Sakura Wars

nihongo|"Sakura Wars"|サクラ大戦|Sakura Taisen is a Japanese media franchise owned by Red Entertainment and Sega; it was created by Ouji Hiroi, with original character designs by Kōsuke Fujishima. The franchise includes video games and other merchandise. The series began in 1996 as an eponymous dramatic adventure video game developed by Sega with a gameplay mixture of tactical wargame and dating sim for the Sega Saturn video game console. It had since been expanded to other forms of media, including an extremely popular anime series.

The original storyline, said to be inspired by the Shochiku Kagekidan, [http://www.mbs.jp/sakura/Report1.html Interview with Ouji Hiroi] , partially translated at the [http://community.livejournal.com/takarazuka/16166.html Takarazuka Revue Community LiveJournal page] . Retrieved on 2007-04-25] takes place in an alternate 1920s Tokyo. It follows the adventures of an all-female secret task force known as the Imperial Assault Force — Flower Division as they defend the Imperial Capital Tokyo against evil. They are led by Ichiro Ogami, a newly graduated Imperial Navy Ensign who had been assigned to the squad partly due to his unique ability to use a special type of armor that only women having high levels of spiritual powers could previously operate. The setting eventually moved on to other locations such as Paris and New York.

Although the video games in the series were never released outside Asia, the various OVA tie-ins, the animated TV series, and the motion picture were licensed in North America by ADV Films, FUNimation, and Geneon (previously Pioneer Entertainment). The manga version, currently serialized in Kodansha's "Magazine Z", is also released in English by TOKYOPOP.

etting

"Sakura Wars"The title literally translates as “The Great War of Cherry Blossoms”, symbolizing the game beginning in spring--a time represented in Japan by the blooming of the cherry tree ("sakura" in Japanese). See also "hanami".] is set in a fictional Taishō period. Although the alternate timeline's history is similar to that of the real world, a crucial difference lies in technology, where most of the benefits of today's modern era are made possible in the early 1900's with the effective utilization of steam. In particular, the Imperial Capital Tokyo, also known as the "Teito" ("the capital"), stood at the forefront of that period's technological revolution. This was thanks in part to the company called Kanzaki Heavy Industries, who were considered world-leaders in steam-powered machinery.

quote|When you say Japan, you must be talking about Kanzaki Heavy Industries. They're the world leaders in steam-powered machinery. They've always fascinated me!|Kohran|"Sakura Taisen: Ouka Kenran", Act 1, "The Demon Wars Begin Again"]

On Taishō 7 (1918), an event known as "The Kouma War" took place, where a huge demon appeared at Nihonbashi in Tokyo. It was eventually sealed away by the Imperial Army's Counter-Demon Team, but their success came at a huge cost. Due to this incident, an internationally approved effort was made to secure Tokyo from future spiritual threats,

quote|After all, the Capital Defense Program’s approval was globally unanimous, and it was the first program to bring so many countries together.|Hanakoji|"Sakura Taisen: Ouka Kenran", Act 1, "The Demon Wars Begin Again"] thus the formation of the Imperial Capital Defense Program and the Imperial Assault Force.

To increase the defenses of those who would be enlisted by the new organization to fight against demons, part of the preparations involved the development of a dual-powered steam/spirit armor by Kanzaki Heavy Industries. While experiments were being made on a prototype called "Oobu", only a young girl bearing high levels of spiritual power was shown to have been capable of moving it, giving birth to the misconception that only women could operate the armor.

