What is Sakura Wars?#
Set around the 1920s, Sakura Wars blends historical atmosphere with science fiction. The story centers on a world plagued by demons, where the only hope for survival lies with individuals possessing high levels of spirit energy. These heroes form the “Flower Division,” utilizing unique fighting techniques and massive, steam-powered machines to combat the darkness.
If you enjoy the concept of “real robot” mecha and action-packed battles in a stylized retro setting, this is a series worth your time. You can watch the anime on Prime Video to experience the spirit energy battles for yourself.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
Whether Sakura Wars is “finished” depends on which part of the franchise you are engaging with. The series is sprawling, consisting of an original run of anime, several sequels, spinoffs, and a more recent 2020 reimagining.
For those following the original timeline, there is a comprehensive path of sequels and movies that provide a sense of closure. However, the franchise has continued to expand with unrelated or retelling entries, such as the 2020 Sakura Wars the Animation and the associated Sakura Kakumei Hana Saku Otome-tachi.
If you are looking for a complete narrative experience, the anime provides various conclusions across its different branches. For those who want every single detail, you may want to buy the manga to fill in the gaps, as news reports indicate that the Part II manga concluded with its 9th volume in June 2021.
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Audience and Appeal#
Sakura Wars is best suited for fans of:
- Mecha and Real Robot themes: The focus on steam-powered machinery is a standout feature.
- Alternative History: The 1920s setting combined with demon-fighting technology creates a unique aesthetic.
- Action/Sci-Fi: The mix of spiritual energy and mechanical warfare provides high-stakes excitement.
Beyond the action, the series appeals to those who enjoy character-driven narratives centered around a specialized military unit (the Flower Division).
Recommended Watch Order#
Because of the franchise’s complex structure, there are different ways to approach the series. Please refer to the relationship tree below the article for a visual representation of these connections.
Release Order#
For those who want to experience the series as it was originally aired:
- Sakura Wars (1997)
- Sakura Wars 2 (1999)
- Sakura Wars (2000 alternate retelling)
- Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001)
- Sakura Taisen: Sumire (2002)
- Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris (2003)
- Sakura Taisen: Le Nouveau Paris (2004)
- Sakura Taisen: New York NY. (2007)
- Sakura Wars the Animation (2020)
- Sakura Kakumei
Hana Saku Otome-tachi(2020)
Completionist Order#
If you want to see the full evolution of the story and its various branches:
- The Main Path: Start with the 1997 series, move to Sakura Wars 2, follow it with The Movie, and conclude with Sakura Taisen: Sumire.
- The Paris Branch: Watch Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris and its sequel, Le Nouveau Paris.
- The New York Branch: Watch Sakura Taisen: New York NY.
- The Modern Era: Finally, watch the 2020 Sakura Wars the Animation and the related Sakura Kakumei.
For Source Material Enthusiasts#
If you don’t mind supplementing your viewing with reading, we recommend integrating the manga alongside the original 1997-2007 run to get a deeper understanding of the world and characters. You can find the manga here.
Additional Information#
For fans who want to bring a piece of the Flower Division home, there is a wide variety of Sakura Wars merchandise available, ranging from figures to collectibles based on the steam-powered mechs.
Recent updates to the franchise include the release of English dubs via Funimation and the launch of a new smartphone game in 2020, ensuring the world of Sakura Wars remains accessible to new fans.
Sakura Wars • anime • 1997-12-18
└─(alternate retelling)→ Sakura Wars • anime • 2000-04-08 to 2000-09-23
└─(sequel)→ Sakura Wars 2 • anime • 1999-12-18
└─(sequel)→ Sakura Wars: The Movie • anime • 2001-12-22
└─(sequel)→ Sakura Taisen: Sumire • anime • 2002-12-18
└─(spinoff)→ Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris • anime • 2003-03-19
└─(sequel)→ Sakura Taisen: Le Nouveau Paris • anime • 2004-10-20
└─(spinoff)→ Sakura Taisen: New York NY. • anime • 2007-04-04
└─(related)→ Sakura Taisen • manga • 2003-02-21
└─(related)→ Sakura Wars the Animation • anime • 2020-04-03 to 2020-06-19
└─(related)→ Sakura Kakumei ~Hana Saku Otome-tachi~ • anime • 2020-09-02
