Video Game / Sakura Wars (2019)

aka: Shin Sakura Wars

Spoilers for this game, as well as all preceding Sakura Wars entries, will be left unmarked. You Have Been Warned!

"A Taisho era tale to touch hearts!"

"Imperial Combat Revue, engaging!"

— The Imperial Combat Revue

Sakura Wars, known in Japan as New Sakura Wars, is the sixth entry in Sega's venerated Sakura Wars series, as well as a Soft Reboot of the franchise. It is the second game in the series to receive an overseas release after Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love, the first to be localized by Sega themselves, as well as the first 3D entry in the series. It is also the first game to be released on the PlayStation 4, the first to use the Hedgehog Game Engine from the Sonic the Hedgehog series, the first to be released after a 14-year hiatus following So Long, My Love (which is also the biggest gap between games to date) as well as the first to have no involvement from former franchise co-owner Red Entertainment.

Its story takes place in 1940, 12 years after So Long, My Love. At that time, the original Combat Revues in Tokyo, Paris, and New York have disappeared during the Battle of Tokyo. With the demons finally eradicated and the formation of the new World Luxury Operatic Federation (WLOF) in 1931, many cities such as London, Shanghai, and Berlin now have revues of their own, and the Combat Revue World Games have been held every two years since 1936. With the now cash-strapped Imperial Combat Revue on the verge of dissolution, Sumire Kanzaki (voiced by Michie Tomizawa) contacts Seijuro Kamiyama (Yohei Azakami), a young naval ensign, to lead a team of actresses and soldiers from the new Flower Division—now consisting of swordswoman Sakura Amamiya (Ayane Sakura), shrine maiden Hatsuho Shinonome (Maaya Uchida), Greek actress Anastasia Palma (Ayaka Fukuhara), ninja prodigy Azami Mochizuki (Hibiku Yamamura), and Luxembourger noblewoman and mage Clarissa "Claris" Snowflake (Saori Hayami)—to usher in once more the Revue's Glory Days.

Knowing the importance and longevity of the franchise, Sega pulled out all the stops in recruiting a dream team of developers, which included director Tetsuya Otsubo, producer Tetsu Katano, longtime composer Kohei Tanaka, battle part director Shun Nakamura, writer Takaaki Suzuki, story composer and co-lyricist Jiro Ishii, main character designer Tite Kubo, guest character designers Yukiko Horiguchi, Bun-Bun, Humikane Shimada, Ken Sugimori, Noizi Ito and Shigenori Soejima, co-lyricists Shoko Fujibayashi and Oji Hiroi, and arrangers Takayuki Negishi, Yasuhisa Naruse, Akifumi Tada and Hiroshi Nakamura. Sega also updated the game with a new action-based battle system ala Raidou Kuzunoha games as opposed to the previous games, which featured turn-based battles like other Shin Megami Tensei games.

The game was released on the PS4 in Asia on December 12, 2019, and worldwide on April 28, 2020.

An anime television sequel, titled Sakura Wars the Animation, was directed by Manabu Ono of Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere fame and animated by Sanzigen Animation Studio (who also animated the cutscenes for the video game itself), and premiered on April 3, 2020. It features the Moscow Combat Revue in a supporting role.

Additionally, an official manga called Shin Sakura Taisen the Comic is running in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine. A prequel light novel called Shin Sakura Taisen the Novel: Hizakura no Koro was written by Ayumu Mugi and was released on December 19, 2019. A spin-off, Sakura Revolution Blooming Maidens, was released on December 15, 2020 on mobile devices; it took a huge Time Skip into an alternate version of 2011. However the game was shut down less than a year later on July 20, 2021

Previews: Japanese Teaser Trailer, Japanese Release Date Trailer, Japanese Gameplay Trailer, Japanese Story Trailer, Japanese TV Spot 1, Japanese TV Spot 2, English Announcement Trailer, English Story Trailer, Opening Movie

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Sakura Wars provides examples of:

