Sakura Wars OVA

"Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms" is a 1997 Japanese Original Video Animation (OVA) produced by Animate Film, Bandai Visual, and Sega, and animated by Radix. It is a four-episode series and the first OVA based on the Sakura Wars video game franchise. The OVA depicts the formation of the Imperial Assault Troupe's Flower Division, taking place before the events of the first game. The first three episodes detail the secret history of the Flower Division's formation before Ichiro Ogami's arrival, while the fourth episode is a side story set within the timeline of the game. The series was initially announced as a joint project during a planned merger between Sega and Bandai, although the merger was later called off. It was released on VHS and LaserDisc in Japan from December 18, 1997 to July 25, 1998. It was also made available for a limited time free streaming on YouTube. "Sakura Wars: The Gorgeous Blooming Cherry Blossoms" not only marked the first animation attempt for the series, but also laid the foundation for subsequent animated works, serving as an important component for fans to understand the early story of the Flower Division.