Sakura Taisen aka Sakura Wars...
I've been watching and re-watching the trailer for the Sakura Taisen 3 PC video game and what I've seen looks really, really good. I suppose that's what trailers are supposed to do..
I've been watching and re-watching the trailer for the Sakura Taisen 3 PC video game and what I've seen looks really, really good. I suppose that's what trailers are supposed to do. Anyway, I was so intrigued that I bought the Sakura Taisen aka Sakura Wars DVD based on the video game (Ecole de Paris). Well, that was a mistake. The cut scenes and introductory animation which was sampled from the video game for the trailer is far better quality and more interesting than the anime itself.
Sakura Taisen aka Sakura Wars details the assembling of the Paris Floral Assault Division and their initial battle. The initial battle which occurs at the end of the anime is a very sorry sequence of pathetic looking mecha engaging in a battle that looked a lot like a CG version of paper dolls. I actually liked much of what I had seen up until the last third of the anime. Even so, I was very disappointed with the anime as a whole. On the bright side, Lobelia turned out to be the best part of the anime. I gave Sakura Taisen aka Sakura Wars a 0 out of 5.
Some aspects of the series are reminiscent of Kishin Corps, but, Sakura Wars is darker and more supernatural (and in many ways better) than Kishin Corps. There are girls, guns, two sizes of monsters, and a few bits of humor. But, there's not much in the way of blood and gore and there are no naughty bits. It takes a long while for the story to really get moving, but, once you get past the initial slowness, there's no real pay-off. Now, I'd like to believe that things will get better later on. I used to have the subtitled VHS version of the OVA (Spirit Warriors).Ecole de Paris
OVAs
An unseen evil lurks in the streets of Paris, and unless something is done, the darkness will unleash its destruction and consume all that is good. The City of Love will be lost to her people forever. All hope rests within the hearts of five young ladies. The only problem is, they don't even know it yet!
But will an apprenticed nun, a reserved aristocrat, a hardened criminal, the daughter of a wealthy Japanese Baron, and traveling circus emcee set aside their unique differences and come together as one for the defense of many? The war continues and the Paris Floral Assault Division is born!
Sumire Special
For years the defense and safety of the Imperial city rested on the shoulders of Sumire Kanzaki of the Flower Division. But this, as with all things, must fade away.
As the top star of the Imperial Theatre Company, Sumire was the power and the light from which her comrades drew their own strength and resolve. It was through her that the Flower Division found their courage... and through her that many happy memories were made.
Now the curtain rises for one final performance as the star that once shined so brightly begins to grow faint. As the spotlight dims on one legend, another must come center stage.
Spirit Warriors
The year is 1919. The World has barely survived the first Demon War and the next is about to begin. Conventional weapons won't cut it, neither will conventional soldiers. Humanity needs the Few, the Proud, the Pure: the Spirit Warriors. Recruited from around the world, these women are beautiful both inside and out, but can they master their steam-powered spirit weapons in time? This is the world of SAKURA WARS, an all new animation epic based on the best selling video game that took Japan by storm.
The Spirit Warriors Return
After more than a year of waiting, the unthinkable happens. Armies of mechanized soldiers advance on the capital with the pride of Hell in their wake. The Second Demon war is upon us! But the Imperial Floral Assault Unit is ready. They've been training hard with their steam-powered spirit weapons and look forward to meeting the demons on the battlefield. That is if they can ever stop fighting each other! Luckily, Ayame and Maria anticipated this problem and have agreed on a very odd solution: to appoint a young Navy man as commander! Will this work? Can young Ohgami lead the girls to unity and enable them to truly fight as one? Will love stop the demons, or will jealousy rule the day?
TV Series
Volume 1
Opening Night
It is the 1920s, and Japan is under attack by demonic invaders. The government has designed sturdy, albeit steam-powered, robot armor suits for the impending battle, but only young ladies with the proper combination of virtue and spirit can pilot the robots successfully.
Enter young Sakura, arriving in the Imperial Capital from the countryside to join the Imperial Flower Combat Troop. She has the qualifications to be a fine robot pilot, but she's surprised to learn that this secret Defense Force has a cover story as a musical theatre troupe-and they take their cover jobs very seriously indeed. It's costumes, line readings and robot combat galore, as Sakura struggles to learn the ropes, learn her lines, and do her part to save the nation!
Volume 2
Overture
The Imperial Flower Combat Troop gains two new members: Kouran the Brain and Kanna the Brawn. But the Evil Darkness has gained new members too: Setsuna the Imp and his trusty companion Resatsu the Lumbering Brute!
To make matters worse, the printing shop has delivered the programs for the Gala Premiere and they're full of spelling errors!
Volume 3
Crescendo
The forces of evil are growing stronger-even Mother Nature has turned traitor and is itching for a fight. The world needs a team of defenders: a dedicated group that will work together in harmony and ace precision; a band that will refuse to give into their petty squabbles and haunting pasts in order to stand strong against the forces of chaos!
Unfortunately, all it has is the Imperial Flower Combat Troop...
Volume 4
Intermission
The nefarious Satani is up to his tricks again - and the only thing more horrifying than the wickedness of his actions is the revelation of his true identity! Meanwhile, Sakura must face the Spirit World in order to make peace with the troubled soul of her father, Iris finally gets her hands on her own Koubu, and the Crimson Lady is back for another death match. Just your average day on the job for the Imperial Flower Combat Troop!
Volume 5
Stage Fright
Sakura finally realizes her dream of starring in the Imperial Flower Combat Troop's new show, but the devious Satani has more than a bouquet of roses with which to reward our star. What will the team do when their key player is running plays for the other side? And how can they win if their coach is missing in action? Will the old traditions prove to be the way to a new victory?
Volume 6
Curtain Call
Our heroes are on the run after the combined forces of evil destroy the headquarters of the Imperial Flower Combat Troop. Without a base of operations, the girls are at the mercy of Satan (Satani) and his infernal crew. But the forces of good still have a few unplayed cards. Will it be too late in the game to win the jackpot?
Movie
The Imperial Fighting Troupe is called again to defend Tokyo against the demons. However, this time the Douglas-Stewart Company is selling a superior fighting machine that will revolutionize Japan's defense and make the Flower Division obsolete. But the girls suspect something may be wrong when members of their team begin to vanish! But what can they do when their division has been placed on indefinite stand-by status?
I've been watching and re-watching the trailer for the Sakura Taisen 3 PC video game and what I've seen looks really, really good. I suppose that's what trailers are supposed to do. Anyway, I was so intrigued that I bought the Sakura Taisen aka Sakura Wars DVD based on the video game (Ecole de Paris). Well, that was a mistake. The cut scenes and introductory animation which was sampled from the video game for the trailer is far better quality and more interesting than the anime itself.
Sakura Taisen aka Sakura Wars details the assembling of the Paris Floral Assault Division and their initial battle. The initial battle which occurs at the end of the anime is a very sorry sequence of pathetic looking mecha engaging in a battle that looked a lot like a CG version of paper dolls. I actually liked much of what I had seen up until the last third of the anime. Even so, I was very disappointed with the anime as a whole. On the bright side, Lobelia turned out to be the best part of the anime. I gave Sakura Taisen aka Sakura Wars a 0 out of 5.
