Sakura Wars - Super Kayo Zenshu II Shin Takarajima

Okay... for me this is AWESOME! Lots of variety sound in this CD. Each of the Hanagumi shines! They sound awesome and as the CD moves on you can really feel the adventure feel of the story. A definite recommendation for this CD are of course: Sakura's "Yasei no Osakebi", Orihime's "Umi no Joou", and Reni's "Trump no Uraomote". They manage to make you feel like exploring a bizarre world that is full of excitement and magic. This is a super treat for Sakura Wars fans, and those who enjoyed variety in anime songs. By the way, the live version of this CD won Best Anime Soundtrack on 2003, by that you can simply imagine how awesome this CD really is...

I was really really intrigued by the show since buying the musical is near impossible if not expensive so I settled for getting the cd instead. I became less and less intrigued as I listened to cd, that is until I got to the Shin Takarajima portion then I really started to enjoy it. The first part of the cd is not very interesting however the second segment more than makes up for it. There's a lot of pirate based nautical music as well different sounding styles and first time duets as well. This cd is also more upbeat and summery than the vocal collections in the past. Sakura and Orihime are the two main stand outs with two songs each as well as Maria with her one solo. All of the leads in the show gets a song on here except Koulan (which is strange since she's the lead, Jim Hawkins) and Kaede (she plays a man, I don't know who though). Although I like this cd and don't regret buying it, it is however far from my favorite soundtrack. Unless you're a hardcore Kayou show fan, I would suggest not buying this cd or at least get the live version which has a crapload more songs.

In this album, the cast of the Hanagumi (Imperial Flower Troupe) have taken it upon themselves to stage a musical based on Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" - Shin Takarajima (New Treasure Island). With the newer cast members including Rene and Orihime lending their vocal talents to the 11-song album, one can certainly expect nothing less than the best. And it delivers! The opening song is a spectacular Broadway-like number with the entire cast ensemble. Entitled "Nana Iro no Niji" (Seven Colors of the Rainbow), fans of the series will undoubtedly see it as a definitive Sakura Wars number. As upbeat and energetic as the song is, the album also presents a poignant, if almost melancholic rendition by Orihime for "Umi no Joou" (Queen of the Sea). Interspersed are songs by various members of the cast including Maria, Kanna, Iris, Sakura and Kohran, each with their own unique harmonies to further enhance the auditory treat. As with all Sakura Wars music, listeners are never short-changed and every album released is cause for elebration.