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Yet another talked-about new work is emerging from the Hakuoki series that is hugely popular particularly with females. The popular Hakuoki SSL: Sweet School Life, a spin-off to the game Hakuoki: Shinsengumi Kitan, is getting a TV drama and stage play. This announcement came on May 9. The TV drama is set for fall 2015 and the stage play winter 2015. The same cast will play in both, and they will take place on two different stages.
Hakuoki is a romantic adventure game released in 2008 by Idea Factory. It is available on a wide range of consoles, including the PS2, PSP, DS, and as apps. It takes place during the Bakumatsu era and the story follows playable main character Chizuru Yukimura and characters from the Shinsengumi. Its high popularity has led to development into various other media including TV anime, movies, stage plays, and musicals. Even now, seven years since the series began, its popularity is high and various collaborations are in the works.
Hakuoki SSL, to which a TV drama and stage play have been announced, is a spin-off of Hakuoki. It takes place at a modern day academy where the characters are a mix of high school students and teachers. It’s quite different from the series’ Bakumatsu setting, and unlike the original series doesn’t include any bloody scenes.
It originally began as a bonus on the fan disc Hakuoki: Zuisouroku released in 2009. Players can see it at the end of the game by collecting all the “Cherry Blossom Fragments.” Fans were delighted with these characters who usually bring death with them living out a peaceful school life. Due to its high popularity, it was also released on the PS Vita in March 2014 and became a huge hit.
The highlight released this time as that the same cast will play in the drama and stage play. Playing Hijikata Toshizo is popular actor Yuichi Nakamura who has played in such series as Kamen Rider Den-O. The cast also includes Toshiyuki Someya from the Prince of Tennis musicals has Saito Hajime, Atsushi Kimura as Okita Soji, Mashu Ishiwatari as Todo Heisuke, Seiya Inagaki as Harada Sanosuke, Katsuhiko Ibuka as Chikage Kazama, and Miku Ono as main character Chizuru Yukimura.
Eyes are now on the TV drama adaptation of the game series, and it seems like this spin-off series will become a hit. Keep a lookout for more information, including broadcast dates, to come.
Source: animeanime
