List of Sakura Wars media

Sakura Taisen 1-3 Dreamcast games on display.

Sakura Wars is a series of dramatic adventure video games developed and published by Sega and licensed by Red Entertainment (formerly Red Company). Its first game, classified as dramatic adventure,[1] premiered in 1996 and Sakura Wars games have later been on nearly every video game console since the Sega Saturn, including Dreamcast, Sega Titan, Game Boy Color, PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Windows, Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and several models of mobile phone.

In addition to the five games released as part of the main (numbered) series and their many spin-offs and related titles, the Sakura Wars series has spawned many works in other media including anime, movies, novels and manga, and radio dramas. For the Sakura Taisen World Project, seven games were announced: Sakura Taisen: Atsuki Chishio ni, Sakura Taisen V: Saraba itoshiki hito yo, Sakura Taisen V: Episode 0, Sakura Taisen Monogatari - Teito-hen & Paris-hen, a title that tells the story of the Anti-Kouma Battle Squadron and the Kouma War. Also announced was a game that took place during the Sengoku Jidai and a PC port of Sakura Taisen 3.

Video games

Main series

Sakura Taisen

Original release date:
September 27, 1996[2]

 1996: Sega Saturn
2000: Dreamcast
2000: Microsoft Windows
2003: PlayStation 2 (remake titled Sakura Taisen ~Atsuki Chishio ni~)[3]
2006: PlayStation Portable
2007: Imode cellphones (remake titled Sakura Taisen Mega Game)
Notes:
  • PS2 remake subtitle translates to In Hot Blood, and is part of the Sakura Taisen World Project
  • Included in Sakura Taisen Complete Box, Sakura Taisen 1&2, and Sakura Taisen Premium Edition
Sakura Taisen 2 ~Kimi, Shinitamou koto Nakare~[4]

Original release date:
April 4, 1998[2]

 1998: Sega Saturn
2000: Dreamcast
2001: Microsoft Windows
2006: PlayStation Portable
Notes:
  • Subtitle roughly translates to Prithee Do Not Die
  • Included in Sakura Taisen Complete Box, Sakura Taisen 1&2, and Sakura Taisen Premium Edition
  • Sold over 500,000 units during its first few months[5]
Sakura Taisen 3 ~Pari wa Moeteiru ka~[6]

Original release date:
March 22, 2001[2]

 2001: Dreamcast
2003: Microsoft Windows
2005: PlayStation 2
Notes:
  • Subtitle translates to Is Paris Burning?
  • Microsoft Windows port part of the Sakura Taisen World Project
  • Included in Sakura Taisen Complete Box and Sakura Taisen Premium Edition
Sakura Taisen 4 ~Koi Seyo, Otome~[7]

Original release date:
March 21, 2002[2]

 2002: Dreamcast
2005: Microsoft Windows
Notes:
  • Subtitle translates to Fall in Love, Maidens
  • Included in Sakura Taisen Complete Box and Sakura Taisen Premium Edition
Sakura Taisen V ~Saraba, Itoshiki Hito yo~[8]

Original release date:
July 7, 2005[2]

 2005: PlayStation 2
2010: Wii, PlayStation 2[9]
Notes:
  • Subtitle translates to Farewell, My Love
  • Part of the Sakura Taisen World Project
  • First numbered Sakura Wars title to be officially released in North America and Europe as Sakura Wars: So Long My Love

Prequels and side stories

Sakura Taisen Hanagumi Taisen Columns

Original release date:
March 28, 1997[2]

 1997: Sega Saturn
1997: Sega Titan
Notes:
  • Falling-blocks puzzle video game
  • Takes place during Sakura Taisen, featuring the original Imperial Assault Force cast.
Sakura Taisen Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2

Original release date:
January 6, 2000[2]

 2000: Dreamcast
Notes:
  • Falling-blocks puzzle video game
  • Takes place during Sakura Taisen 2, featuring the Imperial Assault Force cast.
Sakura Taisen GB ~Geki • Hanagumi Nyuutai!~

Original release date:
July 28, 2000[2]

 2000: Game Boy Color
Notes:
  • Takes place during Sakura Taisen, featuring the original Imperial Assault Force cast.
  • Subtitle roughly translates to Go Forth—Flower Division Enlist!
  • Published by Media Factory instead of Sega
Sakura Taisen GB2 ~Thunder Bolt Sakusen~

Original release date:
December 6, 2001[2]

