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.

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Timeline – Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001)

Trace every key event in Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Steam-Powered Tokyo and the Imperial Revue's double life

In 1926 Tokyo, steam power fuels the city and the Imperial Combat Revue's Flower Division uses Koubu-Kais to defend against demonic attacks. They also maintain a cover as a theatre troupe, keeping the Imperial Revue alive amid the siege.

1926, Christmas season Grand Imperial Theater, Ginza, Tokyo
2

Ratchet Altair arrives to recruit a new division from New York

During the Christmas season, Ratchet Altair arrives from New York City to join the Flower Division as a new recruit. She travels with the team to face a demon attack that night and notes how Japhkiels begin to take demons for themselves.

Christmas season, night Grand Imperial Theater, Ginza, Tokyo
3

First demon assault and Japhkiel observation

The Flower Division engages a fresh demon attack and observes the Japhkiels abducting and transporting some demons. The team senses the growing threat posed by these unmanned mechs while Ratchet begins to integrate with the group.

That night Tokyo
4

Disastrous battles force Koubu-Kai replacement

Several brutal clashes lead to Orihime and Leni's Koubu-Kai units being destroyed and replaced by Eisenkleid models. The defeats disrupt the Flower Division's momentum and morale as the battles intensify.

During ongoing battles Grand Imperial Theater / Tokyo
5

Furlong and Tanuma seize control of the theater

Brent Furlong and Imperial Army officer Haruyoshi Tanuma use their influence to capture the Imperial Combat Revue's commander Ikki Yoneda and seize the Grand Imperial Theater. They place the Flower Division and the Moon Division under house arrest, effectively halting their operations.

After initial disasters Grand Imperial Theater
6

Hamilton lures Orihime into alignment

Patrick Hamilton, a near-immortal henchman, tricks Orihime into becoming his accomplice. This manipulation threatens to fracture the Flower Division from within.

During captivity period Tokyo / Grand Imperial Theater
7

Maria Tachibana uncovers Japhkiel truth

Maria Tachibana investigates Douglas-Stewart and discovers that the Japhkiels are demons in disguise. She confronts Hamilton, recalling their past encounter in New York during her time as a mafia hitwoman.

During investigation Douglas-Stewart facilities / Tokyo
8

Flower Division retakes the theater and frees Kaede

Sakura and the Flower Division launch a daring assault to retake the theater and free Kaede Fujieda along with the Wind Division. They reclaim their Koubu-Kais and press the fight back toward the enemy.

Following the rescue attempt Grand Imperial Theater
9

Imperial Capital Barricade Formation defeats the demons

With the demons still threatening Tokyo, the Flower Division deploys the Imperial Capital Barricade Formation to disintegrate the enemy forces. The battle shifts in their favor as the plan takes effect.

During ongoing battle Imperial Capital, Tokyo
10

Confrontation with Orihime; Orihime freed from Hamilton

In the chaos, Ratchet's violent approach is halted by Sakura's leadership, and Leni prevents Ratchet from killing Orihime. They free Orihime from Hamilton's control, but both Leni's and Orihime's Eisenkleids are destroyed in the process.

During the battle Grand Imperial Theater
11

Moon Division liberates Yoneda and targets Japhkiel facilities

Moon Division captain Yuichi Kayama frees Yoneda and, with help from the Imperial Japanese Navy, destroys the Japhkiel incubation facilities. He tries to arrest Furlong, but the American executive escapes aboard a Japhkiel.

During the siege Imperial Capital / Navy facilities
12

Furlong merges with surviving Japhkiels

Furlong merges with the surviving Japhkiels and uses their power to overpower the Flower Division, destroying Ratchet's Eisenkleid in the process. He closes in on Sakura as the last obstacle to his plan.

Later in the confrontation Tokyo battleground
13

Ichiro Ogami arrives to end Furlong's threat

Ichiro Ogami arrives in his F2 Koubu from Paris and reunites with the Flower Division. Together they confront Furlong and the Japhkiels, leading to the final confrontation.

Final battle Tokyo battlefield
14

Yoneda arrests Tanuma; Hamilton killed by Maria

Yoneda arrests Tanuma, while Maria uses a spirit-energy bullet to kill Hamilton, ending his control over Orihime. The immediate threat to the division is finally neutralized.

Aftermath of final battle Imperial Capital
15

The Sea God's Villa: a healing musical after the war

In the aftermath, the Flower Division and Ratchet stage a musical based on Kyōka Izumi's The Sea God's Villa. Ratchet admits her anxieties and finds support from Sakura, and the unscripted deviations still result in a great, hopeful performance.

Post-battle aftermath Grand Imperial Theater

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:39

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Sakura Wars: The Movie

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