Sakura Wars ~Looking back on Kanzaki Sumire's retirement~A touching Sumire

Sakura Wars ~ Sumire Kanzaki Retirement Memorial ~ Sumire

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

game

■ Release date

December 18, 2002

■Release and sales

Sega, Pony Canyon

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Original author: Hiroi Oji

■ Director

・Director: Hiroi Oji

■ Production

Radix

■Works

©2002 SEGA / OVERWORKS / RED

■ Story

Kanzaki Sumire has been fighting as a top star of the Imperial Opera Company and as a member of the Kagekidan, who protects the imperial capital from the darkness. However, before she knew it, she began to feel more and more confused and troubled. After much deliberation, she decided to "retire" with pride in her heart. She was to gracefully step down from the stage of the Opera Company and from fighting as a member of the Kagekidan.

The Hanagumi members are shocked by this sudden turn of events. However, Sumire's decision is firm and her retirement will not be reversed. With everyone holding various thoughts in their hearts, the time for the "Kanzaki Sumire Retirement Memorial Performance" approaches.

■Explanation

Kanzaki Sumire's retirement was shockingly announced at the Tokyo Game Show in 2001. The 2002 New Year's Kayo Show was performed as "Kanzaki Sumire Retirement Memorial Performance: Spring Love, Purple Flower Dream Farewell" and was sold out every day, becoming a touching memory for fans and Kanzaki Sumire. This "Su-Mi-Re" is a truly special edition that was hastily decided upon in response to Kanzaki Sumire's retirement. It depicts the events before and after "Kanzaki Sumire Retirement Memorial Performance: Spring Love, Purple Flower Dream Farewell".

Sumire is retiring together with her irreplaceable companions, including Ogami, who has been through countless battles with her. Please enjoy this touching scene.

■Cast

・Sumire Kanzaki/Michie Tomizawa/Sakura Shinguji/Chisa Yokoyama/Maria Tachibana/Rei Takano/Iris/Kumiko Nishihara/Li Honglan/Yuriko Fuchizaki/Kanna Kirishima/Mayumi Tanaka/Soletta Orihime/Maya Okamoto/Leni Milchstrasse/Kazue Ikura/Ichiro Ogami/Akio Suyama/Kazuki Yoneda/Masaru Ikeda/Kaede Fujieda/Ai Orikasa

■ Main staff

・Original work / Hiroi Oji・General Producer, General Director / Hiroi Oji・Executive Producers / Akamatsu Satoshi, Oba Norikatsu, Nagoshi Yasuaki・Chief Director, Storyboard / Kiryu Yusaku・Director, Direction / Matsui Hitoyuki・Series Supervision / Akahori Satoru・Series Composition, Script / Kawasaki Hiroyuki・Character Original Design / Fujishima Kosuke・Character Design / Matsubara Hidenori・OVA Character Setting, Animation Director / Tanaka Masateru・OVA Mechanic Setting / Fukuchi Jin・Art Director / Kubota Tadao・Color Design / Tanaka Maki・Compositing Director / Nagaushi Yutaka・Editing / Okada Terumitsu・Sound Director / Momose Keiichi・Music / Tanaka Kohei・Producers / Nishino Akira, Okumura Keisaku・CG Production Cooperation / Overworks・Animation Production / Radix・Production / SEGA, Overworks, Red Entertainment

■ Related works

・Sakura Wars: Ouka Ranman ・Sakura Wars: Gouka Ranman

■ Theme songs and music

・IN1
・Sumire Cha Cha Cha・Lyrics by Hiroi Oji・Music by Tanaka Kouhei・Arrangement by Negishi Takayuki・Singer by Tomizawa Michie

・IN2
・Nayamashimambo・Lyrics by Hiroi Oji・Music by Tanaka Kouhei・Arrangement by Kishimura Masami・Singer by Tomizawa Michie

・IN3
Center Spot Lyrics: Hiroi Oji Composer: Tanaka Kohei Arranger: Negishi Takayuki Singer: Tomizawa Michie

Sakura Wars ~ Kanzaki Sumire Retirement Memorial ~ Sumire Detailed Review

The Sakura Wars series is a media mix work based on the game released by Sega in 1996, and among its works, the OVA "Sakura Wars ~ Kanzaki Sumire Retirement Memorial ~ Sumire", which depicts Kanzaki Sumire's retirement, is a special work for fans. This work centers around the important event of Kanzaki Sumire's retirement, and depicts her inner conflict and the bonds with her comrades. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and background of this work, as well as the points that we recommend to fans.