 2001: Game Boy Color
Notes:
  • Takes place in 1925 during Sakura Taisen 2, featuring the Imperial Assault Force cast.
  • Subtitle roughly translates to Operation Thunder Bolt
Sakura Taisen Monogatari ~Mysterious Paris~

Original release date:
March 18, 2004[2]

 2004: PlayStation 2
Notes:
  • Takes place between Sakura Taisen 3 and Sakura Taisen 4, featuring the Paris Assault Force cast
  • Title translates to Sakura Wars Story ~Mysterious Paris~
  • Part of the Sakura Taisen World Project
Sakura Taisen V Episode 0 ~Kouya no Samurai Musume~[10]

Original release date:
September 22, 2004[2]

 2004: PlayStation 2
Notes:
  • Prequel to Sakura Taisen V
  • Subtitle literally translates to The Samurai Girl from the Wild though it might be interpreted to mean The Samurai Girl from the Wild West
  • Shares its subtitle as the title of the play Gemini Sunrise and Diana Caprice write in Sakura Taisen V resulting in a cyclical connection
  • Part of the Sakura Taisen World Project
Dramatic Dungeon Sakura Taisen ~Kimi aru ga tame~

Original release date:
March 19, 2008[2]

 2008: Nintendo DS
Notes:
  • Roguelike game featuring the Imperial Assault Force, the Paris Assault Force, and the New York Fighting Troupe exploring randomly generated dungeons[11]
  • Takes place after the five mainline Sakura Taisen games
  • Subtitle roughly translates to "Because you are here"

Compilations and collections

Sakura Taisen Complete Box

2002:[2] Dreamcast

 Notes:
  • Compilation of Sakura Taisen, Sakura Taisen 2, Sakura Taisen 3, and Sakura Taisen 4 in 10 GD-ROMs
Sakura Taisen 1&2

2006:[2] PlayStation Portable

 Notes:
  • Compilation of the Dreamcast versions of Sakura Taisen and Sakura Taisen 2 in one UMD, with reformated transparent lip boxes for a "full screen" effect.
Sakura Taisen Premium Edition

2006:[2] Windows 2000/XP

 Notes:
  • Compilation of Sakura Taisen, Sakura Taisen 2, Sakura Taisen 3, Sakura Taisen 4, two desktop accessory(?) collections, and Sakura Taisen 3 Drama Download in four DVD-ROMs

Spin-offs

Sakura Taisen Hanagumi Tsuushin
1997:[2] Sega Saturn		 Notes:
  • Title translates to Sakura Wars Flower Division Communication
Sakura Taisen Jouki Radio Show
1997:[2] Sega Saturn		 Notes:
  • Title translates to Sakura Wars Steam Radio Show
Sakura Taisen Teigeki Graph
1998:[2] Sega Saturn		 Notes:
Ogami Ichiro Funtouki ~Sakura Taisen Kayou Show "Benitokage" Yori~
2000:[2] Dreamcast		 Notes:
  • Title roughly translates to Ichiro Ogami Exertion Chronicles ~Sakura Wars Musical Show "Crimson Lizard"~
Sakura Taisen Kinematron Hanagumi Mail
2000:[2] Dreamcast		 Notes:
  • Title translates to Sakura Taisen Kinematron Flower Division Mail
Sakura Taisen Online ~Teito no Nagai Hibi~
2001:[2] Dreamcast		 Notes:
  • Subtitle roughly translates to Imperial Tokyo's Long Days
Sakura Taisen Online ~Pari no Yuuka na Hibi~
2001:[2] Dreamcast		 Notes:
  • Subtitle roughly translates to Paris' Elegant Days
Jissen Pachinko Hisshouhou! CR Sakura Taisen
2007:[2] PlayStation 2		 Notes:
  • Subtitle roughly translates to "Definite Pachinko Battle Victory! CR Sakura Taisen"

Film and television

Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms

1997: original video animation (OVA)

 Notes:
  • Four-part OVA prequel to Sakura Taisen depicting the formation of the Imperial Assault Force, with the last episode taking place in the middle of the game.
  • Animated by Animate Film
  • Title translates to Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms
  • Released in North America as Sakura Wars by ADV Films, and included in the Sakura Wars OVA Collection DVD box.
Sakura Wars: The Radiant Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms

1999: original video animation (OVA)

 Notes:
  • Six character study episodes about the Imperial Assault Force, taking place during Sakura Taisen and Sakura Taisen 2.
  • Animated by Radix
  • Title translates to Sakura Wars: The Radiant Gorgeous Blooming Flowers
  • Released in North America as Sakura Wars: Return of the Spirit Warriors and Sakura Wars: Wedding Bells by ADV Films, included in the Sakura Wars OVA Collection DVD box.
Sakura Wars

