Grace and Steel
Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 03/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not sure why the DVD release decided t name this set of four episodes as 'Crescendo', since the major story are only develops a bit - a scene in the first episode and a confrontation with Crimson Miroku in the last. What actually unites the episodes is the further development of the characters and their relationships in the individual episodes, and once again, this is where Sakura Wars excels.
The first episode belongs to Kanna and Sumire as a looming typhoon throws them into an argument about where it will fit and what will happen to Sumire's beautiful poster for the Flower Combat Troop's next show. Then a trip to Koubu training camp finds Kohran and Sakura lost in the middle of a volcano eruption. Sakura learns a valuable lesson in sacrifice and the meaning of friendship that will repeat itself in many episodes
Then next episode is one of my favorites. We learn a lot about Iris when her birthday comes and no one in the Troop knows how to celebrate this Western cousin. It is Iris who learns how much her new friends mean to her in an episode that makes even this old man sniffle. The final episode is the battle with Crimson Miroku, in which Sakura and Sumire must learn to work together. Always a struggle when Sumire is involved.
This is an exceptional set of episodes, each one drawing us further into the life of the Flower Combat Troop. It is the personal element that makes these stories compelling. Keep watching!!"