Tropes # to C

• 11th-Hour Ranger: Itsuki Saijo and Hiromi Hongo are revealed to have been members of the Imperial Combat Revue's Moon Division at the end of the game.
• 100% Heroism Rating:
  • At the beginning of the story, the Shanghai Combat Revue is highly beloved by the public as evidenced when the bystanders cheer Xiaolong for destroying the demon attacking Central Station.
  • The Imperial Combat Revue regains the adoration and respect of their fellow Combat Revues as well as the public over the course of the story, eventually reaching its peak after they win the Combat Revue World Games and thwart Genan's plans for good.
• Accidental Pervert:
  • In chapter 1, Kamiyama is unlucky enough to encounter Yui just as he exits the bath. Regardless of which response the player chooses, Yui calls Kamiyama a pervert and runs off.
  • If Kamiyama tries to peek at a girl while she's changing or she's in the bath, it usually won't end well for either of them.
• Actionized Sequel: Unlike the previous mainline games in the Sakura Wars series, which use turn-based battle systems, the game's battle system has been extensively reworked. Players can switch characters at any time and can fight multiple enemies to gain combo points.
• Action Prologue: A twofer for chapter 1. In the Distant Prologue, Sakura Shinguji rescues a young Sakura Amamiya from a demon attack. In the game proper, Seijuro Kamiyama arrives in Tokyo's Central Station via an airship, only to encounter a demon attacking the station seconds later. Although he helps everyone escape, Kamiyama is easily curb-stomped. Fortunately, Xiaolong Yang intervenes and kills the demon.
• Action RPG: Unlike the previous mainline installments, players can freely move their character around the battlefield attacking, jumping, and dodging in real-time. They can also switch characters.
• Advancing Boss of Doom: Shortly before Kamiyama and Azami regroup with the other heroes in chapter 4, the former must flee from a giant serpent before he gets Eaten Alive.
• All for Nothing: By the beginning of the game, it's clear that the efforts of the original Combat Revues were all for naught since the demons have returned to attack Tokyo and the Imperial Combat Revue is now a shell of its former self, at least until Sumire contacts Kamiyama to lead the team.
• All Up to You: With the rest of the Flower Division dead at the end of Chapter 7, Sakura is the only one left to finish off Yaksha for good.
• All Your Base Are Belong to Us:
  • In chapter 4, Yaksha launches a full-scale assault on the Grand Imperial Theater to seek out the Imperial Sword, destroying the glass dome and stage in the process.
  • The finale begins when President G reveals himself as Sotetsu Genan and sets up the Imperial Stadium as his base in his efforts to revive the Archdemon.
• Alternate History: The game is set in an alternate version of the Taisho era, now having extended into The '40s. By extension, there are no signs of either The Great Depression or World War II, and the Taisho emperor still reigns. Series creator Oji Hiroi has previously mentioned that in the Sakura Wars universe, Japan is not under a pro-ultranationalist government.
• Alternate Self: By the time Sakura and Kamiyama travel back to 1930 in the final chapter, the former meets her 7-year-old self after rescuing her from the demon attack.
• Ancestral Weapon: The Amamiya Kunisada originally belonged to Hinata Amamiya, before it was passed down to her daughter Sakura after the former’s untimely demise.
• Anti-Frustration Features: If a player's unit falls into a bottomless pit in battle, they don't lose their HP.
• Arc Symbol: Like the previous games, a lot of focus is given to the cherry blossoms.
• Artistic License – History: The Teletron has similar functions to a smartphone, including a digital screen and text messages. While the game is set in 1940, modern-day smartphones were not invented until 1973.
• Art-Shifted Sequel: This time, the characters and settings are animated with full 3D models instead of the 2D animation designs used in the previous games.
• As Long as There Is Evil: The Battle of Tokyo in 1930 ended on a high note with Hinata Amamiya sacrificing her own life and the Combat Revues sealing themselves. But the peace didn't last long, as 10 years later, the demons have returned to launch a full-scale invasion of Tokyo and President G has concocted his evil plan to revive the Archdemon.
• An Ass-Kicking Christmas: The final three chapters of the game take place during the Christmas season.
• Back from the Dead: In the Final Chapter, Sakura Shinguji's flower petals revive the rest of the Flower Division members who perished in their Final Battle with Yaksha, which leads to a final confrontation between the heroes and Genan.
• Background Music Override: Any time a major character appears, whatever music is playing (if any) stops to make way for their theme.
• Back to the Early Installment: At the beginning of the final chapter, Kamiyama and Sakura travel back to 1930 during the time of the Battle of Tokyo. It's also where Sakura takes her idol's place in the Action Prologue when she rescues her 1930 self from the demon.
• Backup from Otherworld: Played with. It is established that the Combat Revues of old are still fighting the Archdemon within Shadow Tokyo rather than KIA, but regardless, Sakura Shinguji lends her aid to her successors in the Imperial Combat Revue, helping Kamiyama and Amamiya return to the fray while reviving their comrades and holding the Archdemon at bay.
• Becoming the Mask: Anastasia Palma, who seeks to obtain the Imperial Sword for President G/Sotetsu Genan so that he can revive the Archdemon, joins the Flower Division so that she can help them with their acting skills and fight alongside them. Once Anastasia gives Yaksha the Imperial Sword in the form of the Amamiya Kunisada, however, the latter turns on her. By that point, Anastasia has grown fond of her comrades to the point where she helps foil Genan's plans for good.
• Beware the Nice Ones: It's very telling that if you miss a date with a girl you are romancing, Claris has perhaps the most quietly terrifying confrontation about it. Boisterous Bruiser Hatsuho? She socks you in the mouth and chews you out; it's painful, but not exactly unexpected. Badass sexy spy Anastasia? She threatens you with a gun, and Kamiyama only survives the situation because she's so upset that she forgot to load it. But meek, introverted Gentlewoman And A Scholar Claris? She puts on a cheerful and friendly act at first, and then she lowers her eyes into the Mother of all Death Glares, and just says this:
  Claris: Tell me, Kamiyama... Why aren't you writhing in agony down in Hell where you belong? [storms off]
• Big Bad: President G/Sotetsu Genan is not only the game's main antagonist, but he's also the one behind the 1940 Combat Revue World Games and Yaksha's machinations.
• Big Damn Heroes:
  • Sakura Shinguji rescues a young Sakura Amamiya from a demon threatening her in the 1930 Action Prologue.
  • Xiaolong Yang comes to Kamiyama's aid in fending off the demon attacking the latter at Central Station.
  • Hakushu deals the fatal blow to Oboro after the Imperial Combat Revue defeats him.
  • The Shanghai and London Combat Revues show up out of the blue to help the Imperial Combat Revue kill Sotetsu Genan for good at the end of the game.
• The Big Damn Kiss:
  • In Sakura's ending, she kisses Kamiyama in the ocean shortly after the latter stops her from going to Shanghai in an homage to the 1996 game.
  • In Hatsuho's ending, she and Kamiyama kiss under the nighttime fireworks.
  • Claris's ending has her and Kamiyama kiss under the setting sun at the hot springs.
• Big "NO!":
  • Claris in chapter 4 when she grabs the poem from Kamiyama during the latter's search for a four-leaf clover to give to Reiji.
  • Sakura lets one out when Anastasia Palma is killed by Yaksha at the end of chapter 7.
  • Genan shortly after Kamiyama deals the fatal blow to him at the end of their Final Battle.
• Bishie Sparkles: Whenever a Flower Division member gets really close to Seijuro Kamiyama in the tête-à-tête sequences, they are often surrounded by glowing sparkles.
• Bittersweet Ending: While it definitely leans more toward the sweet part, the ending still counts as this trope. Sotetsu Genan and Yaksha are dead, Tokyo is saved once again, the Imperial Combat Revue is revived and has earned the respect and friendship of the other Combat Revues as well as the love of the public. Sakura Amamiya has finally achieved her dream of following Sakura Shinguji's footsteps as a full-fledged member of the Combat Revue and as an actress. But the original Combat Revue members are still sealed inside Shadow Tokyo, and the threat of the Archdemon is still looming above. Fortunately, by the time of the anime sequel, Sakura's Mugen is finally finished.
• Bookends:
  • In the Action Prologue, Sakura Shinguji destroys the demon threatening the 7-year-old Sakura Amamiya. Shortly before returning to the present in the final chapter, the older Sakura Amamiya does the same thing to rescue her 1930 self.
  • In Yui Huang's first scene, she immediately calls Seijuro Kamiyama a pervert after spotting him near the women's bath. By the end of the game, she does the same thing just to tease him.
• Bootstrapped Leitmotif: The main theme from the previous games is tied to scenes involving the Imperial Combat Revue.
• Breather Episode: Chapter 6 is sandwiched between Chapter 5 which deals with Sakura's confidence issues and the match with the London Combat Revue and Chapter 7, which deals with the aftermath of Anastasia's betrayal.
• Broken Masquerade: The Battle of Tokyo blew up the Revues' cover and now they're public knowledge. Nothing Is the Same Anymore, indeed.
• Broken Pedestal:
