Sakura Wars: A Steampunk Anime

[charliec81]

Yep. That's right. Steampunk.

For all those wondering, steampunk refers to a genre of science fiction where alternative technology, that being highly advanced 19th century steam technology, is used. Starting with UJules Verne himself, it has found many a home, esp. in the William Gibson novel "The DIfference ENgine", where CHarles Babbage invented the Analytical Engine, and thus, caused the Information revolution 100 years earlier.

In the case of Sakura Wars, the steampunk, of course, is in the Kobus, and all manners of other steam technology. Though it features a bit of modern technology(Koran's missiles, Erica's machinegun), it is, predominantly, steam tech. ALso note that the world that the story is set in is about the 1920's, just a few decades after the End of the Victorian period, when most steampunk stories are set.

WHile I wasn't a fan of Sakura Wars for it's plot or characters (I can find much better examples elsewhere), what I liked was the milleu, the ideas proposed, and, most of all, the robots, which I find to be the most interesting version of steam technology yet. No fuss over computers ! It's steam power, gears, clogs and all manners of contraptions for me !

Geki !

[jennwenn]

Me too! Although "steampunk" didn't seem to fit SW to me at first, once I understood the definition I was very interested. The greatest appeal of SW to me is the "alternate history" aspect. I really like the idea of technology used in the past. What other animes are "steam punk"?



Oh, and welcome to AB.

[Oogami Ichirou]

Very interesting input you have there charliec81. I never really thought much about the whole steam-machines concept but now that you mention it, it does seem quite arousing. :p

[death]

Steampunk is always fun...

Like most Victorian Era Alt historys are... They really do give a diffrent view of the times... ANd the rampant collonialisem..

Back to sakura wars though and yerh... Sure there were a few things that really were out of place but Hey its an anime... And the Gattling gun(I think thats the one your complaining about... Its on one of the Obu's right?) could be steam power as well... And there were some early 'real' Machine guns around... THey just were unreliable...

Those MK 7 tanks are a reall hoot though....

[jennwenn]

Yeah, steampunk is fun. Its totally unbelievable, but then that's the fun of it. I mean, steam-power is nowhere near efficient enough to power most of the designs, but hey, it looks cool and this is fantasy.

[charliec81]

And that's why I love it. Who needs all these electrical conceptions you have nothing but good old fashioned steam, I daresay !