The center of the top secret corps was hidden underneath a theater in the heart of Ginza called the nihongo|Grand Imperial Theater|大帝国劇場|Dai Teikoku Gekijō . Here, the women of the Imperial Assault Force — Flower Division lived and worked undercover as actors performing theatrical plays under the alias "Imperial Opera Troupe".The Japanese words for nihongo|"Imperial Assault Force"|帝国華撃団|Teikoku Kagekidan and nihongo|"Imperial Opera Troupe"|帝国歌劇団|Teikoku Kagekidan are pronounced the same way, and only the characters used in writing are different, resulting in a clever pun. Thus, the Flower Division performs as one during the day, and "changes characters" come time for battle.] The reasoning behind this was both spiritual and mental: song and dance were considered to be traditional methods that could suppress evil,

quote|Classic Japanese dance was used as part of a ritual of offering to the gods, or to do away with evil spirits. If the young ladies performing the dance were pure, the power was much stronger. I’d like to use that strength to banish the evil shadows creeping over our city.|Hanakoji|"Sakura Taisen: Ouka Kenran", Act 2, "The Cherry Blossom Spirit Attack"] and the stage was likened to a battlefield where self-confidence is built.Yoneda: "Being part of this team is just like being in the theatre! If you’re afraid to make a mistake then you achieve nothing, don’t you get it?" Sakura: "Captain!" Yoneda: "Listen carefully, Sakura. Peace for the capital and roles in the plays, both have to be fought for and earned with your own power! Move forward! Never stop! Go out there and win this, Sakura!" "Sakura Taisen: Ouka Kenran", Act 3, “Spring is the Time for First Battles”]

When the Imperial Assault Force went into service and had proven to be an effective means of defending Tokyo, other countries soon followed.Grand Mere: "I guess I’ll start with the reason for the establishment of the Paris Floral Assault Squad. The importance of municipal spiritual defense has already been proven through the three wars in Teito. This is not a problem for Teito alone—the potential for a threat of spiritual nature exists in any major city in every country in the world." Sakomizu: "Presently, major cities throughout the world have begun strengthening their spiritual defensive tactics using the Imperial Assault Squad as model. What we’ve established as the forerunner to this is the European Municipal Defense Project. And what we’ve formed as the key which will act as the very pivot of that...... is this Paris Floral Assault Squad!" "Sakura Taisen 3 ~Pari wa Moeteiru ka?~", Episode 1, "The Flower Capital of Europe –Hello, Paris–". Translated by Kayama at [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/dreamcast/file/577288/11319 GameFAQs.com] . Retrieved on 2007-04-24.] It began with the creation of the Paris Assault Force, with its base of operations located at a famous Parisian night club known as Les Chattes Noires. The New York Fighting Troupe was established at the Little Lip Theater on Broadway shortly afterwards.

The series depicts the trials and tribulations of these different attack squads as the members grow into their roles and strive to protect their respective cities, while dealing with personal issues at the same time.

Characters

Imperial Assault Force

Incepted on New Year's Day in 1922, the nihongo|Imperial Assault Force|帝国華撃団|Teikoku Kagekidan is the successor to the Imperial Army's Counter-Demon Team.Oogami: "This TeikokuRikugun – TaiKoumaButai...... what kind of corps was it?" Fujieda: "Warriors in a time without Koubu who fought evil with swords or their own bodies...... An organization that became the predecessor to the TeikokuKagekidan." "Sakura Taisen", Episode 7, "Decisive Battle – The Limit of Life!". Translated by Lando at [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/saturn/file/574320/5255 GameFAQs.com] . Retrieved on 2007-04-24.] One of its founders, Lt. General Ikki Yoneda, commandeered the group until his retirement. It had two vice commanders, the first of which was Ayame Fujieda. After her death, her position was taken over by her younger sister, Kaede Fujieda.

By 1927, the Imperial Assault Force is composed of six official groups,cite book |title=Sakura Taisen 4 ~Koi Seyo, Otome~ Hanagumi Roman Gahou |year=2002 |publisher=Kodansha |id=ISBN4-06-339653-3, page 40 ] all of which serve different purposes within the organization. The anti-demon attack squad,, known as the Flower Division ("Hanagumi"),The squad name nihongo|"Flower Division"|花組|Hanagumi is a pun reflective of the fact that the original members of the Teito Flower Division and the Paris Flower Division were all named after flowers.] is the division that the series focuses much of its attention on early in the story. It is led by Lt. Junior Grade Ichiro Ogami, with Maria Tachibana acting as his vice captain. Other members include Sakura Shinguji, Sumire Kanzaki, Iris Chateaubriand, Ri Kohran, Kanna Kirishima, Orihime Soletta, and Reni Milchstraße.

