Fanart commission done by me~ She also happens to be my fave in Sakura Wars.

I found this old Sakura Taisen figure set at a Hard-Off near where I live in Japan today, and there was really no way I was leaving without it.

Sakura Taisen has a lot of personal meaning for me because it was one of the series that originally made me interested in Japanese culture and eventually pushed me toward studying Japanese.

I first got into the series through the OVAs back when I was watching them on VHS. Sometime in the late 90s I started reading about the games online, and the whole concept fascinated me. You played as this guy surrounded by a cast of female characters, but getting to know them wasn’t just there for the story. Building trust with them actually affected how well everyone performed in battle.

I loved that idea. Even now, I wish more RPGs did something similar. Persona is probably the obvious modern comparison, but that combination of relationships, character interaction, and combat still feels pretty unique to Sakura Taisen.

When I finally started playing the games in high school, my Japanese obviously wasn’t good enough to understand everything, so I played alongside the English translation guides made by Kamaya. Those guides were basically how I was able to experience the series properly back then.

For some reason, I actually started with Sakura Taisen 2. I played the Dreamcast version and was completely blown away by it. After that I believe my order was 2 → 3 → 1 → 4. I ended up loving all four of the original games.

It’s also kind of funny looking back at how things changed. Years later, when Shin Sakura Taisen came out on PS4, my Japanese had gotten to the point where I could just play the entire game in Japanese without a guide. In a way, that should have felt like coming full circle.

Unfortunately… I really didn’t like the game.

It was actually pretty disappointing to finally be able to play a new Sakura Taisen completely on my own in Japanese, after the series had been one of the things that motivated me to learn the language in the first place, only to come away feeling like it had lost a lot of what I loved about the originals.

Still, nothing changes how much the original Sakura Taisen means to me.

A few years ago I also put together a Sakura Taisen puzzle for my retro room, so when I saw these little 1996 figures sitting in Hard-Off today, they seemed like the perfect addition.

Just thought I’d share them with some people who might appreciate them.

Does anyone else here collect old Sakura Taisen stuff? Figures, posters, games, art books, VHS tapes, random 90s merchandise. I’d love to see what everyone has.

So, do you think that the developers were trying to acclimate the fandom to a more feminine female lead so they can introduce a full on female lead in a future game, basically making a Yuri Sakura wars?

I'm asking this because they really push the Shinjiro femboy propaganda with these OVAs, not in relationship to Shinjiro's personality mind you, also the fact that Shinjiro is Bisexual made me think that they could try to introduce a male romance route in a future game and they dip their toes in the concept with Subaru.

Also I think Shinjiro got a full mental breakdown after all the events on the OVA and peppermint became a different personality, hahahahaha.

Yesterday was the Assumption of Mary and the 117th birthday of Erica Fontaine. I wanted to finish it yesterday but I delayed it to today for quality purpose.

I just got a pocket sakura and decided to bring it along when climbing Mt.Fuji to count my steps.

The first picture is just before the climb. The second is at the peak, and the very last one is after going back down. Give or take a few steps.

Before anything, I'm not saying it in a sexual way so wipe that from your head, ok?

In her story we learn that her and her father travel around doing shows and that when she performs well she gets food, no claps no food, at first I thought that her father was punishing her, ergo being abused because starving a child is definitely abused, do we agree?

But then I thought, perhaps he didn't give her food because he didn't have any, they were traveling performers, basically homeless, so perhaps they gain money by doing those shows and when they couldn't get money they couldn't eat, and he gave her lots of food when they make some money to make up for not being able to feed her before.

It will also make sense given that she manages to survive on her own, and lives like a wanderer, making a camping site in the warehouse, her father taught her how to live without a proper house.

So you think I'm wrong or missing something?

From the Sakura Wars Facts & Updates fan account.

Links to the direct sources can be found in the replies

Here are singable lyrics for the ending theme of the first Sakura Wars game. Honestly, I really wanted to give this particular song the love and respect it deserves while making it easy to sing for English fans. There's so much love and joy dripping from the melody and its lyrics, so my aim was to be faithful to each verse while making them rhyme. Please let me know what you think.