Sumire Kanzaki's retirement and the background

Kanzaki Sumire is one of the main characters in the Sakura Wars series, and has been active as a top star of the Imperial Opera Company and a member of the Kagekidan. Her retirement was announced at the Tokyo Game Show in 2001, which came as a big shock to fans. At the 2002 New Year's Music Show, a performance was held in commemoration of Kanzaki Sumire's retirement, entitled "Spring Love Purple Flower Dream Farewell," which drew sold-out audiences every day. This OVA is a special edition that depicts the events before and after that retirement performance, and delves deeper into Kanzaki Sumire's inner thoughts and the bonds she has with her comrades.

Sumire Kanzaki's retirement symbolizes her own inner conflict and growth, and is deeply connected to the theme of the entire series. While she has built a brilliant career as the top star of the Imperial Opera Company, she has also thrown herself into the battle to protect the imperial capital as a member of the Kagekidan. During this time, she ponders deeply about her own meaning in life and her future, and ultimately makes the decision to retire. This decision shows her strong will and pride, and it was a touching moment for fans.

Story and Characters

The story of "Sakura Wars ~ Kanzaki Sumire Retirement Memorial ~ Sumire" revolves around Kanzaki Sumire's retirement. It depicts her inner conflict and her bond with her comrades, especially her relationship with Ogami Ichiro and Shinguji Sakura. Kanzaki Sumire's retirement has a huge impact not only on her but also on her comrades, and the story depicts them heading towards their retirement performance with their own thoughts in mind.

Michie Tomizawa's performance as Sumire Kanzaki is a realistic portrayal of her inner thoughts, especially in the scene where she decides to retire, which deeply moves the audience. Chisa Yokoyama, who plays Sakura Shinguji, and Akio Suyama, who plays Ichiro Ogami, also portray their relationships with Sumire Kanzaki in depth, enhancing the emotional impact of the entire work.

Production and staff

The OVA was produced by Radix and written and directed by Hiroi Oji, the creator of the Sakura Wars series, whose vision is reflected in this work. Executive producers include Akamatsu Satoshi, Ooba Noriyoshi, and Nagoshi Yasuaki, with Kiryu Yusaku as chief director and storyboard artist, and Matsui Hitoyuki as director and direction. Akahori Satoru was the series supervisor, Kawasaki Hiroyuki was in charge of series composition and scriptwriting, Fujishima Kosuke was in charge of character concept, and Matsubara Hidenori was in charge of character design.

The OVA character design and animation director was Tanaka Masateru, the OVA mechanic design was Fukuchi Jin, the art director was Kubota Tadao, the color design was Tanaka Maki, the composite director was Nagaushi Yutaka, the editor was Okada Terumitsu, the sound director was Momose Keiichi, and the music was Tanaka Kohei. The producers were Nishino Akira and Okumura Keisaku, with CG production cooperation from Overworks, animation production by Radix, and production by Sega, Overworks, and Red Entertainment.

Music and theme song

The music for this work was composed by Kohei Tanaka, and the theme song and songs used were "Sumire Cha-cha-cha," "Nayamashi Mambo," and "Center Spot." These songs symbolize the character of Kanzaki Sumire, and were important elements in livening up her retirement performance. "Sumire Cha-cha-cha" in particular expresses her bright and energetic image, making it an unforgettable song for fans.

Related works and entire series

Sakura Wars: Kanzaki Sumire Retirement Memorial - Sumire is part of the Sakura Wars series, and is particularly closely related to Sakura Wars: Ouka Ranman and Sakura Wars: Gouka Ranman. These works depict Kanzaki Sumire's exploits and the battles of the Kagekidan, and her retirement event continues the storyline of these works. By watching these works, fans will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Kanzaki Sumire's growth and the bonds she has with her comrades.

Recommended points

This work is a must-see for fans of the Sakura Wars series, depicting the moving event of Kanzaki Sumire's retirement. Her inner conflict and her bond with her comrades are explored in depth, deeply moving viewers. In particular, the scene of Kanzaki Sumire's retirement performance will be an unforgettable moment for fans. Michie Tomizawa's acting and Kohei Tanaka's music also add to the moving feeling of the work as a whole.

Furthermore, this work symbolizes the themes of "bonds" and "growth" in the Sakura Wars series, making it an important work in understanding the flow of the series as a whole. Through this work, fans will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Sumire Kanzaki's growth and the bonds she has with her companions.

As mentioned above, "Sakura Wars - Kanzaki Sumire Retirement Memorial - Sumire" is a special work for fans of the Sakura Wars series, depicting the touching event of Kanzaki Sumire's retirement. Her inner conflict and her bond with her comrades are explored in depth, deeply moving the viewer's heart. In particular, the scene of Kanzaki Sumire's retirement performance will be an unforgettable moment for fans. In addition, Michie Tomizawa's acting and Kohei Tanaka's music also enhance the overall emotion of the work. Furthermore, this work symbolizes the themes of the Sakura Wars series, "bonds" and "growth," and is an important work in understanding the flow of the entire series. Through this work, fans will be able to understand Kanzaki Sumire's growth and her bond with her comrades more deeply.