Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary Celebrated With New Art and Exhibitions
Sega has unveiled new commemorative illustrations by Matsubara Hidenori and Kudo Masashi to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sakura Wars series, which first launched on the Sega Saturn in September 1996. Alongside the artwork, the company announced a special exhibition event titled “Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary Exhibition ~Dreams Revived~” that will be held in both Tokyo and Kyoto later this year. The official portal site has also been updated with dedicated content featuring a HISTORY page chronicling the series’ three-decade journey and CHARACTER pages introducing the cast across different entries, with additional updates planned for the future.
The newly created illustrations celebrate both the original Sakura Wars and New Sakura Wars, with the artwork described as carrying gratitude to longtime fans and hopes for the series’ future. Matsubara Hidenori commented that he drew the piece with the feeling that the characters are alive in fans’ hearts, and expressed a wish that all past titles become playable on current hardware. Kudo Masashi, who contributed New Sakura Wars illustrations, congratulated the series and noted his anticipation for an upcoming New Sakura Wars stage production.
The “Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary Exhibition ~Dreams Revived~” will first open at Yurakucho Marui in Tokyo from October 31 to November 15, 2026, operating daily from 11:00 to 20:00. It will then move to Space Galleria KYOTO in Kyoto from December 4, 2026 to January 4, 2027, with hours from 10:00 to 21:00 (closing at 17:00 on the final day, last entry 30 minutes prior). The exhibition will feature setting materials, video displays, and commemorative merchandise, with further details to be announced on the official website.
First released on September 27, 1996, the original Sakura Wars depicts the Imperial Assault Force Flower Division, a secret organization defending Tokyo that performs as a theater troupe in peacetime and wields spiritual energy weapons in battle. Set in a fictional Taisho Era defined by advanced steam technology, the series later expanded its setting to Paris and New York, spawning anime, stage shows, and manga. It won the CESA Award (now Japan Game Awards) in 1996, and cumulative domestic shipments have surpassed 4 million units. This anniversary celebration is a well-deserved tribute to one of Sega’s most beloved franchises and its dedicated fanbase.
