Type: OVA Anime
Date: 1997/ 1999
Genre: American-esqu teeny-bop

Sakura Wars OVA collection consists of three DVDs and is based around the exploits of The Imperial Flower Combat Troupe, a semi-secret body of female fighters who battle demons with the aid of their pastel-coloured mechs, and perform at the Imperial Theatre when not saving Tokyo.

The first disk introduces some of the characters and the world [1920's Japan, with glaring historical inaccuracies which don't matter that much], details some of the history and reasons behind the troupe and gives a few fights.

The second and third disk both have the same premise: The commander of the troupe is leaving, and as he packs he finds little mementoes that link to his memories of adventures he has shared with them. Most of these adventures involve character building on the part of the rest of the troupe. The third disk, as well as explaining a little more about Sakura Shinguji and her history, also gives a preview of a Sakura Wars 3 and the reason why the commander is leaving.

My opinion of this OVA is a little mixed. The plot is incredibly flaky [demon battles are not really mentioned again after the first disk] and full of craters, and a lot of things aren’t explained very well [three new characters appear at the beginning of the second disk with zero explanation], but on the other hand, the characters come across as so human and lovable that it will have you laughing, cringing, crying, and bursting with joy – sometimes all at once.

The only reason I can think of for the gaps in plot is that this OVA is supposed to accompany a TV series, but at time of writing I don’t know. Also, I think, that had I downloaded this, and not got the DVDs, I wouldn’t have known about Sakura Wars 3, and thus the reason for the commanders departure.

Overall I give this 1/4

☮&♥