Other teams that play significant roles in the original storyline are the Wind Division ("Kazegumi"] , who are responsible for frontline support and transportation; Moon Division ("Tsukigumi"), who provide support within the shadows;Kayama: "The corps that moves in secret, supporting the Hana-Gumi that normally fights on the front lines of the battlefield from the shadows, the Tsuki-Gumi......" "Sakura Taisen 2 ~Kimi, Shinitamou koto Nakare~", Episode 8, “The Longest Day in Teito?!”. Translated by Kayama at [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/saturn/file/574321/5266 GameFAQs.com] . Retrieved on 2007-04-24.] and an unofficial group known as the Rose Division ("Baragumi"), who protect the Majinki.Yokihiko: "Protecting Japan’s ultimate sacred treasures that have been kept in the basement of the Great Imperial Theater......" Kikunojou: "The ‘Majinki’......" Kotone: "That...... is the mission of our secret corps of love and beauty, the Bara-Gumi!" "Sakura Taisen 2 ~Kimi, Shinitamou koto Nakare~", Episode 8, “The Longest Day in Teito?!”. Translated by Kayama at [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/saturn/file/574321/5266 GameFAQs.com] . Retrieved on 2007-04-24.] The Wind Division members who are most recognized are Tsubaki Takamura, Kasumi Fujii, and Yuri Sakakibara, all of whom also perform secretarial work within the theater. Little is known about the Moon Division aside from its captain, Yuichi Kayama. Kotone Seiryuin, Yokihiko Ota, and Kikunojo Oka make up the entirety of the Rose Division, with Kotone as their squad leader.

Established before the Imperial Assault Force officially went into service, an experimental troupe known as the Star Division ("Hoshigumi")The squad name nihongo|"Star Division"|星組|Hoshigumi is another pun on the names of current and previous Star Division members, whose names are all related to the stars in some form.] was set up in Europe and was the predecessor to Tokyo's Flower Division. Consisting of Orihime, Reni, and Subaru Kujou, with Ratchet Altair as captain, the troupe was disbanded after only a couple of years. Orihime and Reni were eventually transferred to the Flower Division on 1925. Ratchet was also temporarily stationed to the group near the end of 1926.

Paris Assault Force

The nihongo|Paris Assault Force|巴里華撃団|Pari Kagekidan, established in 1926 as part of the European Municipal Defense Project, is led by Countess Isabella "Grand Mere" Lilac. The "Groupe Fleur de Paris" stands as its armored force,cite book |title=Sakura Taisen 3 ~Pari wa Moeteiru ka?~ Final Guide |year=2001 |publisher=Enterbrain, Inc. |id=ISBN4-7577-0529-8, page 12 ] and is composed of Erica Fontaine, Glycine Bleumer, Coquelicot, Lobelia Carlini, and Hanabi Kitaoji. Ogami was assigned as its captain during its first few months of operation.

Mell Raison and Ci Caprice handle the secretarial work for Les Chattes Noires and provide assistance in battle. The maintenance of the spirit armors are overseen by the mechanic staff squad leader Jean Leo.

New York Fighting Troupe

Formed in 1928 with Michael Sunnyside as its commander, the nihongo|New York Fighting Troupe|紐育華撃団|Nyū Yōku Kagekidan differs from other organizations in that their assault team is referred to as the Star Division. Two members of the Imperial Assault Force's own disbanded Star Division had been transferred to this group. Ratchet Altair was the original captain of the squad before she handed the position to Ensign Shinjiro Taiga. Gemini Sunrise, Sagitta Weinberg, Diana Caprice, Rikaritta Aries, and Subaru Kujou form the rest of the team.

