Genre : Game-based Anime
Producer : Bandai
The 1st OAV series serves as the prelude to Sega classic -- Sakura Wars; it describes the background of each character. The main focus is in on Shinguuji Sakura -- the heroine of the Sakura Wars series. Sakura's father serves as a special Japanese military squad to fight demons, but he is killed during a fight with demons. Will Sakura be able to complete her training so that she can join the Hanagumi -- the new special anti-demon combat squad?
Although the game (and the new Sakura Wars TV series) is mainly about romance and action, the 1st OAV series is slow. It gave a fairly detail background about Sakura and Sumire (another Sakura Wars character), but background for other characters are not very well presented. Knowing the game will help one understand story well.
The story is fairly humorous, but definitely no crazy laughs that one gets from Slayers or Mamotte Shogetten.
On the last episode, I do not like the anime forcefully put parts of the game into the show (like the mini games inside the original game). It does not fit the story well, and it looks like a "game fan" service.
Despite the issues in the story, the OAVs have very high quality animation and excellent character design. Character design is done by Fujishima sensei -- the character designer of famous manga and OAV series -- Oh My Goddess. Sega and Bandai really spend good money to make sure the animation are well done.
Recommended for Fujishima and the original Sakura Wars game fans. May be a little slow for an anime that is based on a game with plenty of action.
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