OceanVeil, WWWave Corporation’s new English-language anime streaming platform, has announced it is now streaming the three-part Boys’ Love (BL) Original Video Animation (OVA) series, “The Winter Cicada” (Fuyu no Semi). The addition expands OceanVeil’s growing library of BL and niche anime titles, making the acclaimed historical romance accessible to a wider international audience.
The announcement was made on Sunday, confirming that the OVA is immediately available on the global-marketed subscription service.
A New Home for Boys’ Love and Niche Anime
OceanVeil, which had a soft launch in March 2025, positions itself as a community-centered platform aiming to bridge the gap between mainstream and niche anime content. The service explicitly stated its intent to provide a safe space for fans to explore various genres, including adult and Boys’ Love titles, some of which may not be available on other streaming platforms. This move to include “The Winter Cicada” aligns with OceanVeil’s objective to curate a diverse catalog, featuring both “less spicy” and erotic anime, and serving as an official home for BL content. WWWave Corporation, the parent company, has a history of embracing adult content and fan service, making OceanVeil a natural extension of this focus.
Diving into “The Winter Cicada”: A Tragic Historical Romance
“The Winter Cicada” is a poignant three-part OVA that originally debuted on DVD in February 2007. Loosely based on Youka Nitta’s popular manga series Embracing Love (Haru o Daiteita), the anime unfolds a sweeping tale of forbidden love and profound loss against the tumultuous backdrop of Japan’s Bakumatsu and early Meiji periods (1862-1869).
Plot Summary and Historical Context
The narrative centers on the deepening bond between Touma Kusaka and Keiichirou Akizuki. Kusaka is a visionary from the Choshu clan, dreaming of a Japan open to the world and advocating for the “Open the Country” movement. Akizuki, a samurai of the rival Bakufu (Shogunate) faction, finds his destiny intertwined with Kusaka’s. Their relationship begins through clandestine English lessons, blossoming into a tender, forbidden romance despite their opposing loyalties.
The story is set during a pivotal moment in Japanese history, marked by the “Expulsion of Foreigners” movement and the subsequent Boshin War, which saw Japan transition from feudal Shogunate rule to Imperial rule and begin engaging in international trade. As the civil war rages, Kusaka finds himself on the Imperial Army’s side, while Akizuki rises to leadership within the Shogunate. Their love is severely tested by duty, honor, and betrayal, leading to desperate reunions and ultimately, a tragic conclusion in a rapidly modernizing Tokyo.
Production and Legacy
The OVA was directed by Yoshihisa Matsumoto and produced by Studio Venet. Its release in 2007, with a U.S. broadcast on Logo (MTV Networks’ LGBT cable channel) in 2008, cemented its status as a significant title within the Boys’ Love genre, particularly for its emotional depth and tragic themes. Fans often describe it as a deeply moving story that evokes strong emotions. The voice cast includes Shinichiro Miki as Touma Kusaka and Toshiyuki Morikawa as Keiichirou Akizuki.
OceanVeil’s decision to stream “The Winter Cicada” ensures that this classic Boys’ Love story, known for its powerful narrative and historical setting, remains accessible to both long-time fans and new viewers exploring the genre.
