Sakura Wars TV: Complete Collection (2003)

It is the 1920s and Japan is under attack by demonic invaders. The government has designed sturdy albeit steam-owered robot armor suits for the impending battle but only young ladies with the proper combination of virtue and spirit can pilot the robots successfully.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ADULT SWIM Rating: PG UPC: 702727138829 Manufacturer No: DSw/BX3 Product Description

A Nice Mecha Supernatural Anime But Dubbing Is Atrocious

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... August 3, 2008

Lovable anime, excellent!!

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. December 6, 2007

Very good anime

Just when I thought I was going to hate mecha type anime for the rest of my life. Something surfaced and made me a believer. And that something was Sakura Wars. Why this collection isn't over flooded with good reviews? I DONT KNOW!

For starters I never seen or played the video games, so I cannot say anything to those who played the games. And thats good for me because I couldn't expect anything. The story; there is an organization whose sole purpose is to protect the world from a demon threat. That organization is called the flower division.The setting is in Japan in the 1920's but they are very far in technology. They use mechas powered by steam and they're piloted by female pilots. This is not your typical fan service and defenseless bimbos crying out and wearing skimpy clothes for no reason whatsoever. This anime is very mature.

The animation is spectacular in my opinion. I really dont care about the animation involving anything but I noted it anyway. I just feel whats the big deal about the animation. If the animation is good but the story and a few other elements is weak, then animation means nothing. The soundtrack for the opening and ending credits is alright. I really didn't care for the opening that much.

The charcter development is second to Crest of the Stars. I find it impossible to dislike any of the characters. The snobs, geeks, almost manly looking weight lifting buffs are all likable. They spend alot of time helping you get to know the characters. When the Flower divison aren't fighting demons then they plan for a live show or play that they rehearse all day for. I kind of felt some of the story involving the plays dragged a little too long. But I come to appreciate it because it really did help with the overall character development. The action scenes are pretty good but don't come into this expecting high octane, mass casualty deaths, and an incredible amount of gore. This series isn't about that.

I don't feel this anime is for everyone. If you enjoyed Crest of the Stars or something in that ballpark, then you can enjoy this. If you're very heavily influenced with lots of action, gore, an in your face straight up plot, and thats it. This anime MAY not be for you. It can be about as fun as watching paint dry. June 10, 2007

The essential Sakura Wars - watch this before watching the others!

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. March 1, 2006

Sakura Wars!!!!!!!!!

i love this series and i ordered this whole collection on [...] they have awesome stuff there for low prices!!!!!! all about anime!!!!!! November 11, 2005

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