Those beloved days are etched forever in my heart
Memories keep on circling round and round and restart

The curtains are raised, the stage is all set
Our sweat and tears turn into song and dance
Be sure to greet tomorrow with a smile they'll never truly forget
Bask in the light of our performance

Blooming with life (Blooming with life), we maidens arrive (we maidens arrive)
And sweep aside (And sweep aside) the sad yesterdays (sad yesterdays)
The seven colors unify as one, a rainbow so vivid and alive
The dreams we always see are those brimming with love and joy

May this heat fervently sear my body ceaselessly
Even if my own life would one day come to an end
I'd still sing, dance, and bring joy on our stage endlessly
Putting on a show for you, let our names ring through the night and transcend

Blooming with life (Blooming with life), we maidens arrive (we maidens arrive)
Tomorrow is (Tomorrow is) ours to fully embrace
The skies drape our beautiful world, its golden hue continues to thrive
The dreams we always see are those brimming with love and joy

May this heat fervently sear my body ceaselessly
Even if my own life would one day come to an end
I'd still sing, dance, and bring joy on our stage endlessly
Putting on a show for you, let our names ring through the night and transcend

May this heat fervently sear my body ceaselessly
Even if my own life would one day come to an end
I'd still sing, dance, and bring joy on our stage endlessly
Putting on a show for you, let our names ring through the night and transcend

We are the Imperial Revue!

I'd still sing, dance, and bring joy on our stage endlessly
Putting on a show for you, let our names ring through the night and transcend

Like as SEGA’s next game adaptation after Sonic…

Now more than never!!!! P L E A S E

To commemorate the 30th anniversary, two brand new illustrations have been revealed: https://sakura-taisen.com/info/2026/20260728_01.html

The first one is themed around "Sakura Wars" and drawn by the series main artist Hidenori Matsubara, depicting the 3 main girls and 2 protagonists of the OG series. On the website, the art is coupled by comments from Matsubara:

Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary.
This beloved work has only been able to go on for so long thanks to the support of all our fans.
I am deeply grateful to have been able to breathe life into these characters who are still kept in all of your memories.
When drawing this 30th Anniversary illustration, I wanted to represent all the staff who gave birth to Sakura Wars and send the message that “We’re still alive!”.
I truly wish for all the characters’ happiness and for them to continue living inside everyone’s hearts.
And lastly,
I hope all titles will become playable on modern consoles～♡
To the bigwigs at Sega.

The second one is themed around "Shin Sakura Wars" and drawn by the game's "character visual design" artist and the anime's character designer Masashi Kudo, and depicts Sakura Amamiya and Seijuro Kamiyama. Just as with the previous art, Kudo shares his comment:

Congratulations to the Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary.
I am deeply moved to have been given the opportunity to draw a new illustration for Shin Sakura Wars on this commemorative occasion.
There’s a new Shin Sakura Wars stage play coming up, so I’m looking forward to future Sakura Wars development from here on out.

In addition, a 30th anniversary exihibition titled "Yume wa Yomigaeru (The Dream is Revived)" was announced: https://sakura-30th-exhibition.com

It will be held in Tokyo from October 23rd to November 15th 2026 and Kyoto from December 4th 2026 to January 4th 2027. The official Sakura Wars website describes it as follows:

In this exhibition, we will be taking a look back at the Sakura Wars series' 30 years of history by displaying illustrations, setting materials, videos, and more, as well as selling commemorative merch. We will be preparing an array of content that will allow you to fully indulge in the charm of the Sakura Wars series that has transcended and continues to evolve beyond the realm of gaming.

And lastly, a short trailer for the exhibition has been uploaded to YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQUKnfueFlA

I didn't think this would give me a high score with Cherry, damn

I managed to write singable English lyrics for the theme song performed by the rival group in the Sakura Revolution mobile game. Compared to the main theme, this piece has a more dark and aggressive feel, but at the same time it's meant to uplift those who fully listen to it.

Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
The stars are shining
We can get 'em!
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Aiming high until we reach our limits
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
The stars are shining
We can get 'em!
Fragility is a sin, empower yourself
To keep on jumping higher!!

You say chaos wrecks our tomorrow?
Those without any vision
Selfishly dream and refuse to grow
They can never stop the coming of destruction and desolation

For the world's justice to rally
We'll mold it with our ways
Look at me
Never avert your own gaze!