2000: 25 episode television series

 Notes:
Sakura Wars: The Movie

2001: animated feature film

 Notes:
  • Feature-length, theatrically released film by Production I.G.
  • Takes place between Sakura Wars 3 and Sakura Wars 4, focusing on the Imperial Assault Force just before Ichiro Ogami's return from Paris.
  • Released in North America by Geneon (previously Pioneer Entertainment) and later re-released by Funimation.
Sakura Wars: Sumire

2002: original video animation (OVA)

 Notes:
  • Episode commemorating the retirement of Sumire Kanzaki's voice actress Michie Tomizawa from the series.
  • Animated by Production I.G
  • Title translates to Sakura Wars "Su~Mi~Re": Sumire Kanzaki Retirement Special
  • Released in North America by Funimation as Sakura Taisen: ~Su~Mi~Re~.
Sakura Wars: Ecole de Paris

2003: original video animation (OVA)

 Notes:
  • Three-part OVA prequel to Sakura Wars 3, covering the formation of the Paris Assault Force, with the last two episodes taking place shortly after the beginning of the game.
  • Animated by Radix
  • Released in North America by Funimation.
Sakura Wars: Le Nouveau Paris

2004: original video animation (OVA)

 Notes:
  • Three-part OVA sequel to Sakura Wars 3, following the members of the Paris Assault Force immediately after Ichiro Ogami's return to Tokyo.
  • Animated by Radix
Sakura Wars: New York

2007: original video animation (OVA)

 Notes:
  • Six-part OVA sequel to Sakura Wars V.
  • Animated by AIC and Gonzo

Novels and manga

Sakura Taisen: Zenya
1997:[12] light novel		 Notes:
Sakura Taisen
1999:[12] light novel		 Notes:
  • 4-volume light novel written by Satoru Akahori.
  • Never released outside Japan.
Sakura Taisen: Gouka Kenran
2001:[12] light novel		 Notes:
  • Light novel written by Hiroyuki Kawasaki.
  • Never released outside Japan.
Sakura Taisen: Taishou Renka
2001:[12] light novel		 Notes:
  • 2-volume light novel written by Hiroyuki Kawasaki.
  • Never released outside Japan.
Sakura Taisen: Katsudou Shashin
2002:[12] light novel		 Notes:
  • Light novel written by Hiroyuki Kawasaki.
  • Never released outside Japan.
Sakura Taisen: Pari Zenya
2004:[12] light novel		 Notes:
  • 2-volume light novel written by Satoru Akahori.
  • Never released outside Japan.
Sakura Taisen
2003:[12] manga		 Notes:

Live performances

From 1997 onwards, the voice actors of the series performed onstage and in-character as their Sakura Wars counterparts in a series of live-action musical stage shows. By 2001 to 2006, the Teikoku Kagekidan (Imperial Assault Force) performed two major musicals in a year: a New Year's Show and a Summer Kayou Show, in addition to multitudes of other smaller shows where one or more characters make appearances. Some of the stage performances could be seen in the series' other forms of media.

In August 2006, the Teikoku Kagekidan held their final summer show. Although the live-action shows still continue as of May 2007, they are no longer focused entirely on the Teikoku Kagekidan.

Summer Kayou Shows

Ai Yueni
(Because of Love)		 Notes:
  • First Summer Kayou Show
  • Performed from July 19 to 21, 1997
  • Appeared briefly in Sakura Taisen and in the manga.
Tsubasa
(Wings)		 Notes:
  • Second Summer Kayou Show
  • Performed from August 11 to 16, 1998
  • First show to include characters Reni Milchstraβe and Soletta Orihime
  • First to introduce Dandy Boss and his gang
Beni Tokage
(紅蜥蜴 Crimson Lizard)		 Notes:
  • Third Summer Kayou Show
  • Performed from August 4 to 7, 1999
  • Appeared briefly in Sakura Taisen: Gouka Kenran
Arabia no Bara
(アラビアのバラ Rose of Arabia)		 Notes:
  • Fourth Summer Kayou Show
  • Performed from July 23 to August 4, 2000
Kaijin Bessō
(The Sea God's Villa)		 Notes:
  • Fifth Summer Kayou Show
  • Performed from August 10 to 18, 2001
  • Based on Kyōka Izumi's "Kaijin Bessō"[13]
  • Includes the Paris Hanagumi Tokubetsu ("Paris Flower Division Special) Mini Live Show on August 13, where the Paris Flower Division performed live for the first time.
  • Appeared near the ending of Sakura Taisen: Katsudou Shashin, though the content was altered