The Rainbow Division, composed of Plum Spaniel and Anri Yoshino, provides the Star Division with support.Plum: "Ufu fu fu, We’re members of the New York Floral Assault Squad, too. And that name is...... The New York Floral Assault Rainbow Division!" Anri: "We’ll provide support on the sides for everyone in the Star Division. So please ask anything of us." "Sakura Taisen V ~Saraba, Itoshiki Hito yo~", Episode 1, "The Samurai Stands in New York". Translated by Tenchi at [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/561890/38094 GameFAQs.com] . Retrieved on 2007-04-24.] Gouchi Ou functions as the mechanical chief.

Gameplay

The story for the main video games are told in an episodic format, each with its own eyecatches and next episode previews, emulating the feeling of watching a Japanese anime. Eyecatches provide the player with the only way to properly track and save his progress, and are often used to indicate a switch between the game's two main gameplay modes, though this is not always the case.

Adventure mode

Adventure mode allows the player to control the male squad leader of the assault force the game is focused upon. By visiting certain locations within a building or a city, he may interact with various characters by a system known as the "Live Interactive Picture System" (LIPS). LIPS presents the player with options to choose from during conversations, where choices made, including not having made a decision at all, adds or deducts "trust points" from the characters involved. These points have various effects throughout the game, including shaping the player's relationship with the rest of the cast and, ultimately, deciding the ending scene of the game.

Battle mode

In the first two Sakura Wars games, the battle mode gameplay is similar to that of tactical role-playing games. The player gives commands to all attack squad members piloting a spirit armor in a square-based grid. Commands are arranged in groups, and only two commands from different groups can be issued for each turn. This had since evolved into a gridless action-point based combat scheme known as "Active and Real-time Machine System" (ARMS). In ARMS, a unit can move as far and attack as many as its action points would allow it, although some orders are still limited to once per turn.

A character's trust points also affect her status during battle. A unit performs better if the pilot has a higher trust rating for the squad leader.

If an attack squad member's unit is destroyed in battle, she is removed from the battlefield, and the player loses trust points with her. If the squad leader's unit is destroyed, or if the player fails to meet the given requirements, the game is over.

A Long Day

Before the main menu is shown, the game searches for a system file. If found, the player is asked to load the file; else, he is prompted to create one. Although optional, system files can be loaded into succeeding games in the series for continuity purposes. They also compile various events encountered by the player, such as movie files and mini-games, and provides access to this collection in a mode known as "A Long Day".

The mode appears on the main menu after the player saves into the system file for the first time. It allows the player to browse through the different items the system file has collected by visiting various locations in a limited area, similar to adventure mode, with each place having a particular use.

