Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms

Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms (サクラ大戦 ～桜華絢爛～, Sakura Taisen: Ōka Kenran) is a 1997 Japanese original video animation (OVA) created by Bandai Visual and Animate Film. It ran for four episodes and is the first OVA based on the Sakura Wars video games. The episodes were released in VHS and LaserDisc formats.

Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms
Cover of the first VHS
サクラ大戦 ～桜華絢爛～ (Sakura Taisen: Ōka Kenran)
Original video animation
Directed by	Takaaki Ishiyama
Produced by	Satoru Akahori
Written by	Hiroyuki Kawasaki
Music by	Kohei Tanaka
Studio	Radix
Licensed by	^NA ADV Films (1998-2009)
Released	December 18, 1997 – July 25, 1998
Runtime	25–30 minutes (each)
Episodes	4
Related works
Sakura Wars (game franchise) Sakura Wars: The Radiant Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms (OVA, sequel) Sakura Wars: The Movie (Film, sequel) Sakura Wars (TV series, remake)

The OVA was announced as the first joint product to result from the proposed merger between Sega (owner of the Sakura Wars franchise) and Bandai (Bandai Visual's parent company).[1] Though the merger was called off shortly afterwards,[2] the OVA project proceeded as planned. It was licensed by ADV Films in North America until ADV's closure in 2009.

It depicts the formation of the Imperial Assault Force.

Theme songs

• Openings

1. "Attack! Imperial Floral Assault Team" (檄！帝国華撃団, Geki! Teikoku Kageki-dan)
   • Lyricist: Ouji Hiroi / Composer: Kohei Tanaka / Arranger: Takayuki Negishi / Singers: Chisa Yokoyama & The Imperial Floral Assault Team

• Endings

1. "My Blue Sky" (わたしの青空, Watashi no Aozora)
   • Lyricist: Ouji Hiroi / Composer: Kohei Tanaka / Arranger: Takayuki Negishi / Singers: Ai Orikasa
   • Episodes: 1-3
2. "The Maiden's Flowers Bloom" (花咲く乙女, Hana Saku Otome)
   • Lyricist: Ouji Hiroi / Composer: Kohei Tanaka / Arranger: Akifumi Tada / Singers: The Imperial Floral Assault Team
   • Episodes: 4

• Insert Songs

1. "A Dizzy Deck" (甲板フラフラ, Kanpan Furafura)
   • Lyricist: Ouji Hiroi / Composer: Kohei Tanaka / Arranger: Akifumi Tada / Singers: Akio Suyama
   • Episodes: 1-2
2. "Cherry Blossom" (さくら, Sakura)
   • Lyricist: Ouji Hiroi / Composer: Kohei Tanaka / Arranger: Masami Kishimura / Singers: Akio Suyama
   • Episodes: 2
3. "Dance Festival" (お祭りダンス, Omatsuri Dansu)
   • Lyricist: Ouji Hiroi / Composer: Kohei Tanaka / Arranger: Masami Kishimura / Singers: Akio Suyama
   • Episodes: 3

Episodes

No.	Title	Release date (Japan)	Release date (U.S.)
1	"Act 1: The Demon Wars Begin Again" "Dai Ichi-maku: Hana no Miyako no Hanaikusa" (第一幕 華の都の花いくさ)	December 18, 1997[3]	November 11, 1998[4]
2	"Act 2: The Cherry Blossom Spirit Attack" "Dai Ni-maku: Sakura no Hana ni Hanate yo Shinken" (第二幕 桜の花に放てよ神剣)	February 25, 1998[5]	November 11, 1998[4]
3	"Act 3: Spring is the Time for First Battles" "Dai San-maku: Haru wa Yayoi no Hatsu Sentō" (第三幕 春は弥生の初戦闘)	May 25, 1998[6]	November 11, 1998[4]
4	"Act 4: A Midsummer Night's Dream" "Dai Shi-maku: Manatsu no Yume no Yoru" (第四幕 真夏の夢の夜)	July 25, 1998[7]	November 11, 1998[4]

References

1. "Goin' Hollywood". GamePro. No. 105. IDG. June 1997. pp. 18, 20.
2. "Acquisition of Bandai by Sega Called Off". The New York Times. 28 May 1997. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
3. "サクラ大戦 桜華絢爛1-華の都の花いくさ". Retrieved 2014-05-31.
4. "Sakura Wars 1 [VHS]". Retrieved 2014-05-31.
5. "サクラ大戦 桜華絢爛2". Retrieved 2014-05-31.
6. "サクラ大戦 桜華絢爛3". Retrieved 2014-05-31.
7. "サクラ大戦 桜華絢爛4-真夏の夜の夢". Retrieved 2014-05-31.

External links

• Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms at Bandai Channel (in Japanese)
• Sakura Wars (OVA) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia