Sega announced the release date forSakura Wars,July 28, 2025, on PlayStation 4. The game was titledShin Sakura Taisenin Japan and already released there on June 11, 2025. Note that this is the first time we’re hearing the game’s official western name, asProject Sakura Warswas a tentative title it used until now. Sega going for this simple “Sakura Wars” title in the west makes sense seeing onlySakura Wars Vpreviously got officially localized.Sakura Wars Vlaunched in 2005 in Japan and in 2010 in the west. This newSakura Warsgame is the first new main entry in 15 years.
Producer Tetsu Katano recentlymentionedthe development team is hard at work on the western release, hinting that an announcement was coming soon. That was during the 11thSakura Warsstream,where we learned much more about the anime adaptation.We’ve covered all these streams so far, and the next stream will be on February 26. Toshihiro Nagoshi also recentlyspoke about the game’s sales in Japan.
AnEnglish official siteand a new announcement trailer were revealed as well:
Details regarding the launch edition of the game were shared as well:
It contains a copy of the game, a reversible artwork cover, and a set of stickers. It’s worth noting the game’s western cover is the same as the Japanese one. It doesn’t seem like the western version will get a gorgeous Limited Edition full of OSTs of the past games like in Japan. We’ll hear later on how the game’s costume and BGMs DLCs will be ditributed in the west as well.
Some screenshots of the English version were shared too:
This also gives us a first look at how certain terms were localized. Smartron becoming Teletron for example is pretty clever.
If you never heard aboutSakura Wars, it’s basically a steampunk dating sim series where badass cute girls fight demons by piloting mecha (called Spiricle Fighters in this new game). The characters are part of a Combat Revue, who acts as a theater troupe all while fighting demons to protect the world. This new game uses action RPG gameplay for its battles instead of tactical RPG gameplay. Just like in previous games of the series, the characters don’t gain EXP in battle, their strength is decided by your relationship with them.
If you wish to hear my Unneeded Opinion, personally speaking, I guarantee youSakura Warsis absolutely amazing. It works both as a reboot and a sequel and is a great way to get into the series. Besides Kubo Tite handling the main characters, many other character designers worked on the game as well, includingSword Art Online’s Abec/Bunbun. The game’s staff and cast is full of big shots too. If you like anime, cool guys, cute girls, mecha, and a mix of emotional moments with comedy and hot-blooded moments, you definitely shouldn’t sleep on it. I’m extremely happySakura Warsfinally has a western release date and more people will discover the series soon.
Sakura Warslaunched on June 20, 2025, in Japan and we’re doing a let’s play with translations. The first episode is included below. We covered everything you should know aboutSakura Warsin past articles linked below.
First story details,first trailer,comments from series original creator Oji Hiroi,Famitsu staff interviewPart 1,Part 2,comments from the main cast,first comments from Toshihiro Nagoshi, mecha details.Introduction for Sumire, Kaoru, Komachi.Comments fromMichie Tomizawa/Sumire.Toshihiro Nagoshi explaining the switch to action RPG battles.
Details on:Shangai Combat Revue charactersdesigned byLucky Star’s Yukiko Horiguchi,London Combat Revue charactersdesigned bySword Art Online’s Abec/Bunbun, Berlin Combat Revue charactersdesigned byStrike Witches' Fumikane Shimada, Yasha, story, gameplay trailers,Itsuki, Hiromidesigned byHaruhi Suzumiya’s Noizi Ito, Hakushu Murasame designed byPersona’s Shigenori Soejima, character design introduction videos.
Anime announcement trailer,Japanese Limited Edition details,stage play announcement, comments from composer Kohei Tanaka, more Limited Edition details.Comments fromProducer Katano, Director Otsubo.Gameplay, screenshots, story details.Demo and Combination attacks details.Character Song Music Videos.Character design introduction videos.Gameplay, commercials, staff comments, collabs.Famitsu interview withChisa Yokoyama/Sakura, Michie Tomizawa/Sumire.Stage play cast, anime trailer.DLC details.