  • Claris towards the Imperial Combat Revue. After meeting Kamiyama during her introduction, she points out that the revue is failing due to their lack of motivation and spiritual power, as well as the Battle of Tokyo damaging their theater operations.
  • Anastasia's admiration for President G diminishes once and for all when he decides that she has outlived her usefulness.
• Bullet Time: Evading an enemy attack at just the right time will temporarily slow down time, allowing the player to gain an advantage in battle and, when controlling Kamiyama, perform a Finishing Move on weakened enemies.
• The Bus Came Back: After an 11-year absence, last appearing in Because You Were There, Michie Tomizawa returns to play Sumire Kanzaki in her 3D Sakura Wars debut. This time around, Sumire is the general manager of the Imperial Theater and the commander of the Imperial Combat Revue.
• Call-Back: Quite a few important plot elements and decisions reference previous entries in the Sakura Wars franchise.
  • The opening sequence features Sumire spinning around in a bamboo garden and the London and Berlin Combat Revue's ships emerging from the clouds, referencing the opening theme to the 1996 game.
  • Kamiyama practicing his sword katas with a bokken in the opening sequence is a direct reference to Shinjiro Taiga doing the same thing in the opening sequence of So Long, My Love.
  • The Imperial Combat Revue members wear lavish stage outfits in the opening theme, referencing previous performances in the games, the real-life stage plays, and the film.
  • As in the first two games, the traditional On the Next sequence has the words appear in white before they turn red.
  • When the title card is shown towards the end of the preview, the sliding doors close in front of it, just like in the first three games.
  • The game begins with Kamiyama arriving in Tokyo and confronting a demon shortly thereafter, just like Sakura Shinguji in the Action Prologue of the original game. This time, Kamiyama gets easily knocked down.
  • In the 1996 game, the first use of the LIPS system occurs shortly after Ogami meets Sakura Shinguji. Here, the first use occurs shortly after Kamiyama meets Sakura Amamiya.
  • In the original Sakura Wars, Sakura Shinguji destroys the set of the Flower Division's first in-game stage play after tripping over herself. Here, it's Sakura Amamiya and Hatsuho Shinonome who trip over themselves and destroy the set.
  • At one point during chapter 3, Anastasia can lament that Kamiyama isn't fit to be the captain of the Flower Division, similar to Maria's thoughts about Ogami in the original game.
  • At the end of the "Coming Up Next Time" previews, the "A Taisho era tale to touch hearts!" quote references the previews found in the first two Sakura Wars games as well as the first two OVAs.
  • The Flower Division performs a Christmas show in a similar vein to the previous Flower Division's performances in Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die and Sakura Wars: The Movie.
  • In the first two Sakura Wars games, the Imperial government planned to have Sakura Shinguji sacrifice herself to defeat the demons, like her father Kazuma did. However, that notion was turned down by Yoneda. In this game, the same government intends to have Sakura Amamiya create a new Imperial Sword at the cost of her own life. However, this time it is even worse. Not only does Tekkan agree to it, but Sumire is also powerless from stopping it from happening... at least until Kamiyama of all characters turns it down.
  • When Yaksha tries killing Azami in Chapter 7, Claris shields her at the last second and dies similarly to how Kazuma Shinguji died for good after rescuing Sakura from Kyogoku's blast in Thou Shalt Not Die.
  • In the 1996 game, the rest of the Flower Division sacrificed themselves to stop Satan's henchmen and allow Ogami and the vice-captain to face Satan himself. In this game, Hatsuho does the same thing to allow Sakura and Kamiyama to kill Yaksha once and for all.
  • What is Kamiyama's Pre-Mortem One-Liner before he kills Genan once and for all? "We are the Imperial Combat Revue, and we shall deliver justice!" — the same words the Imperial Combat Revue said when Kyogoku is finally killed in the second game.
  • Sakura's ending, which involves her departing on a ship for Shanghai as her comrades bid her farewell only for her to reunite with Kamiyama, references the endings to both the 1996 game where Ichiro Ogami pursued Sakura Shinguji just as she's about to leave for Sendai and Thou Shalt Not Die when Ogami left for Paris.
• The Cameo: Chisa Yokoyama once again returns as Sakura Shinguji, who appears in both the opening prologue as well as the end of the game.
• Casting Gag: Ryōko Shiraishi once again plays a character with a Kansai accent in the form of Komachi Oba.
• The Cavalry: The Berlin, Shanghai and London Combat Revues arrive just in time to assist the Imperial Combat Revue in their Final Battle against Sotetsu Genan.
• Character Aged with the Actor: Michie Tomizawa reprised her role as Sumire Kanzaki and since it's been over 10 years since her last game appearance in Because You Were There, a 10-year Time Skip was inevitable.
• Chekhov's Gun: The Amamiya Kunisada, which is in the possession of Sakura Amamiya and also functions as the Imperial Sword, is later used by President G/Sotetsu Genan to try and summon the Archdemon. Once the Amamiya Kunisada returns to its rightful owner, Sakura uses it to perform the Septentrion Array.
• Climactic Battle Resurrection: The Flower Division members who were killed by Yaksha return to life for the final battle with Sotetsu Genan.
• Close-Call Haircut: During their first battle, Lancelot tries to ram her sword into Sakura, but she narrowly misses by a margin and a few of her hair strands are cut off in the process.
• Comic-Book Adaptation: Koyuri Noguchi wrote a manga adaptation for Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine.
• Company Cross References: The event and dialogue scenes are shout-outs to Sega's own Like a Dragon franchise.
• Continuity Nod:
  • Just like his contemporaries before him, the first girl Seijuro Kamiyama encounters is the main heroine, Sakura Amamiya.
  • Sakura Amamiya is first introduced cleaning the outside of the theater, just like Gemini Sunrise in So Long, My Love.
  • The Imperial Combat Revue wears a streamlined version of the battle uniforms used in the previous games.
  • In the previous games, there is a Click LIPS feature where the player has to move the cursor to focus on objects or characters to trigger responses. In this game's tête-à-tête sequences, these features are included.
  • Seijuro's spiricle armor, the Mugen, is colored white, just like his predecessors. Sakura's Type-3 Kobu and Obu, similarly, are colored pink like her predecessor and namesake.
  • Seijuro Kamiyama and Sakura Amamiya's rooms are the same as their predecessors in the previous games.
  • In Sakura's room, she keeps some mementos of her predecessor, such as the Because of Love stage show poster.
  • Once again, a member of the Imperial Combat Revue locks herself in her room after using her powers in public (although it's Claris rather than Iris this time around).
  • In the Le Nouveau Paris OVA, there was an episode concerning British spies trying to get info about the Paris Combat Revue. In this game, England now has their own with an Arthurian motif.
  • In Sakura Wars: New York, NY, Ratchet Altair leaves New York for Berlin to set up a new Combat Revue. In this game, Berlin now has an official Revue.
  • Sakura Amamiya's mother Hinata sacrifices herself to thwart the demon invasion, just like Sakura Shinguji's own father Kazuma did in the backstory of the first game.
  • When discussing a revival of "The Miracle Bells" stage show, Anastasia briefly mentions that the show was played during the Taisho Restoration incident from Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die.
  • A new rendition of the song "The Miracle Bells" once again makes an appearance during the Flower Division's Christmas show.
  • Like her namesake before her, Sakura wields a sword that originally belonged to their deceased parent.
  • Anastasia is placed inside a spiricle recovery pod at the beginning of chapter 7, just like Sakura Shinguji in the 1996 game.
  • After the new Mikasa launches, Sumire has the Grand Imperial Theater attach itself to the ship, which calls to mind a similar scene in the 1996 game, where the theater is directly attached to the first Mikasa. Further, the music that plays during the theater's launch scene directly parallels the Flower Division launching the Goraigo in the first two games and the movie.
  • The localized versions ends with the word "Fin"^note The End in a similar vein to Sakura Wars 3: Is Paris Burning?.
• Cool Ship:
  • Once again, there are updated versions of the Skywhale and the Mikasa. For good measure, the Grand Imperial Theater can attach itself to the Mikasa using the crystal attached to the courtyard's water fountain.
  • Along with the Imperial Combat Revue, the Shanghai, London and Berlin Combat Revues have an airship of their own.
• Cool Sword: The Amamiya Kunisada, which was constructed by Tekkan Amamiya and originally belonged to Hinata until her death. It also functions as the Imperial Sword.
• Crash-Into Hello: For Kamiyama's combined special attack with Sakura, there is a sequence where the two initially meet by bumping into each other.
• Curb-Stomp Battle:
  • In Chapter 3, the Imperial Combat Revue quickly curb-stomps the Shanghai Combat Revue when they're pitted against each other in the tournament.
  • In Chapter 4, Yattansai and Azami use their illusion art to take out Mr. I and The Men in Black. Then, at the end of that chapter, Yaksha quickly makes short work of Sakura's Type-3 Kobu with her powers.
• Curb-Stomp Cushion: When Kamiyama encounters the demon in Central Station at the beginning of the game, he tries to kill it with his swords, only to be knocked down.

