OVA
Description
Hanabi Kitaoji is a character who appears in the anime Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris as a member of the first generation Paris Combat Revue's Fleur Division. She is a young woman of Japanese and French descent, holding the title of heiress to the Kitaoji Baron family from Japan. Her heritage is specifically three-quarters Japanese and one-quarter French, coming from her maternal grandmother. Born on May 22, Hanabi came to France when she was three years old and was raised there, leaving her with little direct knowledge of her ancestral homeland.
In terms of appearance, Hanabi is a petite young woman standing 158 centimeters tall. She has dark blue hair and deep green eyes, and her most common outfit is a violet and black formal wear. The black in her clothing serves as a mourning dress, reflecting a deep personal tragedy from her past.
Hanabi's background is marked by a traumatic event that profoundly shaped her personality. She was involved in an arranged marriage to a man named Philippe Di Marblanche. On the day of their wedding, Philippe died in a marine accident. This loss caused Hanabi to suffer from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and deep depression, to the point where she considered taking her own life to join her deceased fiancé. The tragedy also instilled in her a powerful aquaphobia, a fear of water that extends to the sea, pools, and any water-filled locations. She frequently visits Philippe's grave, tethered to her sorrow.
Her personality initially reflects this fragile inner state. She is a very quiet, shy, and reserved girl who carries herself with the refined elegance of a noble. Because she studied Japanese culture from books while living in France, she is well-versed in formal Japanese manners and arts, embodying the classic image of a traditional Japanese woman. This makes her the most reserved and polite member of her group. Despite her fragile spirit, she is normally responsible and lovely with all people, serving as a calm and sensible presence among her more eccentric or fiery teammates. She has a strong interest in Japan, though her knowledge is based purely on formal traditions gathered from her studies.
Within the story, Hanabi is a member of the Paris Combat Revue's Fleur Division, which operates out of the Le Chattes Noires cabaret. Her role in the team is that of a long-range specialist. She performs on stage under the name Tatamize Junes, which roughly translates to Yamato Nadeshiko, a term for the ideal of a Japanese woman. She is good friends with Glycine Bleumer, a relationship that dates back to their time as dormmates during their boarding school years. The Kitaoji and Bleumer families are old acquaintances, which led to the Bleumer family taking care of Hanabi after her father left Paris.
A key part of Hanabi's character development involves her interaction with Ichiro Ogami. Through his support and the camaraderie of the entire Paris Kagekidan, she slowly begins to heal from her trauma. She gradually regains her confidence, particularly around water. A significant milestone is when she chooses her own swimsuit for the first time and, with encouragement, courageously dives into a pool, finally conquering her aquaphobia. Her will to live shines brighter as she realizes she is not alone, and she becomes even more smiley and determined to protect others. She turns her focus from mourning to a purposeful role as a guardian. Familial tensions also appear in her story, such as when her father, Masamichi Kitaoji, makes a surprise visit to Paris, forcing her to balance her secret duties with her personal history.
In combat, Hanabi is proficient in Kyūdō, the Japanese martial art of archery. Her weapon of choice is a built-in semi-automatic crossbow, which can also function as a semi-automatic bow and arrow. She pilots a black Koubu, a steam-powered mecha, and her fighting style reflects her archery training, favoring calculated and precise long-range strikes.
In terms of appearance, Hanabi is a petite young woman standing 158 centimeters tall. She has dark blue hair and deep green eyes, and her most common outfit is a violet and black formal wear. The black in her clothing serves as a mourning dress, reflecting a deep personal tragedy from her past.
Hanabi's background is marked by a traumatic event that profoundly shaped her personality. She was involved in an arranged marriage to a man named Philippe Di Marblanche. On the day of their wedding, Philippe died in a marine accident. This loss caused Hanabi to suffer from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and deep depression, to the point where she considered taking her own life to join her deceased fiancé. The tragedy also instilled in her a powerful aquaphobia, a fear of water that extends to the sea, pools, and any water-filled locations. She frequently visits Philippe's grave, tethered to her sorrow.
Her personality initially reflects this fragile inner state. She is a very quiet, shy, and reserved girl who carries herself with the refined elegance of a noble. Because she studied Japanese culture from books while living in France, she is well-versed in formal Japanese manners and arts, embodying the classic image of a traditional Japanese woman. This makes her the most reserved and polite member of her group. Despite her fragile spirit, she is normally responsible and lovely with all people, serving as a calm and sensible presence among her more eccentric or fiery teammates. She has a strong interest in Japan, though her knowledge is based purely on formal traditions gathered from her studies.
Within the story, Hanabi is a member of the Paris Combat Revue's Fleur Division, which operates out of the Le Chattes Noires cabaret. Her role in the team is that of a long-range specialist. She performs on stage under the name Tatamize Junes, which roughly translates to Yamato Nadeshiko, a term for the ideal of a Japanese woman. She is good friends with Glycine Bleumer, a relationship that dates back to their time as dormmates during their boarding school years. The Kitaoji and Bleumer families are old acquaintances, which led to the Bleumer family taking care of Hanabi after her father left Paris.
A key part of Hanabi's character development involves her interaction with Ichiro Ogami. Through his support and the camaraderie of the entire Paris Kagekidan, she slowly begins to heal from her trauma. She gradually regains her confidence, particularly around water. A significant milestone is when she chooses her own swimsuit for the first time and, with encouragement, courageously dives into a pool, finally conquering her aquaphobia. Her will to live shines brighter as she realizes she is not alone, and she becomes even more smiley and determined to protect others. She turns her focus from mourning to a purposeful role as a guardian. Familial tensions also appear in her story, such as when her father, Masamichi Kitaoji, makes a surprise visit to Paris, forcing her to balance her secret duties with her personal history.
In combat, Hanabi is proficient in Kyūdō, the Japanese martial art of archery. Her weapon of choice is a built-in semi-automatic crossbow, which can also function as a semi-automatic bow and arrow. She pilots a black Koubu, a steam-powered mecha, and her fighting style reflects her archery training, favoring calculated and precise long-range strikes.