Sakura Wars OVA: Sakura Taisen - Ouka Kenran 「サクラ大戦　〜桜華絢爛〜」 第壱幕「華の都の花いくさ」 Act I: "A Floral Army in A Floral Capital" Date of Release: 12/18/97 LD: BEAL-1077 (CAV), 5800 yen VHS: BES-1796, 5800 yen Length: ~30 minutes 第二幕「桜の花に放てよ神剣」 Act II: "Sakura Blossom Releases the Divine Sword" Date of Release: 2/25/98 LD: BEAL-1078 (CAV), 5800 yen VHS: BES-1797, 5800 yen Length: ~30 minutes 第三幕「春は弥生の初戦闘」 Act III: "Spring is the Beginning of Battle" Date of Release: Spring 98 LD: BEAL-1079 (CAV), 5800 yen VHS: BES-1798, 5800 yen Length: ~30 minutes 第四幕「真夏の夢の夜」 Act IV: "Midsummer Night of Dreams" Date of Release: Summer 98 LD: BEAL-1080 (CAV), 5800 yen VHS: BES-1799, 5800 yen Length: ~30 minutes Available from: UCI Bookstore, and soon in English from A.D. Vision!

On 12/18/97 the first volume of the much-anticipated 4-part Sakura Taisen OVA series titled "Sakura Taisen - Ouka Kenran" (Sakura Wars - Dazzling Cherry Blossom) was released in Japan (subsequent volumes will be released every other month). The story of volume 1 concentrates mainly on the early pre-history of the Hanagumi members:

In the Spring of 1919 (Taisho-8), young Shinguuji Sakura diligently practices kendo in her home town of Sendai...

Meanwhile, the imperial capital is still recovering from the damage made during the last Demon War which ended one year ago. Count Hanakouji and Yoneda plan for the formation of an anti-demon attack force - the Imperial Floral Assault Unit (Teigeki)...

Within Kanzaki Heavy Industry of Kawasaki, secret construction is under way for the armament and weaponry of the Teigeki. These include the first generation of steam mecha unit "Oubu", the airship "Shougeimaru" (Flying Whale) and the underground bullet train "Gouraigou" (Rumbling Thunder). The operation of the Oubu requires a pilot with very good control of Ryoushiryoku (psychic power), which is very difficult to find. Therefore the grand-daughter of the president of Kanzaki Heavy Industry, Sumire, volunteers for the test-drive of the Oubu...

Meanwhile, Ayame is seaching all over the world for other candidates with exceptional psychic power: Kouran in Shanghai, Maria in New York, Kanna in Hong Kong...

The voice cast of the OVA will be the same as that of the game, with Yokoyama "Pretty Sammy" Chisa as Sakura, Tomisawa "Sailor Mars" Michie as Sumire, Nisihara "Diana the Kitty" Kumiko as Iris, Tanaka "Pazu" Mayumi as Kanna, Fuchizaki "Morisato Megumi" Yuriko as Kouran, Takano "Saber Doll Tiger" Urara as Maria, Orikasa "Ryoko" Ai as Ayame, Hikami "Wedding Peach" Kyoko as Tsubaki and Okamura "Fio" Akemi as Kasumi. In addition, just like in the game, the OVA will also feature the dream-team combination of anime super-talents Fujishima Kosuke (character design, Ah! My Goddess, You're Under Arrest...) and Akahori Satoru (production design, Bakuretsu Hunter, NG Knight Lamune, Saber Marionette J, Maze...), plus music by Tanaka Kouhei (composer for various games like Sakura Taisen and anime like Spirit of Wonder, Gunbuster, Bastard!!, Dragon Half...) and script by Kawasaki Hiroyuki (Saber Marionette, Gundam X...). The animation studio is Animate Film. Sakura Taisen is jointly produced by Animate Film, Sega Enterprises and Bandai Visual, with associated production by Red Company. Watch here for more info about the OVA series as they become available...

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