A key part of the alternate history fad that sparked off in the late nineties, the Sakura Wars games presented an early 20th century where young women fought off a demonic invasion using steam powered robot suits.
The game had already had an OAV series, so in the post-Eva anime market, it was a natural choice for TV show. It was overseen by Lain director Ryutaro Nakamura, and the story provided by the super-prolific Satoru Akahori. Akahori was a key creative force in the expansion of the franchise, being involved in the anime and the manga.
ADV picked up the title, but without the game alongside it, I’m not sure it made the impact it could have. However the game franchise remained popular in Japan, and new games continued to be released throughout the 00s along with new OAVs. To this end, it’s reported that a Sakura Wars game is finally getting an English language release this year. Albeit one that is 4 years old.
It’s odd with the belated steampunk fad that’s picked up in UK/US over the past few years that I’ve not really seen Sakura Wars included in that, given it’s combination of costuming (the characters disguise themselves as theatrical performers) and steam powered robots. Maybe the videogame release will raise its profile again?