Sakura Wars

Sakura Wars

Sakura Wars
List Price: $19.98
Our Price: $15.00
You Save: $4.98 (25%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $5.98 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases


(Click here)
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD Cover Information

Actor: Sakura Wars Ova
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); Japanese (Original Language)
Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-10-26
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Adv Films

Movie Reviews of Sakura Wars

Movie Review: War in the Cherryblossoms
Summary: 4 Stars

Although I liked this DVD very much, it suffers from the same problem as a previous item I reviewed, Galaxy Fraulien Yuna: Being based on a video game series, it assumes the audience is already thoroughly familliar with the basic plot/premise of the story. It mainly serves to "flesh out" the characters already established by SEGA in their popular series of Japanese games. If you have also seen the 25-episode TV version, the considerable differences in characterazation may also seem confusing.

This OVA is the first of several, and deals with the establishment of the Imperial Flower Troupe/Division of supernaturally-endowed maidens who oppose the Forces of Darkness in their ill-defined attacks on Imperial Tokyo. The six principal characters are introduced and given barely enough screen time to tell them apart in the 4 different episodes that make up this DVD. The Forces of Darkness are virtually ignored and their motive is murky at best. The original episodes were released separately in Japan, and the loose story line and connection between the segments was somehow not thought to be a shortcoming, supplementing as it does the storyline of the games.

Although the characters are rather sketchy in the OVA, some manage to stand out; I particularly liked the main character, Sakura, voiced by Chisa Yokoyama, probably best known as Sasami in the various incarnations of the Tenchi Muyo! world. She is the "new girl" in the combat/theatrical troupe, and has to go through the familliar routines of trying to fit in, after mastering a difficult sword technique which reminded me very much of that used by Motoko in Love Hina. As I mentioned, the characterizations here differ considerably from the longer TV series; I find that I actually prefer these: they're not as tragic, dark, conflicted, and neurotic, allowing more room for natural humor and interactions between the girls.

As usual for an OVA, the animation is far superior to that in the regular TV series, which has been harshly criticized. The music is also very good. The main claim for this particular reissue is the 5.0 sound on the english dubbed track. I find this first version of Sakura Wars ( Sakura Taisen in Japanese ) to be an enjoyable expansion and alternative view of the characters established in the games and popularized by the TV series.

Summary of Sakura Wars

The year is 1919, and armies of mechanized soldiers are advancing on the capital. Luckily, Kanzaki Heavy Industries has developed a new weapon that is to be piloted by a group of courageous young women assembled from around the world to pilot steam-driven giant robots into single combat. Can the Flower Division save Earth?

Animation DVD Video

DVD Video
Movies most talked about in More anime I seen
Arc the Lad - The Complete Collection ImageArc the Lad - The Complete Collection
Release date: 2003-10-21; DVD
Best price: $32.00
Price in other shops: $89.98
Street Fighter Alpha [Region 2] ImageStreet Fighter Alpha [Region 2]
DVD
Trigun - The Complete Boxed Set ImageTrigun - The Complete Boxed Set
Release date: 2001-11-20; DVD
Best price: $150.00
Price in other shops: $199.98
Sakura Wars ImageSakura Wars
Release date: 2004-10-26; DVD
Best price: $15.00
Price in other shops: $19.98
Sakura Wars OVA Collection ImageSakura Wars OVA Collection
Release date: 2003-05-06; DVD
Best price: $80.00
Spriggan ImageSpriggan
Release date: 2002-04-23; DVD
Best price: $25.90
Price in other shops: $29.98
Crest of the Stars - Complete Series Set ImageCrest of the Stars - Complete Series Set
Release date: 2003-06-17; DVD
Best price: $29.98
Price in other shops: $49.98
Now and Then, Here and There (Complete Collector's Boxed Set) ImageNow and Then, Here and There (Complete Collector's Boxed Set)
Release date: 2002-03-26; DVD
Best price: $100.00
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind ImageNausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Release date: 2005-02-22; DVD
Best price: $16.49
Price in other shops: $29.99
Samurai X - The Motion Picture (Rurouni Kenshin) ImageSamurai X - The Motion Picture (Rurouni Kenshin)
Release date: 2001-03-27; DVD
Best price: $15.95
Price in other shops: $29.98
Similar DVD Movies
Sakura Wars TV: Complete Collection ImageSakura Wars TV: Complete Collection
ADV Films; Release date: 2005-12-27; DVD
Best price: $29.58
Price in other shops: $49.98
Sakura Taisen - Ecole De Paris ImageSakura Taisen - Ecole De Paris
FUNIMATION PRODUCTIONS, LTD; Release date: 2005-08-23; DVD
Best price: $2.67
Price in other shops: $29.98
Sakura Wars Broadcast Series - Return of the Spirit Warriors (Vol. 1) ImageSakura Wars Broadcast Series - Return of the Spirit Warriors (Vol. 1)
Release date: 2002-10-08; DVD
Best price: $15.83
Price in other shops: $24.98
Sakura Wars Broadcast Series - Wedding Bells (Vol. 2) ImageSakura Wars Broadcast Series - Wedding Bells (Vol. 2)
Release date: 2002-11-26; DVD
Best price: $3.63
Price in other shops: $24.98
Sakura Wars: The Movie ImageSakura Wars: The Movie
Release date: 2003-09-09; DVD
Best price: $2.34
Price in other shops: $29.98
Compare prices and read customer reviews for more than one million DVD titles.
Oscar 2005 Winners