Called the Fire-Eater" - This is the episode in which Maria Tachibana's past is revealed.
• Episode 10: "The Woman Who Brings the Storm" - A powerful monster appears and the girls fight it.
• Episode 11 "Hana-gumi Camp" - An episode in which the Hana-gumi members deepen their bonds through a training camp.
• Episode 12: A Lonely Birthday - This episode celebrates Sakura's birthday, but she ends up spending it alone.
• Episode 13: "Let the flowers bloom! With a maiden's pride!" - This episode depicts the girls fighting for their maiden pride.
• Episode 14: "Iris Goes Out on a Mission!" - This is the episode in which Iris goes out on a mission for the first time.
• Episode 15: Sakura Returns Home - This is the episode in which Sakura returns to her hometown, where new challenges await her.
• Episode 16: "Anti-Demon Unit" - An episode depicting the exploits of the Anti-Demon Unit.
• Episode 17 "Prelude" - This episode can be considered the prologue to the story, and marks the beginning of a new challenge for the girls.
• Episode 18 "Cinderella" - An episode in which girls chase their dreams like Cinderella.
• Episode 19: "The Evil-Destroying Formation" - Depicts the battle to defeat a powerful demon.
• Episode 20: "Creeping Darkness" - This episode depicts the girls standing up against the forces of darkness as they approach the imperial capital.
• Episode 21: "Another Battle" - This is the episode in which the girls take on a new battle.
• Episode 23: "Even After the Age of Dreaming" - Depicts girls continuing to pursue their dreams.
• Episode 24 "Bonds" - This is the episode where the girls' bonds are put to the test.
• Episode 25: "The Continuation of the Dream" - The final chapter of the story depicts the girls fighting to make their dreams come true.

music

The music of "Sakura Wars TV" is an important element that enhances the appeal of the work. Below, we will introduce the theme songs and insert songs in detail.

Opening Theme

The opening theme is "Gekitei (Geki! Teikoku Kagekidan)" with lyrics by Hiroi Ouji, music by Tanaka Kouhei, arrangement by Negishi Takayuki, and vocals by Yokoyama Chisa & Teikoku Opera Company. This song is a magnificent piece that expresses the bravery and splendor of the Teikoku Kagekidan, and leaves a strong impression on viewers.

Ending Theme

The ending themes are "Yume Mite Iyo" for episodes 1-12 and 21-25, and "Gekitei Ondo" for episodes 13-20. "Yume Mite Iyo" is a gentle song about the dreams and hopes of young girls, with lyrics by Hiroi Oji, music by Tanaka Kouhei, arrangement by Negishi Takayuki, and sung by Yokoyama Chisa & the Imperial Opera Company. "Gekitei Ondo" is a fun song that evokes the image of festivals and revelry, with lyrics by Hiroi Oji, music by Tanaka Kouhei, arrangement by Tada Akifumi, and sung by Tanaka Mayumi.

Insert song

Different insert songs are used in each episode. Below, we will introduce the main insert songs.

• Episode 1 "Because of Love" - ​​Sung by: Rei Takano & Michie Tomizawa
• Episode 6 "Tokyo Holiday" - Sung by Yuriko Fuchizaki
• Episode 9: "Red Headband"
• Episode 12 "Flower Field" - Sung by Teikoku Kagekidan
• Episode 13 "Center Spot" - Sung by Michie Tomizawa
• Episode 17 "Stone Monkey" - Sung by Mayumi Tanaka & Rei Takano
• Episode 18 "Cinderella" - Sung by: Yokoyama Chisa & Takano Rei, Dialogue by: Tomizawa Michie, Nishihara Kumiko, Fuchizaki Yuriko, Tanaka Mayumi
• Episode 20 "Downtown Rhapsody" - Sung by: Chisa Yokoyama & Yuriko Fuchizaki
• Episode 21 "Snowstorm of Flowers, Shiranami Benten" - Sung by: Chisa Yokoyama & Yuriko Fuchizaki
• Episode 22 "Song of the Skylark" - from "La Traviata" - Sung by Michie Tomizawa & Rei Takano
• Episode 23 "Dreaming Machine" - Sung by Yuriko Fuchizaki
• Episode 25 "Blooming Maiden" - Sung by Teikoku Kagekidan

Ratings and Recommendations

"Sakura Wars TV" was highly praised not only by fans of the original game, but also by anime fans. In particular, the individuality of the characters, the development of the story, and the quality of the music were highly praised. In addition, the world view that combines nostalgia and newness left a fresh impression on viewers.

The appeal of this work is the touching storyline that depicts the girls' growth, friendship, and battles. In particular, the growth of Sakura Shinguji and the deepening bond between the members of the Hanagumi troupe leave a strong impression on viewers. Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of the work, and it is also not to be missed that different insert songs are used in each episode.

"Sakura Wars TV" is recommended not only for fans of the original game, but also for anime fans. It is a must-watch for those who want to enjoy the touching story of the girls' growth, friendship, and battles. The music is also of high quality, and you can't miss the fact that different insert songs are used in each episode. The world view, which combines nostalgia and newness, will leave a fresh impression on viewers.

Above, we have explained in detail the appeal of "Sakura Wars TV", its production background, characters, story, music, etc. This work is recommended not only for fans of the original game, but also for anime fans. Please watch it and feel its charm.