Sakura Taisen OVA 1 Ouka Kenran ๗ุบเฃ
Director: Ishiyama Takaaki
Animation: Studio Madhouse
Japanese Release: December 1997
American Distributor: ADV Films
Official English Website
Buy the R2 DVD from Play Asia
Sakura Taisen Ouka Kenran Opening uploaded by wolf0606
Overview
Ouka Kenran was the first ova in the Sakura Taisen series, it was a prequal to the first game, showing
us the foundation of the Teikoku Kagekidan and the first meetings of many of the characters. The OVA's story spans
several years and some of the characters go through several designs in one episode to illustrate this.
ADV's first DVD and VHS releases of this OVA were full of translation errors, glitches and at some points poor audio quality.
Plot Summary
1.
The Demon Wars Begin Again!
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The First episode shows how the Teikoku Kagekidan defence program is initially developed and how, How Kanzaki Heavy Industries
develops the Kobu and thanks to Sumire finally finds a pilot with enough spirit power to operate it. The action shifts between Ayame
recruiting the members of the the Hana-gumi and Sakura contemplating her father's death and her sword studies. It climaxes with Maria, Kanna and
Iris facing a Kouma demon in Asakusa. On an iron clad, run by the Japanese Imperial Navy, Cadet Oogami Ichirou read about the battle
and wonders what these girls must be like.
2.
The Cherry Blossom Spirit Attack
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The Teikoku Kagekidan, begins their training as the Imperial Operetta Troupe, meanwhile Sakura studies hard back home in Sendai
to master her family's technique the Cherry Blossom Spirit Attack. Sumire joins the rest of the team, as does Sakura at the end of the
episode when she masters her technique.
3. Spring is the Time for First Battles
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Sakura is having a hard time fitting with with the other members of the group, during the practice exercises
and while helping out on stage, she keeps making a mess of things. Maria offers her a role, on stage Sakura is hesitant to accept it,
and Sumire insists she turn it down; the debate is short lived as the Kuronosukai attack, the group is disorganized and in the end Sakura saves them
but ends up destroying the very bridge they were trying to hold against the enemy. The battle teaches Sakura to face her problems head on and she accepts
her role in the play. The Episode ends at the start of the game with Sakura meeting Oogami.
4. A Midsummer Night's Dream
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The last episode is mostly a visual treat for fans of the game including many injokes. We get to see each girl
drag Oogami off to play her "mini-game", which tires Oogami out. Oogami feels he's missing something being able to protect the capitol
with the girls but not bring them joy. He decides to direct his own play, on the opening night of the play the capitol is attacked Oogami goes out to fight the enemy
on his own so the girls can preform, but they come out to join him in battle. When they return their audience is still waiting; as Oogami watches the play
he meets an alternate version of himself (the player), who tells him as long as he loves the capitol, his alternate self will always be on his side.