Winter Cicada(2007)

It is 1862, and the Expulsion of Foreigners movement is started by the Choushuu clan. Kusaka Touma is a member of this clan, but is at odds with his clan, and supports the Open the Country movement instead, which movement endorses peace and open borders. While trying to stop other Choushuu from setting fire to the British Embassy, Kusaka is confronted by a Bakufu (Shogunate) samurai who helps him and a comrade, Aizawa, escape from authorities. Years later, as he tries to find a school that will

Kusaka considers abandoning his clan. The Head Administrator, Sufu Masanosuke, offers to send him to London to learn about the West. Before leaving, Kusaka meets with Akizuki one last time and they declare their love for each other. While Kusaka is in England, Akizuki gains the leadership of his clan. After four years, Kusaka returns to Japan and receives a high ranking post in the Imperial army. During this time, Japan is in the midst of the Boshin War, with Kusaka on the Satsuma-Choushuu (Impe

Four years later, Kusaka is working for the new government, wearing Western-style clothing and living in a Western-style home. In a private Japanese cottage behind the house, he keeps Akizuki in secret. The relationship has deteriorated, as Akizuki cannot stand being kept in hiding in comfort while his fellow Bakufu comrades suffer in prison, and he wants to commit suicide. Eventually Aizawa, now an officer of the new law, discovers their relationship. He confronts Akizuki, leaving him with a s