八重の桜

In the turbulent times of late Tokugawa Japan, young Yamakawa Yae, later known as Niijima Yae, grows up in the domain of Aizu, known for its fierce loyalty to the shogunate. Raised in a family of samurai, Yae learns to handle firearms and becomes an adept in martial arts, challenging traditional gender roles. Her life takes dramatic turns with the onset of the Boshin War, where she fights alongside her family and friends to defend Aizu from the imperial forces. After the fall of Aizu, Yae's journey leads her to Kyoto, where she encounters new challenges, including love, education, and a role in shaping modern Japan. With her indomitable spirit and resilience, Yae becomes a symbol of change. (Unreviewed summary by Grok 2)