Tropes D to G

• Darkest Hour: During the final raid on Sotetsu Genan's lair, the Shanghai and London Combat Revues attempt to take care of the outside forces, but London's skyship went down and Shanghai was nowhere to be found. Berlin, whose armors are barely holding together after being brainwashed, is holding off a horde with little to no chance at surviving the battle. To make things go From Bad to Worse, Anastasia, Claris, Azami and Hatsuho lose their lives attempting to bring down Yaksha.
• Date Peepers: In chapter 2, Sakura and Hatsuho secretly sneak up on Claris and Kamiyama during their date. Unfortunately, when Kamiyama catches them in the act, they quickly decide to bail.
• Defiant to the End:
  • Though Sakura ultimately doesn't die during Xiaolong's No-Holds-Barred Beatdown in Chapter 1, she tells him point-blank that she refuses to give up on her dreams to defend Tokyo.
  • Hatsuho dies willing to stop Yaksha from killing Kamiyama and Sakura at all costs. However, Hatsuho ultimately gets revived along with the fallen heroines shortly after Kamiyama and Sakura return from the alternate dimension.
• Despair Event Horizon: Sakura's definitely not in a good place when her Kobu gets destroyed by Yaksha at the end of chapter 4. She eventually leaves for Tekkan's home out of guilt and despair. It only takes a brief pep talk from Kamiyama and Hatsuho to snap her out of her funk.
• Dialogue Tree: As with the previous entries, the series' traditional LIPS system gives you various options on how to respond at key points throughout the story. Even an inaction is a valid option.
• Diegetic Soundtrack Usage: The opening theme appears as a ringtone on Kamiyama's Teletron.
• Disney Death: Anastasia, Claris, Azami and Hatsuho do die in their final battle with Yaksha but are quickly revived by Sakura Shinguji's petals shortly before Sakura Amamiya and Kamiyama return to the present timeline.
• Distant Prologue: The game opens in 1930, with Sakura Shinguji rescuing Sakura Amamiya from a demon attack. It then skips forward 10 years.
• Distant Sequel: The 2019 game takes place 12 years after Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love, by which point the original Combat Revues from Tokyo, Paris and New York seal themselves to thwart the demon invasions, the new World Luxury Operatic Federation (WLOF) is formed, and Sumire Kanzaki has managed to establish a new Imperial Combat Revue in Tokyo.
• "Do It Yourself" Theme Tune: The main cast of the New Combat Imperial Revue personally sings the new take on the old theme song, even getting small individual parts in the full version.
• Do Not Spoil This Ending: For the first few months of the game's release, Sega posted gameplay video and live streaming guidelines asking fans not to spoil the plot beyond chapter 5 via photos and/or videos so that more players could enjoy the game. These restrictions were removed when Sega released Version 1.01 in March 2020.
• Downer Beginning: The game begins in 1930 with the Imperial, Paris and New York Combat Revues fighting off the demon invasion in the Battle of Tokyo and sealing themselves offscreen. By 1940, Sumire is the Sole Survivor of the demon invasion and the Imperial Combat Revue is on the verge of dissolution. The Imperial Revue's performance of Momotaro also turns out to be a disaster.
• Downer Ending:
  • Some missions can end this way if you don't meet certain objectives. For example, chapter 3 may end with the Imperial Combat Revue losing against the Shanghai Combat Revue; and chapter 5 can end with the London Combat Revue emerging victorious. Getting eaten by the serpent in chapter 4 will lead to a "Mission Failed" screen.
  • Chapter 6 ends with Anastasia getting seriously wounded after she hands over the Amamiya Kunisada and Genan begins his ultimate plan to release the Archdemon.
• Dual Wielding: Seijuro Kamiyama and Lancelot often fight with twin swords.
• Dub Name Change:
  • The Teletron was originally referred to as the Smartron in the Japanese release.
  • The game's Communication Mode is referred to as "tête-à-tête"^note "Head to head" in French in the localized versions.
• Dying Moment of Awesome: In Chapter 7, Claris dies trying to defend Azami, who is in turn killed after she instigates a Roaring Rampage of Revenge on Yaksha. Hatsuho's last act is to use the last of her spiritual power to weaken Yaksha, which allows Sakura to kill the demon once and for all. Then, it's subverted when Sakura Shinguji uses her powers to revive them in the final chapter.
• Earn Your Happy Ending: Thanks to Kamiyama's leadership, the Imperial Combat Revue's Flower Division regains the respect and friendship of their fellow Combat Revues and the adoration of the public.
• The End: The Japanese kanji "完"^note The End is used over a black screen in the Japanese release. The localized versions replace it with "Fin", the French and Spanish translation for "The End".
• Establishing Character Moment:
  • Seijuro Kamiyama's introduction depicts his entrance to Tokyo’s Central Station when a demon suddenly attacks. He then uses his twin katanas to fight the demon, only to get knocked out.
  • Sakura Amamiya first appears doing cleaning duty for the Imperial Theater who instantly recognizes Kamiyama the moment the latter introduces himself. However, when Kamiyama's seemingly unable to remember where they first met, Sakura gets unnerved and whips out her broom as if it was a sword, causing him to instantly recognize her as his Childhood Friend.
  • Hatsuho Shinonome is introduced teasing Sakura for being with Kamiyama while she's giving a tour of the stage.
  • Clarissa "Claris" Snowflake first appears in the archives reading a book without any distractions. Then, after she finishes reading, Kamiyama realizes Claris wants to become a writer. She suddenly backs away in shock as Kamiyama introduces himself, and later laments the Flower Division's current status.
  • When Kamiyama first encounters Itsuki Saijo, the latter exclaims her excitement and dedication towards Sakura and the Imperial Revue.
  • Azami Mochizuki is first introduced shortly after Kamiyama disguises himself as Peanut. Moments later, when Kamiyama first enters his room, Azami catches him by surprise by pointing her kunai at him. After recognizing her, he briefly introduces himself as the new captain of the Flower Division. Then, Azami reveals that she knows who he is and takes the time to briefly introduce herself before leaving the room.
• Establishing Character Music: Aside from Seijuro Kamiyama's introduction, whatever background music is playing usually stops to make way for the main female characters' leitmotifs the moment they are first introduced.
• Et Tu, Brute?: The Flower Division's reaction when Anastasia reveals herself as The Mole for President G is of utter shock.
• Everyone Has Standards: Despite being the Imperial Combat Revue's resident hot-blooded powerhouse, Hatsuho is understandably disturbed when Xiaolong curb-stomps the crap out of her best friend, Sakura.
• "Facing the Bullets" One-Liner: At the end of chapter 1, Sakura responds to Xiaolong's ultimatum to give up her dreams with "So as long as I can move, as long as I can fight... I won't give up!"
• Famed In-Story:
  • Kamiyama is surprised to learn that the theater he's stationed at is the Imperial Theater, which is the headquarters of the Imperial Combat Revue's Flower Division. His Childhood Friend, Sakura, idolizes her hero and namesake, Sakura Shinguji. As for Claris, she’s heard about the legends of the Flower Division.
  • Sumire still retains her fame as the Imperial Theater's Top Star, with fans fainted just by looking at her.
• Feet-First Introduction:
  • The previously Put on a Bus Sumire Kanzaki's reintroduction begins with a close-up of her shoes walking down the Imperial Theater's steps. As it moves up her body, she closes her fan. Then, when it finally stops on her face, she introduces herself to Kamiyama as the theater's general manager.
  • In Hatsuho Shinonome's first appearance, the camera focuses on her geta as she walks towards the stage. Then, it pans up to her face as she teases Sakura about getting herself some arm candy, only for Sakura to bluntly rebuke her.
  • When Anastasia Palma first appears in chapter 2, the first thing we see is her shoes as she walks down the main entrance to greet the rest of the team.
• Fictional Sport: The Combat Revue World Games are an international sports festival where combat revues from many different countries, including the Imperial Combat Revue, compete in tournaments and performances every two years since 1936. Except that the 1940 Combat Revue World Games are a trap set up by the Big Bad, President G/Sotetsu Genan.
• From Bad to Worse: Yaksha turns up and attacks the Imperial Theater, destroying Sakura's Kobu in the process. Then Yaksha finds the Imperial Sword in the form of the Amamiya Kunisada. Then Anastasia Palma steals the sword for President G, only for Yaksha to turn on her shortly afterward. Then President G reveals himself as Sotetsu Genan and begins his plans to summon the Archdemon. Then the government asks Sakura to exchange her life to create a new Imperial Sword. Then Anastasia, Claris, Azami and Hatsuho are all killed in the Final Battle with Yaksha. And all of this happens a few hours before the Final Battle with Genan.
• Gameplay and Story Integration:
  • Claris' Heroic BSoD during the Chapter 2 mission causes her to be locked out of most of her attacks, thus she can only perform a two hit combo on the ground. It is unlocked during the mission once she finds her resolve.
  • During Chapter 5's battle against the London Combat Revue, Sakura is still learning the new Obu during the fight. While she can perform her normal combos, she's locked out of her Limit Break. Once she unlocks the Obu's full potential, it's ready for her duel against Lancelot along with enhancements to her strong attacks.
• Genre Shift: Where previous games employed turn-based combat ala Shin Megami Tensei and Super Robot Wars, this game uses Border Break-style hack-and-slash combat.
• Get a Hold of Yourself, Woman!: Yui slaps Sakura to get her to remember everything she said in Chapter 1 about never giving up on her dream to help get her motivated for their match in Chapter 3.
• Godzilla Threshold: Once again, the Mikasa is used as the Imperial Combat Revue's trump card. Yaksha and President G/Sotetsu Genan's efforts to revive the Archdemon in Shadow Tokyo were enough to convince the Imperial Combat Revue to use the Mikasa and stop their plans.

