Customer Reviews

Sakura Wars TV: Complete Collection

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Anyone interested in Sakura Taisen (Sakura Wars) - whether a fan of the games or just interested in the anime - should definitely watch this 5-disc compilation of the entire 25-episode run of the TV series. Be aware, though, that the story told in the TV series is slightly but significantly different from that told in the OAV (and also from that told in the new manga version, which is now being published in English in the USA). I definitely recommend watching the TV series BEFORE watching "Sakura Wars: The Movie", because otherwise the latter won't make much sense to you at all and the TV series provides a tremendous amount of character development missing from the OVA. (Also, I strongly recommend watching the TV series and the movie both before watching "Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris", since that particular anime takes place in the timeframe between the series and the movie.)

Note also: the TV series has a lot of emotional heft to it and can get dark, almost somber in places, but I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that everything works out in the end. HOW it works out, though, you'll just have to watch to find out! :)

P.S. On further thought, I wanted to put in a word here about the alternate-history background of this anime. Sakura Wars takes place in a timeline where steam appears to have become the dominant method of power generation and propulsion (right down to steam-powered telephones!!) and also where technology in this version of the 1920's is up to at least 1990's levels (computerlike machines and some form of virtual reality simulator are seen being used in several scenes, and there is obviously some kind of video technology as well). Also, socially and politically, the 1920's Japan of Sakura Wars seems to be a very different place from the 1920's Japan of our "real" time line - in fact, according to the new English translation of the manga, the characters for the Imperial era "Taisho" used in this series translate to "Broad Truth" in English, not "Great Truth" as in our actual history. Something to be aware of as you watch the show.

I agree that before watching other Sakura Wars series collections, you must watch this original TV series first. Fujishima Kousuke sensei's anime is always wonderful and never disappoint anyone. Unlike AH! My Goddess, this story is about some evil spirits invading Japan, particularly in Tokyo, battles are more emphasized in Sakura War. Needless to say, it is exciting. In addition, the story also describes the daily lives of the characters. Humors, fantasy and excitment are combined perfectly.

I've had this set for a few months and now I feel I can say what I do feel about it. The series starts in Japan around the 1920's where supernatural enemies are attacking the nation a secret government/business group form a division to fight this threat thus a scientist develops steamed power robots that a person who has the right frequency of spiritual and psychic powers can use the machines but amazingly it seems that only woman have this frequency to be able to use the robots. The government looks for and finds five woman of different ethnicity and age but who have the ability to use the machines to defend Japan. In the series the female characters will get enough background story-time to explain why their there and the conflicts that arise within
the group because of their difference. Also in the series you'll see that as a cover for the female group the government decides to give them
a carer as actresses on the theater stage performing in plays in-between
their assignments. I will tell you most of the English dubbing was mediocre to downright atrocious so I do advise watching the series subbed instead the video is standard format with clear picture and nice audio
the Japanese voice actors did a superb job unlike the English cast the extras aren't much just the usual intro/ending songs and trailers. So with that if you like mecha shown with the flourished background of early
Japanese culture I say this one is a pretty good choice...

i love this series and i ordered this whole collection on [...] they have awesome stuff there for low prices!!!!!! all about anime!!!!!!