Sakura Taisen Su~Mi~Re: Kanzaki Sumire Intai Kinen

Animation: Radix
Director: Matsui Hitoyuki
Japanese Release: December 2002
American Release: October 2004
American Distributor: Funimation
Official English Website
English Release Title: Sakura Taisen Su.Mi.Re
Running time: 24 Min (main feature) 14 min (extras)

"This will be the last time Sumire is put to animation. It was a once-in-a-lifetime character, created with a once-in-a-lifetime actress, and I am extremely pleased that we have been able to create a character like Sumire." --Ouji Hiroi (creator Sakura Taisen)

Overview

Sakura Taisen Su.mi.re. is a sentimental journey for Sakura Taisen fans. It's a celebration of a character who amazed fans for 6 years, on stage, in animation and in the games. It was the final instalment of the Sumire saga and the last form of her retirment. The fact that Sumire returned to the Kayou shows a few years later by no means deminishes the emotional impact of this or the other Sumire Retirement specials.

Plot Summary

The Time has come for Sumire's retirement preformance, The Hana-gumi members are each saying goodbye to her in their own ways. And Sumire herself is reflecting on the road that brought her to this point.

Sumire the proud Top Star of the Teikoku Kagekidan, and original pilot of the Obu test models has run out of spirit power. The time has come for her to leave the battle ground and the stage to her peers. She formally meets with Yoneda to retire from the stage and later Kaede to sign her civilian release papers.

In one of the most powerful scenes, Sumire asks Sakura to take her role in the theatre. Sakura protests saying that the other members of the Hana-gumi are more fit then she. Sumire beckons her up to the stage where she embraces the other actress, tells her she can not hide behind the "new girl" facade forever, thrusts her into the center spot and then disapears into the shadows

Sumire performs to a sold out crowd and parades down the Ginza in a steam powered float. Her last words echoing "Kanzaki Sumire is eternal".

DVD Extras

The DVD contains a Sumire Profile, just a short blurb about the character, funimation trailers and the special feature "In commemoration of Sumire's Retirement". The special is a touching series of interviews with the cast and crew of the games and kayou shows reflecting on both the character of Sumire and the person of Tomizawa. It's as powerful as the animation it self.