Sakura Wars Broadcast Series - Return of the Spirit Warriors (Vol. 1)

Starring:Sakura Wars
Studio: A.D. Vision
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The 25-episode broadcast series based on the Sega game is set in 1926. Under the leadership of handsome Second Lieutenant Ohgami, the seven women of the Imperial Theatrical Troupe, Flower Division stage plays, appear in films, and quarrel. Sharpshooter Maria and swordswoman Sakura defeat a Russian murderer and his steam-powered mecha in episode 1. In episode 2, psychic Iris has a tantrum, runs away, and steals a gangster's boat (which becomes a bonding experience with another actress); the group defeats the ghost of a silent screen star in episode 3. But these adventures don't add up to anything. The characters are so underdeveloped, they're little more than ciphers, and the mélange of fake accents the voice actors affect doesn't help. It may make sense to fans of the game. (Rated 7 and older, but appropriate for 12 and older: violence, minor profanity, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

Sakura Wars Broadcast Series - Return of the Spirit Warriors (Vol. 1)
Average customer rating:

To Clarify Matters:

Sakura Wars 2-Electric Boogaloo

pretty good intro to the Sakura Wars universe

Anime goes to the Theatre

More Sakura Wars!! ...And it's the Sakura Wars 2 OVA!

Sakura Wars Broadcast Series - Return of the Spirit Warriors (Vol. 1)
Starring: Sakura Wars
Manufacturer: A.D. Vision
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
ADV Films | By Studio | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
General | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
Sakura Wars | Characters & Series | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video
General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Sakura Wars Broadcast Series - Wedding Bells (Vol. 2)

Sakura Wars

Sakura Wars TV - Overture (Vol. 2)

Sakura Wars TV - Intermission (Vol. 4)

Sakura Wars TV - Stage Fright (Vol. 5)

ASIN: B00006CY4C
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Amazon.com

The 25-episode broadcast series based on the Sega game is set in 1926. Under the leadership of handsome Second Lieutenant Ohgami, the seven women of the Imperial Theatrical Troupe, Flower Division stage plays, appear in films, and quarrel. Sharpshooter Maria and swordswoman Sakura defeat a Russian murderer and his steam-powered mecha in episode 1. In episode 2, psychic Iris has a tantrum, runs away, and steals a gangster's boat (which becomes a bonding experience with another actress); the group defeats the ghost of a silent screen star in episode 3. But these adventures don't add up to anything. The characters are so underdeveloped, they're little more than ciphers, and the mélange of fake accents the voice actors affect doesn't help. It may make sense to fans of the game. (Rated 7 and older, but appropriate for 12 and older: violence, minor profanity, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews:

To Clarify Matters:.......2003-03-29

The editorial review is completely in error. This is not the broadcast TV Series of Sakura Wars. This DVD contains the first 3 episodes of OVA 2 (anime made directly for the video market).

These episodes focus on the characters of the TV series in greater detail, exploring their lives, personalities and histories in a series of one-offs. For example, the first episode focuses on Maria and Sakura, the second on Iris and Reni. The third episode is a rich treat that features the whole cast in a dramatic "horror" story.

Unfortunately, American audiences are not getting the full scope of this magnificent series, because the 25 TV episodes are not available on DVD yet. I was fortunate enough to have seen it in a different country, and all the necessary character introduction, development, action, etc. was established in the TV series.

Understand that this OVA series allows an audience to "revisit" their favorite characters in slower-paced and different settings, as stand alone episodes. Treat them as short stories, not chapters of the same long story. Artistically inspired by old Japanese movies, each episode encompasses a slightly different mood and "flavor".

If you have caught the TV series, then nothing more need be said. You'd probably buy this DVD just to see more of the characters. Though the caveat is that there is less action, and more slower-paced exposition in the OVA. If your only exposure to Sakura Wars is through the OVA, then hold on for a bit, and do not make a judgement about the whole series until you have seen the TV episodes.

Sakura Wars 2-Electric Boogaloo.......2003-01-12

This is the 2nd SAKURA WARS video series. Taking place after the SAKURA WARS 2 video game, Lt. Ogami is leaving to head up a new division in Paris, France(where the SAKURA WARS 3 game takes place). Before he leaves, he recounts all the memories he's had since he became part of the Imperial Flower Division. Each episode of this 6-episode series is a flashback of his. Episode 1 actually takes place in between the SAKURA WARS 1 & 2 video games. Episodes 2-6 happen afterwards with new characters Orhime and the group's only other male character. The OVA is blessed with brilliant CGI animation and a truly memorable soundtrack, especially the Broadway-like songs! The only down side is that there is no real enemy for the Imperial Flower Division to fight in this as there next demon attack doesn't happen until the SAKURA WARS motion picture. They do take down some mafia hoods, a ghost, an a old acuqaintence of Maria's who tries to blow up the theatre. However, nothing that warrants the use of their steampowered mechas, so the opening credits are the only time during the entire series you actually get to see them, or the team in their new military outfits. The DVD is good with great bonuses like the Japanese trailers, but the dub is very stale with the fake European accents, so stay with the Japanese language track! If you liked the original OVA series, then by all means continue with this great followup.