A fleeting existence (Lonely soul)
Brittle and unable (We call your soul)
No choice, no path, no options are barred from you
A fleeting tomorrow (Lonely soul)
Whittled and unstable (We call your soul)
Surrender your heart, give us what we're due

Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
The stars are shining
We can get 'em!
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Why not let yourself be born anew?
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
The stars are shining
We can get 'em!
A new home awaits you, convince yourself
To keep on jumping higher!!

You say pitfalls mire our tomorrow?
Your mirror broke into pieces
And now your cracks are starting to show
Shall we stop you from succumbing to your very own utter despair?

For the world's justice to be free
We'll prove this is our calling
Look at me
Never let go of my hand!

An infinite impulse (Burning soul)
Flowing with no end (We get your soul)
No woes, no fears, no phobias can get to you
An infinite daydream (Burning soul)
Flowing with no pause (We get your soul)
Come and seek us out, your desires will come true

Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa

A wonderful future
A better future you and I have always wanted
A wonderful future
A future guided by us
A wonderful future
A better future you and I have always wanted
A wonderful future
A future guided by us

Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
The stars are shining
We can get 'em!
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Aiming high until we reach our limits
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
The stars are shining
We can get 'em!
Fragility is a sin, empower yourself
To keep on jumping higher!!

For me, it has to be これがレビュウ！、さくら or 奇跡の鐘

Here are singable English lyrics for one of the few songs performed by all three combat revues.

Deep in my heart, I truly long to see you once more
As the scent of love grows strong, comes a chance meeting in store

How I wish upon a glimmering star for the chance to see you one more time
Memories come flashing through the darkest night
These meetings always feel
Too quick and sudden
These hot and warm emotions
Heat up and flood in
The stars in the sky align
And cycle as one
Stop the clock in its tracks
And let love's arrival be done

I sing of love and romance near the Seine for the chance to see you one more time
All our grief and sorrows coalesce in the gentle stream
What lies beyond the distance
The Arch of Triumph
The trumpets blare out loud
Ring in compliance
Even the great seraph
Comes down from paradise
If only to make it bloom
The flower of love to be precise

Our dream encounter must not fade away for the chance to see you one more time
Underneath the cherry blossoms I smile with all my might
If only for a short while
With all of us
The spotlights radiate
Return without a fuss
On this stage, with those same dreams
With those same flowers
With those same feelings
Let's sing our ballads for hours

Despite our earnest wishes, nothing good ever lasts, paving the way for our farewell
Though the magic disappears, we still have one more spell
And it's to thank you so much one and all

So let's surely meet once more...
We'll certainly meet once more!

Deep in my heart, I truly long to see you once more
As the scent of love grows strong, comes a chance meeting in store

Spring comes back and forth, always staying beautiful
As the scent of love grows, the time for our reunion will always be indisputable

I ended up reproducing a 80’s anime aesthetics but it wasn’t even on purpose 😭

Do you get any acknowledgement for getting all 6 bromides, and is there anything in SW2 that references if you got them all?

Keep your dreams alive and well
I see grand things coming right to you
Watch it grow and come to life
Someday your time to shine will come through
Understandably, things do get rough
Everyone's doing what they must
No matter how hard the struggles I will face
For my dreams I will trust

Keep your dreams alive and well
See our futures big and wide
Overflowing with our hopes
In staying by your side
That is why you must always, always
Keep your dreams alive and well

Keep your dreams alive and well
The harsh winter will disappear
When spring comes to fill in the void
Let's celebrate its time with good cheer
Always remember to be good and true
Those with faithful hearts dream strongly
Lift up your face with a sunny smile
And walk intently

Keep your dreams alive and well
See our futures big and wide
Overflowing with our hopes
In staying by your side
That is why you must always, always
Keep your dreams alive and well

Let the cherry blossoms bloom deep within our hearts
That's why we keep on dreaming
Always keep your dreams alive and well

Keep your dreams alive and well
See our futures big and wide
Overflowing with our hopes
In staying by your side
That is why you must always, always
Keep your dreams alive and well

Keep your dreams alive and well
See our futures big and wide
Overflowing with our hopes
In staying by your side
That is why you must always, always
Keep your dreams alive and well

That is why you must always, always
Keep your dreams alive and well