Tropes H to M

• Hannibal Lecture: After killing Anastasia, Claris and Azami in chapter 7, Yaksha gives Sakura and Kamiyama a brutal lecture on how weak humanity is.
• Happy Ending Override: Peace may have returned to Paris, Tokyo, and New York after the demons were defeated in 1930, but the Combat Revues for their respective cities were utterly annihilated, which crippled the Imperial Theater’s operations. Not to mention the new members, especially Claris and Hatsuho, are completely unmotivated by the time Kamiyama shows up.
• Heel–Face Turn: Anastasia ultimately sides with the heroes when Genan and Yaksha deem her no longer useful at the end of chapter 6.
• Heel Realization: After getting seriously injured by Yaksha at the end of chapter 6, Anastasia realizes that her actions in helping Genan were in the wrong and rejoins the revue to take down the villains for good.
• Help Yourself In The Past: In the final chapter, Sakura Amamiya is sent 10 years back in time along with Seijuro Kamiyama to meet up with her mother, Hinata. Moments later, Sakura ends up rescuing her 1930 self from the demon attack as shown in the Action Prologue.
• The Hero Dies: Subverted. Most of the main heroes sans Kamiyama and Sakura die during the Final Battle with Yaksha in Chapter 7. They are revived thanks to Sakura Shinguji using her powers from Shadow Tokyo.
• Heroic BSoD:
  • Sumire underwent one in the backstory when her comrades from the Imperial Combat Revue were forced to seal themselves to stop the Battle of Tokyo.
  • In chapter 2, Claris gets one after using her magic to rescue Kamiyama and a child from certain death, to the point where she holes herself up in her room. Kamiyama snaps her out of it.
  • Sakura experiences a major one once Yaksha attacks the Imperial Theater and destroys her Kobu and Mugen in chapter 4. She gets better thanks to Kamiyama and Hatsuho's efforts in the next chapter.
  • When Yaksha kills off Anastasia, Claris and Azami at the end of Chapter 7, Sakura and Kamiyama are left in a state of despair until Hatsuho snaps them out of it.
• Heroic RRoD: Hatsuho de-powers Yaksha at the end of chapter 7, but at the cost of her spiritual powers.
• Heroic Sacrifice:
  • Hinata gave up her life to end the Battle of Tokyo once and for all back in 1930.
  • A non-fatal example, but the Imperial, Paris and New York Combat Revues end up sealing themselves in Shadow Tokyo to stop the demons.
  • A double whammy occurs at the end of chapter 7. When Yaksha is about to kill Azami, Claris jumps in to protect her... at the cost of her own life. Then, Hatsuho snaps Sakura and Kamiyama out of their Heroic BSoD and de-powers Yaksha before dying of her injuries. This is subverted when the sakura petals from the alternate dimension revive Claris and Hatsuho.
• History Repeats:
  • Once again, an ensign from the Imperial Japanese Navy is recruited to become the leader of a team of actresses/fighters from the Imperial Combat Revue in addition to being a ticket collector and later promoter. Tokyo is menaced by demons after ten years of peace. One of the villains is also a doppelgänger of a former heroine trapped in an alternate dimension.
  • Like Sakura Shinguji before her, Sakura Amamiya joins the Imperial Combat Revue in her efforts to defend Tokyo from the demonic invasions.
  • Similar to what happened with Sakura Shinguji in the first two games, the Japanese government tries to have Sakura Amamiya create a new Imperial Sword to stop the demons at the cost of her own life.
  • Once again, the main heroes perform a Heroic Sacrifice to help their captain kill a high-ranking demon.
  • Much like when Kazuma Shinguji sacrificed himself to stop the demon invasion back in 1918, Hinata Amamiya did the same thing to end the Battle of Tokyo in 1930.
• Hoist by His Own Petard: Sotetsu Genan uses the Amamiya Kunisada, which is the Imperial Sword, to cause Tokyo's destruction from within Shadow Tokyo. However, when the sword returns to its rightful owner, Sakura Amamiya, she de-powers Genan, allowing Kamiyama and his comrades to permanently kill him.
• Interesting Situation Duel: At the beginning of chapter 3, Lancelot and Sakura duel each other in the Imperial Hotel upon meeting each other for the first time.
• It's Personal: After Claris's Heroic Sacrifice, Azami personally decides to take down Yaksha. It doesn't work.
• Jump Scare: Claris's introduction involves her suddenly jumping out of her chair the moment she discovers Kamiyama has overheard what she said about her writing aspirations.
• Karmic Death: Genan meets his end when the Amamiya Kunisada, which he used to create a portal to Shadow Tokyo, is returned to Sakura Amamiya. She uses that sword to de-power him, allowing the Flower Division to kill Genan.
• Laser-Guided Karma: After mocking the Imperial Combat Revue to the point where Xiaolong gives Sakura a No-Holds-Barred Beatdown, the Shanghai Combat Revue is eventually curb-stomped by Kamiyama and his friends during the first match of the Combat Revue War Games.
• Last Request: Just before she succumbs to her wounds at the end of chapter 7, Azami tells her friends to win against Yaksha.
• Late-Arrival Spoiler: Some of the scenes in the music video for Sakura Amamiya's image song, "I'm a Maiden!", focus around the imminent destruction of Sakura's Kobu and her obtaining the Obu later on.
• Leave Him to Me!: In Chapter 1, Kamiyama makes everyone else in Central Station evacuate the area so he can challenge the demon to a one-on-one duel. Unfortunately for Kamiyama, he easily gets curb-stomped and Xiaolong Yang has to step in and kill the demon in Kamiyama's place.
• "Leave Your Quest" Test: While en route to the World Games Stadium to retrieve the Imperial Sword, Sotetsu Genan appears before the heroes to offer Sumire a chance to abandon the mission: if she only turn away and allow the Archdemon's seal to be broken, she could be reunited with her old friends in the Imperial Combat Revue, so he says. Sumire appears tempted for a moment, but then tells Genan that he can take his offer and shove it.
• Let Us Never Speak of This Again: After grabbing the patched-up poem in the theater's courtyard during the first half of chapter 3, Claris asks Kamiyama to promise her he'll forget everything he saw there.
• Loved by All: Anastasia Palma is beloved by fans around the world for her acting skills.
• Luminescent Blush:
  • If Kamiyama asks Hatsuho to go out on a date during her introduction, her cheeks will turn red out of embarrassment.
  • Should Kamiyama compliment Sakura at any time, she will immediately blush out of surprise.
• The Man Behind the Man: President G/Sotetsu Genan was behind Yaksha and the Combat Revue World Games as the head of the World Luxuriant Opera Federation.
• Memento MacGuffin: The sword that Sakura's late mother passed down to her turns out to be the Imperial Key, the same item needed to release the Archdemon.
• Mentor Occupational Hazard: Anastasia Palma, who served as the Flower Division's acting coach, is killed by Yaksha at the end of chapter 7 without any pretense. This is subverted when she gets revived by the sakura petals from the alternate dimension.
• Mid-Season Upgrade: Once Sakura's Kobu gets destroyed by Yaksha at the end of chapter 4, she ends up getting her own mecha, the Obu.
• Mini-Mecha: The steam-powered mechas, which are the size of small trams, return, now known in English as "spiricle armor":
  • Kanzaki's latest mecha design, the Mugen, is piloted by the Combat Revue members, except for Sakura, who pilots the Type-3 Kobu, and later the Obu, a Super Prototype of the Mugen.
  • The Eisen Jäger, an updated version of the Eisenkleid developed by Neugier for the Berlin Combat Revue, takes down demons with their machine gun-like armaments.
  • The London Combat Revue pilots the Bridven, which have a knightly design and was developed by Avalon Arsenal.
  • The Shanghai Combat Revue uses the Wanglong, which have draconic elements and use superior agility to perform martial arts.
• Multinational Team: In addition to the Flower Division, which has members from Japan, Greece, and Luxembourg, the Combat Revues as a whole encompass several nations, including the London Revue of England, the Berlin Revue of Germany, the Shanghai Revue of China, and mention of the Moscow Combat Revue of Russia.
• Musical Nod:
  • The game's first ending theme, "Blooming Maidens", appears in the opening theme, along with Yaksha's invasion of the Imperial Theater, and Sakura Shinguji's cameo at the end of the game.
  • The daytime theme in Ginza is a new rendition of the "New Year of the Flower Division" track from Sakura Wars: The Movie.
  • The nighttime theme is another new rendition of the previous themes from Sakura Wars, Thou Shalt Not Die and Fall in Love, Maidens.
  • When the Imperial Combat Revue suits up for battle, the "Dust Chute" theme from Thou Shalt Not Die can be heard.
  • The Skywhale launch sequence music is played when the new Skywhale is launched.
  • An updated rendition of "The Miracle Bells" plays during the Flower Division's Christmas stage show and in the epilogue where Kamiyama walks into Sumire's room as she's singing it.
  • When the Imperial Theater attaches itself to the Mikasa before the Final Battle, a new rendition of the Goraigo launch theme can be heard.
  • Once again, an updated version of the Mikasa theme from the first two games is played shortly after the ship's launch.
  • A new rendition of the Final Battle music from the first OVA, Thou Shalt Not Die and the film is heard when Kamiyama kills Genan.
• My Future Self and Me: In the final chapter, Sakura befriends her 1930 self after rescuing the latter from the same demon attack that was featured in the Action Prologue, heroics Sakura attributed to her idol Sakura Shinguji for the longest time
• My God, What Have I Done?: In the second half of chapter 2, Claris gasps in shock after she uses her magic to rescue Kamiyama and the young girl from falling, and goes into a Heroic BSoD afterwards.
• Mythology Gag:
  • Sakura Amamiya's mecha has the same cherry blossom pattern and color from Sakura Shinguji's own Kobu in the first four games. Her attacks, as well as her special attacks, also incorporate sakura petals.
  • The mechanical armaments on the demons are similar to the armaments used by the Japhkiels in the movie and Sakura Wars V: Episode Zero, as well as the demons themselves in Thou Shalt Not Die.

