In the mid-90s, Sega released Sakura Taisen for the Sega Saturn. It combined a dating sim with military strategy, and was a big hit, spawning multiple sequels throughout the years. So of course, it made sense an anime spinoff would be released. And while subsequent Sakura Taisen animes suffered with mediocre animation and writing, the very first anime holds a special place in my heart. The hand-drawn animation hits you right off the bat. Nothing like Akira or anything insane, it's still so nice to look at. The backdrop of pre-ww2 Japan is decently detailed, especially the theater building. The character designs look so much more like the game designs than pretty much every ST after, and they are just so likable. The Japanese seiyuu are stereotypes you've likely encountered a million times in 90s anime, but something about Sakura's seiyuu screaming out her attacks sends chills down my spine. That, and the main reason for my love of this anime: the music. Oh, it's just fantastic. Throughout the show you get just heavenly orchestral music like an old school anime should. But more importantly, you get that amazing opening, sung in unison by all the seiyuu. Every time I watch that OP, I just get tingles down my spine. And it's only 4 episodes. Yes, it's filled with talk about the "Japanese spirit" and other tropes that have faded away from anime over time, and it's a bit corny and cliche, especially looking back. But it still has this charm to it that makes me watch it over again, yet I just fall in love with it over again and I remind myself what's so special about this overlooked gem.
Sadly,
