Adaptation Displacement: For a long time none of the games were translated outside of Japan the various OVAs and the TV series have been released elsewhere. In particular in English speaking countries, ADV films released everything involving the original Imperial troupe circa 2001. So a a large amount of fans in North America and other English speaking countries especially back in the late 90s and early Aoughts literally only know Sakura Taisen through the various animated supplements and the TV adaptations of the original Japanese team and are completely ignorant of the original video games they spawned from. Even among those who played the games still often got introduced via ADV Film's DVD releases.
Americans Hate Tingle: Sakura Wars is one of Sega's longest running and most popular franchises in Japan. In the West however, it is far more niche and obscure, to the point that Western fans were taken aback when the franchise ended up topping a Japanese survey on what Sega franchises should be revived, while more Western-loved properties like Jet Set Radio and NiGHTS into Dreams… were ranked lower on the list. This is due to two factors, the first being that most of the games were never localized outside of Japan, as Sega of America and Europe largely ignored the series (to the point that So Long My Love wasn't even published by Sega in the US/EU, but by Nis America), and the second being that the overall concept of a anime-styled dating sim/mecha turn based tactical combat game is considered to be too weird to appeal to most Western audiences. The series would see some success in the West thanks to Sakura Wars (2019), which reportedly did well in the West, though it's unclear at the moment if this newfound success will stick like it did with Like a Dragon and Puyo Puyo in the past (two other Japanese Sega franchises that have found newfound success in the West).
Fanfic Fuel: Some fanfics of the franchise included what if scenarios that fascist governments are in power and events that led to World War II start, forcing the various assault force divisions to disband due to the threats of war.
First Installment Wins: The original 1996 game was a huge critical and commercial success, which spawned several stage musicals and OVAs, and the Imperial Combat Revue, the main characters from the first four games, is the group most people remember. Also, Erica and Gemini both get to be part of the main cast in both installments of Project X Zone. The advertisement info of Sakura Wars (2019) that has been provided so far saying that the new characters are taking the torch not just because of the Time Skip but because all of the other Combat Revuesare apparently dead was pretty base-breaking, to put it nicely.
Harsher in Hindsight: The ending of Dramatic Dungeon: Sakura Wars — Because You Were There featuring all of the original Combat Revues can be much more heartbreaking knowing what fate awaits them two years later.
Moe: Most of the main female cast you can romance is this, but some stand-out examples include Erica and Rikaritta/Rosita.
Narm: The koubu are awesome thanks to being bunky, faceless Diesel Punk fighting machines, until their profiles and action figures reveal how◊ hugetheircodpieces◊ are. The suits with armor plates look much more ferocious, or at least less awkward.
Because of it's retro-futuristic 19th century setting and usage of steampunk mecha, Sakura Wars can be seen as this to Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water.
With the JRPG premise of the humans combating demons with mechas, Sakura Wars could be basically a steampunk Shin Megami Tensei series. Funnily enough Shin Megami Tensei has been owned by Sakura Wars owners Sega since their 2013 acquisition of Atlus.
Tough Act to Follow: Let's say Oji Hiroi's career took a serious hit after the franchise was finished (along with Tengai Makyou) since he hasn't been able to create another successful game or franchise again. The last game he worked was an Otome Game for girls which is basically a Follow the Leader version of Hakuouki and it's even more obscure than his previous works. On the other hand, this was averted with the rest of Red Entertainment, since they're still making successful games, like Gungrave.
on what Sega franchises should be revived, while more Western-loved properties like Jet Set Radio and NiGHTS into Dreams… were ranked lower on the list. This is due to two factors, the first being that most of the games were never localized outside of Japan, as Sega of America and Europe largely ignored the series (to the point that So Long My Love wasn't even published by Sega in the US/EU, but by Nis America), and the second being that the overall concept of a anime-styled dating sim/mecha turn based tactical combat game is considered to be too weird to appeal to most Western audiences. The series would see some success in the West thanks to Sakura Wars (2019), which reportedly did well in the West, though it's unclear at the moment if this newfound success will stick like it did with Like a Dragon and Puyo Puyo in the past (two other Japanese Sega franchises that have found newfound success in the West).