Tropes N to R

• Narrator: Show Hayami (Tekkan Amamiya) provides the prologue narration.
• Never Trust a Trailer: In the teaser and story trailers, Sakura says "This is the moment where our fates awaken!" while she gives Kamiyama a tour of the Imperial Theater. In the actual game, she actually says "That's because it was my dream."
• New Game Plus: A first for the Sakura Wars franchise. When the player completes the game, they are allowed to start again with their previous stats and levels.
• Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: Yaksha turning on Anastasia after the latter hands over the Amamiya Kunisada ultimately gives the heroes the perfect impetus to foil Yaksha and Genan's plans once and for all.
• Nightmare Face:
  • Oboro's fanged visage with a snake-like tongue isn't a pretty sight to behold.
  • Underneath Yaksha's mask is Volcanic Veins and glowing red mechanical eyes that betray her demonic nature.
• The New Adventures: Given the game is a Soft Reboot, the Japanese logo adds the "Shin" kanji (新) to the Sakura Wars title.
• No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: Xiaolong delivers a brutal one to Sakura at the end of Chapter 1, beating up her already damaged Kobu. Fortunately, Kamiyama quickly intervenes with his Mugen before Xiaolong can destroy it.
• Nostalgia Filter: Claris mentions that compared to the current members of the Imperial Combat Revue, the original members were more motivated.
• Nothing Is the Same Anymore: By the beginning of the story, the combat revues' exploits have become public knowledge because of the Battle of Tokyo. Also, many of the original members of the combat revues have since been long gone, except for the Sole Survivor Sumire Kanzaki.
• Not Just a Tournament: President G/Sotetsu Genan is using the Combat Revue World Games as a means to track down the Imperial Key and release the Archdemon.
• Oh, Crap!:
  • Sakura gets one in the Action Prologue when the demon corners and is about to kill her.
  • Kamiyama when the demon suddenly crashes through the train station.
  • Claris briefly panics when she encounters Kamiyama for the first time in the Archives.
  • Hatsuho and Sakura after they trip over themselves and cause the set to be destroyed during Momotaro.
  • Yui Huang and Seijuro Kamiyama freak out when they see each other for the first time in the basement shortly after Kamiyama leaves the women's baths.
  • The Flower Division members often panic whenever they see Kamiyama trying to watch them change their uniform or go into the baths.
  • In the second half of chapter 2, Sakura and Hatsuho briefly panic when Kamiyama spots them eavesdropping on his and Claris's conversation. Seconds later, Claris gets one after she uses her magic in public.
  • In chapter 3, Kamiyama gets one when he realizes that Claris has overheard him reading her torn-up poem in the courtyard.
  • Sakura gets a brief one upon realizing that Yaksha has destroyed the former's not-quite finished Mugen at the end of chapter 4.
  • Reiji has one when he realizes that Anastasia is about to shoot him at the end of chapter 6.
  • Genan when the Imperial, Shanghai, London and Berlin Combat Revues perform the Septentrion Array so that Kamiyama can kill the demon once and for all.
• Once per Episode:
  • Kamiyama is the first to encounter the main heroine upon arriving at an important location.
  • Kamiyama gets his turn to become a ticket collector for the Imperial Combat Revue like his previous contemporaries. At first.
  • Once again, the Flower Division does a victory pose at the end of each battle.
  • The game contains the traditional On the Next sequences used at the end of every chapter.
  • As usual, the Combat Revue's mode of air transportation is a revised version of the Skywhale.
  • Like in the previous games, a villain launches an invasion of the Imperial Combat Revue's home base, the Grand Imperial Theater.
  • The heroines get a mecha upgrade over the course of the game.
  • The Japanese government unsuccessfully has the Imperial Combat Revue sacrifice Sakura to stop the demonic invasion.
  • The Imperial Combat Revue once again uses an updated version of the Mikasa as their trump card to fight the Final Boss.
• One-Hit Kill: If you fail to escape the giant serpent in Chapter 4, it will instantly kill your Mugen.
• On the Next: Once again, each chapter in the game ends with a "Coming Up Next Time" preview.
• Opening Narration: The game opens with a brief one that describes the Battle of Tokyo in 1930 as well as its aftermath:
  "Tokyo, year 19 of the Taisho era. A wave of unprecedented destruction heralded the Battle of Tokyo. Combat Revue teams from Tokyo, Paris, and New York rose up to oppose evil, and peace was restored... But of all those valiant heroes of humanity... not a single one returned from that battle."
• Passing the Torch: Since taking over as the commander of the newly reformed Imperial Combat Revue, Sumire Kanzaki acts as the main force for passing the torch from the old guard to the new. Thus, she serves as the mentor to the members of the Imperial Combat Revue, including Kamiyama.
• Pervert Revenge Mode: Any girl that Kamiyama sneaks a peek at (or attempts to) in the bath will often beat the stuffing out of him without hesitation. Well, except for Azami and Anastasia, at least.
• Plot-Mandated Friendship Failure: In chapter 5, Kamiyama gets two in quick succession. First, he has a brief falling out with Sakura over their childhood promise, so he returns to the theater alone. Seconds later, he has another one with Hatsuho over what happened with Sakura. Fortunately, all three of them reconcile shortly before the battle with the London Combat Revue.
• Pre-Mortem One-Liner:
  • Before permanently turning Yaksha into dust, Sakura says "Let's end this, Yaksha. I'm going to crush you, and in doing so, crush the weakness in my heart!"
  • At the conclusion of the Final Battle, Kamiyama charges at Genan and yells "We are the Imperial Combat Revue, and we shall deliver justice!" before he delivers the final blow.
• Put on a Bus: The previous Imperial Combat Revue, as well as the Paris and New York Combat Revues manage to seal away Shadow Tokyo in 1930, but this results in them being trapped in Shadow Tokyo as well.
• Pyrrhic Victory: In 1930, Hinata Amamiya and the original Combat Revues end the Battle of Tokyo, but at a price. Hinata sacrificed herself, the Combat Revues sealed themselves in Shadow Tokyo and the Imperial Combat Revue's theater operations were significantly damaged. Sumire also had to live with the regret of losing her comrades.
• Rearrange the Song:
  • Once again, the game features an updated rendition of the series's theme, "Go! Imperial Combat Revue", this time with new lyrics by Oji Hiroi.
  • A new rendition of "The Miracle Bells" appears in the Flower Division's Christmas show towards the end of chapter 6.
• Reassigned to Antarctica: At the beginning of the game, the Imperial Japanese Navy dispatches Seijuro Kamiyama to the Grand Imperial Theater after his ship, the Marishi-ten, sank. However, it gives him enough time for him to become the Captain of the Imperial Combat Revue's Flower Division.
• Recurring Element: Several elements of the original games are given an updated version.
  • A new naval captain leading an all-female combat revue and wielding two swords, Seijuro Kamiyama to Ichiro Ogami and Shinjiro Taiga.
  • A clumsy main female protagonist in the combat revue, Sakura Amamiya to Sakura Shinguji, Erica Fontaine and Gemini Sunrise.
  • A hot-tempered powerhouse, Hatsuho Shinonome to Kanna Kirishima and Cheiron Archer.
  • A child prodigy, Azami Mochizuki to Iris Châteaubriand, Coquelicot, and Rosita Aries.
  • A blonde-haired girl with magical powers and a usually generous personality, Clarissa Snowflake to Iris Châteaubriand and Diana Caprice.
  • The mysterious and aloof woman, Anastasia Palma to Maria Tachibana, Lobelia Carlini, and Subaru Kujo.
  • A popular actress in the combat revue, (again) Anastasia Palma to Sumire Kanzaki and Ratchet Altair.
  • A commander and mentor of the combat revue in Sumire Kanzaki to Ikki Yoneda, Ichiro Ogami, Grand-Mère, Michael Sunnyside, and Ratchet Altair.
  • A blonde-haired noblewoman, Clarissa Snowflake to Iris Châteaubriand and Glycine Bleumer.
  • A calm markswoman, (once again) Anastasia Palma to Maria Tachibana.
  • A spiricle armor mechanic and developer, Reiji Shiba to Kohran Li, Jean Leo and Wong Xingzhi.
  • A combat revue member who is working for the Big Bad, Anastasia Palma to Ratchet Altair.
  • A gift shop saleswoman and assistant to the combat revue's commander, Komachi Oba to Tsubaki Takamura, Ci Caprice and Anri Yoshino.
  • A secretary and fellow assistant to the combat revue's commander, Kaoru Rindo to Mell Raison, Kasumi Fujii and Yuri Sakakibara.
  • A combat revue member who grew up in the Kansai region, (again) Komachi Oba to Kohran Li.
  • A new spiricle armor designed to fight the demons, the Mugen and the Obu to the original Kobu.
  • A masked villain who works for the Big Bad, Yaksha to Kazuma Shinguji and Masque de Corbeau.
• Recycled Premise: Once again, a naval captain is selected to lead a Combat Revue, like in the 1996 Sakura Wars, Is Paris Burning? and So Long, My Love.
• Recycled Title: Sakura Wars is the name of the franchise as well as the 1996 game that started it all. The 2019 video game is the only work besides the original game to be also known as Sakura Wars for the worldwide release.
• Redemption Equals Death: Subverted. After Anastasia is betrayed by Yaksha at the end of the game, she decides to redeem herself by rejoining the Flower Division for the Final Battle. Unsurprisingly, her efforts to stop Yaksha result in her death, but she gets revived by Sakura Shinguji's petals in the final chapter.
• The Remnant: With the Imperial Combat Revue sealing themselves after the Battle of Tokyo, Sumire Kanzaki is the only remaining member affiliated with the original team.
• Revival: Sakura Wars picks up over one decade after where So Long, My Love left off, Passing the Torch from the original heroes to a new generation of actresses from the Imperial Combat Revue during the never-ending battle with the demons.

