Azur Lane: Crosswave on Nintendo Switch - Release Date & Sakura Empire Details!

We have some details to share with you regarding the Sakura Empire in Azur Lane: Crosswave! Read out to find out more about this ancient region, as well as some of the characters who hail from its shores! We are also very excited to finally be able to reveal the game's release date; Azur Lane: Crosswave will be available on Nintendo Switch on 19th February 2021.

About the Sakura Empire:

The nation of islands of heavy cherry blossoms located to the east.

The Sakura Empire nation believe in the existence of Yaoyorozu-no-Kami, and the miko who the gods are entrusted to make the core of the nation's authority.

The Sakura Empire, who created their own unique culture compared to other nations, excel at using the East's mystery as power for their combat technology. An example of this is their fighting style of embodying Mizuho's Mystery, such as divination and communication with the dead.

The Eastern miracle Mizuho's Mystery also appears in the physical characteristics of the Sakura Empire's citizens.

Secretary Ship: Appears on main menus when not engaged in battle. Secretary Ship can be a playable character or support character. Having a ship as your secretary can lead to some interesting events to happen!

Support: Can be selected to assist in battle. When certain conditions are met, support characters can perform different support skills such as attacks, buffs, and heals. Playable characters can also be deployed as support characters, lending a different set of skills than if they were controlled.

Check out Akashi's character profile below and view the rest of the Sakura Empire support ships on the official Nintendo Switch website!
 

Shimakaze

An up-and-coming rookie that joined the fleet well after Ayanami did.

She's quick and a great listener: talents which she utilizes on the battlefield. Unfortunately, she seems to lack a sense of danger, so it's not unusual to find her in unexpected trouble. She is constantly reminded to be careful, which she takes to heart, and is showing growth as she prepares to join the Joint Military Exercise.

Of course, many of her seniors get first pick at good opportunities to fight, but she is still seeking to become the MVP along with her partner, Suruga, as she cleverly works her way to bend the rules of the event.

Suruga

A brand new member of the Sakura Empire fleet who joined at the same time as Shimakaze.

She wants to show that she can handle any work assigned to her. Upon first glance, she seems difficult to approach, but that's only because she's trying to hide her personality issues and her kindness.

That said, she is having a hard time getting rid of the stress building within her, and keeps pointing out oddities inside her mind. One day, during an exercise, she ends up partnering with Shimakaze. Little did she know that this would change her fate quite drastically...

Taihou

Sakura Empire affiliated. She's completely devoted (to the Commander), and even if she wasn't called for, she'll gallantly appear out of nowhere to stick her nose into things.

Taihou is a playable character who was originally DLC for the PS4 and Steam version of Azur Lane: Crosswave. Her playable character, additional story content, and 3 support ships will be included in the Nintendo Switch release.

Akashi

A repair ship who displays cat-like features, such as playing with cat toys. Sometimes, many doubt themselves as to whether Akashi really is a cat. Despite her unique personality, she is the best mechanic Sakura Empire has to offer, and she provides technical support with her many interesting inventions. She also has a taste for money, and this talent shines through her business skills (which often blur the line of whether she's working for the Sakura Empire or herself). She is assisting the Joint Military Exercise as their announcer this time around.