Super Kayou Shows

Shin-pen Hakkenden
(The New Hakkenden)		 Notes:
Shin Takarajima
(The New Treasure Island)		 Notes:
  • Second Super Kayou Show
  • Performed from August 15 to 21, 2003
  • Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island
  • Recorded album received the 17th Japanese Gold Disc Award for the best Anime Album of the Year in 2003
  • Appeared briefly in Sakura Taisen
Shin Saiyuki
(The New Journey to the West)		 Notes:
Shin Aoi Tori
(The New Blue Bird)		 Notes:
Shin Ai Yueni
(The New Because of Love)		 Notes:
  • Final Super Kayou Show
  • Performed from August 12 to 22, 2006
  • Last summer live show focusing on the Teikoku Kagekidan

New Year Kayou Shows

Shinshun Kayou Show 2001
(2001 New Year Show)		 Notes:
  • Performed from January 3 to 7, 2001
  • First live show featuring the Teikoku Kagekidan performing the taiko
Harukoi Shisumireyume Nowakare Notes:
  • Sumire Kanzaki's retirement performance, in lieu of a regular New Year show
  • Performed from January 2 to 6, 2002
  • Title is reminiscent of kabuki and translates to "Calling up the image of blooming violets at the time of separation, how far I long for spring..."
Shichi Fukujin
(Seven Lucky Gods)		 Notes:
Utae! Hanagumi!
(Sing! Hanagumi!)		 Notes:
  • Performed from January 2 to 5, 2004
Warae! Hanagumi!
(Laugh! Hanagumi!)		 Notes:
  • Performed from January 7 to 10, 2005
Tonderu! Hanagumi!
(Soar High! Hanagumi!)		 Notes:
  • Performed from January 4 to 8, 2006
  • Villain from Super Kayou Show "Shin Aoi Tori" returns, continuing the "Aoi Tori" story arc.

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "Title Introduction: Sakura Taisen". Retrieved 2007-04-25.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 "Games". "Sakura-Taisen.com". Retrieved 2007-04-25.
  3. ↑ The subtitle for this remake, "In Hot Blood" (熱き血潮に Atsuki Chishio ni) refers to passage #26 from "Midaregami", a poem written by Yosano Akiko, a famous early 20th century poet.
  4. ↑ The subtitle "Prithee Do Not Die" (君、死にたもうことなかれ Kimi, Shinitamou koto Nakare) refers to the title of a poem by Yosano Akiko. The poem is known for depicting her feelings when her younger brother went off to fight in the Russo-Japanese War.
  5. ↑ "Sakura Taisen 2". Retrieved 2007-07-26.
  6. ↑ "Is Paris Burning?" (巴里は燃えているか Pari wa Moeteiru ka) refers to a famous quote from German dictator Adolf Hitler when he asked about General Dietrich von Choltitz's progress in destroying the City of Lights. Paris was not burning, however, as Gen. Choltitz had disobeyed Hitler's orders and not leveled the city.
  7. ↑ "Fall in Love, Maidens" (恋せよ乙女 Koi Seyo, Otome) is the first line from "Gondola no Uta" ("Song of the Gondola"), a popular song written in 1915 by Shinpei Nakayama and Isamu Yoshii. The song is also used as a plot device in Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru.
  8. ↑ The subtitle for this game, "Farewell, My Love" (さらば愛しき人よ Saraba, Itoshiki Hito yo) is the same as the Japanese title for Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler
  9. ↑ Balicki, Lukasz (2009-05-09). "NIS America Announces Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love for Wii". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  10. ↑ A zero inserted into a franchise series' title usually indicates a prequel feature, detailing that the product takes place before the events of the "real" product, as with the Nintendo GameCube game Resident Evil 0.
  11. ↑ "Taishou Legend: Sakura Taisen: Kimi aru ga tame". Retrieved 2007-09-06.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Books". "Sakura-Taisen.com". Retrieved 2007-05-16.
  13. ↑ "Fifth Anniversary Performance Kaijin Bessou". Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  14. ↑ Maria: "Yes, Squad Leader. I'm looking for Maeterlinck's 'The Blue Bird.' I was thinking if I would reread it again as a reference for this play...... and I've finally found it. A mysterious journey during which Tyltyl and Mytyl search for the blue bird." Translated by Kayama at GameFAQs.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-26.
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