pretty good intro to the Sakura Wars universe.......2002-10-17

Though the Sakura Wars (or Sakura Taisen, or ST) universe is pretty detailed, this DVD serves as a decent intro to the main characters. Even if you don't know the characters, the episodes are well-written enough to be taken as entertaining short stories. I'd give it 5 stars for ST fans and 4 stars for non-ST fans. The only noticeable problem with the first DVD is that there are no koubu (steam- and spirit-powered mecha) vs. koubu battles that are typical of the video game series. However, the storytelling makes up for it.

By the way, even if you don't understand Japanese, at some point you should definitely listen to the original voice actresses instead of the dubbed ones. One of the hallmarks of the ST series is its excellent voice cast such as the veterans Yokoyama Chisa, Tomizawa Michie, and Orikasa Ai. Episodes 1 and 2 feature stage and screen actor Sonooka Shintarou as Dandy Boss.

If you like the DVD, look for the new Sakura Wars game that will be released in the US in 2003/2004 on the PS2.

Anime goes to the Theatre.......2002-09-27

This installment of the Sakura Wars OVA's takes the spirit Warriors on various episodic adventures. Unlike the first OVA, there are no great Mech battles...which is OK. The various stories serve to develop the characters more and show the efforts they put into their Theatre Troup and solve mysteries. I actually liked this one better than the First OVA's that came out a few years ago. Dubbing was good. Even though the accents weren't authentic, the actors breathed so much fun into them that I didn't care. Great animation and score as well.

More Sakura Wars!! ...And it's the Sakura Wars 2 OVA!.......2002-09-08

The Sakura Wars first released in America was the Sakura Wars 1 (coming to our shores...finally...next year!) OVA. This one takes place during the Sakura Wars 2 game. Sakura Wars is about a team of women (and their guy captain Ohgami) protecting the capital from evil in their steam-powered robots called Oobus. Unlike the first OVA series, there are no real Oobu fights which is good because the characters are really the best thing about this cartoon/video game series.

This DVD contains 3 (out of 6) episodes of the Sakura Wars 2 OVA.

Episode 1: Ohgami finds a brooch with a bullet inside and remembers Maria. Maria's past is brought back when a man from her past comes back and causes trouble by putting a bomb in the theater! Will Maria realize that caring for people is not a weakness after all? Can Kohran disarm the bomb? Will Kanna and Sumire even fight on stage?? (Duh.) I loved this episode so much! Maria is so cool! XD/ Plus you gotta love the 'Dandy' group's spoof of Grease. "You idiot! All foreign gangsters dance around their territory!"

Episode 2: This time, Ohgami remembers Reni (a new character from Sakura Wars 2). Basically, this episode is about Iris' relationship with Reni. Iris blames Reni for her poor performance and soon, that leads them into a mess of trouble. A cute episode.

Episode 3: Ohgami remembers Sumire and Kanna. As usual, Sumire's ego is causing a disturbance in the team. Meanwhile, is there a ghost haunting the studio?? Sumire denies the story and gets haunted by the ghost along with the others. I loved this one because it was a great story.

The extras are great! Which should be expected since there are only three episodes in this DVD. There are 4 Japanese promos, the first one being my favorite. The first promo is one for one of the Sakura Wars stage shows (and so is the third one). The other two promos are for the Sakura Wars 1 and 2 games. Also ADV included a moving "sketchbook" which is okay and the Japanese boxes art. Along with that there are the usual ADV previews and character info (which isn't very extensive as it should be).

Now the dubbing of the series is medicore. (Which is expected since this is ADV.) Most of the English lines don't match up to the Japanese lines and the characters say dumb things like "sistah" and other valley girl or whatever sayings. But the actors weren't bland at all, they actually seemed to be enjoying it. Kohran's accent is horrible but Ohgami's voice actor was pretty good (yay!). The Japanese version is fantastic! Lots of kewl accents and some of the best acting around makes the characters come more to life. Without their talent, the characters would be nothing.

The menus are pretty and the basic setup is well done. Meanwhile, what's cool about the theme songs is that when a character is going to be the main star in the episode, they play their part of the Sakura Wars 2 theme song. For example, the first episode's theme song is sung by Maria since the episode completely stars her.

All in all, Sakura Wars is a gem in the anime world. I applaud the people who made these OVAs for not making them feel too 'gamish' like other video game animes.

DVD:

DVD List

DVD

DVD

Suture

Martha Argerich and Friends

Company: Inigo and His Jesuits (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: Joe Lewis How to Use Tactical Footwork-D

Der Mondmann