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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallSakura Wars is SEGA’s game and multimedia franchise about a theater troupe that doubles as a city’s defense force. Set in a steampunk alternate history, it combines character-focused storytelling and stage performance with battles against threats to the city. The 2019 game—released in Japan as Shin Sakura Wars and in the West as Sakura Wars—offers a new story and action-based mecha combat.
What is Sakura Wars?
Sakura Wars, known in Japanese as Sakura Taisen, began with a game released for Sega Saturn in Japan on September 27, 1996. SEGA describes its setting as a fictional Taishō era with steampunk technology. Its central idea is a combat unit whose members perform in a theater when the city is at peace and fight to protect it when danger appears. The original unit, the Imperial Combat Revue, is based at Tokyo’s Imperial Theater.
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The franchise’s appeal comes from bringing those roles together: the characters’ friendships and trust matter to the story, while their public performances and battles give the group distinct work both on and off the battlefield. SEGA’s 2019 announcement reported more than four million cumulative domestic shipments for the series and related works; that figure is for Japan, not global sales or the 2019 game alone. SEGA’s announcement provides the franchise background and figure.
What is the 2019 Sakura Wars game about?
A new Flower Division in an alternate 1940s Tokyo
The 2019 game takes place in a steampunk alternate-history Tokyo in the 1940s. Seijuro Kamiyama becomes captain of the new Flower Division, a theater troupe that also defends the city. He must help rebuild the troupe’s reputation, protect Tokyo, and take part in the Combat Revue World Games. SEGA’s official game site describes the story and setting.
#1 Best Overall
- Launch Edition includes: Sakura Wars PS4 game, Reversible artwork and sticker set
- dramatic character interplay Engage with a colorful cast through the dynamic lips dialogue system where what you say and how you say it has a Profound impact on relationships off and on the battlefield.
- exciting combat payoffs Your bonds with team members flow into the high energy combat finale of each Episode, featuring action packed fights with giant steam powered Mech a.
- brilliant anime production gorgeous animated sequences, a lush soundtrack, and characters designed by anime and RPG luminaries will transport you into a vibrant 1940s steampunk Tokyo.
- main character design: tite kubo.guest character design: yukiko horiguchi, bunbun, fumikane Shimada, Ken sugimori, Noizi Ito, Shigenori Soejima.cast: yohei azakami, Ayane Sakura, maaya uchida, hibiku yamamura, ayaka fukuhara, saori hayami, yuichiro umehara, sumire uesaka, nobunaga shimazaki, manami numakura, Nana mizuki, rie kugimiya
Dialogue and relationships
The game uses the series’ LIPS dialogue system: the player’s responses and the way they are delivered affect relationships with other characters. Those conversations are part of the route into the story’s action, rather than a separate theater-management game.
Action mecha battles
In battle, characters pilot giant steam-powered mecha. The 2019 game uses action-focused combat, a change from the tactical battle system associated with earlier entries. In SEGA of America’s launch coverage, producer Tetsu Katano discussed that shift from the older games’ 2D anime-style presentation and tactical combat.
Rank #2
- The Imperial Combat Revue takes the stage as Tokyo’s defense force against a demon threat in this extravagant adventure.
- Soldiers in wartime, but theater performers in peacetime, the Revue’s Flower Division is not living up to their legacy and is at risk of being shut down. As newly appointed captain Seijuro Kamiyama, it’s up to you to turn the team around.
- Dramatic Character Interplay — Engage with a colorful cast through the dynamic LIPS dialogue system where what you say and how you say it has a profound impact on relationships off and on the battlefield.
- Exciting Combat Payoffs — Your bonds with team members flow into the high-energy combat finale of each episode, featuring action-packed fights with giant steam-powered mecha.
- Brilliant Anime Production — Gorgeous animated sequences, a lush soundtrack, and characters designed by anime and JRPG luminaries will transport you into a vibrant 1940s steampunk Tokyo.
Is the new Sakura Wars connected to the old games?
The 2019 title is best understood as a new beginning for players, not as a direct continuation of the earlier cast’s story. SEGA of America described it as an all-new narrative intended for both newcomers and longtime fans. That makes it an accessible way to experience the franchise’s theater-and-combat premise without first playing the 1996 game. It is still part of the broader series, whose official chronology includes multiple numbered games and spin-offs.