Reception

*Overall, the Sakura Taisen game series have sold over 3,000,000 units. [cite web | year=2008 | title=Sakura Taisen World Project| url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2002/1664.html| work= [http://www.rpgfan.com/ RPG Fan] | accessdate=March 06 | accessyear=2008]
*Sakura Taisen ranked #13 place in the Famitsu's 100 all-time favorite games list. [cite web | year=2008 | title=Famitsu Reveals Top 100 Reader-Vote Games of All-Time| url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8378| work= [http://www.gamasutra.com/ Gamasutra] | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008] [cite web | year=2008 | title=Famitsu readers choose top 100 games of all time| url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=1241| work= [http://gonintendo.com/ GoNintendo] | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008] [cite web | year=2008 | title= Famitsu Readers Vote For Their Top 100 games| url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/famitsu/famitsu-readers-vote-for-their-top-100-games-158432.php| work= [http://kotaku.com] Kotaku | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008]
*Recorded the biggest sales as a SEGA Saturn original title. [cite web | year=2008 | title=About Sakura Taisen| url=http://www.red-entertainment.co.jp/eng/works/sakura/works/index.html| work= [http://www.red-entertainment.co.jp/ Red Entertainment] | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008]
*The game received the 1997 CESA Grand Prix Award. [cite web | year=2008 | title=About Sakura Taisen| url=http://www.red-entertainment.co.jp/eng/works/sakura/works/index.html| work= [http://www.red-entertainment.co.jp/ Red Entertainment] | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008]
*Won the 1997 Game of the year Semi-Grand Prix Award. [cite web | year=2008 | title=About Sakura Taisen| url=http://www.red-entertainment.co.jp/eng/works/sakura/works/index.html| work= [http://www.red-entertainment.co.jp/ Red Entertainment] | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008]
*Sakura Taisen 2 earned a 9.4 overall score according to Gamestats. [cite web | year=2008 | title=Sakura Wars 2| url=http://www.gamestats.com/objects/004/004059//articles.html | work= [http://www.gamestats.com/ GameStats] | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008]
*When Sakura Taisen 2 was released it was currently the number one most popular game in Japan according to Famicom Tsuushin. [cite web | year=2008 | title=Sakura Taisen 2| url=http://www.vgzone.com/reviews/saturn/sakura.htm| work= [http://www.vgzone.com/vgzone] | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008]
*Famitsu gave Sakura Taisen V a 10 / 10 / 9 / 8 - (37/40) score. [cite web | year=2008 | title=Sakura Wars 5: Farewell my Love! Articles| url=http://www.gamestats.com/objects/486/486577//articles.html| work= [http://www.gamestats.com/GameStats] | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008]
*According to Famitsu 1996 top ten wanted list, Sakura Taisen scored second place just below Final Fantasy VII. [cite web | year=2008 | title=Sakura Wars strikes dreamcast| url=http://dreamcast.ign.com/articles/071/071316p1.html| work= [http://dreamcast.ign.com/IGN] | accessdate=February 02 | accessyear=2008]
*Sakura Taisen 2 sold over 500,000 units during its first few months. [cite web | year=2008 | title=Sakura Wars strikes the Dreamcast| url=http://dreamcast.ign.com/articles/071/071316p1.html| work= [http://dreamcast.ign.com/IGN] | accessdate=February 07 | accessyear=2008] cite web|url=http://www.vgzone.com/reviews/saturn/sakura.htm |title=Sakura Taisen 2 |accessdate=2007-07-26]

Franchise

There was an official "Sakura Wars" shop on the top floor of the Sega "GIGO" Amusement Center, located in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district. Called "Taisho Romando", the store sold only "Sakura Taisen"-related merchandise, such as costumes, toy models, art books, copies of the games and videos, posters, wall scrolls, and even snack foods. The store had been upgraded to include the "Sakura Cafe", which served dishes featured and inspired by the setting and characters of "Sakura Wars", such as "Coquelicot Coffee", which was served in Vietnamese style that is popular in France.

The shop closed on March 30, 2008, after a decade of service. [ [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-02-02/sakura-wars-taisho-romando-shop-and-sakura-cafe-closes Sakura Wars' Taishō Romandō Shop & Sakura Cafe Closes (Updated) - Anime News Network ] ]

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.taishou-legend.com Taishou Legend - A English language Sakura Taisen resource and fansite]
* [http://www.i-poli.com i-POLILIN Satoru Akahori Sakura Wars Series Advisor Site]
*moby game|id=-group/sakura-taisen-series|name="Sakura Taisen" series
*

Japanese

* [http://www.sakura-taisen.com Sega's official "Sakura Taisen" Web site]
* [http://www.sakura-taisen.com/romando/ Sega's official "Sakura Taisen" Cafe website]

English

* [http://www.sakurataisen.tv/ FUNimation's "Sakura Taisen: Sumire" Web site]
* [http://www.sakurawarsdvd.com/ ADV's Sakura Wars - The Website]