Saikano (2002)
A heartbreaking Japanese anime where young love collides with the horrors of war and one girl's transformation into the ultimate weapon.
Saikano - Series Information
- Original Title: 最終兵器彼女
- First Air Year: 2002
- Last Air Year: 2002
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (25 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: July 2, 2002 (Australia - MA 15+), July 2, 2002 (Mexico - B-15), July 2, 2002 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: CBC
- Alternative Titles: L'arme ultime (FR), She, the Ultimate Weapon (US), Saishuuheiki Kanojo (JP), saikano (MX), 最终兵器女友 (CN)
- Production Companies: GONZO
- Production Countries: Japan
Saikano - Plot
Saikano: The Last Love Song on This Little Planet. is a manga, anime, and OVA series by Shin Takahashi, creator of Iihito and Kimi no Kakera. Saikano was originally serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits magazine. A live-action movie adaptation was released in Japan on January 28, 2006 with Aki Maeda starring as Chise. The Saikano manga and anime series has been licensed and is being distributed by Viz Media in English in North America. The anime series is distributed in the UK by Manga Entertainment. Although the city is not mentioned by name in the series, many of the locations used in Saikano can by all probability be found in Otaru-shi, west of Sapporo. The train station, "Hell Hill", the Asahi Observation Hill, the view over the harbor, and the school all have similar looking counterparts in the city of Otaru.
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Saikano - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Shirô Ishimoda
- Fumiko Orikasa
- Yuu Sugimoto
- Tetsu Shiratori
- Hiroki Shimowada
- Shin-ichiro Miki
- Mika Doi
- Kiyomi Asai
- Miki Ito
- Sachiko Kojima
Writers
- Itaru Era
Saikano - FAQs
What is Saikano about?
Saikano follows Shuji and Chise, two high school students in a fragile romance set against the backdrop of a catastrophic war. Chise has secretly been transformed into a living weapon by the military, and the series explores how this impossible burden tears at their love and humanity.
Is Saikano based on a manga?
Saikano is adapted from the manga by Shin Takahashi, originally serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits magazine. The manga's full title is Saikano: The Last Love Song on This Little Planet, and it was later adapted into both the 2002 anime series and a live-action film released in Japan in 2006.
How many episodes does Saikano have?
The main Saikano anime series consists of 13 episodes across a single season, which aired in 2002. There are also 2 additional special episodes included in Season 0, bringing the total episode count to 15 when including supplementary content.
Where was Saikano set and filmed?
Although the city is never named in the series, the locations in Saikano closely mirror real places in Otaru, a coastal city west of Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan. The train station, harbor views, school, and the iconic "Hell Hill" all have recognizable counterparts in Otaru.
Where can you watch Saikano?
Streaming availability for Saikano varies by region. In North America, the series has been licensed by Viz Media, while in the UK it is distributed by Manga Entertainment. Check your local streaming services or digital storefronts for current availability in your area.
Is Saikano worth watching for anime fans?
Saikano is a deeply emotional and often harrowing watch, praised for its unflinching portrayal of love under the shadow of war. It stands out among early 2000s anime for its melancholic tone and character-driven storytelling. Fans of tragic romance and sci-fi drama will find it genuinely affecting.
Does Saikano have a live-action adaptation?
A live-action film adaptation of Saikano was released in Japan on January 28, 2006, with actress Aki Maeda taking on the role of Chise. The film brought the manga's emotional story to a wider audience, complementing both the original manga and the 2002 anime series.
What anime series are similar to Saikano?
If Saikano resonated with you, consider exploring Parasyte -the maxim- for its blend of horror and humanity, Blood+ for its war-driven supernatural drama, or InuYasha for a romantic fantasy set against conflict. Valvrave the Liberator and Shakugan no Shana also share Saikano's mix of sci-fi action and emotional romance.
More About Saikano
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