Tropes S to Y

• Same Content, Different Rating: The game has a C rating (15+) in Japan, an 18+ rating in South Korea, an M rating in Australia, a PEGI 16 rating in Europe, a USK 12 rating in Germany, and a T rating in North America.
• Say My Name: Sakura screams Azami's name after she gets killed by Yaksha during the Final Battle in Chapter 7.
• Schizo Tech: Tokyo's Central Station has automated ticket booths and Kamiyama now carries around a Teletron, a steam-powered smartphone.
• Schmuck Bait: In chapter 2, Hatsuho warns Kamiyama not to peek when she goes into the women's baths. If Kamiyama does enter the bath, Hatsuho gives him a sucker-punch.
• Screw This, I'm Outta Here:
  • Once Claris realizes that she used her magic in public to rescue Kamiyama and a girl from falling to their deaths in Chapter 2, she decides to flee to her room.
  • In Chapter 5, Sakura decides to bail from the Imperial Combat Revue after losing her Kobu to Yaksha. Fortunately, she returns just in time for her battle with the London Combat Revue.
• Sealed Evil in a Duel: The Imperial, Paris and New York Combat Revues sealed themselves to help stop the demonic threat in the backstory.
• Sequel Hook: Some plotlines are clearly set up for The Animation and/or future games:
  • Hakushu and her real identity, since Oboro clearly knew her and even said they used to slaughter humans together. Those who are familiar with the anime sequel or the Sakura Wars series in general will no doubt be seeing Hakushu again.
  • The Imperial, Paris and New York Combat Revues are still sealed inside Shadow Tokyo along with the Archdemon.
  • With the relationship between the New Imperial, Shanghai, London, and Berlin Combat Revues strengthened, there are potential plots to see them collaborate again as well as the other Combat Revues that were not shown in game. There's also potential to expand the list of romantic options like Yui, Lancelot and Elise.
• Sheathe Your Sword: In chapter 3, Kamiyama and Sakura enter the Grand Imperial Hotel, but Lancelot challenges Sakura to a swordfight. Seconds later, Lancelot complies with Arthur's order to stand down by sheathing her swords.
• Shout-Out: In chapter 3, when faced with the prospect of defeat, Yui yells "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" in the same way Shana did in Shakugan no Shana.
• Shut Up, Hannibal!:
  • At the end of chapter 1, Xiaolong is about to deliver the final blow to Sakura but Kamiyama arrives in his Mugen and throws him aside.
  • At the end of chapter 7, Yaksha boasts about how weak and pitiful humans are, which prompts Hatsuho to refute every one of these statements and de-power Yaksha at the cost of her life.
• Shut Up, Kirk!: When Sakura tells Xiaolong about her dream to become a famous actress and fighter in the Imperial Combat Revue towards the end of Chapter 1, Xiaolong just decides to beat the crap out of her and tell her to shove it.
• Signature Line:
  • "A Taisho era tale to touch hearts!"
  • "Flower Division, move out!"
  • "Imperial Combat Revue, engaging!"
• Signature Team Transport: The Skywhale and the Mikasa are back in business.
• Small Role, Big Impact:
  • Hinata Amamiya sacrifices herself to allow the Imperial, Paris and New York Combat Revues to seal themselves in Shadow Tokyo to contain the demon invasion.
  • Sakura Shinguji, oddly enough. She rescues Sakura Amamiya, who has a large impact in the story, during the Action Prologue. In the final chapter, she uses her powers to revive the Flower Division members who were killed in the battle with Yaksha.
• Smash to Black: After Reiji realizes that Anastasia is about to shoot him in Chapter 5, the scene suddenly cuts to black before a gunshot is heard.
• So Last Season: In chapter 1, Sakura, Hatsuho and Claris initially pilot Type-3 Kobus. Sakura gets to keep her Kobu even after her friends switch to the Mugens following their Kobus' destruction. After her Kobu gets destroyed by Yaksha, Sakura finally replaces it with her pink-colored Obu.
• Stable Time Loop: While Sakura does rescue her past self after she and Kamiyama travel back to 1930, the events of the current timeline remain unchanged, hinting that the young Sakura was mistaken about it having been Sakura Shinguji who saved her.
• Steam Never Dies: The airships, cars and trains are powered by steam and the game is set a few years after steam cars were phased out and before steam-powered locomotives were replaced by diesels.
• Steampunk: Continuing the tradition of the original games, the 2019 game takes place during the time where steam-powered engines, cars and trains were common.
• The Stinger: In a first for the franchise, there are five post-credits stingers featuring Seijuro Kamiyama and the Flower Division members. One of these stingers are used depending on who Kamiyama picks as the vice-captain:
  • In Sakura Amamiya's ending, she reads a letter notifying of her transfer to the Shanghai Combat Revue. But just as she's about to leave on an ocean liner, Sakura sees Kamiyama catching up to her and jumps into the water. Then, Kamiyama crashes the car into the water and reunites with Sakura, leading to them performing The Big Damn Kiss in front of their comrades.
  • In Hatsuho Shinonome's ending, she and Kamiyama go to a summer festival and participate in the festivities. While watching the fireworks that night, Hatsuho blushes before she and Kamiyama perform The Big Damn Kiss under the fireworks.
  • In Azami Mochizuki's ending, she and Kamiyama visit the Hanayashiki Amusement Park. After riding a roller coaster, Kamiyama gives Azami some ice cream. As Azami professes her love for Kamiyama, she holds his hand.
  • Anastasia Palma's ending features the latter asking Kamiyama to visit a nearby field of flowers. Seconds later, meteor showers light up the sky. As Kamiyama and Anastasia lay down on the field, they gaze at the shower.
  • Clarissa "Claris" Snowflake's ending depicts her and Kamiyama visiting the local hot springs. While checking to see if others are watching, Kamiyama passes out from heat exhaustion. As they watch the sunset later on, Claris admits that they had fun despite the earlier situation. Then, Kamiyama and Claris perform The Big Damn Kiss.
• Stood Up: If you romance one of the girls and set her up on a date, she will [[www.youtube.com/watch?v=60Mytwtb6N8 confront you about it later]]. With unpleasant (for Kamiyama at least — hilarious for us) results.
