Sakura Wars Celebrates 30 Years: Future Possibilities and Remake Plans Unveiled
In the latest edition of Weekly Famitsu, significant developments were presented regarding the beloved steampunk strategy RPG series, Sakura Wars, marking its 30th anniversary.
Potential Plot for Sakura Wars 6
Oji Hiroi, the creative mind behind the Sakura Wars series, disclosed that he formulated a narrative for a sixth installment when discussions about a new game emerged. He noted, “I only came up with the plot for 6 because there had been discussions about making the next game.”
The proposed storyline introduces a character named Black Swan, who is depicted as being in cryogenic hibernation. While Hiroi acknowledged that this plot may not currently be accessible on his devices, he expressed uncertainty about the location of the sole existing copy.
However, Hiroi clarified that this plot does not guarantee active development of Sakura Wars 6. He stated he would contemplate working on it if commissioned for a prototype and compensated accordingly. Interestingly, should the game be produced, Hiroi confirmed it would be titled “6” instead of “VI,” humorously questioning the earlier choice of Roman numerals for the fifth game.
SEGA’s Vision for the Franchise
Akira Nishino, a long-time contributor to the Sakura Wars series and current SEGA producer, expressed a strong desire to adapt the original titles for contemporary gaming platforms, spanning from the first Sakura Wars through to Sakura Wars V: So Long, My Love. He remarked, “Of course, we would like to do it as well… However, there are various circumstances involved, so it’s not something we can easily move forward with.”
Nishino also shared his vision for the narrative progression of New Sakura Wars (2019), asserting, “I have a vision in my mind for New Sakura Wars all the way through to the end. But unless a vision is brought into the world, it’s nothing more than a fantasy. I strongly don’t want it to end as just a fantasy.” A sequel to this title has not yet been confirmed by Nishino, leaving fans eager for further clarification.
Involvement of Original Creators
Satoru Akahori, the scenario writer for earlier entries, mentioned he has recently reignited his connection with the franchise after stepping back post-Sakura Wars V. He hinted, “While I stepped away from Sakura Wars for a while after wrapping up on V, I’ve recently become just a little involved with it again. I can’t say what it is yet, but I hope you’ll look forward to it, even if you only catch a glimpse.”
Upcoming 30th Anniversary Initiatives
Nishino noted that SEGA has additional plans to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sakura Wars beyond the existing initiatives, which include pop-up shops and theatrical productions. “Although we can’t share the details yet, we’re preparing something else big,” he stated, without detailing whether it involves gaming elements.