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The original game is the natural place to start if you specifically want to experience the franchise’s beginning and original Imperial Combat Revue. Its first release was in Japan for Sega Saturn, so confirm the language, hardware requirements, and legal availability of any version before deciding how to play it.
Rank #3
- ACTION-PACKED DUELING GAME: Sakura Arms is a stylish dueling card game from Japan that combines gorgeous art, deep tactics, and huge variety to minimalist duels. Choose two martial goddesses and combine their capabilities to out play your opponent in a tense 1-on-1 battle.
- STRATEGY CARD GAME: Choose two goddesses and combine their powers to form your own unique deck and challenge your opponent to a battle. Each goddess provides ten cards, which take the form of attacks, utilities or enchantments. Will you build to bolster your strengths, cover your weaknesses or explot your opponent's limitations?
- YATSUHA BOX: This box contains the most recently released goddesses, who possess very unique abilities. This set includes 6 goddesses, each with unique powers and mechanics at their disposal. Quick-deckbuilding guides to help you jump into your favorite goddess right away.
- UNLIMITED REPLAYABILITY: With 153 Goddess pairings and over 190,000 possible builds per pairing, your options are endless. Each game in the Sakura Arms series is a stand-alone game, but you can combine multiple games boxes to mix-and-match goddesses and discover even more strategies and tactics!
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This fast-paced dueling card game is made for two players and is suitable for ages 16 and older. Average playtime is approximately 20 minutes.
Where should you start with Sakura Wars?
| Start here | Best fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sakura Wars (2019; Shin Sakura Wars in Japan) | Players who want a newcomer-friendly narrative and action combat | Released for PS4; SEGA announced the Japanese and Asian release for December 12, 2019, and the Western PS4 launch for April 28, 2020. The US PlayStation listing says it is playable on PS5, though some PS4 features may be absent. |
| Sakura Wars (1996) | Players interested in the series’ original story and cast | First released for Sega Saturn in Japan. Check language, platform, and legal availability for the specific version you find. |
The series history also lists entries including Sakura Wars V (2005) and Shin Sakura Wars (2019), alongside other games and spin-offs. Do not assume every older title is available in English or on current platforms. For the 2019 game, check the US PlayStation Store listing for current regional availability and platform details; storefront prices and availability can change.
What else is part of the Sakura Wars franchise?
Sakura Wars grew beyond games into television and theatrical animation, stage performances, comics, books, and CDs, according to SEGA’s official series history. Those records establish the kinds of media in the franchise, but not where a particular work can currently be streamed, bought, or read. Check title-specific listings for present-day availability.
Rank #4
- High Quality Components – 32 dice, 1 double-sided playing board (in 2 pieces), 4 playing figures with 4 stands, 13 diamond tiles, 30 task tiles (17 normal and 13 pro tasks), and instructions.
- A Wonderful Gift – Fans of manga and anime will love the original character artwork!
- Easy To Learn – Clear instructions mean you can start playing right away!
- Great Replay Value – One game takes 10 minutes! You’ll want to play this fast-paced racing game again and again. “Pro tasks” let you adjust the challenge level.
- Quality You Trust – Ravensburger has been making quality games, puzzles, and toys for over 130 years.
When did the 2019 game come out?
Its release dates depend on region: SEGA announced December 12, 2019, for the PS4 release in Japan and Asia, while SEGA of America announced April 28, 2020, for the Western PS4 launch. The title is listed for PS4 in the US PlayStation Store, which also notes PS5 playability with the possibility that some PS4 features may be absent. These details describe the cited releases and US listing; check your local store for current access.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Additional in-game activities and functionality including Broadway performances with AI Stars teammates, in-game photo functionality, secret events and a quiz game.
- Anime-style storytelling featuring tons of anime movie scenes.
- Adventure Mode allowing the player to explore New York City and build relationship with in-game AI teammates.
- A strategy RPG battle system allowing for coordinated control of a team of diverse female fighters, each operating Mech battlesuits that can fight both on the ground and in the air.
- High replay value through the various different endings possible, each of which hinges on the bonds created between characters in-game.
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