• Stopped Numbering Sequels: The last mainline series game, Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love, was originally released as Sakura Wars V: Farewell, My Lovely in Japan. However, given that the game is a Soft Reboot, Sakura Wars ditches the numbering scheme altogether.
• Suddenly Speaking: This is the first Sakura Wars game to feature a fully voiced male protagonist in the form of Seijuro Kamiyama, as opposed to his predecessors Ichiro Ogami and Shinjiro Taiga, who only had voiced dialogue in certain cutscenes.
• Super-Deformed:
  • When Kamiyama brings up the Teletron, super-deformed versions of the main characters' heads often appear depending on their location.
  • The intermissions' team status screen also shows super-deformed versions of the game's major cast members, including Kamiyama and the Flower Division.
• Super Window Jump:
  • At the beginning of the game, Kamiyama encounters a demon jumping through a glass window in Central Station shortly after his arrival.
  • In the first chapter, the Skywhale crashes through a barrier so that Kamiyama can retrieve his Mugen for the first time.
• Sword Beam: Both of Sakura's Limit Break attacks produce a hot-pink projectile from her sword, while her Obu incorporates smaller projectiles into her hit strings.
• Tagline: "A Taisho era tale to touch hearts!"
• Taking the Bullet: Claris shields Azami and takes Yaksha's fatal sword attack meant for her.
• Team Shot: The famous Victory Pose returns in this game. In general, the character who is the focus of that chapter will lead the pose during the ending of said chapter. Taken further after the final battle, where the Imperial, Shanghai, London, and Berlin Combat Revues all poses together, which pretty much cemented their friendship.
• Tempting Fate: In Chapter 1, Kamiyama leaves the bath located in the theater's basement and is elated that no one saw him go in there. Just five seconds later, Huang walks down the hallway and quickly spots him. Cue an Oh, Crap! from both Kamiyama and Huang when they see each other.
• Theme Music Abandonment: Sakura Shinguji and Sumire Kanzaki's leitmotifs from the 1996 game and Thou Shalt Not Die are never used in this game.
• Theme Music Power-Up: Kohei Tanaka's familiar Final Battle music from Thou Shalt Not Die and the first OVA makes an appearance just as Kamiyama is about to kill President G.
• Thwarted Coup de Grâce: When Xiaolong is about to deliver the final blow on Sakura in chapter 1, Kamiyama intervenes with his Mugen.
• Time Skip: The game is set in 1940, twelve years after So Long, My Love. As such, the Grand Imperial Theater is given an updated clock tower and the familiar Japanese Rising Sun flags, the spiricle armors are given an updated look, and so on.
• Time Travel Episode: The final chapter begins with Sakura and Kamiyama being sent back to 1930 to meet Hinata so they can help stop Sotetsu Genan once and for all.
• Tragic Keepsake: Sakura Amamiya owns the Amamiya Kunisada, a sword which was originally in the possession of her late mother, Hinata.
• Trailers Always Spoil: The official music video for "I'm a Maiden!" reveals some scenes of Sakura piloting her own Mugen's Super Prototype, the Obu.
• True Companions: The Flower Division obviously, their strong bond of friendship is what allows them to face every trial and tribulations head-on. They also become this with the Shanghai, London and Berlin Combat Revues in the final battle. Culminating in all of them posing for the Victory Pose together after the final battle against Sotetsu Genan.
• Victory Pose: A long-standing tradition of the Flower Division, one that the new generation proudly upholds. After the Final Battle, the other Combat Revues of the world join in the celebration.
• Villainous Breakdown: Yaksha loses it at the end of chapter 7 when Sakura finally outsmarts her in the final battle. Her demonic voice becomes more pronounced and she rages about how Sakura could have beaten her.
• Wall Run: The spiracle armors have the ability to move quickly along walls to cross large chasms during battle.
• Wave-Motion Gun:
  • Anastasia's Mugen has one on her parasol, which is powerful enough to take out a Hellbound when she uses her special attack, "Apolito Miden."
  • One of Claris's ground-based attacks is a laser which can often kill demons.
  • As usual, the Mikasa is equipped with a large cannon. This time, it's powerful enough to destroy a swarm of demons.
• Wham Episode: The end of Chapter 4 has Yaksha attacking the Imperial Theater, starting a chain of events that caused an avalanche of wham episodes, with Chapter 5 focusing on redeeming Sakura's confidence and Yaksha finally finding the Imperial Sword, in the form of the Amamiya Kunisada, to Chapter 6 where Anastasia betrays the team, stealing the Amamiya Kunisada and shooting Reiji, and President G finally reveals himself as the Big Bad, to Chapter 7 where Yaksha kills off everyone in the Flower Division except Sakura and Kamiyama.
• Wham Shot:
  • Sumire Kanzaki's return for long-time fans of the franchise.
  • The Skywhale arriving to deliver Kamiyama's Mugen.
  • The Berlin Combat Revue (Elise and Marguerite) sporting masks like Yaksha, hinting that they are brainwashed.
  • Seijuro Kamiyama and Sakura Amamiya encounter a still-alive Sakura Shinguji shortly before they return to their actual timeline.
• Who Are You?: In Chapter 1:
  • Claris asks "Wein ass et!?"^note Who are YOU!? after she encounters Kamiyama for the first time.
  • Xiaolong asks "Who the hell are you!?" after Kamiyama arrives in his Mugen to thwart the former's No-Holds-Barred Beatdown on Sakura.
• Would Harm a Senior: Mr. I and his group of agents show no discomfort in harming Yattansai Mochizuki, who is Azami's mentor and the Mochizuki clan's elder.
• Would Hit a Girl: By the end of chapter 1, Xiaolong is more than willing to curb-stomp Sakura even after she tells him about her dreams to become an actress and fighter like her idol.
• Would Hurt a Child:
  • The demon at the beginning of the game was willing to kill the young girl in the station. Fortunately, Kamiyama intervenes.
  • At the end of the game, Yaksha shows no discomfort offing Azami when she tries to instigate a Roaring Rampage of Revenge after Claris's death.
• You Are in Command Now: With Kamiyama and Sakura absent during Yaksha's attack on Hanayashiki in chapter 5, Hatsuho assumes command of the Flower Division and thwarts the assault.

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"To victory!"

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