Sakura Wars: The Movie

Sakura Wars: The Movie

Year: 2001

Runtime: 85 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Mitsuru Hongo

AnimationComedyActionScience Fiction

In turn‑of‑the‑century Japan, after a devastating Demon‑Human war, the government builds a squadron of giant mecha that can only be piloted by those with strong spirit. Discovering that young women possess the needed spirit, they recruit an international group of youths. To keep the project secret, the pilots are presented to the public as a theater troupe, forcing them to study Shakespeare as rigorously as they train for combat.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1926

Set in 1926 Tokyo, a year of rapid modernization and shifting power dynamics. Steam power dominates as the city leans into industrial progress while secret demon threats collide with the Imperial Revue's glamorous facade. The Christmas season provides a backdrop of festive spectacle amid escalating battles and corporate intrigue.

Location

Tokyo, New York City, Grand Imperial Theater (Ginza)

The story unfolds in Tokyo during a Christmas season, centered on the Grand Imperial Theater in Ginza which doubles as the Imperial Combat Revue's base and front for their theater performances. The city is a modern metropolis powered by steam, where colossal Koubu-Kais mechs defend against demonic attacks born from negative human emotion. New York City looms as a future frontier for Ratchet Altair's ambitions, hinting at cross-continental expansion and the Flower Division's evolving reach.

🏙️ Tokyo 🗼 Ginza 🎭 Imperial Revue ⚙️ Steam-powered tech 🛡️ Mecha battles

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:35

Main Characters – Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001)

Meet the key characters of Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sakura Shinguji (Chisa Yokoyama)

A disciplined swordswoman and the Flower Division's steady leader, Sakura carries the weight of guiding both combat missions and the troupe's public performances. She remains calm under pressure, coordinating teamwork and keeping morale high as demons threaten Tokyo. Her resolve to protect her friends drives critical operations, even when the theater's façade is at stake.

🗡️ Swordmaster 👑 Leader 🛡️ Loyal

Sumire Kanzaki (Michie Tomizawa)

The Imperial Revue's lead actress, Sumire combines stage charisma with tactical instincts, coordinating the troupe's dual life as performers and fighters. She supports Sakura's leadership and helps devise strategies during chaotic battles. Her resilience under pressure keeps the team focused on their mission.

🎭 Performer 🧭 Strategist 🎗️ Resilient

Maria Tachibana (Urara Takano)

A Russian ex-soldier with a hardened demeanor, Maria brings frontline experience and spiritual energy to the Flower Division. She demonstrates resourcefulness, as shown when she uses a spirit-energy bullet to defeat Hamilton. Her loyalty and rough wisdom anchor the team during deep treachery.

🪖 Ex-soldier 🧿 Mentor 🧭 Resilient

Iris Chateaubriand (Kumiko Nishihara)

A refined French telekinetic whose powers provide critical support in combat, Iris exudes calm confidence and strategic thinking. She manipulates objects with her mind to shield teammates and exploit battlefield opportunities. Her cool demeanor helps stabilize the group during the theater's chaos.

🔮 Telekinetic 👑 Aristocrat 🧭 Strategist

Kanna Kirishima (Mayumi Tanaka)

A Ryukyu karate expert who brings blunt force and practical fighting skill to the team. Kanna's no-nonsense demeanor complements the more cerebral members, and she tackles demons with decisive physical power. Her discipline embodies the division's martial spirit.

🥋 Martial Artist ⚡ Fighter 🛡️ Loyal

Orihime Soletta (Maya Okamoto)

A Japanese-Italian aristocrat whose intellect and charm aid the Flower Division both on and off the battlefield. She contributes to tactical planning and helps navigate the political pressures surrounding the theater and the city. Her bonds with teammates deepen as they confront manipulation and danger together.

🎎 Aristocrat 💼 Social Circle 🧭 Loyal

Leni Milchstraße (Kazue Ikura)

A German dancer whose artistry and quick wits bring flexibility to the team in crisis. Leni's performances and street-smarts help the group navigate both public scrutiny and private threats. Her presence deepens the ensemble's dynamics and adds an international flavor to their fight.

💃 Dancer 🧠 Strategist 🌟 Member

Ratchet Altair (Akiko Kuno)

The ambitious former leader of Star Division who joins the Flower Division to forge a new European-style unit in New York City. Her blunt, violent approach creates friction with Sakura and challenges the team's cohesion. Her arc pivots around trust, forgiveness, and the cost of leadership.

⚔️ Commander 🌀 Ambitious 🤝 Redeemed

Yuichi Kayama (Takehito Koyasu)

Moon Division captain who orchestrates liberating Yoneda and coordinating forces to defeat the Japhkiels. He upholds the law and represents a stabilizing force amid chaos, aiming to arrest Furlong and restore balance to Tokyo. His actions bridge the military, naval, and magical elements of the conflict.

🛰️ Officer 🗡️ Loyal 🧭 Strategist

Brent Furlong (Koichi Yamadera)

An American corporate leader using Douglas-Stewart to manipulate Tokyo's defense and push a dangerous agenda. He seeks to replace the Flower Division with Japhkiels, revealing the dark side of industrial power. His schemes drive much of the conflict and escalate the crisis for the city.

💼 Corporate Power 🗡️ Villain 🧪 Manipulator

Patrick Hamilton (Keiichi Nanba)

A near-immortal henchman whose manipulative maneuvers subvert Orihime and complicate the Flower Division's efforts. His motives are opaque, and he thrives on sowing chaos and exploiting others' trust. His downfall comes as the truth about his nature is revealed and opposed by the heroes.

🪄 Villain 🧪 Supernatural 🗝️ Manipulator

Ikki Yoneda (Masaru Ikeda)

Imperial commander who is rescued and restored to authority as the Flower Division fights to retake the theater. He upholds discipline and order, maintaining a sense of duty throughout the crisis. Yoneda's presence anchors the military response and legitimizes actions against Furlong and Hamilton.

🎖️ Commander 🛡️ Authority 🤝 Protector

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:35

Major Themes – Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001)

Explore the central themes of Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛡️ Duty

The Flower Division balances their sacred duty to defend Tokyo with the pressure to maintain their public facade as a theater troupe. Each battle tests resolve and loyalty, forcing characters to choose between personal safety and the greater good. Unity under pressure becomes the group's defining strength as they fight demons and political machinations alike.

💼 Power

Douglas-Stewart's pursuit of dominance reveals how corporations can weaponize technology and even symbolic demons to reshape defense priorities. Furlong's influence manipulates theater leadership, arrests, and military authority, illustrating a ruthless hunger for control. The Japhkiels embody a dangerous fusion of secret power with malevolent forms, showing the cost of unchecked ambition.

🎭 Identity

The line between performer and fighter blurs as the Flower Division fights under cover and for public display. Ratchet's arrival from New York and the internal tensions among the divisions test loyalty and forgiveness, especially when past betrayals resurface. The climactic battle culminates in a unity-of-purpose that undercuts rival plans and reframes each character's role.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:35

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Sakura Wars: The Movie Summary

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Sakura Wars: The Movie Summary

Sakura Wars: The Movie Timeline

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Sakura Wars: The Movie Timeline

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